2016: A Reflection

After looking back at my 2016, I still feel very blessed to be where I am today.  As this year developed there were sometimes that I perceived my world to be bumpy and full of things that I didn’t necessarily want to do.  That being said, I also was given enormous opportunities that at the time terrified me, but now that I have settled in a little it feels wonderful.

What is the purpose of history?

The Pedagogue Podcast Episode 2 is now out.  I am going to try to do 30 podcasts over the course of the next year to see if I can stick with it.  I think if I can stick with it I will enjoy doing this.  I am  not worrying myself about quality right now and am using low tech devices to make this work for myself, since I have been so on the go these days.  I hope you enjoy!  

The Solution to our Education Woes is… Aristotle?

 

Lately, I have been feeling esoteric and trying to discover ways that are beyond the usual buzz words to describe what we do in education.  Yesterday, I began writing a book/package that will help me explain my coaching philosophy and when I can to the part about coaching the “whole athlete” I began wondering what exactly that meant.  What is a whole athlete or student?  How can I define what the means?  Is it really just an empty buzzword that we throw around because it sounds nice? 

 

21st Century Learning: Catching Up Or Leading the Way?

I thought that this summer I would do some light reading and would share that on my blog. Last year I became too overwhelmed with my new duties as a father and teaching a new group of learners to keep up with my blog.  I also wrote a couple of articles that ended up being lost, since I had some issues with my computer.  So at this point, I am entering the 21st century and using the google suite to make sure I don’t lose all of my work.  I know that overall, the Microsoft suite is still better in terms of sheer power, but I cannot get over how well the cloud works to preserve my materials using the google suite.  I had some occasions where I wanted to work on some of my writing, but I could not access all of my work because it was saved at home in word, so I am seeing if I can make the transition.  But really, this concept is a great way to introduce my summer reading theme that has been focused on the 21st century learner.

Live Action History W/ Mr Schwarten

Sorry for the delay on the writing.  I have been having a lot of different things going on that are exciting and have kept me busy.  Right now I am revamping our 8th Grade Scope and Sequence for next year and am trying to get things together for our trip to New York, while keeping on top of grading for my students.  I also sat on the textbook selection committee for my grade level and will probably be writing about the experience soon.

Need Classroom Design Ideas? Try Sheila Jane Teaching

 

I have been thinking lately about how I have been influenced by other people on the internet and in the teaching field.  I have had countless numbers of mentors and people who helped me become the man I am today.  Last year, I had been surfing around the net looking for ideas for my classroom when I came across Sheila Jane who had put a lot of emphasis on the importance of classroom design.  The video she posted made me really stop and think differently about what my classroom should look and feel like.

Introducing the Pedagogue Podcast

I have begun recording podcasts!  I wanted to find a way to get some of my thoughts out in a different way than only writing them out and the Pedagogue Podcast was born!  My first one includes the following topics:

The US Constitution and the Role of Women

Merry belated Christmas and Happy New Year to those who read this blog!  Those who might be upset by my saying Merry Christmas just know that I am just trying to share my joy for a season I hold dear to my heart.  It is no different than when someone wishes me a Happy Hanukkah or Happy Diwali.  We are all just trying to show everyone that we wish them the best for the season.  Even if you just enjoyed the lights around town, I hope the last month was fun as you prepared in your own way for the new year!