Wednesday, February 5, 2014

It's no secret that I'm a fan of Steve Jobs and his products.  As I've struggled to put my thoughts together for this first blog post, I've found myself wanting to use his wisdom to illustrate where my head is these days.  

This journey began a few years ago when I started an after-school tech club we call Oak Hill eLeaders.  (Check them out - they're AMAZING!)  It didn't take long to realize that my role as a "teacher" was changing.  I learned quickly that I would NOT be the one standing in the front of the room with all the answers.  Why?  Well, because I didn't have all the answers.  And that was okay.  So, here we are, three years later, and my Oak Hill eLeaders are now traveling the U.S., teaching teachers how to maximize student learning through technology!

Since I'm never one to think inside the box, I have been looking for a way to provide this leadership opportunity for more kiddos in my community.  As a result of reading a life-changing book called Crush It, by Gary Vaynerchuk, the eLeader Academy was born.  Reading his book, I found the courage to take some risks and do what I love, and teach the way that is best for kids - not in a way dictated by standardized tests - and it has been a BLAST!

eLeaders meet on evenings and weekends and we explore, question, solve problems, collaborate, and learn from each other.  eLeaders get to decide the content they learn and how deeply they go in learning it; they take ownership over their own learning.  I'm not afraid to admit I don't always have all the answers.  It's okay that eLeaders often see me learning right along with them.  Sometimes, when classes are offered for the younger kiddos, some of the older eLeaders will attend so they can help by teaching.  This happened with our recent Code Academy 2013 in December and you can see the pictures here.  It is powerful when you can see kids teaching kids!  Wow!  Talk about goosebumps; I'm so blessed.

We are educating today's students for jobs that don't yet exist; I carry this thought with me every day.  That's another reason I opened the eLeader Academy.  I have been asked if I am starting my own school and the answer is "No."  I'm such a believer in public schools - I'm a product of them and have spent an 18-year career in them.  The older I get and the more I learn,  though, the more I realize that it's time to dream outside the box.  

Picture
It's time to dream and work outside the box.  That's what I'm doing.  I'm breaking some rules.
I'm doing what no one else has done in this community:
  • Help students discover their strengths and passions using technology and leadership frameworks.
  • Help students change the world in their ways and in their time - not mine.  
  • Let students CHOOSE how they learn best, and let them learn that way.
  • Help students find purposeful work so they don't settle for just a "job" - ever.
  • Give students a VOICE that will make people listen.  Kids are the best teachers among us if we will just stay quiet long enough to listen to them.   

In a few weeks, we will have our first eLeader Boot Camp Graduation.  eLeaders will present their projects as they will be teaching the audience all about cool, techie tools - and I can't wait!  They've been working so hard!

I'm not sure where this journey will lead.  Ultimately, I'm okay with that and am actually excited about it!  


I just know that I don't need standardized test scores or data to tell me how to provide the best learning and leadership opportunities for kids.  We will continue to dream outside the box and see where it takes us.  If the future is half as exciting as the past, then there's no question we're on the right path!
~DeLyn

Saturday, August 10, 2013

7 Habits + The Cup Song + Oak Hill Staff = Funny Stuff!!!!

Our staff members are in the middle of our Leader in Me training, as we completed the first day on Thursday.  Days two and three will take place next week.  I am absolutely LOVING it!!!!!!!  I love learning new ways to empower our kiddos!  I have been so disheartened with our current climate of test - test - test - and test some more!  Ugh!  I'm so thankful that we are being encouraged to "educate the whole child," and help each one of them find their gifts!  Great stuff!  Not once did our facilitator ask us to analyze any data or complete any graphs and charts!  Yeah!  That's definitely a win-win!

We've been brainstorming the best ways to start our new year with our Wildcats while teaching them about the 7 Habits.  There are some verrrrrrrrry creative teachers in my building!  Love it!! Let's hear it for the right-brainers!  Here's what we have come up with so far...
Our school community will begin each day in the gym with a morning meeting.  This morning meeting will be led by our students!  Cool, huh?
  

All of our staff members are going to attempt - yes, attempt - to "perform" The Cup Song (Leader in Me version!) for our first morning meeting on Wednesday.  (It's okay if you're laughing!  I understand!)

It should be a lot of fun, indeed!
Think we can do it?  It will be a blast trying!




One of my projects today was to finish a bulletin board outside my classroom.  I have most of it done.  I combined two things I love - Duck Dynasty and The 7 Habits!

Here's the finished product:
"The 7 Habits make us "Happy Happy Happy!"  I know what you're wondering - yes, I added "Jack" after each of the habits!

I'm thinking I may have used a little too much duct tape...



Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Choosing Gratitude...

It’s the end of July, and I’m tired. I want a vacation.  I want to squish my toes in the sand.  I want to hear the waves crashing, smell the salty air, and think about nothing else.  Oh yeah, I want to eat fresh crab legs. Well, that’s not happening, at least not this summer.  I haven’t had a week off yet, and I’m feeling it. Big time.  My summer days have been filled with... wait for it... work!

