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Life Planners by Erin Condren

Ok, so my new obsession is the Life Planner by Erin Condren.

Here's why:
1. I have an iPad. When I first got it, I used the calendar feature to organize all of my appointments. I also used the "To Do" ap for my never ending to-do list. HOWEVER, what I realized through using my iPad as my planner for 6+ months was that I am a paper girl.  There is just something about writing it down and crossing it off that does my mind and heart good. It sticks more if I can write it down.

2. So, after an obsessive amount of time online, I decided on the Erin Condren Life planner. It takes WEEKS to make (hand made) and ship, but from all of the reviews online, it appears to be worth the wait. 

3. I wanted something that was professional looking but also stylish. I am a teacher...but I'm not into cute-sy. I meet with parents and professionals on a daily basis, and I want a planner that can be both professional and stylish at the same time. The awesome thing about EC planners is that you can customize your own design. 

3. Check out Erin Condren's website. Click on "Life Planner" and see for yourself. Also, watch this awesome YouTube video that shows an in depth look at the planner by Miss EJ Beauty. ( I have watched this video almost everyday for a week now.) Eeek...can't wait until mine comes in!

When it does, I will post a vlog about the features and its size. I had a hard time finding pics and videos that show how large and thick the planner is in comparison with other brands, or how it fits in your purse or bag. 

Five Dysfunctions of a Team

If you are looking for a quick easy way to improve the functionality of your team, I highly recommend this book. I read it this past summer for my Leadership class and found it's simplicity and ability to easily relate, refreshing. 

As a team leader at my school, I am using the fundamentals of this book to explore how my team can work better together and be more effective. Doing a quick search on Google will provide you with great activities to accompany the book. It's worth a read!

My classroom

Hi guys...So here are some belated pictures of my classroom right after I finished setting it up. I used quite a few ideas from Pinterest.

1. the poms hanging from the ceiling - I was going to make my own using a "how to" I found on Pinterest, but I ended up find them at Party City for $6 for a pack of three. You can't beat that!

2. The Work Center - I used colored paper plates to make the black letters stand out more. Walmart - a pack of 15 was $.99.

3. I used pretty wrapping paper to cover the sides of my desk and filling cabinet. Just for an added pop of color.

Administrators Leading with Technology

Administrators Leading with Technology

http://podcastmachine.com/podcasts/13774

Characteristics of a 2.0 Administrator

Technology has changed the way that people connect with one another. Many students have a cell phone or smart device of some kind, and a Facebook, Twitter, blog, and/or social media account of some kind. The high volume of interaction between students and technology has shifted the way that learning takes place. Today’s learners expect a high level of interaction and immediate access to knowledge (Blair, 2012). As administrators and teachers, we must shift the way we help students learn by making use of the hands-on applications and devices that technology affords.  We must recognize the significant role that technology plays in our world and in the way our students learn and connect that learning to the outside world (Blair, 2012). This means that as administrators, we are responsible for paving a course that will allow technology-driven learning to take place in our schools.
            Principals that lead through technology have certain characteristics in common. First, they must be life-long learners (Grady, 2011). Because technology is an ever-changing industry, an administrator must always be willing to learn and grow in the area. This requires a passion for learning (Grady, 2011). This passion for learning can then be translated into a vision for the school that includes the use of and integration of technology as a means to achieve student success (Grady, 2011). Administrators who succeed at incorporating technology into the school’s vision will have an easier time holding stakeholders accountable for its use.
            Principals who are technology leaders must also be vigilant about creating an environment that fosters innovation and creativity (Demski, 2012). This is an essential component of successful technology integration because the course for technology use has not been fully laid out or established in many schools. Administrators must, therefore, be open and foster an environment that encourages teachers to find new and creative ways for using technology to achieve higher student learning. This may include changing school policies, rules, or norms (Demski, 2012).

            Another critical characteristic of a technology leader is that the administrator must be the poster child for the use of technology on the campus. He or she must set the example, wave the flag, and incorporate it in as many actions as possible (Demski, 2012). This is essential because teachers and other stakeholders will look to the principal to set the precedent for actions and attitudes regarding technology’s use and value. For example, if the principal wants teachers to use technology in lessons every week, but then does not recognize its use during an evaluation or walk thru, he or she is not supporting the vision for technology.  

            A principal must also be the individual who is leading the way for technology use by providing staff development for the team when it is needed (Grady, 2011). If a principal asks that teachers use technology in the classroom, he or she must assess the faculty need for training on that technology and provide resources to meet it (Grady, 2011). In doing so, the principal will create an environment that sets high expectations for teachers use of technology, provides ways to meet those expectations, and holds teachers accountable for following through on them every day.
            There is no doubt that technology is going to continue to change the way that teachers help students learn. The goal of an administrator is to be the vehicle that helps facilitate that process. The more instrumental a principal is in leading the way for technology in schools, the more likely the school is to find success through technology’s benefits.

  

References

Blair, N. (2012). Technology integration for the new 21st century learner. Retrieved from http://www.naesp.org/principal-januaryfebruary-2012-technology/technology-integration-new-21st-century-learner

Demski, J. (2012). 7 habits of highly effective tech-leading principals. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/Articles/2012/06/07/7-habits-of-highly-effective-tech-leading-principals.aspx?Page=1

Grady, M. (2011, November 27). The principal. Retrieved from http://www.seenmagazine.us/articles/article-detail/articleid/1800/the-principal-8217-s-role-as-technology-leader.aspx

Watch this Interesting Video about What it Means to be a Technology Leader

Check out this great PowerPoint presentation adapted from Virginia’s Initiative for Technology and Administrative Leadership.

Leadership technology ppt

View more presentations from lagosnay.