A New Way Home

As human beings, we become accustomed to routines and daily doings. Whether it is from what we eat in the morning to how we meet and greet people; routines are important. When things in our lives change, it has a ripple effect and often times those ripples effect how we do things. Having a routine keeps is moving, alive, and active.

Just recently, I started a new job at Princeton Public Schools as Supervisor of Social Studies and Global Education. It has been an amazing two weeks so far. I have had the chance to meet so many enthusiastic and phenomenal educators and see the great work they are doing for the students who are in their classes and attend their schools. I have also had the chance to visit with my staff here in my home base and get to know them a little bit more as well (over pizza, which, in my estimation, is the best way to get to know someone).

While the job, the people, and the interactions have all been more than I could have hoped for, one thing has changed, my routines. Changing a routine isn't inherently a bad or good thing. It is just something that needs to happen. Changing a routine isn't like changing the channel. It takes time to ease into a new one and find out which one works for you.

My most pressing routine I need to change is how I get to work and what I listen to. Now this might not seem like a great deal but my car ride is my place to think about my daily events, what I need to do, and how I need to get them done. Usually, I have had time to listen to a podcast or two (Check out the BAM Radio Network for some great ones on Education: #edtechchat for one is a homerun). Now, my time is a bit different so I need to switch up what I listen to and how I get to and from work. Finding a new way home from work has been a great adventure.

Another one? What buildings I go to and how I will manage my day. Being new to the job and district gives me an opportunity to try new things out, like the Bullet Journal (Thanks, +Daniel Scibienski for this one). It is an analog way of keeping track of notes, events, and ideas. With this fresh start, it gives me some time to try new things out, including new note taking.

To check it out for yourself - http://bulletjournal.com/

My ride home is my own little Adventure Time. 

So - moral of the story? Don't be afraid to switch it up, not matter how big or small you believe the change is. Even if what you try out doesn't work, give yourself an excuse to try something new. Routines are great but so is change. Don't get stuck in a rut. 

NJASA Techspo 2014 - A look back and forwards

I had the upmost pleasure of presenting with Jay Eitner (@isupereit) and with OnCourse at this years annual Techspo! The #edtech convention was fantastic and I think that it truly helped to reshape some thinking of major stakeholders in our schools. 

The conference had its ups and downs, as all do, but it was fantastic to meet up with fellow like-minded educators. These folks are true #agentsofchange in education. 

While I was happy to present, I was unhappy to note that the organizers doubled booked me and I wasn't able to present again with Jay and Sandi Paul (@SPaul6414) about Bring Your Own Learning and devices. I heard it was a great session with questions flying back and forth. That is exactly what this sort of conference should have, CONVERSATIONS. Not just a few people talking at the front and other listening but active participants who want to make a difference in the lives of our students and how our schools are run. 

This was my second year going to this conference. Since last year, I have been to about five "unconferences" and EdCamps and I have to say, it is a world of difference. Not that this type of conference isn't worth your time. It is. But there is a time and place for both. No matter what though, as long as you come out of these with some great connections and deeper thinking about what you are doing, then they had done their jobs. 


Here is the presentation that Jay and I gave:

Breaking Down Barriers 


Here is the one Jay and Sandi gave:

BYO Learning 


For more pictures and testimonials, check out my Twitter page and the hash tag #techspo14.
Also check out the session page! 

BYOD and a tale of being connected...

Last night, I held my first summit meeting for the Bring Your Own Device initiative at my school district, Green Brook Township Public Schools. The summit was created to invite parents, students, staff, and community members in to learn more about what BYOD was, why we wanted to go to it, and what it could do for our students and teachers. It was also a chance for people to ask questions, give their thoughts, and express their hopes, fears, and joys. The summit was the first in a series of meetings that are dedicated to the BYOD push. 

I have been planning BYOD for over a year now and our pilot only encompasses the 8th grade to start with. I am going SLOW for a reason. I want people to truly understand what we are doing. I want them to be a part of it. I want to be able to plan, plan, and plan. I want this to succeed. 

When I created the event, I knew in my mind that I wanted some help from people who have blazed the trails already. From Twitter and other social media sites, I have connected with so many of those educators. These are people who I consider colleagues but there is a stronger bond that connects us. While I have never met some of these people in person, I trust them, respect them, and would do anything at the drop of the hat for them if they needed it. 

I let the public know about what our plans were and I then I turned it over to some great educators:

+Alex Podchaski 

+Sharon Plante 

+Elissa Malespina 

+JD Ferries-Rowe 

+Sandra Paul 

They gave their testimonials, answered questions, and debated why BYOD is the right push for their schools. They were awesome! +Alex Podchaski even showed up IN PERSON to help me out. I was floored. Shocked even. 

Driving home that night, telling my wife how the event went, I told her I couldn't have been happier. These people stepped up, some on short notice, the others with wrong Google Hangout invites (that one's on me!), and helped me out. 

One thing I learned from doing this - don't stop because of fear. Just because some people may have opposition to what you want to accomplish doesn't mean you shouldn't go out and try. I WANT to bring in those naysayers and have a conversation with them. I WANT them to engage in discussion. The only way to do that is to bring them in.