Mrs. Jones finds the strength of all the students in her classroom. She is very passionate and creative which gives her the joy for what she does. She does training's for other teachers and listens to them and encourages to try new techniques in the classroom. She has built strong relationships with her students as well as with other teachers which makes her a positive role model and a great leader. She encourages other teachers to speak of for what they need in order to improve education for their students and to invest into having technology in the classroom. She has had students who did not know how to read or speak English and she has made a difference in these students lives. She is flexible in the way she allows her students to learn by moving around in the classroom. She shows her students by working together and collaborating with each other. you it will help you become a great engineer, scientist, and artist. These are very helpful skills that every teacher should try.

I  can see why Teacher Abby   Mowry was selected as the teacher of the year. This teacher has built a strong relationship with her students, colleagues, and the community. She has motivated her students to problem-solve real problems that can help their community. She has taught her students to work as a  team and use hands-on-activities. She has taught her students how to create a measuring tool for the pools by using 3D printing and other technology in the classroom. The most amazing part for me to hear is that she is teaching them how to advertise their creations. She has connected the community or what i would consider investors to see the students creations, this is amazing. She has given these students life skills that will enhance their possibilities to get a job in engineering or in technology. Teacher Abby deserves this award for all her effort, enthusiasm and dedication to her students, colleagues, and community. This shows me that being a passionate and dedicated teacher goes along away and makes a positive impact on students learning.

I really enjoyed seeing the video on blended learning. I was amazed on how they were able to see everyone on the screen and interact face to face in a large group setting and then moved on to do smaller groups. The information shared in the video are very important for my future teaching skills. I can see were the teacher becomes the coach to teach the students how to navigate the system. I also see it's beneficial with the students who are absent because they can go over the lesson due to everything being saved online. On the second video  future learning i agree that is more beneficial for students starting from kindergarten to start doing real life problems that will help them for ever. I was amazed to hear how young students created their own  app such as the domestic app and the no bullying app.  I agree that students should be empowered to be using their imagination and creativity to be successful and confident that they can change the world.

I really enjoyed the blended learning video that focused on how it is the best of both worlds when teachers take the time obtain technology and "learn as you go".  We are all going to have to find the best methods for each individual teacher to bring technology and blended learning into their classroom.  Blended learning is now just in its' infancy and is only going to occupy more of the classroom in the coming years.  Both the teacher and the student have to buy in to the inevitable.

Blended Learning

Blended learning has taken off in the recent years because of the rise in the technology that is available, technology that can be used to enhance learning in the classroom. Schools can help support the move towards blended learning by exposing teachers to the technology that is available and helping them learn how to best implement the technology. After teachers have had practice using the new technology, they should slowly start implementing this technology to ease students into it. Teachers can improve their teaching based on experiences and implement more technology as they become more knowledgeable and students become more comfortable with it. I agree with Kelly Walsh that blended learning should not be a means to move towards fully online learning. Positive peer interaction and collaboration is an important skill that students need to learn, and they learn this when they have the opportunity to be in a face-to-face classroom.

7 Perks of Technology Done Right

The Apple and ConnectED initiative to bring technology and support to undeserved schools was an effective and very beneficial venture. The initiative's goal was to promote a more personalized and student-centered educational experience. It provided iPads for all students and an iPad and MacBook for every teacher. A study following this initiative found 7 benefits, including boosted engagement and confidence in using technology. Teachers should see this as encouragement to implement technology in their own classrooms. Although these schools received the items for free, teachers can also find ways to get funded to supply their own tech in their classrooms, just as we discussed in class with Ms. Martinez.

Brent I agree with you and knowing your families will help avoid landmines like that.
their are also a lot of other creative ways to use seating and/or standing in your classes.
Some really good examples that I have seen besides the video is yoga balls and wiggle while you work. these are perfectly safe for children. It will take you a few years to work on your class and you will reach an equilibrium of seating in your class. I once walked into a first grade class that had no seats in it just stations and students would sit on the rug during whole group instruction and then move to a center of their choice. For my self I have found that a hybrid of seating at desks and sitting on the rug gave students the best of both worlds.

     After reading "Flexible Seating Elevates Student Engagement", I see some benefits as well as a number of concerns.  First is the benefit of allowing access to different options for students to be comfortable in the classroom.  The blog states that children's grades go up, chances for collaboration and communication is also increase and helps with critical thinking.  I feel that making seating options from crates in your backyard is dangerous as it can very well end up with the teacher being sued or facing disciplinary action in today's litigious scholastic environment if the seat/bench that is created fails and hurts a student.  We should make sure that we know the answers to the following questions prior to any purchases.  What do we do with the desks/tables and chairs that are being replaced?  Is there enough storage space available at the school to hold the discarded tables/desk and chairs?  Are my principal and school district on board with changing the classroom seating styles?
     With any new idea, we should also look to the law of unintended consequences to make sure that actions (such as making your own classroom chairs or bench) are not going to hurt more than they help.  I want to give my students the best environment I can and will use my funds or donation sites like DonorChoose first before going to parents who are supporting their families.  I would like to see the school district become more involved with updating the classroom by petitioning the district and the union to look into tax free shelter's for monies teachers plan on investing into the classroom.     

At Albemarle school district, they have seen the students’ progress in education by allowing students to make choices on how they learn.  The teachers encourage collaboration and flexibility within the students and the classroom management.  I believe this strategy would help all students including children with learning disabilities, ADHD, and high achievers. I can see myself using these strategies in classroom management. What facilitates the students learning is that the classroom is made accessible for the students to learn in a comfortable way. Some students like to be laying in the floor while reading, others like to be standing while doing manipulative's, etc. For the students to feel more comfortable the furniture must be comfortable as well as movable. The student’s space should be adaptable, with plenty of space for the students to spread out.  Teachers should be more flexible on how students learn along as they are being safe.