This PD Video Triggered Flashbacks of My Own PD Nightmares

This mind-numbing video of professional development from Chicago has been making the rounds recently, and for me it brought back a flood of memories of awful PD my colleagues and I endured. Usually the least effective workshops were created and run internally, but that didn't necessarily mean external "experts" were much better.

In this case, at least the expert is modeling the methods they're peddling (which would be fine if such methods were any good to begin with). I can remember several examples where new methods or technology were simply talked about, looked at and then we were left to find out how to apply them to our classrooms on our own. The resources from that kind of PD ended up stuffed into the back of a closet, never to be heard from again.

Unfortunately, this is an example of why teachers are so disengaged from PD. When I would seek out relevant PD on my own, I was usually told that I couldn't take any professional days for them. Then the days that were built into the schedule were full of drivel like this. I would laugh when an administrator would try to teach us to be more engaging and to use exciting new methods by lecturing to us off of a PowerPoint for half a day. The absurdity of it all!

Seek out your own PD and take the time you need to dive into it, if you can. If not, take advantage of what's increasingly available online (often for free) and find a way to fit it around whatever new acronym your school has chosen to follow this year. Your teaching will be better off because of it.

New Online Learning Resources: March 2014

Whether you're using online learning for your students or yourself, the number of options is increasing by the day. Here are just a few:

10 OpenCourseWare Sites for a Free Education [Mashable]

Glean — Find the best videos in education for you [via Leilani Cohen] - A long time reader sent this educational video site to me, saying it could "eventually take the place of Khan Academy" in her classroom.

9 Dependable Destinations for Online Tutoring [Mashable]

Mindsy Wants To Be The Netflix Of E-Learning [TechCrunch]

This Free Course in Music Engineering Teaches You with Music You Love [Lifehacker] - It could be the start of a path to serious study or just for fun. Either way, this one intrigues me.

A Quick Primer For School Leaders Interested in Social Media

The above video is by New Milford High School (NJ) principal Eric Sheninger, who is one of the biggest advocates of school leaders utilizing social media to improve their schools.  He's also an influential voice for education on Twitter.  In short, he's a good resource to connect with if you want to learn more.

Another excellent resources is a blog entitled The 21st Century Principal, which covers social media topics in depth from an educator's perspective.  Here are some recent must-read articles to get you started:

• 6 Reasons School Leaders Shouldn't Ignore Social Media as Communication Tool
• 4 Social Media Listening Strategies for 21st Century School Leaders
• Aspects of Social Media Leadership for School Administrators and Other Educators

If you want to connect with many more school leaders exploring the use of social media and other technology in schools, you should check out the Connected Principals chat on Twitter by looking up the hashtag #cpchat.

There's so much to talk about here that it might seem overwhelming, which is why I'm going to close this primer with just a few posts on social media in education that I've shared:

• 5 Thoughts & Ideas for Embracing Social Media in Education
• Weekend Reader on Social Media in the Classroom - Sept 2011
• Quick Start Resources for Educators Ready to Try Twitter

Don't Stop Trying Bold New Ideas, Even When You Fail

Right before school started last fall, I made a list of several new ideas I wanted to try out in the year ahead.  Some of them had been ruminating in my mind for years, and I felt that I had a unique opportunity in a new situation to build the classroom I had always wanted.  Here is the list:

1. ACT/SAT Question of the day? Week?
2. Blended learning - sort of. Khan Academy etc Study Island??
3. Facebook page
4. Group work products - Complex Inst principles - butcher paper
5. Meaningful homework - Use word wall: over the course of the six weeks, students will produce (illustrated guide / puzzle / children's book / song etc) something for all words.  Math puzzles from Professor Stewart's Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities by Ian Stewart
6. Experiment with IWB - Battleship!!
7. Use PI office to get guest speakers
8. Make infographics into posters- college, education, health, poverty etc

I just rediscovered this over the weekend and realized I accomplished only a couple of these things.  I incorporated Khan Academy into my curriculum, I created Facebook pages for my classes, and at the very beginning of the year I used some puzzles from Dr. Stewart's book as an icebreaker.  I didn't do any of those things particularly well either.  The other ideas disappeared into the ether of a typically busy school year.

Yet despite my failure to successfully implement these ideas, I won't hesitate to tell you that you should never stop trying new things to improve your teaching.  The minute you lose your desire to get better, to struggle to improve, you might as well start looking for a new career.

A few weeks age I told you to make a list of things you need to do better in the future before you forget them.  Consider this an addendum: make a big list of bold new things you want to try out next year.  Better yet, research good ideas over the summer and then make a list just before school starts.

What kind of things would be on your list?  I'd love to read them in the comments.

Bellwether Hosting Better Blogging Workshop for Teachers This August

Bellwether Education Partners, a national nonprofit  based in Washington, D.C., is hosting a workshop called Better Blogging: Skills and Tools for Teacher Bloggers on August 11, 2012.  The workshop is the brainchild of Andrew Rotherham, co-founder of Bellwether, blogger and columnist for TIME.

