Hello Blogosphere and Edu friends! Here are some of our recent IG Highlights from the Holidays, #makermondaycrafternoon, Winter Smash, #MHTVNews, and our MHMS Memory Book Cover artist winner!
WARNING: Because this post contains a LOT of Instagram embedded posts, it may take a bit longer to load.
At the very bottom of the page I have links to why having a professional School or Library or School Library Instagram is important.
Now, most of our kids love, I mean LOVE getting their pics taken for our Instagram. They often come up and ask me to take their pics on a special day, their birthday, or when they have a cool new pair of kicks. But some are a little shy. This young lady is is an example! But I showed these pics to her Mom, and she LOVED them and gave me permission to post! Hee hee hee. Don't worry, my sporty friend here is really super outgoing!
Ms. Gould and I were really proud of our set up with a roaring fire (YouTube Video), a "Mr. Microphone, and lots of cool tunes playing on our retro iPod!
Right before the winter break, I also visited my dear Librarian friend, and former student teacher, Ms. Danielle Du Puis at Hammond High School to support and join in with her amazing #Makerspace program she calls: #mondaycrafternoon
Finally finally, it's so lovely when I get a chance to meet people traveling & speaking about the Edu stuff I love and am passionate about. This kid is one of the coolest and this really just made my holiday, heck - my year! Thank you Madelyn & Mom Laura!
As always, thank you dear readers for stopping by!
I took a bit of a digital detox during the holidays and spent imporant time with my family, friends, and a some much loved books! Ahh it was lovely!
Remember, it's really important to NEVER apologize for not blogging at the beginning of every post. It looks a little lame and pathetic and really - people don't want to land on a blog and see an excuse a the start of every blog post. Though it's ok to share some personal info if you are taking a blog sabbatical. But I would do it here...at the end of the post.
Just share that you need some time and hope your readers come back. Invite them to join via email so that they can be notified of your next post.
Thanks Eva for your kind comment! In a page of mostly spam, your real and sweet comment stood out like a bright beacon of happy! You don 't start blogging for comments (or you shouldn't because you don't get many!) but when you get them, they're like manna from heaven! Cheers dear & if you're on Twitter or Instagram, let me know and I'll follow you back! ~Gwyneth
An update from the Archives . Got Ed Tech Relationship Anxiety? It's so easy to feel Ed Tech trend overload at the beginning of the school year. It's exhausting and can be overwhelming. Just remember, it's OK to date new technology, you don't have to marry it! You don't have to try to be the expert at everything. Sometimes, it's not what you have, it's the creativity of how you use it. It's the innovation of teaching and not the tool. Tools come and go, it's the daring spirit to try new things that pays off in the long run. If you're feeling overwhelmed, gather and curate great resources, rather than create new content. That can come later when you are less stressed or when you get inspired. Then, please share shamelessly across Edu platforms and help another educator who might need it. That's paying if forward. Again, tech may change, but it is our daring innovative change agent spirit that moves on. Use resources like Common Sens...
Our Middle School Library in Laurel, Maryland has been a loud and proud Safe Space and Ally for ALL of our LGBTQIA and Neurodivergent students for years. We have purchased every well reviewed, requested, intriguing, and middle school approved fiction and non-fiction book on these topics. I daresay we have one of the largest collections around! We have Safe Space signs around, a rainbow narwhal (pictured above) and groupings of books on display all the time. I have also blogged about our support of our diverse communities. Dear Queer Teen - It Gets Better! - 2012 Create a Safe Space - 2018 BUT... I have strong opinions about putting a Genre label on these books. I am really cognizant that some of my Middle Schoolers are curious or questioning to learn more about but aren't ready to out themselves. To their peers and to their parents. This is yet another reason I'm against Genrefication. I know, among some of my other Future Ready Librarians this is a controversial topic....
Dare Every Other Day You know, one becomes pretty reflective when they change up their life in a big way. Like moving into another professional phase after 30 years of teaching - 25 in Middle School! Coming up with "The Daring Librarian" brand back in 2010 was a choice that was inspired by an ISTE conference . I don't regret it. But, I have to say that my early preaching about being a daring educator, to always strive to be on the forefront of ed tech innovations, and to continually try new things in the classroom every day....can be a bit exhausting. And quite daunting. So, dare...every...other...day. Or week, or month. Don't push yourself or silently guilt yourself if you feel like you're not pushing yourself more. That's only on you. No one else is thinking "why aren't they doing this or that?" Mindfulness and taking time for self-care is a real thing. Practice that, too! Balance. Between life and profession is not only healthy - it's im...
At the very bottom of the page I have links to why having a professional School or Library or School Library Instagram is important.
Love these ideas! Going to share!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eva for your kind comment! In a page of mostly spam, your real and sweet comment stood out like a bright beacon of happy! You don 't start blogging for comments (or you shouldn't because you don't get many!) but when you get them, they're like manna from heaven! Cheers dear & if you're on Twitter or Instagram, let me know and I'll follow you back! ~Gwyneth
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