We need more misfits...

We live in a culture where asking 'why' and asking for clarification can be looked at as overstepping ones boundaries. Additionally, a simple request for more information can turn some people into feeling they need to be on the defensive. We say we want collaboration and teamwork but yet our actions at times don't always exactly match up. Misfits don't see a problem with asking 'why' and asking for justification.

We also live in a culture where there is a perception that playing it save and maintaining the status quo are the necessary steps to getting ahead. I feel pretty confident that this 'play it safe' mindset may have worked in the past, but I just don't think it has the same effect as it once did. Some of the greatest inventions and discoveries were a result of not playing it safe and avoiding the status quo at all costs. Misfits don't base their actions on what is safe and what is 'status quo.'

+Scott McLeod (@mcleod)

Now, don't take this too far. We don't need you or anyone else going off the deep end when it comes to pushing the envelope. Yes, in an ideal world asking for clarification and more information shouldn't be frowned upon, it should be encouraged. Likewise, we should create and support environments where we can try new things and explore what has yet to be explored.

Remember, everything needs to have some sense of control and pre-planned purpose. All misfits know when it's appropriate to question and when to push, and when it's more appropriate to be patient and wait another day. Misfits also know when it's appropriate to go with the flow and when it's appropriate to approach the depths of the unknown.

What kind of culture do you have in your building or your district? Are misfits allowed or are they banished to their own separate island?

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What would your colleagues say about you? Are you a misfit... do you ask 'why' and question the status quo... do you look for what others haven't yet seen?

How do you respond when your colleagues or students act like misfits? Do you get defensive... do you judge them... do you try to control them and limit their 'misfitness?'

Lastly, what are you doing to encourage more misfit like behavior in your school or district?

Increasing student engagement

If you've worked in education for more than 5 minutes, you've probably had a conversation about ways and strategies to increase student engagement. For the record, I applaud all efforts and all initiatives that assist our schools in becoming more engaging. I think it's also safe to say that increases in student engagement are directly related to a more relevant and more purposeful learning environment for our students.

Perhaps I'm wrong and totally going in the wrong direction here, but I feel we aren't making nearly as much progress as we could be...

What I mean by this is that I think we have too many varying definitions of what 'engagement' actually looks like. I also think we are too varied in our beliefs about what 'relevant' and 'purposeful' really mean in the classroom setting.

via +John Spencer (@edrethink)

I have no doubt that educators are all committed to doing what's best for our students. My only concern is that since we all have varying and different definitions of what engaging, purposeful, and relevant mean, we are having difficulty moving forward with these initiatives and at times are spinning our wheels.

Now, one of the beauties of education is all the varying backgrounds and experiences that educators have that ultimately enrich and strengthen learning opportunities for students. We all bring a certain 'flavor' to the classroom and it's because of that unique flavor and perspective, we avoid possibly being replaced by robots!

So, when we sit down to talk about increasing student engagement, when we talk about making education more purposeful, and when we talk about making education more relevant, we first need to discuss what we as educators mean by engagement, purpose, and relevance.

We need to actually describe what we believe student engagement looks like in a classroom. We need to agree upon what a purposeful education actually means for students in the 21st century. Lastly, we need to come to some kind of a consensus of what is relevant for our students when it comes to preparing them for a successful life.

So, before we talk about strategies to increase engagement, strategies to make education more purposeful, and strategies to make education more relevant, we all need to agree upon what we believe they mean and what we believe they will ultimately look like.

Agree upon a mutual meaning and definition and then begin the strategies discussion... if we don't all agree upon a meaning, then the strategies aren't going to have much meaning and they will have a very inconsistent impact on student engagement.

  

10 things we need to remove from education

1). Traditional bell systems that tell students when to learn and stop learning... learning doesn't just exist in between the ringing of bells.

2). Schools that block and filter the internet... the world doesn't filter and block and we're preparing students for the 'real world' right?

3). Educator evaluation systems that focus on blaming educators for poor student success... pointing fingers is never going to get us where we need to be.

http://goo.gl/jgk3Bj

4). Schools that don't value relationships over standardized test scores... a caring adult can save a kid's life, a standardized test score can't and won't.

5). Policies that forbid and punish students for hugging and holding hands... when did the most basic functions of human interactions become socially unacceptable? 

6). Schools that don't make a concerted effort to ensure that every kid gets warm food in their belly every single day... I can barely function when I'm hungry, so I'm quite sure our students aren't much different.