I had the privilege to attend the first Better Blogging conference in February, and am so grateful for the opportunity.  The best part for me was networking with other amazing edubloggers, such as Marlyin Rhames, who writes the fantastic blog Charting My Own Course and Mark Anderson, who blogs for Gotham Schools. 

The line up of presenters was equally awe-inspiring, including such distinguished journalists as Carl Cannon (Pulitzer Prize and Gerald R. Ford Prize winner) and Ezra Klein (Washington Post columnist and frequent MSNBC contributor).  They'll be there in August along with a group of experienced bloggers and journalists that have the kind of impact I think any teacher blogger would hope to have.

If you have a teaching-focused blog or are about to start one, and are looking for ways to take it to the next level, I strongly recommend you apply.  The application is due July 9th, but considering the 5:1 ratio of applicants to attendees in February, you should apply ASAP!

If you're interested but have more questions, you can email Bellwether's Rachael Brown or just ask me.

5 Ideas for Personal & Professional Development This Summer

3 Ways Teachers Can Use Summer to Build Skills [US News and World Report]

Video: Using Twitter To Create A Personal PLC [This Week In Education] - No better time to tap in to Twitter as a resource.

'EdCamp' Turns Teachers Into Grassroots Idea Hackers [GOOD] - There are tons of these happening all over the country this summer, with new ones popping up all the time. Attend one this summer for a totally different take on PD.

Some Things You Can Do Right Now to Change Your Life [The Art of Non-Conformity]

Build Your Summer Manifesto [Lifehacker] - Don't limit your development focus to only things directly related to teaching or education.  As I've talked about here countless times, you need to work on the "you" that's not a teacher.

Make a List of Things To Improve Upon Before You Forget Them

The compliment to yesterday's list of "good things I did this year" is a list of things you need to improve upon the following year.  Framing it this way, instead of a list of "things I didn't do well" or "ways I suck as a teacher" makes you think specifically in a constructive, actionable way.

What might this look like?  Here are the lists I made at the end of my first two years in the classroom:

Things To Improve Upon In 04-05

1. Better utilize space on each Interactive Notebook page
2. Use seating charts and seating arrangements more effectively (identify trouble pairs and move them apart).
3. Call ALL parents in the first month.
4. Call parents more quickly (don't let it get out of hand first, also helps identify parents that aren't going to be much help).
5. If I'm cluster leader, arrange for lunch detention and maximize number of cluster meetings.
6. More assertiveness in the classroom--don't give up on anyone!
7. Talk to previous year's teacher as well as counselors for insights on struggling kids
8. Make copies of all referrals before handing them in

Things To Improve Upon In 05-06

1. Better Andrew Jackson video? (they were bored with the last one)
2. Watch over tape/staplers like a hawk
3. Sell pencils
4. Be better prepared for new students: get their info and communicate with parents earlier
5. Better long-term projects to continue reviewing key topics all year
6. Implement current events mini-curriculum
7. Students should clean up around their desks every period before they can leave
8. Rename the Do Now -- Kickoff, Starter?
9. Continue working on improving discipline, especially not yelling, getting visibly upset with everyone, not just certain students
10. Let students write out hall passes themselves so I just sign it
11. Better "big goal" project to keep them going at the end of the year
12. More integrated writing
13. Use mobile lab for research, projects, powerpoints
14. Focus more on skills TEKS/integrate more fully into existing lessons
15. Clearer big goal and student-created (or maintained) ongoing tracking system
16. More observations/professional development

Both this reflection exercise and yesterday's are ideas I wrote about in Teaching is Not a Four Letter Word: How to Stop Worrying and Love the Job.

Make a List of Good Things You Did This Year Before You Forget Them

At the end of my first year of teaching, despite some good results, I found myself dwelling on my many failures. The job had been harder than I possibly could have imagined, and so I wondered: What did I actually accomplish this year? Did I do anything right?

To refocus on the positive, I made a list of "good things I accomplished this year" before I forgot everything over the summer.  My mind tends to remember negatives much more vividly than positives, especially over time (I imagine this is true for most people).

I suggest that you take some time right around the end of your school year to make your own list.  It should include positive impacts you had on students but also any other successes you've had.  I think you'll find that once you force yourself to start, you'll have many more accomplishments to be proud of than you thought beforehand. 

