C4T #3

For my Comment for Teacher this time, I had Mrs. Beth Still. I am going to tell you about her two different post I commented on, as well as what the comments I left said. If you would like to view her blog, her is the link: Beth Still's Blog

The first post of Mrs. still's that I commented on was called "Budding Artists Project." She put aside a whole week of social studies lessons to work on this project. Throughout the week they painted, and she was eager to see what their creative minds came up with. Most importantly, she said she enjoyed getting to know them more. She made it feel less like a school day for this week, and created a relaxed space, listened to music, were laughing and joking around, and were able to share stories. They had a very nice bonding experience. Mrs. Still tells us that this wouldn't have been possible without the support of the people at DonansChoose. They gave the money for this project. She, also, tells us all her students' paintings' will be hung up in the hallways. Each student made a hand print and all will be hung up with a description of the project and a sign saying, "Each of these students had a hand in this project."
In my comment I left, I stated many things. I let her know how great it is to take the time to bond with her students, how special it is, and that I hope to create a bonding experience like this with my students one day. I told her how much I admired her as a teacher because she takes the time to bond with her students. I, also, mentioned that teachers like her are why students want to continue in school, because she takes the time to get to know them.

Beth Still's second post I commented on was called, "Following My Dreams." In this post Mrs. Still talks about how through her years teaching she has used all different types of online tools in her classroom and many students had asked her why she taught social studies instead of teaching all the other teachers how to use technology in their classrooms. Working with teachers was her dream, and is something she had been working toward since she attended the 2008 ISTE conference and learned that some districts employ teachers whose sole job is to integrate technology in their classrooms. On April 1, 2014, Beth was offered the position of Instructional Technology Integrating Specialist for Gering Public Schools. When preparing her application, Beth knew she needed to do something to stand out from all the other applicants. She involved her personal learning network, and asked 65 or so colleagues to write a very short recommendation for her and explain why she would be a good fit for the job. She took those recommendations and made them into a slide show, then linked it on her CV. She, then, thanked everyone who helped her and listed all of their names. She starts her knew job in April!
In the comment I left for her I first gave her a congratulation for her new job. Then, mentioned that incorporating her personal learning network was admiring, and that I needed to keep that in mind. I let her know that her post inspires me to include technology more when I start teaching.