7). The mindset that if we put a laptop or tablet in front of every single student they will automatically be more successful... writing a paper on a laptop is no different than writing a paper on paper.

8). Schools that believe educators are the only ones with knowledge and information worthy or sharing in the educational setting... we live in a time when the students are more knowledgeable than ever. Shame on us if we don't embrace and take advantage of it.

9). Thinking that mounds of data and information are going to solve all of our educational woes... being data driven is one thing. Being driven by data is something completely different. If you don't change anything, you aren't data driven.

 

10). The negativity surrounding the value of public education and the slow erosion of free education for the masses... as soon as we fail to see the value and extreme importance of free public education, we will slowly begin to see that our current societal problems will pale in comparison.

**I love education and I love being an educator. It's my hope this blog post can be used as a springboard to getting more and more educators to reflect and hopefully in turn improve education. If you spend a few moments thinking about something you read here, then I was successful with my post.

6 ways you are making a big difference...

I recently had a conversation with a colleague and something he said really struck a chord with me. Sometimes our hard work and actions don't always yield the results we intend or want. Sometimes the results are barely visible and sometimes the results don't appear until we least expect them to. Nevertheless, we are making a difference in spite of what we may think, and below are some of the big ways we are making a big difference.

~ You know that parent that struggles to understand why you made the decision that you made, now understands and sees the bigger picture and full story behind the decision...

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~ You know that student you are so desperately trying to connect with, all of a sudden and unexpectedly says 'good morning' to you with a smile on their face upon entering the class one day...

~ You know that teacher who is struggling with a group of challenging students, now is trying new strategies and different approaches in the classroom that are yielding quite positive results...

~ You know that initiative that just won't seem to gain any traction and seems to be heading nowhere, now is gaining momentum and people who you wouldn't think are all of a sudden championing the effort...

~ You know that colleague that just doesn't appear to have that spark and burning desire anymore, now is empowered and leading positive change among the ranks of others within the building...

~ You know that longstanding hurdle and roadblock that has been a thorn in everyone's side, now is being seen from a different perspective and a different set of lenses which has allowed the negative to be limited and minimized...

It's because of all of these reasons above (and more) that we do what we do as educators. 

How fortunate we all are to have this opportunity bestowed upon us.

10 ways to build the "community school"

Something that we take for granted far too often is the power of "the school community." Whether we always recognize it or not, schools play a vital role in our society, and as such their involvement and significance to our communities can't be easily dismissed.

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Many times throughout the school year our facilities are used to host a plethora of activities from all different sectors of the community. Schools have and will continue to provide safe and centralized facilities that many communities have become accustom to when it comes to scheduling and planning local events. Though it may be faint, there is a hidden opportunity here when it comes to changing and ultimately improving the image our society has of schools.

The sad and unfortunate reality of the times is that as Educators working in education we are in desperate need of a new and improved "image." I am not saying education is broken or that we need to change everything we are doing, but I am saying we need to do a better job of sharing the great things our schools are doing. Additionally, we need to take control and be proactive when it comes our own public relations. The time for sitting back and reacting to the negative news is over; it's time to embrace the opportunities and attack with our own positive PR campaigns... here's a good place to start:

- invite parents to MORE than just orientation and open house nights; provide food if it means you will get a larger turnout (establish a clear and achievable focus for the event as well)...

- encourage teachers to communicate with parents about the direction of the class, as well as some of the awesome activities/projects that might be coming up...

- take pictures and make videos to compile an archive of resources to share with community members (be sure to include kids in this process as well)...

- start a Facebook page to share relevant information and celebrate great things going on in your school (Twitter & Google+ are also options)...

- encourage your parents to visit your school as often and as frequently as possible (make visitations for your parents easy and simple, not difficult and burdensome)...

- greet & acknowledge parents when you see them in the community; it means a lot to them...

- when disseminating information and resources make sure you are updating frequently and consistently...

- ask your parents and community how they want to receive information; their opinions matter!

- think about how you are involving your parents in their child's education; do they really have a voice and are there opportunities for them to provide input...?

- consider the role your school plays as a vital part of the community; how could your school help to improve the community...?

- lastly, consider that if schools aren't working with and assisting the community, how could we ever really say we are truly serving the needs of our students who live within that community...

Please share how your school is tapping into the power of the community while also sharing some of the awesome things your school is doing...

Different is not wrong...

I tweet during meetings, conferences, and sometimes even during small group discussions...

When I hear something impactful & worthy... I want as many people to know about it as possible...