What might this look like?  Here are some items I included in lists from my first two years in the classroom:

Good Things I Accomplished in 2003-2004

1. Improvement in classwork and behavior of... [I listed specific student names and realized that I had quite a long list!]
2. Building strong bonds with students outside the classroom- [Again, once I started listing students it was hard to stop!]
3. Keeping the pressure on my ESL students to do well by going to [the campus ESL coordinator] for help
4. Keeping the pressure on my CMC kids to do well by meeting with Sp. Ed. teachers regularly
5. Being able to keep up with the quick curriculum pace and still help them do well on their nonstop ridiculous tests
6. Improving my classroom management--calling parents, writing referrals, not letting kids get away with whatever they want.  "Lockdown" was a great idea for 8th, but dealing with individual students would in retrospect have been better
7. Figuring out how to do this job without (or perhaps even while) going crazy!
8. My dedication to what's best for my students, not for the administration!
9. 76% passing the TAKS, including many surprises.  We improved on every benchmark!
10. Proficient & Exceeds on PDAS

Good Things I Accomplished in 2004-2005

1. Creating a classroom where disrespect is not allowed, handling classroom management as best I can
2. Early success of brilliant students like [another long list of amazing kids]
3. Calling parents about discipline and failing grades more than ever.
4. Not allowing any student to be directly disrespectful to me; not letting things go like I did last year, but not letting it get me upset
5. Getting 2nd, 7th and 8th under control
6. Mi espanol esta mejorando!
7. Making the kids not doing classwork sign contracts to do their work, and making sure they come during lunch every day to finish it.
8. My idea for academies after benchmarks was picked up by the administration.
9. My idea to pool the history department's money to buy an LCD projector worked out.
10. Starting lunch detention earlier this year and enforcing it without any help from the cluster.
11. Reaching out to students in alternative [I spent a lot of time heading over to the district AEP to visit students who were sent there.]
12. Using the lessons from Teaching with Love & Logic correctly and successfully.
13. Continuing to fight for students who the other teachers have written off and refuse to make any modifications for them.  I'm trying to change lives and they're worried about their own petty concerns.  What the [heck] do your TEKS matter if this student crashes and burns next year, drops out, gets in trouble with drugs, crime or worse?  "You just have to do the work exactly like everybody else."  Why?  Because everyone learns in exactly the same way, and you're God's gift to teaching?  It flies in the face of everything I've ever been taught.  Why do we only make adjustments for those the school officially designates as in need?  [Obviously I was thinking about one student in particular here, but it certainly could have applied to many others.]
14. Improving the ease of make-up work through assignment folders, an example binder for non-notebook assignments, and occasional class progress reports
15. 83% TAKS passing rate with a higher standard and a more challenging group
16. Used the mobile lab this year
17. Improved at making more purposeful graphic organizers and utilizing pre, during and post-reading strategies for readings, skits, movies, etc

Do you use a helpful reflection exercise at the end of the school year?  I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

An Educator's Reading List for Surviving & Thriving, Part 2

This is part two of a recommended reading list that helped inspire and supplement the ideas in my book Teaching is Not a Four Letter Word.  These are, in my opinion, your must-reads for surviving and thriving in education.

Blogs
Seth Godin - Godin is a marketing and entrepreneurship guru whose ideas translate easily to what teachers need for the classroom.  Read Seth Godin Ideas Every Educator Should Read and 5 More Seth Godin Ideas Every Educator Should Read for examples.

Lifehacker - As I wrote last year: "Lifehacker has consistently been one of the most useful websites for me in and out of the classroom since I first started reading it.  It's a blog focused on productivity and efficiency--two keys for a long, successful career in education."  Read some examples in Five New Resources for Teachers from Lifehacker and find more in most weeks of Five for Friday.

Eduwonk - The best place to keep up with what's going on in education news, research and reform across the country, written by Andrew Rotherham (who is a co-founder of Bellwether Education Partners and writes the "School of Thought" column for TIME).  I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Rotherham a couple of months ago and his passion for quality research and writing about education is inspiring.  His colleague Sara Mead writes a thoughtful, well written education policy blog for EdWeek that's also worth your time.

Other Websites
Twitter - Even though most of my experience with the social media juggernaut began after my book was published, the power of Twitter to help you learn and grow is unmatched.  It's the most fully realized version of the personal learning network idea suggested throughout the book.

Facebook - If you haven't opened yourself to the possibilities of Facebook as a classroom resource, check out pages I used in my Algebra 1 and MMA classes this year.  That experiment is a realization of my dream to integrate social media into the classroom, and while it did not work out as I would have liked, it's a huge step in the right direction.  The most popular website in the world is also a great way to network with other teachers.

***

I tried to focus on the resources I used before (and since) I published the book, so of course there are many other resources I've learned about since then that are just as indispensible.  That, however, is a subject for another time.  Check out yesterday's post for more!

3 Areas Where Teachers Can Benefit From Advanced Training

There are many specialized degrees and certificates teachers can pursue to improve in the classroom and advance their careers. Organized information on programs helps a teacher choose one that is suitable both for the teacher and her classroom. Many of these courses can be integrated into a Master's Program in teaching or teaching certification programs. Applying continuing education classes toward a degree is a strategy that many students use.

