'Reflections'
Tomorrow is the BIG day. The office is complete. My schedule is made. Tomorrow I am heading to Charleston for my first day as the Education Consultant for W.H. Platts.
It’s going to be an exciting first day! I know I will be meeting with sales to talk about the set up and schedule for SC EdTech. Then I will be meeting with the web admin to talk about how the Education page is going to be set up on the W.H. Platts web site. Very exciting stuff!
I am not sure if I will be able to sleep tonight… it will feel like the first day of school or maybe the night before Christmas. 
September 20th, 2009
If you can believe it we have all ready been in school for a month. As I travel around to the schools in my cluster, I am formulating professional development options for each school. Its a lot like following an IEP. Each school is very different in how the teachers like to receive professional development, whether its after school, during planning, before school or when ever they can get it.
This time of year leaves my head swimming with ideas of tech-savvy kids in my head or the hope there are tech-savvy kids on our schools. How can we meet their needs? Or better yet, how can I meet the needs of the teachers to meet the needs of the students? That is a big task.
So this year, my goal for my schools is to bring a more personalized touch. Bring technology professional development teachers can use… don’t just show up with a new ‘tool.’ Show up with standards-based activities to place in the teacher’s hand or shared drive so a teacher can use now! Of course there is some “training” that will have to take place in the traditional sense but overall I want to create activities that are ready to use.
The balance will be… interesting to say the least. I am supposed to spend 80% of my time in the schools working with teachers and students. That leaves 20% to plan and learn. Guess what? Meetings take up 20%. When I do the math that doesn’t add up. Can anyone tell me how that adds up?
Image Credits: Jill Greenseth.Goals.<http://flickr.com/photos/blah_oh_well/1472885631/sizes/l/>
Technorati Tags: professional development goals richland1 sansonetti techforschool
September 10th, 2008
Last week I was fortunate to attend the Richland One Leadership Institute. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was very interested in hearing our new superintendent, Dr. Percy Mack, speak. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by him. I think he has the personality for Richland One. He was very personable. I was also happy to hear his goals for our district. A few of the things he talked about were:
1. Data-Driven decision making (which really is a natural for all district’s or should be)
2. Customer Service – I like this goal/focus. We need to treat all stakeholders in our district the same. It doesn’t matter who has money or who doesn’t. Everyone should be treated as you would want to be treated. This may sound simple but it’s one of the “golden rules” and at times we forget, we as educators are providing a service.
3. Relationship Building – Internally we as a district need to build relationship between departments. My district is so spread out and district offices are in different locations. Sometimes we may not know the department/people in the department.
While talking about the goals he discussed the characteristics of being a leader… and we need to be leaders daily in every aspect of our job. We need to lead with a positive attitude and be the change. It may sound a little like sound bites from a leadership marketing company but I have to say it is good to hear. I want to work for someone who knows what a good leader is and hopefully he will live up to the expectation he has set.
During the second day of the leadership institute, I was able to sit in on an afternoon session with David Cottrell. He is a 
great motivational speaker who helps you look at what you can do to be a better leader as well as how you can grow more leaders. After sitting in his session, I plan on picking up a copy of his book Monday Morning Leadership. My favorite quote of his is, “You can never not lead.” That statement hit me hard. What ever you are projecting as a leader will trickle down to everyone. Whether you are projecting a positive attitude, passion for what you do OR you are unhappy and disgusted with your job… people feel it and will start projecting what you project. Recently, I have been feeling a little disgusted about small things at work and you know the exact things he was saying was happening. Negativity was creeping up on me and those around me. This got me thinking… I don’t want to be negative. I want to be someone that anyone I work with can 1. work with me and 2. call on me to be “that leader” who does her best.
So over the weekend, I thought a lot about my own goals and objectives for the 2008-2009 school year.
1. I want to be a part of the team. I don’t want to be the team. I have a tendency to take control of my projects and do most of the work myself because I know I can/will do a good job. I need to learn to loosen the reigns even if that means things don’t turn out the way I think they should. EVERYONE deserves a chance and the experience.
2. Figure out innovative ways I can meet the needs of my schools. I really don’t think I did a good job with that second semester last year. I need to look at each school as if I were looking at each student when I was in the classroom. What do they need to succeed?
3. I need to MAKE the time to continue to grow and develop professionally. Even though my department is very good about allowing me to go to professional development. I need to make sure I am keeping up with journals, blogs, etc. in my field. Scheduling time on my calendar to do so is the only way I can make it happen.