I try to blog on a regular basis and consider blogging to be just as valuable (if not more) than traditional in-service professional development...

My self-reflection is done via blogging, and for me, that is how I digest, assimilate & deconstruct my experiences and thoughts...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28223602@N04/

I talk about and encourage others to read the books I am currently reading or have recently read...

Reading provides me new insights and perspectives, some of which really excite me, so I like to share that excitement with others...

It seems I don't communicate much in person but have no problems communicating in the digital space...

Sometimes I feel more comfortable with members of my PLN because I have known them longer thus I feel more comfortable... it's not you, it's more me and my slow comfort process...

I approach things a little bit differently and see potential and possibility differently than most...

I really try to approach life with a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset... I prefer I can't do it yet, over I can't do it...

I would rather error on the side of being empathetic and understanding...

I make mistakes and I want to be treated like I treat others...

I don't always have an immediate response to your question or the situation we happen to be discussing...

Some of us take more time to process a situation and some of us aren't going to talk over others who may be the more vocal in the group...

I said something you don't agree with or if I made you feel uncomfortable...

I am a firm believer that we can grow and learn just as much from those with whom we disagree as from those with whom we agree. I also believe a certain level of discomfort does us all a little good...

Don't read this as a pity party narcissistic post. We all live and work in a society where interacting and communicating with other humans is of the utmost importance. Consequently, we must be able to put ourselves in the shoes of others to fully understand their perspective and viewpoint. The more tolerant and accepting we are of others, the better off and more successful we will all be...

Leave a legacy...

I think it's human nature to wonder what people think about us. In fact, I would say at times we spend way too much time wondering what people will think as a result of something we said or did. Consequently, our actions are led not only by our personal beliefs and philosophies, but also by the perceived responses others might have...

CHS Inc

As educators, I believe acknowledging what others think is a vital part of the self-reflective journey to always improve and get better. I think it's also important to note that what others think should not be the driving force behind what we say and do; it's merely a piece of the whole puzzle.

Now, this blog post isn't about doing what others will like or respond well to, but while we are on the topic, wouldn't it be nice for others to think highly of us?

Wouldn't it be nice to leave a positive legacy that will not only be remembered, but will serve as an inspiration and motivation for others for years to come?

What will your legacy be? For what will you be remembered?

Will your legacy be a legacy of treating others respectfully, fairly and individually?

Will your legacy be a legacy of trust and tolerance to the needs of others?

Will your legacy be a legacy of shared, collective and collaborative approaches toward improvement?

Will your legacy be a legacy of sincerity, selflessness and reliability?

Will your legacy be a legacy of humility and acceptance of failure as a means toward growth?

Will your legacy be a legacy of flexibility, enthusiasm and energy?

Will your legacy be a legacy of courage, strength and vision toward shared aspirations?

Will your legacy be a legacy of helping and serving others so they can achieve their goals?

Regardless of your profession or position in education, you have the luxury of developing and refining your legacy on a daily basis. Your legacy is in your hands and whether you realize it or not, people all around you are taking notice of what you are doing, or not doing...

What kind of legacy are you leaving...?

My thoughts on bullying...

My district has like many districts made a concerted effort to improve overall safety and security in our schools. One of the neat things about our approach is the fact that we are addressing some of the reasons that could possibly lead a student and/or adult to believe injuring others may be their only viable option. This includes addressing bullying, hazing, harassment and the overall mental health of students and parents within our community.

englishkid01

For the record, I'd like to thank the many people in our district and our community for their efforts in doing whatever it takes to make our schools and community as safe as possible. One of the big topics that has continually come up is bullying. Here are some thoughts on bullying that have been circling my mind lately.

~ Nobody asks to get bullied and nobody deserves to be bullied. Period.

~ I believe we are all probably guilty of this at some point in time in our lives. I know I am and I will admit to it, but, nobody should ever stand by in the presence of bullying. Not saying something or standing up for someone is passive agreement.  

~ Cell phones don't teach kids to be mean and they don't cause bullying... bullying has unfortunately existed way beyond the existence of technology.

~ We must ensure that as educators and adults we are modeling appropriate behavior. Though rare, we unfortunately have adults who are bullying other adults or kids, which then ends up sending a message to our students that it's acceptable behavior.

~ Bullying breads more bullying... it's an epidemic that can't be fought with more bullying and violent/negative behavior.

~ Training to prevent bullying can't stop with just our students and staff members. As school districts we are members of a community, and it would be unfair to say we are helping our kids if we neglect our community. Schools need to ensure that parents and members of the community are involved in the bullying training as well.

