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Voxer: an Edcamp on my phone

November 24, 2013 by adteaman 2 Comments

What do you get when you combine a free walkie talkie app, a New Yorker, some Wisconsins, a Missouri-an, and a Texan?

Day after day after day of professional advice, personal support, and a LOT of smiles.

Jessica Johnson introduced me to Voxer while planning our Indiana Leadership presentation. I have to admit, I didn’t quite get the point…why couldn’t we text? or email? or tweet?

Did I really need another techie tool?

Thank goodness she was persistent! Daily now I am in conversation with Jessica Johnson (principalj), Curt Rees (@curtrees) Tom Whitford,(@twhitford), Leah Whitford (@leah_whit), Jay Posick (@posickj ) Joe Sanfelippo (@Joesanfelippofc) Tony Sinansis (@TonySinanis) and Melinda Miller (@mmiller757).

From the crazy events that happen throughout our days to the how would you handle this moments, we have a group to add ideas,thoughts, and advice. Tony mentioned today that these convo’s have become mini edcamps on our phone and I completely agree. We throw out random questions or thoughts and get feedback from in a safe, non-judgmental, different perspective environment.

What have I gained from random, when we have time, less than a minute each (Curt’s rule) messages? Well, considering that this is a group of rock stars…a lot. All principals and a superintendent….I’m literally hanging with the cool kids!

“That’s me!” An activity in whole group settings where you ask questions and the participants all say, “Hey, that’s me!) A great way to show that we all have more in common than we think…
How to handle staff situations gone awry
Instructional writing programs, a debate on a package versus organic teaching/learning
Inspirational videos on demand
How to get out, take a break, reflect on difficult situations
Ways to support our teachers and provide communication tools to help them connect with parents
Social media management, handling multiple accounts for a campus and a personal one
That the FC crickets are THE team! (And I have the tee shirt to prove it!)
That seasoned, experienced administrators struggle, that we all have bad days, but that we do all LOVE our jobs!

I am SO thankful that I have this group daily to hear from, learn from, and laugh with. Considering that I’ve only “met” Jessica, it sure is ironic that I talk more with these “online” peers than I do some of my closest friends.

Thank you, Voxer fam, you are such a great addition to my PLN world!

beep beep,

Amber

Parents not on Twitter? No problem!

October 9, 2013 by adteaman 3 Comments

One of the first things I hear from educators as a reason why they shouldn’t jump into the social media stream is because they don’t have families/staff on Twitter.

Social media can be very dividing. Justin Tarte and I were just discussing how there is still such a mentality of “block it & lock” it…as if we were to stick our heads in the sand, *maybe* these crazy tools will go away. I don’t think that is going to happen but I can tell you my rationale’s for moving forward with twitter as a communication tool between the home and our campus.

I LOVE that when I get onto twitter, facebook or instagram, I get updates on my daughter’s school. It is SO much easier for me to read an update on Facebook than it is for me to get home after a 12 hour day, get her purple folder out, get through her graded work, and find any announcements her campus has sent home.

Now, the flip side of that is that my anti technology hubs? ONLY gets info that is in that purple folder. He doesn’t visit the website and *gasp* has no online presence.

I’m not suggesting that schools stop sending paper items home, I’m merely pointing out the opportunity we have to reach even more parents.

When we send home information at the beginning of the year, we send home something asking if parents want to get school information through text messages. (Regular rates apply.) It walks them through sending a text, “Follow Watson_Wildcats” to 40404. Once they have done that, every tweet we send, that parent gets as a text. It doesn’t require a twitter account. You don’t have to have the “scary social media” talk.

98% of all text messages are opened, and 90% are opened within the first three minutes.

The point isn’t getting on Twitter, or blocking social media, or adding to your plate. The point is connecting with as many parents as you can in order to do what is best for our students.

Connectingly,

Amber

Connected administrators, get off your island!

October 1, 2013 by adteaman 2 Comments

Today I had the opportunity to present to the Indiana Principal Leadership Institute with Jessica Johnson, aka @principalJ, on what it means to be a “connected administrator”.

