FETC conference

I had heard so many things about the FETC in Orlando and now that it is over, I am so glad that I went. I learned so many different things while in attendance and I cannot wait to implement some new strategies within my classroom. During the first session of the conference we (OMET students) served as a panel of action researchers. Margaret gave a session entitled "Online Learning and Action Research: Take the University to School" Margaret spoke about how to solve problems within a workplace using action research. She started by simply stating the definition of action research. Action research begins when you examine your values and how you can reach those values through changing yourself. I really felt like I understood the meaning of Action Research and really enjoyed sharing my experience and helping attendees of the session in examine how they could use action research to help improve their work environment.

After the AR meeting I attended Alan November's session. His session focused on how to use technology in the classrooms as a tool. His lecture focused on connecting the family at school and that it is important to give instant feedback to students. After meeting with Alan November, I went into the Exhibit Hall and looked at the latest technology gadgets to use. Unfortunately I do not have the administrative rights to purchase the materials, but I now have ideas of what we could really utilize in our school. This is the second technology conference that I have attended and I am proud to say that I was more familiar with the products offered. Now I can use this knowledge to determine which product I would like best.

Lastly, while I was unable to attend all of the sessions that I wanted to, I found out that I would be able to upload podcasts of the ones that I did not make it to. Thank goodness for technology@ I look forward to utilizing what I have learned within my school/classroom.

Reuniting with Cadremates

As I came to Orlando, Florida I was super excited to relax and get rejuvenated with new ideas for work and I could not wait to see my cadremates all together again! I flew on the same flight as Marie so it was super exciting to get catch up with her and have some company of the flight. We flew on Southwest, an airline with a laid back staff. The two flight attendants were very friendly and helpful and made the flight go by very quickly. I was even a flight attendant in training! They let me pass out honey roasted peanuts to the passengers (I thought that was cool because I am a people person) and they also hooked me up with drinks.

On Tuesday, I went to Discovery Cove and swam with the dolphins with both Marie and Heather. Swimming with the dolphins was such an exciting event and something that I have wanted to do since I was a kid. They are very serene animals and really seemed to love human interaction. While at Discovery Cove I got to swim with the rays and fish in on a coral reef. What an amazing, serene, and safe environment to be in with these animals. Discovery Cove was an all inclusive package deal which included all you could eat food, snacks, and drinks, as well as the necessary equipment needed to enjoy the park. We even got a 7 day Sea World Pass included in the deal!

Wednesday night was the night we got to all meet up again. I can not tell you enough how crazy it is that we have gone so long with not seeing these people, yet I feel like I have grown closer to them with the OMET experience. For the second face to face meeting, I feel that we are all much more comfrotable with each other. We can truly joke with each other and we understand each others like we've known each other for years.

Looking at te first half of OMET, I really believe that this is the right program for me. I have truly learned so much more about myself and have grown a lot as a person and as a teacher. I love the fact that our program is a noncompetive team-building one. I can honestly say that each person within OMET is an asset to me and I hope that I am an asset to them. What I really mean is that each person truly cares and knows about each other. Each relationship has truly developed into a familial bond as if we were each brothers and sisters. I know that over the course of the next two semesters this bond will even grow stronger.

Getting ready for Florida

Well this past week has been built up with much excitement and stress. While I am super excited to be headed off for Florida tomorrow, I am also nervous at what I am leaving behind. I don't know if anybody knows the stresses a teacher has when he/she misses one day of work, let alone 7. I did a lot of cramming within my own classroom this past week as far as catching up and providing learning experiences that I know the sub would not be able to do (as in 6 science experiements within a 45 minute period to illustrate the differences between all of the different types of rocks (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary). After that experiment I felt as if I was about to crash.

As I was in my classroom yesterday prepping for the 7 days I will be out of the classroom, I tried to think of every possible thing that I needed to tell the substitute. I will be meeting with her today ( in about an hour) to go through the ropes with her. I think that I am very prepared and I know she will do just fine--I look at it as I am giving her a learning experience (she wants to be a teacher). She has done some long term subbing in my class before so I truly trust her. I think my only worry is that I will forget to tell her something, but my colleagues are there to help!

While I am leaving behind a class that does not want me to leave, I also know that I will be going somewhere where I can learn more about myself as well as learn more things that I can use in my classroom. I am treating this conference week as a mini brain break week. Oftentimes a change of pace and scenery will give you a new outlook on life and in this case on my job and my graduate work. This is a much needed "break" to reconnect with my fellow OMETers as well as enjoy life. I knew coming into this program I would sacrifice a lot, but I also know that in order to stay sane, I need to have some time to myself. I will be doing just that in Florida. I am taking time to go swimming with the dolphins (something I've wanted to do since I was a kid) and possibly go back to Dineyworld. This week holds many exciting experiences for me and I look forward to the fun I will have.