Done and DONE!!

I just finished my Google Trainer application for the second time! I was down to the last question earlier this afternoon  and Chrome crashed on me. Something that never happens! Ever. Only to me.
But I came back to the office and persevered through it and redid the entire thing AGAIN. And it is done. Done and DONE yet again. It is really quite a process, educator tests,trainer skills assessment, intro video and a screencastify spliced together,and a case study  but I am glad I am finished!! Now to relax until tomorrow. Yes........

Let me in Coach.....

Coaching, in a 1:1 environment, is still one of my favorite ways to provide PD to teachers and administrators. It can be done in small chunks, can be personalized and with direct, specific and guiding questions, really cuts through the gunk! (nice technical term!) Today was one of those days. I was able to offer targeted instruction for an administrator to make the job "Smarter"! 1. 5 hours of intense learning, targeted to the specific skill, means the most efficient and successful learning is occurring. And that? That is always good news! Ahhhhh....on to Google Trainer videos and case studies.

Gifts in the form of Frogs and Tadpoles

A few months ago, my supervisor/good friend shared a quote that went something like this:

“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”

I've mulled it over many times and usually call it "frogs and tadpoles". I usually am quite able to prioritize my frogs, mostly BULLFrogs and get them out of the way first thing in the morning but then... Some days, it's just hard to get out of my own way. I struggle to find the flow and I get trapped in the small details (tadpoles) instead of stepping back and seeing the overall picture. Today was one of those days. I quite literally got a lot of work done, but didn't get the larger tasks taken care of, so I've moved them into tomorrow's list.

Now how does this all tie into giving your found gift away? I am a teacher; it's what I do, it's at the heart of all I am, it is the essence (along with creativity) of my being. I teach and I love doing it. So when I am called, tasked, needed to do catch-up paperwork (bullfrogs), what do you think I gravitate to? The tadpoles of course, the teaching components. I guess it makes sense. Now to balance out the paperwork pile (only about 12 inches) so that I can return to what I enjoy, the teaching! Ah, tomorrow at 9am I get a reprieve and can work one on one with someone. Life is good!

One year Later....

I, solemnly promise, to BLOG three times a week from NOW on!! I promise, Pinky promise!