It has been an exhausting summer, but a great one!  I have worked with my eLeaders throughout the summer months, as we traveled to several tech conferences in which they taught teachers techie tools!   What a blessing to be a part of it! I will save those details for another post, because there’s just so much to share about those amazingly talented kiddos... I’m thankful those kiddos are supported by a group of parents whose energy is boundless, as they never stop asking, “What can we do to help?” It still overwhelms me. 


Today, despite my exhaustion, I’m choosing gratitude. I have several hours of work staring at me in order to prepare for the next conference - #GCCC13 - in two days, but I’m thankful.  I’m thankful that my summer has been full of purpose - full of new learning, new connections, new tech tools, (a Chromebook and a Windows Tablet!) new adventures, and I’m grateful for that. 

Saying “thank you” has been on my mind a lot lately. I think it’s because I’m reading Gary Vaynerchuk’s, “The Thank You Economy.” I love his forward-thinking analysis of the social media platform and where it’s forcing us to go.  We really don’t spend enough time or energy on “thank you,” do we?  I know I sure don’t, but I’m working on it.



Tonight, as I stare at the endless list of tasks that await me, I choose to be thankful.



I’m thankful for my mom and dad, who are blessings far beyond what words can describe.


I’m thankful for special friends to whom I can “vent,” because sometimes, I just gotta do it!


I’m thankful for Caleb, and for Photobooth silliness! 

I’m thankful for a principal who listens to me and supports me in all my wacky, outside-the-box thinking!   She knows I like to push the envelope and it's okay.



I’m thankful for Gary Vaynuchuk and YouTube. Together. 

I’m thankful for chocolate. Nuff said. 

I’m thankful for my gifted students, who let me learn from them every day. I sure don’t feel worthy to call myself their teacher, but I go with it anyway! 

I’m thankful for the comic relief that Sheldon Cooper provides. 


I'm thankful for my PLN in the Twitterverse.  Every single day.

I’m thankful that this list could go on and on... 



What are you thankful for?

Sunday, July 14, 2013

My 4th Grade Teacher Met My 4th Graders...

I always love eRev...
It's always a highlight of my summer of elearning!

This year was no exception.  My eLeaders just knocked it out of the park again in the Digital Playground!  We love teaching teachers!  I'll share some fun stories during eRev13 in another post.  Stay tuned!

In all my years of teaching, I've taught all grade levels K - 8th.
Since I've been at Oak Hill, I've always felt so blessed to teach 4th graders!  Nine-year-olds are just a blast!  I love watching them grow, change, and mature throughout every school year.  I love their honesty, and I appreciate the fact that they challenge me and push me to me better than the day before.  If I'm not - they definitely let me know.

While we were playing in the Media Center/Digital Playground during eRev13, my 4th grade teacher, Mr. Richmond, came in to visit!  Imagine my surprise when I saw him!  Wow!  He shared with me that he will be entering his 42nd year of teaching!  Wowzers!  

Of course, I had to grab him and my kiddos and take a picture!


My 4th grade teacher, along with my 4th graders!!!
7.11.13

What a magical moment!  How many teachers today get to introduce their teachers to their students?

Thanks, eRev!  Just another blessing among many that occurred this week...

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Saying Good-bye...

Wednesday, May 22, 2013
A difficult day, indeed...

This class has been knock-your-socks-off amazing.  They let me take so many risks.  We thought outside the box.  Heck, half the time, we got rid of the box and that was a BLAST!!!!  This class is filled with eager learners, risk takers, and compassionate leaders.  Seriously.








I have a sad heart, because I'm going to miss these kiddos so much.  I made them promise to come back and visit me next year!  I will soon be writing them personal notes of thanks and mailing them.  I needed some time to reflect on the year and think about the message I want to send to each of them.  I'm so proud of the leaders they have become.  They took a lot of tests, and I guess i could talk about how thrilled I am with their scores, but that is less important to me.  It's the character of this class that blows me away.  They are a team and they look out for each other.  There is no bullying in our room - we sink or swim together.  They believed it and lived it.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Math Slam... Have you heard of it?

There are Poetry Slams, so why not Math Slams?  

Have you heard of a Math Slam?  Probably not, because I made it up!

My students are each taking a turn at being the teacher in these final weeks of school!  They are picking from a long list of math concepts we've learned this year... After choosing their topic, they prepare a short lesson and teach the rest of us!  

Some topics include:
Comparing & Ordering Fractions
Place Value
Long Division
Adding and Subtracting Decimals
Elapsed Time

So far, they are having a blast with it!  They are very creative teachers indeed!  I have enjoyed being the student along with them in our final days together.  We all add the new notes to our "Super Mathematician Notebooks," and then I am ready to send them on their way to 5th grade!  Ok, well, I'm not actually ready to send them on, but I'll cross that bridge when I must.


Friday, April 19, 2013

Poem in Your Pocket Day 2013
What a fun day we had yesterday!  After school, we headed out to various businesses in our community with one simple task: give away poems!
We worked in teams at 4 locations and gave away over 600 poems!  Wowzers!



 I say it all the time, but these kiddos are simply amazing.  We received so many compliments from people.  It was so fun! 




















We wrote, copied, and wrapped more than 600 poems!





4th GRADERS ROCK!!  


To see more pictures, visit our site by clicking here.