Embrace Technology

Instructional technology is becoming more important to teach students as they prepare for the evolving world outside of school. Many teachers already have integrated various tools in their classroom such as having students gather information through on-line resources. However, there is much to instructional technology beyond this basic use.

Instructional technology means to employ the use of a variety of teaching tools to improve student learning. Instructional technology can describe other things such as: CD players, PDAs, GPS devices, calculators, iPads, cameras, and more. Computers are becoming useful in every aspect of learning from math tutoring to presentation software. Students and teachers can use databases, spreadsheets, presentation, and word processing programs to help them be effective in creating professional-looking reports. These tools are ever evolving as we approach new technologies, so staying up to date on the most current ones is important. All teachers across every discipline and age can benefit from this kind of training. However, K-12 teachers will probably gain the most advantages. Teachers can take webinars, on-line training videos, and in person training sessions. These courses take about 60-90 minutes to complete.

Lesson Strategies and Teaching Methods

The summer months are a good time to brush up on lesson strategies or to try a few new teaching methods. It gives a teacher time to delve into something new and become comfortable with it before the school year begins again. All teachers from K-12 can benefit greatly from this. Learn new themes for the new school year and new topics such as fun and statistics lessons, health resources, baseball math and many more. There are many online courses and resources that teach effective strategies. The time of the courses vary greatly depending on the needs of the teacher and what he would like to learn could vary on the time commitment.

Leadership Training

Teachers who want to learn how to become more effective leaders will benefit greatly from training in leadership. Training gives explanations of best practices to help them become better leaders within every aspect of their lives. Teachers are natural classroom leaders, however many teachers have never taken a rigorous leadership development course. Both classroom and e-learning modules are available in order to receive instruction. It is not a lecture format mainly, but is a highly interactive experience in learning the principles. The course takes about 15 hours of time to complete.

Trainings can be used for re-certification and professional development credits for teachers. They can also be customized and built for an individual school in both formats. Many different types of teachers can benefit such as special education, K-12, coaches, librarians and extracurricular activities supervisors. Teachers who take leadership training will be able to build and maintain discipline in the classroom, create more productive relationships with parents, be a mentor to other teachers, and improve time management and communication skills, to list just a sample.

When thinking about a master’s program in teaching or teaching certification programs it is important to weigh all the possibilities. Finding a specialized degree may provide higher job satisfaction or provide the readiness for advancement within a current career.

This is a guest post provided by U.S News University Directory, a leading resource for online teaching degrees; including, instructional technology masters degrees and accredited educational leadership programs from top colleges and universities.

Rewiring the Student Brain with Feedback Loops

The cover story of this month's issue of Wired magazine is about how the brain works in and how we can change our behavior.  The main process is through feedback loops: we collect and receive relevant real-time data, we're shown clear consequences (positive and negative) to what we do with the information, and then we do it.

They use the example of a small town in California that had tried everything to get people to slow down in a busy school zone.  Nothing works until they created a sign that electronically showed each person's speed (as measured by a built-in radar gun) and then below it says the actual speed limit.  It made a huge dent in getting people to slow down, and now "Your Speed" signs are all over the country.

As I read this I thought about the feedback loops I've been creating in my classroom over the years.  Clearly there's plenty of applications for this as we get better with data, but I was thinking of the more practical, day-to-day uses of this concept.

I used to post students grades on a weekly basis on a bulletin board (using student IDs instead of names, as seen above), but this was an incomplete loop.  The data was relevant and there, but there was no consequence or clear paths of action to take.  I just kind of hoped students would get the idea.  Not surprisingly, it did little to inspire students to get or stay on track.

Far more effective was the detailed list of assignments, grades and category percentages that I would give every student at the midpoint and end of each grading period (usually a six week period).  Students had relevant real-time data, and because I kept file folders containing copies of assignments (with labels/dates consistent with what was on their  report) they could easily take action.  Usually I gave them part or all of the period to do this, and this would have a huge effect on getting students to make up work and pull up their grades.

This is an effective loop, but would be better if I gave out these detailed reports weekly or biweekly and skipped the posted grades.  It would likely eliminate the need to set aside "make up" time at all.

I feel like this research has almost limitless applications in our complex profession.  What successful and unsuccessful feedback loops have you created in your classroom?  What potential do you see in this cycle to make positive changes in your students going forward?  Check out the article and share your thoughts in the comments.

Thoughts From My First Semester in an Ed Admin Graduate Program

As a follow up to yesterday's guest post on getting a degree in Educational Leadership, I wanted to share my own perspective.  I just started a master's degree program in Educational Administration, which at the University of Texas-Pan American is part of the Educational Leadership department and a precursor to its namesake doctorate.