~ Bullying is one of the most detrimental and most devastating life experiences most of our students will ever experience. We need to do more to prevent this... we all need to do better.

~ Watch this TED talk by Shane Koyczan... it's extremely powerful and extremely heartbreaking...

What's your 'it' factor?

Maybe the school year just started for you... maybe the start is right around the corner. Maybe you are a first year teacher... maybe you are a 25 year veteran leading a building as a principal. Either way, we all have a job to do and hopefully while we are doing that job, we can showcase to our students, to our colleagues, to our school, and to our district our 'it' factor.

I define the 'it' factor as something simple as a thought. More specifically, when somebody says your name, sees your name, or thinks about you, they then automatically think of your 'it' factor.

Maybe your 'it' factor is your openly optimistic and friendly personality...

Maybe it's your willingness to drop whatever you are doing to help and assist someone else...

Maybe you have the ability to make a connection with students who no one else can...

Maybe you have a smile that lights up a room and automatically puts everyone else in a better mood...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40025248@N04/

Maybe you are the one that can maintain a level-head in the heat of the moment...

Maybe people always come to you for reassurance and solidarity...

Maybe all know you to be someone who will stand up and speak while everyone else remains seated and silent...

Maybe it's the infinite amount of patience and understanding you have for those with whom you interact...

Maybe it's your unwavering commitment to help those who no one else will...

Maybe your 'it' factor can't be qualified, it can't be described, and it can't be measured...

As the new school year fires up, remember, you have the opportunity to redefine, revamp, and adjust your 'it' factor. Maybe you haven't completely discovered and/or fine-tuned your 'it' factor yet. That's totally fine. This year is the perfect year to do so! For the record, I'm still not sure what my 'it' factor is...

What's yours?

The truth about homework in schools

- More times than not homework adds little value when it comes to student learning...

- There is pressure from society to continue giving homework because that is the way it has always been done...

- Assigned homework rarely has any true relevancy or purpose for students, thus completion rates are negatively affected...

Matti Á.

- When a student receives a zero for not completing homework, he/she is NOT learning about responsibility and "the real world."

- Grading homework on completion typically inflates grades and ultimately distorts overall content mastery...

- Homework should be an extension of the learning environment that provides students the opportunity to explore and discover...

- Homework can be a valuable tool in schools, but I believe too often homework is misused and ultimately detracts from the learning environment.

- More homework does NOT equal more learning...

- Students should not spend all night every night doing homework... I don't know many Educators who work 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.... why should students be subjected to that...?

- The natural love and curiosity of learning are destroyed by too much irrelevant and unproductive homework...

- Homework also naturally reinforces the gap between the kids who have parents/guardians available to help and those who don't...

- A school without homework and grades would be a school where student learning and success increased...

- Not enough Educators are having this difficult conversation about the role of homework in schools...

What are your thoughts...? Let's keep this conversation going in an effort to move the homework discussion forward.

4 minutes that will change your life

I came across this video via +Chris Wejr and I was immensely moved. Please take 4 minutes to watch this video that will definitely force you to question the information and content we value in education. Are we teaching, encouraging, and allowing our students to see the world from this perspective? Are we preparing our students to not just be prepared for the future, but also to be a part of ensuring that we have a future?

Either way, this video will definitely make you think about the way you live your life...

You're more than just a teacher...

You all know that child who doesn't have someone advocating for them. As an educator, you are in a position to advocate for and fight for what is best for that child. Wow... what an awesome responsibility.

Where else in the world do you get to work with so many different personalities, egos, and varied life experiences all in the course of one day. If as an educator you can't find something to learn from your students, then you aren't looking hard enough.

In what other profession can you literally witness the growth and development of a child on a daily basis? You are in a position to see first-hand the progress and growth that takes place every single day in classrooms around the world. You are able to take a student who possibly knows very little about his/her interests, and then help them discover and explore those interests while simultaneously watching them change before your eyes.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ksten/

How many other professions can say they are a punching bag for the media and the sole reason for all the problems in society? (joking here) Educators seem to be getting all the attention... how cool is that to always be in the limelight! On a serious note, if what you were doing wasn't important, then people wouldn't notice.

Some of your students will get to know you better than anyone else in their lives. You will spend more time with some of your students than even their own family members. You will get to experience all the highs and the lows right alongside your students. Being this much a part of the lives of your students definitely makes this an awesome job.