We touched on using social media to connect with parents, staff, and stake holders. We discussed creating & curating a personal learning network to help build your “room” of like minded, in the trench, peers to help all of us be better at what we do. Jessica had a great slide in her presentation that said, “Sure, you don’t have to have a PLN to be a great educator, but why would you close the door to the chance of being even better?“, which sums up our “connected educator” month perfectly.

Each of us are wired differently. There’s no one size fits all when it comes to how we can grow and learn. I do believe, however, that there is, based on the innate make up of who you are, one pathway that will make it easier for you. Whether it’s reading blogs, listening to podcasts, or tweeting, there is a way for you to be connected. You just have to pick it! We’d never dream about going to a doctor who hadn’t grown in their craft since they graduated from college, why would want we want less for our students?

Our resources:

Amber’s prezi

Virdie Montgomery: AHMO pride at Wylie HS (Letterman clip) (You’re creating a brand for your campus…what does yours say? Wylie HS has a national presence, :))

Dr. Vinson’s blog (Connected leadership starts at the top!)

Flutter

Ski jump

Podcast handout

Social media leadership questions

Jessica’s slide show: Twitter Island

Meltdown principal

Get started on twitter checklist

Feedly handout

#IPLI List of twitters’

Connected Principals blog site

Good luck, first class of IPLI! Please let us know if we can assist you in any other way!

Contact information:

Amber Teamann @8amber8
Amberteamann@gmail.com

Jessica Johnson @principalJ
johnsonj@dodgeland.k12.wi.us

IPLI supportN,

Amber

Top five reasons I am a “connected” educator…

September 29, 2013 by adteaman Leave a Comment

October is a big month to celebrate education. Not only are we leading the charge for National Principals Month, but NASSP is also involved in promoting the importance of connected leading and learning during Connected Educators Month I thought in that spirit I would list the top five reasons I think being a connected educator has changed not only the way that I do my job, but also how I think, interact, and learn. (Those are HUGE facets of anyone’s world!)

#5. Connections become friends.

When I have an important decision, point to ponder, or even a snarky opinion to express…I now contact people that I have developed relationships with online. I have met some of them once, hung out with some of them twice, but I interact with them on a daily basis. They’re my sounding board, my inspiration, and the ones who keep me on a path of doing what’s right for kids.

#4. I get the opportunity to discuss innovative, trend pushing, status quo breaking initiatives with educators who are out there making it happen. The last #SAVMP hangout was awe-inspiring. (And not because I was leading it, wink wink!) We had three different educators who are doing things in three incredibly different ways, all making a difference in education.

3. Conferences become family reunions.

BT (that’s before twitter) I’d attended both the ASCD and ISTE conference with my instructional technology position. They don’t particularly stand out in my mind (aside from the great travel companions). This year, ISTE and ASCD were the HIGHLIGHTS of my admin career. I had such an incredible time putting faces and voices with profile pics and avatars. Between each session there were hugs and speedy chats as you went from session to session. I traveled to ASCD alone. In Chicago. If you know me, you’d know that is a HUGE thing for “Ms. I can’t even go to the movies alone.” I went and came back having found two ladies who are not only inspirational educators, but are now inspirational, supportive friends. I have already started planning for both conferences again next year, and @ErinKlein and I have roomie ‘rangements pending!

EdCampDallas is also just around the corner and that’s another great way to make connections with learners around you. We sold out (!!!) this year, but keep your eyes open for others to pop up in our area soon!

#2. Your jargon has changed and changes often.

Hashtag. FF. Voxer. Techlandia. MISTERMACNOLOGY. Podcasts. Feedly. Cpchat. Follow. Retweet. Google hangout. Ignite. Blogger. Google Plus. DM. Chat. Followers. Twitterati. Bammy’s. GFC.

All google worthy things that are now a part of the lexicon of being a connected educator.

