What's a Jedder?

Every once in a while, this is the question that I am asked. My response? I just smile and chuckle, and say something like, “Who really knows.” What they are referring to is my nickname, Jedder. I can explain how I got it, but the underlying humor is that you can’t really define a person by only using a few words, or at least I don’t think so. There are so many facets to what makes a person who they are. However, I will try to share some things to help you understand me just a bit better.

I have always wanted to be a teacher. All of my career choices have had something to do with teaching and training. I played in the social work field for a bit, and am now doing “computer stuff”, administering a statewide system for state agencies, which includes developing and implementing training to state employees. I think all of my experiences in my life have prepared me to teach, and will play a huge part in the kind of teacher I am and will become.

Sometimes I do things backward, sideways and/or upside down…but those ways usually work for me better that the traditional ways in which something is taught. Because of this, I fully appreciate learning several different ways to accomplish the same task. I understand that everyone is different, and in order to learn something, you have to have it make sense for you.

I love being outside (except when it’s hot), and like to at least try any kind of outdoor activity I can. I have a long list that I am slowly checking off. I also enjoy skating. I’m involved in roller derby and have to work to not let it take over my life. Paired with my involvement in my roller derby club, I volunteer on a weekly basis. We are partnered with the Boys and Girls Club, and trade volunteer hours for time to use their gym for practices. I really like working with the kids there, and learn something from them every time I go.

I am really enjoying the MAT program so far, and look forward to taking this journey with my fellow cohorts. 

Try First!

It Couldn't Be Done by Edgar Albert Guest

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,

    But, he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn’t," but he would be one
    Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
    On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
    That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you’ll never do that;
    At least no one has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
    And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
    Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
    That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
    There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
    The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle it in with a bit of a grin,
    Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
    That "couldn’t be done," and you’ll do it.

This limerick is something that was introduced to me by my current manager. I try to keep it in mind when I struggle with something, like this blog, that does not come easy to me. Whether it is an internal or external struggle, I think it applies.

It isn’t the technology that slows me down. In my current position, I work with many different types of technology. To list a few…content management systems, online collaboration tools (that feature online discussions, documents, blogs, and projects), learning management systems, virtual classrooms, issue tracking systems, training and education building tools, and the list goes on. What I have trouble with is the idea of a blog. When they were first introduced as a web log, they were meant to be something like an online diary…and are still used this way today. As I am a relatively private person, putting my thoughts out on the World Wide Web is not something I am having an easy time considering. However, as this new world called the internet has grown, so have the uses for blogs.

In the past few years, I have seen blogs be used as more of a newsletter, flyer, or announcement. They are now being used as a way to get information to a group of people that may be interested in the subject at hand. Taking this into account, they can have a very useful place in education. Some ideas that for using blogs to enhance teaching and learning in my math class that initially came to me include:

Transparency in the classroom: Parents, students, and colleagues will be able to gather information on what is happening in the classroom. Parents and colleagues can check the blog to see what the current math topic is, as well as dates to keep in mind. Students can use the blog to answer the age-old question of, “What did you learn today?”

Assignments: Assignments, whether daily, weekly, or extra credit, can be posted for review. If a student misses a class, they will be able to still complete their assignment and be prepared when they return.

Knowledge-sharing: Blogs can be used to share information that will benefit not only myself, but also my colleagues and students.  By posting the information online, I am able to share the information with a wider audience. Students can also blog to the class site to share information they have found, thus participating in the knowledge sharing.

I have a passion for education because I truly believe that knowledge is power. By using the current technology to enhance the traditional teaching approaches, we are not only meeting our students expectation of providing education in a way they are able to learn it, but we are also ensuring learning beyond the classroom by incorporating lessons with their everyday lives. If the student can relate to the lesson, they are far more likely to retain the knowledge as they move forward.

I also believe that I shouldn't ask someone else to to what I am not willing to do myself. So now the secret is out. I am not a blogger. However…I will try first!