my version of transparent, collaborative leadership...with a Teamann twist

FREE @TCEA membership this week for educators!! #teacherappreciationweek

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TCEA is offering FREE 1 year memberships to all educators everywhere, not just Texas, May 6-10, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week! What a great opportunity for everyone to take TCEA and all their benefits for a test drive!

 

Your free one-year membership includes:

• Free online ed tech professional development, based on the latest educational research, best practices, and the most engaging technologies
• Access to a members-only online community to help you find resources and connect
• Free SketchUp Pro software, a $495 value
• Free Eighth Grade Digital Literacy Assessment provided through Learning.com
• Advocacy updates from the Texas Legislature to inform you of changes in educational policies
• Free eBooks on innovative topics like makerspaces, digital icebreakers for collaboration, and transforming learning
• And much more!

 

https://tcea.org/teacher-appreciation/

 

That SketchUp software alone is pretty awesome!!

 

Technically yours,

Amber

Providing encourageMINT to those around you!

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When I am needing a treat for my staff or for those I want to celebrate around me, I have two qualifiers…are they easy? and are they cheap? One of the easiest (and cheapest!) little pick me ups that Melinda and I are including in our upcoming book is that of sharing encourageMINT.

Who doesn’t love a good box of tic tacs? Who doesn’t need a lil’pick me up every now and then? This idea combines the two to make it easy to share! I’ve seen these given as “elf vitamins” near Christmas or as “Mint to be” treats near Valentine’s day…but I like a good positivity quote for mine!

First, you’ll need sticker paper. I’ve used this one, and it’s cheap and gets the job done. You can always print out regular paper and add double sided tape, but again, I like EASY. Sticker paper lets you just cut, peel, and apply. Within the printer settings make sure to check print “actual size” and then if you can choose “high quality” on “matte photo paper” for the best look. Then trim out each label. There are 8 per sheet.

Here is a blank template that you can edit as you want to for your team.

Want one already completed? Thanks @jjmottsy for sharing!

Finally, you need tic tacs! You can get boxes at your favorite big box store or you can order here!

 

These work out to be less than a dollar each, and again are easy peasy! If you’re looking for a March themed idea, here’s an idea you can borrow from Vanessa Brady. I don’t do bathroom humor, but maybe you do!

 

Keep sharing the encourageMINT, friends!

fresh breathed &

Kick off January with #oneoword2019 and other activities with your class/campus!

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We get back to doing what we get to do on Monday. Our staff has a day of in-service and while the bulk of our day will be spent in planning, both vertically and as grade level teams, we do have a time set aside for us to come together as a staff and do a few fun things.

 

First, Stefanie MConnell over at Principal Principles had a great activity to make a wish for the new year involving glitter, which is always a win! Added fireworks and viola! We’re ready to make a wish as a campus and I literally am so excited about glittermagedon. Stefanie is a great follow and has plenty of inspiration for campus leaders!

 

Second, we’re going to talk about our #oneword2019 as a staff and the power of living life with intention. Darren Hardy wrote an AMAZING book called “The Compound Effect” where he talks about the impact little, inconsequentially, daily choices can have on the rest of our lives. Choosing to focus on one word can help remind us of our path and re-center us as we need it. I made bookmarks that we’ll hand out an hopefully, will become a visual reminder as we go through our semester. Download your copy here!

 

If you’re looking for a great book to kick off your new year with a purpose, his is a great one!

 

Lastly, we’ll have a toast…with ACTUAL TOAST, hahahahaha! I’m bringing all kinds of breads, butters, jams, and jellys! 🙂 We’ll have orange juice and toast to the new year together…I can’t wait! #snackiesnacks

 

 

I hope that your break was full of all your favorite things and you’re as ready to get back to work as I am. I have missed all my Wolves, the small and the tall! 🙂

 

Proud principal &

 

Looking for a seasonal thank you note? Here ya go!

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It’s that time of year where we may be inundated with gifts of thoughtfulness, and I try my hardest to get thank you notes written for each one! I went digging on Teachers Pay Teachers today, and thankfully, found several FREE ones that met my needs! I thought I’d save you the hunt and share with you here!

 

Free Holiday Thank you Notes from Fourth Grade Frenzy

Holiday Thank you Notes from Sailing into Second

Holiday Thank you Notes from Maureen Prezioso

 

 

Happy thanking!

 

 

Note writing &