Pigs Can Fly!

flying pigOnce again it's been a long time between posts but today I have some fun things to share. Before we get to that, let's just say I've been consumed lately by grading final projects (our first digital stories!), starting fourth quarter, learning a bazillion kids' names, training them in my lab's minutiae, preparing for state high-stakes tests, administering said tests, and so on. I've had the never-ending respiratory crud and fevers, too, but showed up for work anyway. Because you Can't. Be. Absent. On. State. Test. Days. Unless. You. Are. Dying. And truthfully, I want my kids to do well so I'd really like to be there if possible. Or I'm such a control freak I don't believe a sub could lead them through it as well as I could. . . .

Besides, I'm betting every one of you teachers out there has taught for days with no voice. You've been there. However, I've never before taken a final presentation in an adult ed foreign-language course with no voice. It's been an adventure to be sure. The worst part of this past week may have been falling all the way down the stairs with my laptop in hand. Thankfully, my nose is purple (yet unbroken) and the laptop suffered no ill effects at all. I am one clumsy, dorky, lucky lady.

But seriously, after the last few exhausting weeks I needed some good news. And the Big Guy was kind enough to deliver. (Why am I always so impatient and lacking faith in these matters?!) My dreams of professional growth opportunities inside and out of my own school, district, and city may finally be coming true bit by bit. I'm honestly not being snarky or sarcastic here; I am telling it like it is and thrilled to share some good news.

This shift could mean my online network might begin to overlap with my real-world network, something I despaired of ever witnessing. (And by the way, what's with that term, "real world"? My online world is just as real, isn't yours?)

egg cracking/hatchingFirst, I was asked to help pilot my District's first official foray into the world of blogs, wikis, podcasts, and online collaboration for students. I've been studying, blogging, researching, and trying this stuff for a couple of years in my own classroom but none of it was recognized or sanctioned by my District. It's been hard to find ways to do Web 2.0 without violating any of my District's User Agreements, neither in the spirit or the letter of the law. Just this year a few District-level people got permission for a few adults to try PBWiki, but not students. Apparently there is someone new up at the Central Office, and although these new initiatives are coming through the Library/Media Department rather than the Technology Department, I say that's just fine. I want it to come via content areas, not via the geeks. (I can say that since I'm both.) This new leader is willing to try a limited Sharepoint version of blogging, wikis, etc. One lucky teacher per school gets to spearhead the program and provide feedback. If things go well, i.e. the higher-ups feel it's safe and contributes to better test scores learning (sorry, it's that time of year) they will allow the program to grow. This might be a sleepy little piece of news where you come from, but where I come from it's REVOLUTIONARY! I can't say how encouraged I feel.

Second, I will be one of the fortunate four from my school attending a District-sponsored event about 21st Century Learning, Global Skills, and the like. Again, finally some official recognition of some things I've been trying to do for a few years with no administrative or peer support. What a relief. It was that bad, and now there's good coming, and I couldn't be more grateful. Now don't mistake me. The people who are arranging these events don't appear to have any idea who I am, nor would they care if they did know me--so I've not been picked because I'm a star or great example of 21st Century teaching--but that's not what matters. It doesn't matter if the change is bottom-up or top-down; it's all good! It would be exciting if these people had some connectedness with the worldwide edublogosphere but I am not seeing that yet. Besides, perhaps I am misinformed.

Third, I was invited to attend a train-the-trainers event with the Oracle Education Foundation in Chicago the day after my school closes for summer. This is also about spreading the word on 21st Century Skills, Global Collaboration, etc. I participated an Oracle 21st Century Institute last fall for a few months--now I can become qualified to be a facilitator for future similar Institutes. Some of those Institutes might involve overseas travel -- something I love. You can't get much better than that kind of offer, especially since I get to keep my day job.

Fourth, I may have an opportunity to do some online graduate teaching, something I tried to pursue a couple of years ago but which didn't manifest. Maybe this will be my time, maybe not, but I'm grateful for another shot at it.

So soldier on, comrades, you never know what's around the corner!

Photo credits: http://www.worth1000.com/entries/195000/195315UAdy_w.jpg and http://www.ahyap.com/blog/images/pig-fly.gif