Jumping Back In

So, it's been a long time since I started this blog and it has only a few posts thus far...until now! I'm committed to keeping up and blogging on a more regular basis.  My goal...one per week.  So here we go!

We survived our 1:1 iPad roll-out.  We were one of the first schools in the US to endure Apple's U-13 enrollment. We had some major glitches and it seems after several meetings with Apple, they've listened to our concerns and are implementing some of the changes we suggested to make the enrollment process easier. Hooray! I look forward to seeing improvements when we enroll our Kinder and new students. I'll be sure to post my thoughts on the new process.

All-in-all, our iPad roll-out was a HUGE success. Despite the challenges setting up the U-13 Apple IDs, setting up the iPads and distributing them to the students went very smoothly and our students were so excited to receive them! I couldn't have done it without the support from our district network team and the leaders of our Instructional Technology department, my fellow TISs, my Media Specialist, technician and our administration. Here are a few photos from the 6 days we spent rolling out iPads.

 My TIS friends helping out some of our students.

K/1 students showing their iPads to our principal.

Flexibility

The weather the past 2 weeks has been interesting here in South Carolina!  We've had "two major ice events" which have caused many districts to cancel school.  To date, we've lost 3 days and some districts have lost up to 7 and counting!  This means we will end up losing all of the days that were earmarked as Severe Weather Make-up Days.  No doubt those days will be the most beautiful days of the year!  We are waiting to see what our State Legislature decides to do about forgiving the days we've missed and allowing districts to decide if we have to make them up.

I've decided Mother Nature is testing my ability to be flexible.  She is reminding me of the importance of perseverance and preparing me to be flexible as we move forward in our journey of going 1:1.  In preparation of our 1:1 roll-out, I've planned, scheduled, rescheduled, delivered a few sessions, rescheduled again, the professional learning for our entire staff and training for Digital Learning Student Leaders. This is Mother Nature's way of helping me relearn that (1) she's in charge (2) it will work out, it always does (3) this is one of many speed bumps we face on this road to transforming education and (4) flexibility is an essential attribute to help us arrive at our goals.  After all, it's always about the learning!  

The Train Has Left the Depot

So, I'm gonna go ahead and give this blog thing a go.  My hope is that it will serve as a way for me to document and reflect on the journey our school began several years ago.  My school is the pilot school for personalized learning.  We are also the 1st elementary school in our district selected to implement a 1:1 Digital Learning environment.

Although I haven't been a part of the journey since the beginning, I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to join in on the work.  Led by a true visionary, this amazing group of educators works tirelessly to tackle the immense job of shifting our school culture from a mindset of "it's about the teaching" to "it's about the learning".  I'm excited to share our adventure.  I'm sure there will be lots of questions along the way and possibly some tears...a few from exhaustion and frustration, but mostly from celebrations! One thing I know for sure...the most important thing...it's always going to be about the learning!