1. Teaching - I teach Senior and Sophomore English at Olathe Northwest High School in Olathe, KS. I am constantly searching for new and effective strategies to improve as an educator and share with my students (or my "guinea pigs" as they affectionately like to call themselves when I tell them we are trying something new).
2. Coaching - I coach football and am the Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach at Olathe Northwest High School.
I have been heavily influenced by the Air Raid Offense made famous by Mike Leach at Texas Tech, and QB Guru Darin Slack.
3. Technology - I am a proponent of all things Web 2.0, and finding ways to incorporate it into my lesson plans to improve student learning. I am also a member of our building Teacher Tech Team, and I am passionate about helping teachers learn how to use new technology tools in their classrooms.
In the spring of 2009, I discovered Twitter and the power of Professional Learning Networks (PLN). It completely changed the way I approach my job as an educator and coach.
I am going to ask my students to begin their own blogs next semester. I figured that if I am going to talk the talk, then I better walk the walk. I am going to blog alongside them about the things I am passionate about.
Hopefully I can give something back through this blog to all of the people I have learned so much from.
Walking the walk alongside of your students... absolutely a must. Funny how coaches instantly see the value in that, huh?
ReplyDeleteThis also says a great deal: "I am constantly searching for new and effective strategies to improve as an educator and share with my students (or my "guinea pigs" as they affectionately like to call themselves when I tell them we are trying something new)."
Yours is quite likely to be a classroom that students enjoy. Putting ourselves in the position of "learner" in such a transparent way is such a huge relationship builder, not to mention just good modeling.
Awesome start here.
;)
Way to jump in, Coach! I started mine for many of the same reasons as you.
ReplyDeleteThe modeling aspect can't be overstated. My freshmen have started blogging/posting this semester and the fact that I am modeling how to blog speaks volumes to its importance.
Now, I can't wait to read about your football philosphies, especially since we are so polar opposites.
Thanks guys for the comments. Speaking at coaching clinics in front of your peers and people with more experience is one of the scariest things to do. Blogging is on par with that, but on a global scale!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the support!