Breathe in, breathe out

Such exciting times in educational work these days. I have the opportunity to work with many educators to improve classroom practice. The work is challenging and interesting. I am running a Paraprofessional Academy with the lovely and talented Cheryl Richardson. We meet on a monthly basis with an group of paraprofessionals to explore topics that are tailored to the support work that they do with the students and teachers inside and outside the classroom.
I've met a number of wonderful teachers through my work with the Special Education Professional Development Institutes. We've been focusing on Integrated Co-Teaching. Our emphasis is on the need to build a working relationship with the co-teacher. Teachers in NYC face many hurdles in delivering appropriate and meaningful education for the students they teach. The co-teaching relationship provides a means of mutual, professional support in a system that sometimes just doesn't make sense. Another initiative is the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Schools program. This program comes out of Cornell University.  This training focuses on ways to support students in crisis. We teach personnel how to explore the meaning behind a student's behavior. Strategies to help the student self-regulate and learn appropriate coping strategies. I believe behavioral support can lead to greater academic success.

All Google all the Time...

Another school year is winding down...I can't believe it's been 25 years! Still doing professional development to the end...We're going Google this Saturday...Google Docs, Google Sites, All Google All the time.

Waiting to hear on my Google Apps for Education status.

So, I thought I would hear from Google by yesterday regarding my Google Apps for Education Certified Trainer application. I did hear...sort of. They e-mailed me to tell me that part of my application was missing!! My case study! I can't believe they don't check these things at the beginning of the evaluation process which, in my case was May 1, 2012. Arrgh...Meanwhile, enjoying a particularly productive day and decided to post this great pic of my family. It was taken on our cruise last summer.

Joy in the chaos

May 24, 2012

New England Aquarium

Makes me think about all of the beauty around us...makes me feel grateful, when I stop and look around and realize how truly wonderful things can be...even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. Something to think about.

Very excited about finishing my Google Apps for Education certified trainer application! Google Apps are such an amazing set of tools for collaborating online with colleagues and friends.

Two and one half years later...

So it's two years later and I haven't posted on this blog.  Still doing a lot with professional development. The NYC Department of Education continues to present many challenges in the process of educating children.

Christmas time.

Merry Christmas, wishing you and yours hope, joy and peace in this season of love.