Friday, I was given a wonderful opportunity to speak to students at Bettendorf High School. Students had a choice between three speakers who were all speakers that the students were able to connect with. I was beyond honored that the student council reached out to me to speak. I won't lie, after saying yes I was very nervous. I was not nervous for the sake of giving a talk, but I was nervous because high school students can be a challenge to hold their interest AND I also know there is a chance that the words I speak could make an impact. The whole week the school focused on the theme The Power of One helping students to understand that they matter, their voices matter, and that they can do amazing things if they want to. As I plotted, organized, developed, and practiced my speech over and over I finally was able to connect the dots and make it work. I only had about 23 minutes to deliver my talk which is not a lot of time. My first practice run was over 80 slides and 47 minutes long. Through practice and practice and more practice I was able to get the talk down to under 25 minutes. The other challenge lied in the issue that I needed to deliver a message that they have heard a million times but in a new way. Students are constantly being talked to about failure, growth mindset, achieving your goals, etc. For the first time I brought to life personal stories that I have never shared before to a public audience.

Towards the end of 2014 I put out for a challenge to help spread the positive vision of educators. I asked educators to nominate themselves or others to help share the amazing things in education Increasing Teacher Voice: Challenge and Nominate a Teacher The first episode for this season is with an amazing educator named Kristin Galle from Wisconsin. Screen Shot 2014-12-09 at 1.34.07 PM Kristin is a 2014 PBS Digital Innovator and is doing some really intriguing things with therapy, mental health, and more in her classroom. It really is something worth hearing. I hope you enjoy this first episode. Remember if you know someone who would be good to have on the show make sure you nominate them so we can get connected. Increasing Teacher Voice: Challenge and Nominate a Teacher Shownotes http://www.symbaloo.com/

I am so pumped to launch this five part series about how a class of 8th grade language arts students took a project and made something happen. I was lucky enough to see this project unfold through the lens of one of our amazing educators at Bettendorf Middle School. Lisa Barnes, an 8th grade language arts teacher took a chance. She pushed her comfort zone and took an idea she developed to a new level. She had the kids move from just research and regurgitation which so often happens in schools into a phase of Doing Something! They students had to act on their own learning. It was interesting to work with them briefly when I had time. They did not believe that it mattered. They did not believe that their voice held any power. Some still are not quite sure that their voice matters. However, they stuck with it and through the journey they found their voice. This week I will be sharing a post each day for five days. Today the goal is to simply introduce you to the project. I will share a short podcast we recorded so you can hear from the teacher herself about this project. There is also an project outline form. I will also share a few other things as well. This is the setup. The next four days I will share out the projects the students developed. They are really good. We have all types of students involved in this project. This is what makes it so special. Please reach out. Leave comments, ask questions, let the students what you think of their work. The more we can bring back to the classroom the more powerful this all becomes. Enjoy Lisa Barnes, 8th grade Language Arts teacher explains the project in this podcast (insert podcast) Project Forms To get them thinking about ideas to enact upon we did a brainwriting activity. Brainwriting Activity, not Brainstorming http://wp.me/p4covo-121 If there are other things you want information about please let us know. Tomorrow we will show you the first batch of student work. If you want to reach out to Lisa Barnes here is her email lbarnes@bettendorf.k12.ia.us Read more at www.coffeeforthebrain.com/fewbadapples

I recently read an amazing book. This book is called Why Smart Kids Worry by Allison Edwards. I found this book helping me learn more about my own children and how to be a better parent. This book is not only helpful for parenting, but also for educators. [mybooktable book="why-smart-kids-worry-by-allison-edwards" display="summary"] This podcast episode is my wonderful chat with the author Allison Edwards. It is well worth the listen to gain some insights about anxiety in children and some new ideas that are not in the book. After you listen please take time to read her book. It is really helpful. [youtube id="h7eKJZeWbyE"] Show Notes Follow this podcast on iTunes and please feedback and ratings.If you would like to watch the podcast check that out here All Social Media for Allison Edwards Screen Shot 2014-11-01 at 3.32.04 PM Website: http://www.allisonjedwards.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whysmartkidsworry Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/whysmartkidswor Instagram: http://instagram.com/whysmartkidsworry

This is a new experiment. I am creating a podcast to go along with the newsletter. Check out the newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/6PDQL If you want the backstory and reasons for what I chose watch the video or the listen to the podcast. If you like it please review on iTunes, like on YouTube, and let me know your thoughts. Enjoy!

No music for this podcast. No intro songs. Just a story. A good story. A story to hopefully get you think about simplifying your life and remembering what it is like to create things with pride and passion and more importantly purpose. Enjoy

Today I bring to you a new podcast and one that I am very excited to bring to you. This podcast has been one that Lisa and I have been wanting to do for quite some time. I was lucky enough to have her on the show last year which is well worth the listen for Episode 5. Check out more at www.coffeeforthebrain.com In this episode we hold a book discussion. We discuss the book [mybooktable book="david-and-goliath-underdogs-misfits-and-the-art-of-battling-giants-by-malcolm-gladwell" display="summary"] This is well worth the read. You don't have to read the book to understand the chat, but hopefully it will inspire you to pick it up and read. [youtube id="csEGatu0Vrg"] All Social Media for Lisa Van Gemert – Please follow and learn from one of the best! Twitter: http://twitter.com/gifted_guru Websites http://www.lisavangemert.com/ http://www.giftedguru.com/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GiftedGuru Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/brightkids/ Slideshare http://www.slideshare.net/lisavangemert Links to items mentioned in the podcast Malcolm Gladwell books worth reading Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Ma... by Malcolm Gladwell Other Books The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande How Hackers, Innovators, and Icons... by Shane Snow

Story about how I made a mistake ordering at Starbucks and life lesson learned.

A new thought as we start a new school year. Don't forget the power we have as educators and the impact that we can deliver.

This is something new that I am trying with my podcast. I am adding a new bit called Mini Thoughts where I will share an unedited, uncut idea from my iPhone. Often times when I drive I record my ideas to develop later on. I thought perhaps this could be something worthwhile to share as I work to polish these ideas. This has been a thought I have had many times and finally going to share.