In what other profession can you continue to learn and grow in the areas you are passionate about and say that it's a part of your job. Then on top of that, you get to share your passion and interests with others while getting paid to do it. Sounds like a win-win to me!

Research is quite clear in that a great teacher has a tremendous impact on the life of a child. This is not just related to academic achievement, but to all facets of their life. When you think something you might do or might not do doesn't matter, remember this research and keep it fresh in your mind.

You get to be an entertainer, actor/actress, and a Gumby-like person almost every day! I know the 'edutainment' mindset is not the most popular at times, but aren't you first trying to sell yourself? If the kids aren't buying into 'you,' then they will never buy into what you are trying to accomplish in the classroom. Take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity!

Why do you believe you are more than just a teacher?

The importance of teamwork...

Over the last several weeks I have had the opportunity to speak with several different people who are the leaders, coordinators, directors, and supervisors in their respective departments within my school district. This opportunity has reaffirmed my appreciation for the many intricacies of a school district.  

Having served as both a teacher and an administrator, I have way too often went to my classroom, went to schools in the district, and now my office, and have completely taken for granted my surroundings. Unfortunately, many educators including myself, take for granted the many things that are happening behind the scenes. 

hoyden

Before I even wake up on a given morning there are people working to make sure the buses are safe to transport students; there are people doing repairs all throughout the district; there are people coordinating after school programs; there are people arranging subs for sick teachers; and there are people preparing food to feed our students upon arrival to school. These are just a few examples of the many people who are providing support to our schools.

My point is simple; as a teacher and administrator, I would not be able to do my job if these hardworking people whose contributions often go unnoticed were not doing their jobs. When you work for a school district everybody is working toward the same goal. We are all here to create a safe, positive, and encouraging environment that produces lifelong learners who are prepared to be successful democratic citizens. 

So, the next time you use that empty trash can in your classroom or your office, you enjoy the nice air conditioned school in which you work, you relish the fact that the technology you are using is working properly, and you teach students who arrived at school on time who now have a full belly, please remember the people who are responsible for making this happen. A school district is a complex and delicate structure that requires the expertise of several different people to run efficiently and effectively.

Be aware, be thankful, and be appreciative to those who help us do our jobs, by doing theirs...

My challenge to you

Self-improvement is definitely easier said than done, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be trying. Here are a few things I challenge you to avoid thinking and avoid saying this year:

~ I can't believe they did that... what in the world were they thinking!

~ I can't do my job because someone else hasn't done their job...

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~ It won't work and it's not possible...

~ They are going to hate the idea and they will never go for it...

~ That student needs to learn the way I do things and shape up...

~ Nobody else is doing it the right way, so why should I...

~ I have a personal problem with that person, so I'm going to ignore everything they say...

~ I don't really care what everyone else is doing, I'm going to do my own thing...

~ They are doing everything wrong but everyone thinks they are perfect; why don't they see the truth...

~ I always get stuck with the worst kids, the worst jobs, and the worst situations...

Accept this challenge and you will be rewarded with more than you could ever imagine...

10 reasons it's a great time to be in education

As many of us get ready to start up another school year, we have much to look forward to and much to be excited about. Here are 10 reasons why I believe it's a great time to be in education:

1) - Global competition is increasing and the pool for career opportunities is becoming more fierce. As the world seems to get smaller, students are being forced to compete with an even larger pool of applicants for colleges, for jobs, and for life in general. It's my belief that through this increase in competition, both schools and students will rise to the occasion to ensure all kids are prepared to be successful regardless of what path they choose in life.

2) - Everyone thinks they know what is best for education. Now, some would argue this is a bad thing, but the reality is, everyone and their mom (I love you mom) seem to think they are an expert in education. On the positive side, this has brought education to the forefront of many of the most important and pressing conversations. Sometimes the fact that everyone has a past education experience means education will always be a top priority in society.

Dell

3) - Technology is changing the way the world does business. Technology is enabling things to happen that were never before possible. This has huge implications for education as a whole. Education systems are no longer limited to what they can or can't do; they are limited to their creativity and their ability to think innovatively.

4) - Students are bringing more and more knowledge and experience into the educational setting. When in history have students been able to teach the teachers and be an instrumental part to the educational process as much as they are now? This shift has continued to push the mindset that the educators are no longer simply dispensers of knowledge; they are facilitators of self-directed learning by students. In this type of an environment, educators can learn just as much from their students as the students can learn from them.