For most of the last calendar year I've been working for IDEA Public Schools, a highly successful charter school organization that serves nearly 7000 students in 16 schools across south Texas.  I'm Chief of Staff for the Founder and CEO, which means I am privy to just about everything involved in running the organization--everything from what's happening at the schools to the painstaking details of finance and development.  While it's a welcome challenge, and very exciting to say the least, the learning curve is very steep.  There are many areas where I can contribute, but as my background is grounded completely in teaching, I have a lot to learn.  That's where this kind of graduate program comes in.

We've spent our time thus far discussing all of the issues schools deal with from the perspective of a principal and/or superintendent.  I've learned a lot about school law, finance and politics that has helped me in my job.  I've also learned more about the similarities and differences between how charters and traditional public schools must deal with these issues (hint: it's more similar than you might think).  Finally, I've had the opportunity to teach a lot of future leaders in my region that much of what they think they know about IDEA (and charters in general) isn't true.

I feel like I've gained quite a bit, and I'm only in my first semester.  My goal isn't to become a principal or superintendent necessarily (which puts me in the minority of my cohort) but that doesn't mean I can't get just as much out of this program.  I'm in a central office position in a growing and changing organization, which makes the need for the broad knowledge I'm getting from this program obvious.  Yet I also realize that even if I had still been a teacher who was undecided about taking an administrative position at the school or district level, I still would benefit greatly from looking at education from this very different perspective.

I hope that no matter where you are in your career in education that you consider what you could get out of a masters or doctorate in Educational Leadership.  Our profession needs great leaders at every level to ensure children are getting a great education.

As always, I'm happy to answer specific questions.  Please send me an email or leave a comment and we can dive into this topic a little more.

Why You Should Get an Educational Leadership Graduate Degree

Educational Leadership graduate degree programs prepare education leaders to analyze and solve the types of problems faced by schools. The programs also provide the knowledge and skills required to motivate the staff to perform at a higher level.

Educational Leadership Master's Degrees

Educational Leadership Master's Degree programs provide educators with the tools needed to be effective leaders in educational organizations and in their school's community. Educators also learn to become effective advisers and mentors to beginning educators. The programs also teach individuals how they can affect change in the systems that govern national, state, and local education.

The master's degree programs review current educational trends and innovative curricular designs in the context of improving student performance. Popular concentrations include instructional leadership, school leadership toward administrative licensure, and leadership for community and organizational learning. Many of these program require an internship.

Some of the typical subjects covered in an Educational Leadership Master's Degree program are as follows:

• Policies and practices in leadership
• Leadership development
• Education policy analysis
• Development of organizational leadership
• Administration and organization of public education
• Educating a diversity of learners
• School finance
• Educational change/school reform
• School - community relations and communications
• Special education

Doctoral Degrees in Educational Leadership

Programs offering a Doctorate (Ed.D) degree typically require applicants to have leadership experience and a master's degree. Administrators and teachers enhance their abilities to influence and transform educational environments. The programs provide new and innovative models of leadership.

Many of the doctoral programs are designed for working educators and include full-time study during the summer and weekend terms during the school year. Due to convenience and flexibility, online Ed.D in Educational Leadership programs are increasingly popular.

Some of the common courses in doctoral programs are perspectives on leadership, qualitative research in education, data analysis for organizational leaders, and leaders as researchers.

Charter School Leadership

A few schools, such as Central Michigan University and Nova Southeastern University's Fischler School of Education and Human Services, offer an online Master of Art degree in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Charter School Leadership. (It should be noted that the author has no connections with these schools.)

Online Graduate Degree Programs

Some online graduate degree programs offer students the opportunity to meet multi-state, course-work requirements for academic licensing of principals, assistant principals, and instructional supervisory personnel. Graduates of some of these programs are qualified to take the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) test. Some of the programs are based on the Intestate School Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) Standards which place children and their learning as the foundation of school administration.

Another option is the graduate certificate of advanced studies in educational leadership. A number of colleges and universities around the country offer these programs.

School Rankings

The top ten ranked schools in education by U.S. News and World Report in 2010 are as follows:

• Vanderbilt University
• Teachers College, Columbia University
• Harvard University
• Stanford University
• University of Oregon
• John Hopkins University
• University of California - Los Angeles
• Northwestern University
• University of Wisconsin - Madison
• University of California Berkeley

Numerous accredited colleges and universities offer graduate degree programs in educational leadership. Educators interested in advancing their careers while affecting positive change should definitely consider these programs.

Brian Jenkins, a member of the braintrack.com writing team, writes about a number of topics related to education.

How Online Courses Help Teachers Professionally and Personally

Online courses are gaining in popularity by the day; they’re sought after not just by adults who want to go back to school after a gap, but also by professionals who are looking to advance their careers and augment their earning potential. Today, the quality of education provided online is as good as that provided at any regular university; so if you do your research carefully and choose your school and course accordingly, there’s much to gain in the process.

If you’re in the teaching field and are looking for ways to develop professionally and grow personally, online courses are tailor-made to help you achieve these two goals.

