Innovator

In June 2020, "The Bulldog Educator" was launched by me as the producer and host. This entails building content, learning the technical aspects of broadcasting a podcast, and coordinating opportunities for guests. Additionally, this has included learning how to market via social media and creating content on my original "Tag You're It" blog, revamping and renaming it "The Bulldog Educator" blog.

Through the process of offering innovative learning opportunities for students both as a classroom teacher and instructional technology specialist through "Genius Hour" and a "Technology Club," I was asked to write articles for Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA). I wrote an article about a Middle School Coding Club I co-sponsored, titled "Coding Like a Pirate" and article "Genius Hour" which was re-published by Education World (linked to the image on the left).

Additonally, I participate in a Twitter PLN #blogamonth where we support one another as educational bloggers. My blog "The Bulldog Educator" shares my reflections, ideas and growth as a way to connect and learn with other educators. Additionally, in my current role as an assistant principal I write a instructional blog, "SRE Longhorn Learning," for my campus where I encourage teachers to contribute.

In the spring of 2013 after reading "Teach Like a Pirate" by Dave Burgess and participating in a online Twitter Bookclub chat, I was introduced to the idea of "Genius Hour." After much research, taking to conversations via Twitter with many of the pioneers of "Genius Hour." I launched it in my third grade classroom. The first of its kind in my district. The process and my students were observed by board members and guest educators. Soon I was presenting in my district, area districts, area education conferences and at the state level providing resources and a blueprint for implementing "Genius Hour." Once I became an instructional technology specialist I helped to implement "Genius Hour" on grade level teams and classrooms across my district.

The Northwest ISD Instructional Technology Department created a weekly Twitter Chat via #nisdNOV8 that began in January 2013. When I was brought onto the team in July 2013 I became the facilitator of the district chat. With collaboration I determined the content, sought out guest Twitter chat moderator, promoted the chat, and maintained #nisdNOV8 Twitter account and google site. I continued to facilitate this chat until July 2015 when the Intructional Technology chat and the district curriculum chat merged.

With the ever changing world, we have seen a shift in how our students learn. After visiting another nearby district in the fall of 2015 and seeing how that district was able to restructure an older building to create exciting and fresh collaborative learning spaces, I took the idea and ran with it. I applied for the Northwest Eduction Foundation Legacy Grant in an effort to create that same learning space on the campus where I was an Instructional Coach. It was through this grant we were able to take a 30+ year old building and create innovative/collaoborative learning spaces that provided fresh spaces that redefined the cinder block classrooms of yester-year.

In early spring of 2016, after many observations and conversations with teachers, there was a need to encourage more variety with how student learning was being formatively assessed. Utilizing resources for a wide array of formative assessments and a format of friendly competition using the concept of the famous Reality TV show "Top Chef" the #GPMSTopChef Challenge was bon to "serve up delecious" approaches to formative assessment. This involved teachers collaborating, planning, and sharing ideas virtually through Twitter. Opportunity for rewards were earned through entries posted on Twitter and drawing names. It provided a vehicle for teachers to infuse new ideas, add variety to their instruction/assessments and foster positive culutre and climate during the spring when preparation for state testing can impact teacher and student morale.