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
Hi Amber… so what exactly about Voxer do you like more than just using Google Hangout Chat and Video? What about this tool makes it perfect for what you want to do?