Professional development happens through online courses because:

• You improve your qualifications and academic credentials. This allows you to apply for positions higher up than the one you hold and provides you with the skills and knowledge required to climb up the career ladder.
• You learn much more than you know now, and your enhanced knowledge and growing skill set allow you to compete with the best in the industry and still hold your own comfortably.
• If you want to switch careers – say if you feel like moving to teaching at college from teaching at school – online courses are the best way to achieve your goal. They allow you to stay at your current job even as they prepare you for the one you’re aspiring for.

You also achieve personal growth when you choose to study online because:

• You learn how to manage time better – your plate is full what with studying, attending classes, handling your responsibilities at the workplace, and taking care of familial and social duties, so unless you’re good at allocating time for each and balancing them all, you’re not likely to succeed.
• You cultivate the discipline required to concentrate all your energies on the job at hand (be it studying or working) so that you can get it done in the shortest possible time and in the most effective manner.
• You learn how to multi-task effectively without compromising the quality of the work you’re doing on all those tasks.
• Earning a degree gives you a sense of personal achievement, especially if you’ve done it against all odds or at a time in your life when people have written you off for various reasons. The older you are, the more you appreciate completing a degree.

Remember however, that the benefits of online education are realized only if you make the effort to choose the right school and the right course – they must be accredited and serve to enhance your job skills and provide you with a means to move up professionally. Also, because you’re most likely going to be studying and working simultaneously, you must have excellent time management skills and also possess the required discipline and dedication to devote your energies to both tasks without shirking one for the other.

This guest post is contributed by Carrie Oakley, who writes on the topic of online colleges. Carrie welcomes your comments at her email id: carrie.oakley1983(AT)gmail(DOT)com.

What Veteran Teachers Wished They Had Known Before They Started

It's okay to be worried or nervous going into the first day of school, especially if you're a brand new teacher. Yet even those of us who have been in the classroom for years still get anxious and may even overlook some of the wisdom we've accumulated from time to time. Knowing this was a question on the mind of many young teachers, I reached out to my experienced friends and colleagues for their advice. I asked them to answer this question as succinctly as possible:

What's the one thing you wish someone had told you before your started your first full-time teaching job?

Here's what they had to say:

• The most important things you'll teach your kids won't come from a textbook.
• About special ed students...mods...IEP meetings...laws ...etc....
• Make classroom management your top priority (because you can't teach and they won't learn if you don't have control of your classroom).
• Be humble. You may have fantastic ideas, but you won't have a shot of working with others at your school to make them happen if you come across as a newbie know-it-all.
• Growth is not just measured with numbers.
• Be proactive, not reactive.
• Take some time and watch everything that is going on around you. Once you figure out who they are, seek out that successful veteran teachers at your school and ask them for help.
• Every student deserves an IEP.
• Everything you think, say or do matters. Everything.
• Treat your students like they are your own flesh and blood.
• Remember that your kids are people, not machines. And remember that you are, too.
• Remember to take some time for yourself, it will be appreciated by you, your friends, and your students.
• Your students may not always listen, but they SEE everything--actions often speak louder than words.
• Engage and utilize the resources around you. Other teachers... anyone who you can share your vision with. No one ever said you had to be the change you want to see solo.
• If you're miserable, find anyone--significant other, roomie, advisor, shrink--who can help you take hold of your situation.

I know most of these revelations focus on big ideas, but that should be a lesson in and of itself: the big ideas are the ones that will shape your approach to everything you do, and hopefully set you up for success.

Experienced teachers, please share your tweet-sized answer in the comments so we can make these an even more valuable resource.

All About My New Book: Teaching is Not a Four Letter Word

It took over a year of work and innumerable delays, but my new book is finally here. Teaching is Not a Four Letter Word: How to Stop Worrying and Love the Job is about overcoming the challenges that lead to abysmal teacher retention rates across the country.

The book is based around a single question: “What is the most important advice I can give to other teachers?” None of my answers are revolutionary, but rather straightforward ideas that teachers often take for granted (myself included). You’ll find a lot of common threads throughout the short lessons in the book:

• Creating a positive classroom environment
• Building strong relationships with students
• Working constantly to learn, grow and improve
• Finding an elusive work-life balance
• Trying to influence change in and out of your classroom
• Dealing with and avoiding problems with colleagues, school leaders, and your district

These are really the keys to surviving and thriving.  I don’t really focus on classroom management or lesson delivery too much; there are plenty of other books I would recommend for those topics. This book is about keeping you happy, sane, healthy and in the classroom or any position where you can deeply, positively impact students.

We’re on the cusp of the back to school season, and Teaching is Not a Four Letter Word is something you should consider giving to anyone you know who’s headed back in to the classroom—new and veteran teachers alike. It would certainly spark a lively debate and/or discussion in your teacher book club or PLN. No matter how you plan to use it, it’s a quick, easy read that you can literally carry with you (it’s pocket-sized).