5) - College education programs are getting better and better. Now, I'm not saying we can't continue to improve here, but I honestly believe the college education programs are doing a better job of preparing young teachers to be successful in an education career. This includes moving education programs away from just theory and approach to actual hands-on learning alongside mentor teachers. More college education programs are getting future teachers into classrooms earlier on and pairing them with more experienced mentors. Not perfect yet, but definitely getting better.

6) - More and more districts are collaborating with local businesses. This is a very exciting aspect of education now. Local businesses and the overall business industry have a vested interest in seeing kids who are prepared and are ready for the work force. The more partnerships that are formed between school districts and the business industry, the better prepared our kids will be upon entering the job market.

7) - We are learning that money is not the single determining factor for student success. It's easy to believe and often misleading when people say that money is the most important factor when determining overall student success. First off, we need to discuss what 'student success' means, but secondly, there are countless examples of schools and districts that are finding success who would not be considered as 'wealthy' schools or districts. Of course, money does help, but don't assume if you don't have money you can't find success. Success may not be easy to find, but I assure you it comes in more forms than just the green type.

8) - Schools are once again becoming the center and hub of the community. Too often there is a disconnect between the schools and the community in which it serves. This is slowly but surely changing. Our schools in our districts are becoming centralized hubs of not only student learning, but also learning for parents and people within the community. If schools aren't there to serve the community, then how could we ever say we are truly serving our students?

9) - Innovation and creativity are all around us. Keep your eyes and ears open because there are a lot of great things happening in education. As schools and districts continue to do a better job of telling their stories, the positives of education are becoming more and more prevalent. What once was a story dominated by all the negatives, is slowly shifting toward a story that emphasizes the positives and the opportunities around us.

Sean MacEntee

10) - Every single day educators get to impact, influence, encourage, support, guide and help students become the best they can be. If this doesn't make you feel that it's a great time to be in education, then perhaps it's best you make room for someone who does...

5 tips for starting BYOD in your district

In my district we embarked upon a journey at the beginning of the 2012/2013 school year. Our goal was to enhance our current instructional practices by finding new ways of infusing technology into the educational setting with the hope of preparing our students for the ever-changing world. Additionally, we wanted our graduates to have the skills necessary to compete on a global scale while providing them a relevant, purposeful, and meaningful K-12 learning environment.

About 11 months later we have decided that Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) was going to be a big part of our journey. Here are 5 tips if you are interested or considering a BYOD environment in your school or district:

1) - Focus on what your main goal and objectives are with this type of initiative. There is nothing more important than determining the end result or main goal. We spent a significant amount of time with our technology committee (teachers), with our technology department, members of our community, and our administrative team discussing the purpose of a possible BYOD initiative. Once we determined that BYOD would be an integral part of us accomplishing our learning goals for our students, we felt comfortable moving forward.

2) - Spend time doing your homework and learning as much as you can from those who are already doing BYOD. This was probably the best part of the entire process. We sent teams of teachers to neighboring districts who had already implemented BYOD programs in their schools. This not only gave our teachers and administrators the opportunity to see what other schools and districts were experiencing, but we were able to learn about their roll-out and the logistics of the implementation process.

3) - Ensure you have the necessary technology infrastructure in place in advance. Our technology department deserves major kudos for ensuring we have the necessary bandwidth and the appropriate structures in place to fully implement a BYOD plan. This required a lot of foresight on the side of our technology department, and fortunately it has paid huge dividends considering where we are now. More technology in schools won't be of any value if the system can't handle it.

4) - Realize that not all will agree or fully understand the value of more technology in schools. This was not exactly something we were surprised about, but nevertheless it's important to share and help make sure everyone is aware of what BYOD really means. Of course this is officially opening up things for personal devices in our schools, but let's face it, our kids and teachers are already using their personal devices anyway. With a BYOD program we can structure our curriculum and instruction to help students AND staff develop a better understanding of digital citizenship and proper technology usage.

5) - Support, encouragement, and more support. We are quite fortunate to have recently hired a district technology specialist to help with training and assisting teachers with technology integration. Many districts already have this type of position in place, but many others don't. Also, we are planning to host several informal learning sessions for those who are interested in embracing technology integration. At this time we aren't planning on forcing anyone to use BYOD in their classroom. We are hoping that through informal learning and by having conversations with those who are experiencing success, more and more will jump on board.

Below is the presentation I gave to our Board of Education once we finalized adjustments and changes to both our policies and instructional practices. Please also note that we used our legal counsel in helping to refine our policies and minimize district liability.