Mindset Shift: Gearing Up for Failure
While watching the Indy 500, I began wondering how the amazing drivers got their start. I imagine my two daughters each tucked inside the cockpit of the car revving the engines in anticipation of the start. Over the roar of the engines, I shout my instructions: “OK, girls, here’s what you gotta do. Just step […]
It Will Be There When You Return: A Guide to Taking Vacation Days
All too often I run across colleagues who are supposed to be on vacation but are often still working. How do I know they are working? Because they are sending me work-related emails while on “vacation!” My favorite is when someone tells me they are going on vacation, but they plan to continue checking email […]
A Technology Coach’s Biggest Mistake: Part One
Getting teachers to adopt new practices with technology isn’t easy, and (despite what many people think) it isn’t because of age or how savvy they are with the newest gadgets. It’s about buy-in. If a majority of the teachers with whom you are working have not decided that your goals are worthwhile, your efforts will fail. It’s […]
A Technology Coach’s Biggest Mistake: Part Two
As we said before, getting teachers to adopt new practices with technology isn’t easy. In our first installment, we provided some tips to keep you from making the mistake of ignoring teacher buy-in. In this final installment, we offer two more tips to help you avoid this common mistake. A Guide to Getting Your Teachers Onboard Listen…no…REALLY listen. […]
One Size Doesn’t Fit All!
It used to be, “One size fits all,” then, “One size fits most.” Finally, Burger King announced, “You can have it your way,” and the floodgates blew wide open. Learners today require that teachers get to know them as individuals and tailor instruction to meet their individual needs to help them gain maximum growth throughout […]
Teaching Without Fear
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The bell rings, and as I stand in front of the class on my first day of teaching, I remember having two very distinct and paralyzing feelings…I’m terrified, and I’m a phony. I wasn’t sure of too many things during that awkward time as a beginning teacher, but I was sure that I had […]
Are You Modeling the “Ask 3” Approach?
Have you ever heard (or used) the phrase, “Ask three, then me”? I heard other teachers use it with their students when I started teaching four years ago. The idea is simple: before students come and ask the teacher for help, they should check with three other sources. They can ask three friends. They can […]
Celebrating Student Success With Student Original Work
Like most kids, my son and daughter can’t wait to get home from school on Fridays! Yes, they look forward to staying up later on Friday nights, sleeping in on Saturdays, and spending time with their family and friends on Sundays. BUT…do you want to know what my kids REALLY look forward to on Fridays? […]
Are You Prepared for a Great Year of Staff Evaluations?
While some people believe that teachers spend their summers lounging on the beach all day, the truth is that great educators are using much of their time away from school to revise their curriculum for the upcoming year. June and July are when educators attend conferences, plan new learning activities for their students, and reflect […]
Five-Star + Google = Awesome Learning!
Five-Star Technology Solutions is proud to announce that we are now a Midwestern-based Google Partner! The year-long process involved observations, case studies to demonstrate our ability to help schools succeed with Google Tools, and the certification of our staff members. We strongly believe this partnership will allow us to help school districts across the Midwest […]