Right now, the book is available exclusively through Lulu.com, but it will soon be available on Amazon and elsewhere. You can also download a PDF version and save some trees. Either way, I appreciate your support.

Thank you for reading, subscribing to and supporting this blog over the past 2.9 years (we’re about a month away from our third anniversary). Without you, there would have been no Ten Cheap Lessons, let alone this new book. I hope I can continue to pay you back for all the support you’ve given me over the years.

Teaching is Not a Four Letter Word: How to Stop Worrying and Love the Job by Tom DeRosa (paperback / download)

Tips for Professionals to Find the Right Online Degree

For educators who are considering a graduate degree, I'm a big proponent of exploring your options for getting it online. This guest post will give you a starting point. -Mr. D

Online education is not just a way to earn a degree from wherever you are; for most people, it’s a second chance at education. It allows them to learn while they earn, a benefit that is immensely advantageous because they don’t have to take time off from their profession and risk financial losses and because they can set schedules that are flexible and conducive to both work and study. But if they are to realize the maximum benefit from online education, professionals must take care in selecting the degree that’s right for them and their lifestyle. If not, it’s time, money and effort thrown down the drain.

So as a professional, how do you go about selecting the right online degree? Before you make your decision, ask yourself the following questions:

• Will it help me further my career? Most people go back to school because they realize the value of a degree in the workplace. A few do it because they feel a sense of accomplishment, but most do it because they want to use it as a rung to climb up the career ladder. Promotions, salary hikes, designation improvements – they’re all based not just on your commitment to your work, but also your level of education and your experience. So whether you’re looking for an internal promotion or a career change, you need to know what degree to pursue to help your cause. Most people prefer an MBA if they’re doing anything related to business - the EMBA option is popular with working professionals as it is designed around their schedule (most classes are on weekends). But in general, it’s best to choose a degree with a major that’s in line with your profession, either the one you’re in or the one you plan to move to.
  
• Does it suit my schedule? It’s not as easy as it sounds, balancing work, education, and your personal life. So choose your degree with care, taking into account your class and exam schedules. Ensure that they don’t clash with important events at work and if they’re flexible enough to fit around your work schedule. If you’re really busy at work, you can’t afford to sign up for a degree where your schedule is rigid and you’re forced to attend class even though you’re swamped with work.
• Will I be able to do justice to the course? When you commit to an education, whether it is online or not, you must give it your best shot. It’s just like any business endeavor or work project where you’re naturally going to put your best foot forward and go all out to ensure success. So enroll yourself only if you’re certain you’re going to be able to do justice to the world of academia rather than treating it like something to do when there is nothing else to do.
• Can I afford it? While this is not going to be much of a problem for a working professional as for a high school graduate, some courses like the EMBA which are tailored for high level executives are pretty expensive. So if you have to foot the bill for your degree because your employer is not keen on sponsoring you, ensure that you’ve weighed the pros and cons of spending good money on a degree which may or may not reap the rewards you seek.

This guest post is contributed by Anna Miller, who writes on the topic of degrees online. She welcomes your comments at her email id: anna.miller009@gmail.com.

Connect with Me at the 2010 #NCSC Next Week

The 2010 National Charter School Conference is next week in Chicago.  I'll be attending (I work for IDEA Public Schools) and would love to connect with any readers out there who will also be at the conference.  If you'll be there, let me know via email, Twitter or Facebook.

20 Places for Teachers to Build Their Network Online

The summer break is a great time for teachers to network with colleagues, administrators, and other education professionals. If you'd like to begin building your network but aren't sure how to go about it, the following sites will give you somewhere to start.

Partners in Learning Network - Partners in Learning Network is a global community of more than one million teachers from nearly 60 different countries. Members can create or join online communities and participate in discussions. Other features include lesson plan sharing, free tools and learning programs, and education articles.

TeachersRecess - This social network and file sharing community allows teachers to chat online, share lesson plans, and publish their own personal blog. Members can also use the site to buy and sell teaching supplies and classroom materials online.

Edutopia - The Edutopia community welcomes teachers as well as administrators, librarians, policymakers, parents, and other people interested in discussing and improving education. The community is split into groups with various interests. Members can join a current group or request that Edutopia create a new group for a topic that is not being covered.

TeachAde - This popular social networking website provides a place for classroom teachers to discuss important issues and share resources online. Members can collaborate in groups or share their thoughts through TeachAde blogs.

TeacherLingo - Teacher Lingo is an online education community that welcomes teachers of all levels. Site features include message boards, blogs, a teacher directory, and a lesson plan directory.

The Apple - The Apple is known as the place where "teachers meet and learn." Members can explore teaching careers, network with other professionals, and read articles written by education experts. The site also offers a place to search for and share lesson plans.

All Teacher Boards - Scholastic provides a message board for teachers (and another for students). The board offers a place for teachers to exchange ideas and a separate space especially for new teachers.