4. I need to remember… not everyone is skilled at the same level. I need to be patient … and do what I do best… teach AND learn.
Technorati Tags: leadership professional_development Dr._Percy_Mack RichlandOne goals david_cottrell
July 29th, 2008
This morning was the first time I was able to sit down and look at the conference planner for NECC. Of course there are more workshops I want to go to than I have time for… I will try to figure out how to divide my time … Then the sessions that are going to be available on podcast or video-on-demand, this will keep me busy for the week after I return home from NECC.
Every year, I get very excited about NECC. I have been very fortunate. I have been to 6 NECC’s since 2001 in Chicago, IL (except Seattle in 2003 and San Diego in 2006). Thinking back to ‘those days,’ the conference has evolved. In 2001, there were 357 total sessions. Last year, there were 226 concurrent sessions and 547 other presentations.
My first experience with NECC 2001 was attending with my colleagues to present a workshop on the ‘eSchool Model’ at the school I was teaching. The conference to me, was all about the exhibit hall and the FREE stuff. In 2002, in San Antonio, I spent more time in the exhibit hall than I did in the at the sessions. Over the next few years, my position changed from in the classroom to training classroom teachers. With that shift, so was the shift of why I was attending NECC. I was no longer attending for me but now attending for my teachers. What did they need? What did I need to attend to learn for them?
Last year, was probably the largest shift that took place for me. Over the years, you begin networking and meeting people who become eFriends for most of the year and NECC is a reunion time to meet up with all of them. But last year, not only did I meet up with friends… it was very exciting for me to see the shift of learning. Learning moved from the sessions to the hallways. The Blogger’s Cafe was overloaded with people throughout the day. Learning and conversations were taking place that could never happen in a workshop. There was a sense of community with people. The conference no longer was a group of strangers gathering to sit and get. It was a place you met up with friends to learn about a common topic/goal.
This year, I can’t wait to meet those whom I have met through Twitter, the blogosphere, Facebook, Classroom 2.0, and all of the other virtual ways I have met people. The conference is almost an annual homecoming for me now. I am looking forward to the learning, conversations, and good times I will have next week. See you all then!
Technorati Tags: NECC2008 twitter facebook classroom2.0 professionaldevelopment 21stcenturylearning
June 21st, 2008
Dear Joyce,
Hello. I wanted to thank you for joining us in Columbia, SC to at the South Carolina Association of School Librarians conference. I am not a Library Media Specialist. I am a technology education specialist and I work daily with educators to help with the implementation of technology in the classroom. I wanted to thank you for challenging the state library media specialists to “water the flowers before the rocks.” Your ideas were refreshing. Your willingness to open the “virtual door” in your library was enlightening. The shift in information and how it is gathered has changed librarian’s/media specialists jobs and you are truly making that shift with your students and teachers. Your collaboration with teachers and students seems so natural. I think my absolute favorite thing you shared was your wiki on Hamlet. A close second was the iGoogle pages for every student. I would love for our students to have access to to ALL Google has to offer.
I know your time was limited in the keynote and the hour sessions throughout the day just weren’t enough to fully express how to make the shift in the media center but I think you gave our state media specialists something to think about. You may have called it brow beating but I am going to call it an awakening. THANK YOU for sharing with South Carolina.
My only hope is that with this awakening will come a shift and a new way of thinking about media centers.
Thank you, again, for your time and effort.
MaryAnn Sansonetti
For those of you who want more ideas, visit Joyce Valenza’s wiki
Technorati Tags: joycevalenza valenza sansonetti iGoogle wiki SCASL SCASL2008
March 13th, 2008
Last week, I attended one of the best conferences I have attended in a long time. The term conference is taking on a new definition in my world. This was not your normal hundreds of people herding through a conference hall wondering if the room they were walking in to is going to be worth the time. NO, this was a conference with 30 technology specialists from across the country sitting in the SMART sales office in Chicago, Il. talking, sharing, and learning with the guidance of the SMART education team.
It was the first time I felt as if the presenters were talking to me, not the teachers I service but me. The technology educator who tries to figure out how she can best meet the needs of the 400 teachers and tries to build a relationship. My
district just finished the first phase of a technology infusion plan focused on the installation of SMART boards, projectors, and sound systems. There were many bumps throughout this phase and after attending the conference I feel more confident about approaching principals on how to implement the board installs in their school. I feel as if I am now qualified to say, “OK, let’s look at how you chose who received the boards last year. What worked? What didn’t?” “Why not try this?”