#1. Like you even had to read this far to know what my #1 was. 🙂

Do something this October to get connected. Follow a blog. RT something worthy. Follow a chat. Lurk and learn. Stalk a celebrity. Just DO something!

connectedly,

Amber

Why I love social media…or how Troy Aikman knew my name…

September 10, 2013 by adteaman 5 Comments

I typically use this blog for professional purposes. Allow me to deviate just this once. (Although, I do have an educator tie in at the end! keep reading!)

Let’s travel back…back to 1989 when a certain UCLA quarterback played against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the 1989 Cotton Bowl classic which was played in Dallas. The hype all over town was that quarterback, a Mr. Troy Aikman, would be the next Dallas Cowboys quarterback. It became true in the first round and so my fascination began. Cowboys games became a MUST with season tickets on the 50 yard line, (opposite side) so I could watch every play. Posters and card collecting became my favorite hobby. I was the only 11 year old I knew with an airbrushed tee shirt of Troy’s face. (Sigh. That may not have been the best decision.) 11. I was 11 years old when this began. I remember a year in high school my mother sent me to the mall with BTS money for clothes and I came home with a humongous framed card set & autographed 8×11 from the sports store instead. I had NO problem wearing my old clothes that year, 🙂

It didn’t end in high school. Or college. In fact, my oldest, the beast? Her name is an anagram of “Troy A” (I know, I know.) and her initials? TD. Not a coincidence people!

I became synonymous for my adoration and I’ll admit it, obsession with the legendary #8. People would see something, hear something, watch somthing and would always let me know. I get to explain at every presentation I give that my twitter name is @8amber8 …me surrounded by Troy. (My poor husband!!) I have #8 jewelery in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges.

Not too long ago, I decided to ask all of my tweeps, a relatively small number of mostly educators to help me get Troy to wish me happy birthday on twitter. At that time, he’d not responded to a fan who’d asked for a shout out. Over and over…all day long…people tweeted him until that magic moment.

A moment so glorious I included it in my family Christmas card that year.

Fast forward to the next summer when the Roomstore had an “Ultimate Fan” contest. I entered and thanks to the plethora of FB and Tweeps who voted for me, I won week 3. (happiness.) A Hulk fan won the overall trip to met the Hulk & Troy…which was prolly safer for my marriage. Several people made the comment that Troy probably didn’t even get to watch the videos…which made me sad.

Well, THAT my friends, I am happy to tell ya, was FALSE!

Today, thanks to some AMAZING friends, who obviously know me quite well, I had the opportunity to be present while Troy announced the 2013-14 “Heathly Zone” schools. The program honors schools that have created an environment for students to engage in healthy behaviors and offers assistance to schools that are in the process of creating a healthy environment. We went in as a Garland group, and I managed to sidle up next to him for the big group shot. That ALONE would have made my day! (week, month, etc.)

But.

As we stepped away from the picture, I said “I just wanted to say hi, I’m @8amber8 from twitter, we’ve interacted a couple of times.” And he said, “I know who you are, didn’t you win the Ultimate Fan contest, with a video?” (At which point my heart stopped.) And I said, “Yes, yes I did.” “I remember, good video. Hulk had some intense fans….” And I just smiled and said, “Well, nice to meet you, thank you!” to which he replied “You too.” My amazing friend jumped in and we snagged a more up close pic…and my mind was blown.

YA’LL.

HE KNEW WHO I WAS. The man whose jersey I own in a ridiculous amount of colors and of whom I preach far and wide to EVERY child who will listen is an amazing role model….knew who I was.

Why?

Because of darned SOCIAL MEDIA.

If you weren’t a believer before…this better convince you of the power these tools have in our life.

If that lesson doesn’t seem “professional” enough for ya, let’s also not lose sight of the fact that for an insane amount of years, regardless of the taunting, teasing, or rough game name calling I have endured, I have held steadfast to my devotion and goal of beingthisclose to him, and I achieved that goal today. Quit telling 5th graders that they aren’t serious enough to set REAL goals! 😉

still on cloud 8,

Amber