approx  read time: 2min  +3 min for linked article
I came across an article this week from KQED Mindshift with tips for parents and teachers on how to talk to kids about terrible things.  The last item focuses on the role of social media and  how it amplifies the experience for kids, even those who aren't directly involved.  Many kids saw what happened in Parkland in live time on social media and then turned to their peers in an effort to process the unimaginable.  As the news cycle started churning, there was little opportunity to escape the carnage, fear, and confusion.   KQED mentions how kids may feel that they can't walk away from a conversation about such an event for fear of being judged as uncaring.  It's just another example of how social media use is pushing our kids into situations they just aren't ready for. I don't mean sheltering them from these types of events they deserve to know what's happening in the world, but rather them being able to grieve in a personal way.  My heart aches for them all.
One of my most vivid memories from high school is how I felt in the wake of the death of a friend from carbon monoxide poisoning. It shook me to the core, but I didn't have words to describe my emotions.  I needed to be quiet and alone to figure it out. I can't imagine being made to feel guilty about that on top of the anguish and confusion  in the face of  mortality.   
I think about my work as an Internet safety presenter at Protect Young Eyes and realize that "it truly "takes a village'. As schools prepare to join nationwide walk-outs in the coming weeks, this topic is going to continue to resonate for our kiddos. It's imperative that teachers and parents are aware of what's going on in their world, even in the seemingly 'safe space' of a friends. 

approx read time: 2 min.

So much happened in the second half of 2017,  I thought I'd catch up in this first post of 2018 and let you all know what I've been up to. It's been a busy fall as I settle into my new role as an an independent consultant. Getting a business up and running is something new for me and I'm happy to report that things are falling into place.  So... what have I been up to you may ask?   Well the real question is, what haven't I been up to?  
First, training and presentations! I had the pleasure of working with John Sowash of Sowash Ventures to provide Google training   for a few schools to start the year. I tagged along with him to   Chandler Park Academy to get the middle school staff up to speed on Chromebooks.   Then it was off to Rochester, NY for a day with the elementary staff at  Manchester-Shortsville.   
I also presented at Bay Arenac ISD's back to school  PD on Google mapping tools (check out  my maps in g-drive!), VR in the classroom, non-boring lectures and formative assessment tools.  Mi Google was my next stop, with a session targeted to ELA teachers. Their favorites?  symbaloo.edu, newsela, and read&write;  all great resources for any content area. Finally keynoting the MANS second annual tech gathering with a great session on empathy and tech integration. 
Second, Internet safety and digital citizenship. I've been working with the team at Protect Young Eyes visiting schools and churches from Grand Rapids, MI to  Dallas, TX sharing an their incredible Internet safety message to kids k-12 and parents. It's been amazing! I'm also pleased to have been the lead curriculum designer for PYE's  newest project, Virtue in Media, a faith-based k-8 digital citizenship curriculum. 
Last but not least, Aquinas College, College of Ed Field Supervisor. I'm just starting my second semester as a student teacher field supervisor. It's  such a privilege to work so closely with pre-service teachers. It's so valuable to see teaching through their eyes and to visit so many classrooms and schools throughout the Grand Rapids area. Not sure who's learning more, them or me!  I've also been invited to present in their seminars on design thinking, tech integration, and Understanding by Design.   
To top it all off,  I've got a couple of proposals out for work this spring and next fall. I'm getting ready to present at the  GVSU Math in Action Conference as well as MACUL and  I've moved a few books from the 'to read' to the  'read that' list. The one that's made the biggest impression on me is Mathematical Mindsets. Look for a complete review in my next post. 
So... here we go 2018 seatbelts fastened! It's going to be a wild ride... :)

Gearing up for the school year, I've been working on a number of presentations and a common theme seems to be popping up: Empathy. I'll be revisiting this topic with some concrete examples of how empathy effects our work in the classroom, but wanted to share a few general thoughts  as you all get  ready to step up to the podium next week. 

Empathy is most often defined as the ability to 'walk a mile in another person's shoes'.  And many of us (esp.  educators!) think we have this pretty locked up. It's a wonderful characteristic to  have and  we often pride ourselves on this ability. But be careful, empathy is a thin line; just believing you are empathetic  puts you at risk of not being so. It is something we have to consciously practice. It's a mindset by which we live our lives aware that what we assume or presume may very well not be accurate, and allowing space for the perspective of others.
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This is incredibly important in the classroom from building relationships, to supporting personalized learning,  and engaging in meaningful formative assessment. So...let's get started! First and foremost, let's get back to being a kid. Let's get back to a time when even an ant crossing  the sidewalk with a crumb was something to that would cause you  to stop, point, squeal and fill you with such excitement and wonder that you just had to share it with everyone around you. Remember what it was like to feel emotions with such totality?  To have a complete melt-down; to jump, squeal and laugh uncontrollably; to tug at your neighbor's sleeve until they joined in your wonder? It's probably been a while for most of you. So, before you continue with this post. Watch this wonderful video from Jason DaSilva  at Shots of  Awe (2 minutes) . I'll wait... 

Wasn't that refreshing?  So let's reflect on what this means in the classroom. Take the next 5 minutes and consider this: If you approach everything in your practice, (i.e. lesson planning, classroom management, communication with parents) remembering that this is how kids experience the world:  
What might you do to tap into your childlike sense of wonder, to walk a mile  in your students' shoes?  And by extension, what might you do differently to ignite that sense of curiosity and wonder in them when faced with learning standards & objectives? What might you do differently to  engage those excitable (or not-so-excitable) students? 
Post your ideas and  reactions below.