One thing I learned from all of our discussion is no matter how large or small the district or what country/state we all have similar challenges with teachers, funding, and leadership. The really great thing is now that I am home in South Carolina I have a network of people across North America I can lean on for advise or help.
Of course, it wasn’t all work … we played a little and I managed to make a name for myself with my 80’s rock star flash back… You’ll have to ask someone who was there for the whole story… but I will forever evoke thoughts of twirling flash drives as if I was at a rock concert screaming for the band on the stage. By the way, if you were there… I want copies of the pictures!
Day 2 was full of top secret information about what is up and coming with SMART… I could tell you but then… you know the rest of the saying… Well, all I have to say is if you are attending NECC … head to the SMART booth.
Thank you to everyone at SMART … Shannon, Laura, Khoi, Chris, Giselle, Andrew, Coralie, and any other SMART person I forgot. You have recharged my inspiration in learning/teaching.
Technorati Tags: SMARTConference SMARTExemplaryEducator Chicago sansonetti intructionaltechnology
March 4th, 2008
Last week, I attended one of the best conferences I have attended in a long time. The term conference is taking on a new definition in my world. This was not your normal hundreds of people herding through a conference hall wondering if the room they were walking in to is going to be worth the time. NO, this was a conference with 30 technology specialists from across the country sitting in the SMART sales office in Chicago, Il. talking, sharing, and learning with the guidance of the SMART education team.
It was the first time I felt as if the presenters were talking to me, not the teachers I service but me. The technology educator who tries to figure out how she can best meet the needs of the 400 teachers and tries to build a relationship. My district just finished the first phase of a technology infusion plan focused on the installation of SMART boards, projectors, and sound systems. There were many bumps throughout this phase and after attending the conference I feel more confident about approaching principals on how to implement the board installs in their school. I feel as if I am now qualified to say, “OK, let’s look at how you chose who received the boards last year. What worked? What didn’t?” “Why not try this?”
One thing I learned from all of our discussion is no matter how large or small the district or what country/state we all have similar challenges with teachers, funding, and leadership. The really great thing is now that I am home in South Carolina I have a network of people across North America I can lean on for advise or help.
Of course, it wasn’t all work … we played a little and I managed to make a name for myself with my 80’s rock star flash back… You’ll have to ask someone who was there for the whole story… but I will forever evoke thoughts of twirling flash drives as if I was at a rock concert screaming for the band on the stage. By the way, if you were there… I want copies of the pictures!
Day 2 was full of top secret information about what is up and coming with SMART… I could tell you but then… you know the rest of the saying… Well, all I have to say is if you are attending NECC … head to the SMART booth.
Thank you to everyone at SMART … Shannon, Laura, Khoi, Chris, Giselle, Andrew, Coralie, and any other SMART person I forgot. You have recharged my inspiration in learning/teaching.
Technorati Tags: SMARTConference SMARTExemplaryEducator Chicago sansonetti intructionaltechnology
March 4th, 2008
I survived the Richland County School District One Technology Fair week. I am not sure if I have ever been so tired! The main event of the district technology fair was Wednesday night. We wanted a night to celebrate students in the district who are ‘Technology Stars’ in Richland One. It was also a night to highlight our featured guest, Tony Vincent and give parents and opportunity to talk with a panel on cyber safety.
I woke up Wednesday, excited because I was going to pick up Tony Vincent from the airport and go to lunch, finish prep for the evening event. Sure, that was the plan. Of course the airline didn’t realize I wanted to be on a non-stress schedule for the day. Thankfully I am in education and the motto for educators is modify and adjust. Tony’s plane didn’t arrive until 5:10PM and the district event started at 6:00PM. We made it and the night went well. It was a long day for me and even longer for Tony.
Thursday was a great day… despite some technical difficulties with our Distance Learning lab. Our goal was for Tony to
work with all levels of students. Our district has 52 schools so it would be impossible for him go to all schools. I think the topics we chose were right on and Tony did an amazing job of engaging each group of students he worked with.
Topics:
Keenan High School – iPods as more then music players
Crayton Middle School - Taking podcasing to the next level
J.P.Thomas Elementary School – Mental Math with PALMs
Students at all levels were engaged and receptive to Tony’s lessons and discussions.