Thinkfinity - The Verizon Foundation's Thinkfinity Community is a place for teachers and other education professionals to find new friends and network with colleagues. Members can participate in discussions and join groups of teachers with similar interests.

PBS Teachers - PBS Teachers welcomes preK-12 educators who want to search for classroom resources and discuss teaching strategies, professional development, and other topics online.

Applebatch - This network for K-12 educators provides a space for teachers, administrators, and other education professionals to meet and connect online. Applebatch also offers a job search engine and information about job fairs and other events.

We the Teachers - We the Teachers caters to educators who want to network and share lesson plans online. The site also offers a directory of education apps and mini-communities for teachers who want to connect with others who have similar interests.

The Teacher's Forum - This free forum from TeachersCorner.net provides a place for teachers to chat, share resources, discuss recent education news, and advertise supplies for sale.

Educate Interactive - Educate Interactive's Teacher Exchange is a collaborative online module for teachers who want to share ideas and resources. Offerings include a community, forum, blogs, and an interactive lesson database.

T2T Network - This social/professional network welcomes K-university level teachers. Members can chat online, exchange resources, or look for new career opportunities.

TeachStreet - TeachStreet isn't designed to be a place for teachers to network with one another, but it is a good site for teachers who want to offer their services or introduce themselves to potential students. The site used to be free but now charges a small fee for teachers who want list classes, events, and workshops.

The Global Education Collaborative - The Global Education Collaborative is a Ning network for teachers and students who are interested in discussing global education. Members can chat with each other, collaborate on projects, and learn more about upcoming education events.

Classroom 2.0 - Classroom 2.0 is a popular education-related Ning for teachers and other education professionals who are interested in using social media and web 2.0 tools in classrooms. Members number in the tens of thousands and include teachers from all over the world.

The International School Teacher - This Ning was created specifically for international teachers who want to discuss and share their experiences teaching abroad. Features include forums, videos, photos, and more.

Meetup - Meetup isn't exclusively for educators or online networking, but it is a good place to organize a local group or learn about current groups that meet in your area.

Elgg - If all of the other sites on this list fail you, you could always start your own social network with Elgg. This open source program can be used to create a fully-featured social network with blogging and microblogging capabilities.

Guest post from education writer Karen Schweitzer. Karen is the About.com Guide to Business School. She also writes about pharmacy technician certification for PharmacyTechnicianCertification.com.

15 Continuing Education and Career Development Resources for Teachers

The web is an excellent place for teachers to research continuing education and career opportunities. There are sites that offer information on accredited teaching and certification programs, sites that provide details on teaching grants, and sites that allow educators to browse new job opportunities. Here are 15 resources to explore when you're ready to advance your education or career.

NEA - The National Education Association (NEA) provides educational resources for teachers in addition to information on teacher grants and education events.

TEAC - The Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) offers a list of accredited teaching programs for current and future teachers.

All Education Schools - All Education Schools provides details on undergraduate and graduate education programs in the United States. Other site features include articles on teaching careers and certification.

Online Masters Degree - The site isn't specifically geared toward teachers but it does offer helpful information on earning a masters degree from an accredited online program.

National Center for Alternative Certification - The National Center for Alternative Certification provides answers to frequently asked questions about alternative routes to teacher certification.

TeachersCount - TeachersCount is geared toward aspiring teachers, but the site also offers a nice list of grants, continuing education resources, and professional development resources for current teachers.

Fund for Teachers - This non-profit organization provides grants to teachers who are interested in pursuing new education and career opportunities. Fund for Teachers also links to other online teacher resources.

Teachers Support Network - The Teachers Support Network offers information on teaching certificates, education programs, professional development, job hunting, and other education-related topics.

The Apple - The Apple is an online community for both current and future teachers who want to network, explore teaching opportunities, and learn more about available teaching degrees and scholarships.

Teachers-Teachers.com - Teachers-Teachers.com is a recruitment service and job board for teachers and administrators who are looking for education-related employment opportunities. The site includes postings from more than 1,700 U.S. school systems and private schools.

Education America - This education employment network allows teachers to search for jobs online and gives employers access to teachers who are actively looking for employment opportunities within the U.S.

The Chronicle of Higher Education - The Chronicle of Higher Education offers a job board for educators who are looking for administrative, executive, and faculty positions with colleges around the nation. Teachers can also elect to search for jobs with organizations other than colleges.

TedJob - This online higher-education job marketplace makes it easy for teachers to find jobs with universities, colleges, and other academic organizations. The site also allows teachers to make their resume available to employers online.

AFT Salary Surveys - The American Federation of Teachers publishes an annual survey and analysis of public school teacher salaries. The survey and the analysis can be downloaded for free.

TeachStreet - Teachers who are want to find new students can market their classes and services through this site. TeachStreet also offers tools to help teachers enroll students in classes, send invoices, and collect payments online.

Guest post from education writer Karen Schweitzer.