Hi! I’m Kris and I’m a teacher. It’s nice to meet you.

So I feel like we should get to know each other a little better. I mean you are in my network and I feel like we hardly know each other. Here’s a glimpse of Kris. I created this using the Beta version of ABCya! Word Cloud. Great word cloud tool for very little learners (K-3).

My teaching career has been primarily in the elementary range in the Upper Arlington City Schools with a little time in 6th Grade at Temecula Middle School in Southern Riverside County, California. Now I’m back in Ohio and working as an Integration Coach for 21st Century Skills. I really was a cheerleader at Ohio University- not that you would be all that surprised if you met me (I’ve got the big hair to match). I have a great husband who is an active off road motorcycle rider and with the help of technology (IVF) we’re proud parents to a little boy. I love peeps: a little stale = perfection.

I am a teacher. I know I may not be the “teacher of record” of a certain group of students but I feel more challenged as a teacher than ever. The big challenges ahead include being a teacher of teachers, a teacher of school visions, and a teacher of change.

Baby Steps

The phrase “Baby Steps” never meant so much to me as it has in the last few weeks watching my 1 year old become steady on his feet and learning to walk. Even in the last few days I see him standing up straighter and more sure-footed. Falling down every few steps is but a pause in the progress. His goal of stealing my measuring cups is always in sight. It’s time to become the teacher and learner I really want to be. This blog is a baby step. So here goes!

This is the 2nd year into a journey of being outside of the classroom setting. My title “Integration Coach for 21st Century Skills” made most teachers a bit googly eyed. Often myself and the other coaches are called variations of  “Tech people, computer teachers, hey you, this broken” and not so much to do with learning. In addition our team is charged with developing a district wide framework for 21st Century Learning – to be implemented next year. This is our chance to make major waves and I’m going to do my best to share those waves with you, good or bad. (Don’t tell my boss that last part.)

This is where you (the collective “you” of the world) come in. I’m going to need help. I work with an awesome team of coaches and teachers but your expertise is priceless. So PLN don’t fail me now!