As someone who conducts professional development and model teaches for teachers, seeing Tony work with students was a wonderful learning experience for myself. I hope the teachers in the room also picked up on his intuitive classroom management skills, lesson set up with clear objectives and directions, and engagement of the content through technology.
What a feeling to have a thought from last year come to fruition (District tech fair with Tony) … and it be successful. The first time I saw Tony Vincent was about three years ago at the first Handheld conference in Lexington 1 School District. I remember in his presentation he had a slide that said, “I Heart Handhelds.” Well after his visit to Richland One I have to say, “I heart Tony Vincent.” (Of course it is in a purely professional manner.)
Thank you, Tony for your professionalism, ideas, sharing, and inspiring a few of our students (and me) in Richland One…
Technorati Tags: tonyvincent richlandone sansonetti ipod palm podcasting techfair
February 23rd, 2008
This morning I took part in an amazing session. My colleague, Julia and I woke up early and drove to Charleston, SC (about an hour and a half) to attend the first SMART users group meeting to kick of the Blue Ribbon Conference. I really didn’t know what to expect but was I pleasantly surprised.
The morning started with a large group session conducted by Shayla Rexrode, SMART Education Consultant. Shayla wet our appetite for SMART products by showing us what is up and coming for SMART. Thursday they are launching a SMART Network. It’s going to be a place for teachers to gather and share online. SMART is also getting ready to release the beta version of SMART Notebook v. 10. ALL I have to say about it is incredible! I can’t wait until the full version is released in late March. If you love the latest version 9.74 you will absolutely faint over version 10. I wish I could talk about what is will be in it.
After this opening session we were broken in to small groups to truly SHARE… The small groups were facilitated by a SMART Educator. I was fortunate to be in a room with a great group of people. The group was mainly Berkeley County folks and they shared some incredible Notebook lessons. This part of the meeting lasted 2 hours but seemed to be 2 minutes. I left the small group feeling invigorated about all of the ways to show teachers how to integrate SMART boards in the classroom.
I thought the quick trip was worth my time. It was ok to wake up super early to drive an hour and a half to turn around and teach a class in the evening. Well, if my head wasn’t spinning enough, the session ended with PRIZES… and I WON! What did I win??? A SMART Airliner and Senteo System. I ran to the front like I was a contestant on The Price is Right. After winning I have to say it was REALLY WORTH IT.
I just want to thank everyone that I met today … I am so excited that SMART has decided to start this users group. The sharing will help teachers and trainers understand and learn the full integration of SMART products in to the classroom. I am looking forward to spreading the excitement in the Midlands.
December 4th, 2007
I, as many techies/teachers/geeks/etc. in South Carolina, made the trek to Myrtle Beach to attend SC EdTech 2oo7. I presented two sessions on Thursday: iPodabilities in the classroom and 50 ways and Beyond: Using streamlineSC and Digital Media in the classroom. I was blown away by my session attendance. It was truly amazing. People spilling out of the Ballroom.
Although I wasn’t able to attend due to conference scheduling, my friend, Chris Craft had great sessions as well.
The thing is though… there were a lot of repeat sessions from last year (or at least that is the impression I got). Sessions were clumped together. For example, I wanted to two sessions on Web 2.0. Well BOTH of the sessions were scheduled at the same time as one of my sessions. It was the case with multiple sessions I was interested in.
Daneen Frazier Bowen opened the conference and it was good although it was the same presentation I saw at NECC a few years ago. Still has impact … She can bring to life the things we try to tell teachers daily about how to reach the Saran Wrap Kids (the ones you see right through).
Then there was the SC DEN event… lots of fun and hard work. I was a little disappointed about the turn out but we all had a great time.
As always the best part of conferences for me is the chatter in the halls. It was great to talk with Chris Craft, Julia Davis, Cathy Nelson, the guys from Greenville and others. Sharing ideas and attending other conferences via ustream.TV. BTW, Chris … you never know who is watching.
The shape of learning has changed… and continues to change… how do we adapt the changes to our classrooms?
My overall opinion of the conference… I wasn’t thrilled. I wasn’t disappointed. The people made it worth while.
Technorati Tags: Chris Craft, Julia Davis, Cathy Nelson, Daneen Frazier Bowen, SC ed Tech, SC DEN, ustrem.tv, ipods in the classroom, streamlinesc
October 29th, 2007
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