In the Spotlight: March 2017

From the Desk of Dr. Cotton

Several administrators had the opportunity to shadow a student this month as part of the national Shadow a Student Challenge. We are especially grateful to those of you who welcomed us into your classrooms as we learned more about the students' experience in our schools. You already know this, but we have GREAT students and staff members in HCPS! We are excited to use what we have learned to make our schools even better in the coming school year. Interested in shadowing a student? Contact Monica Hatchett at mhatchet@henry.k12.va.us to coordinate participation and be part of this eye-opening movement.

And the Winner Is...

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in providing feedback on the elementary laptop purchase. This summer, elementary schools will welcome Macbook Airs for teachers. Learn more about the device here: http://www.apple.com/macbook-air/specs.html

From Our Favorite Pirate

After the smashing success of the first #IMMOOC, George Couros and Katie Martin are back with an all-new course on educational innovation. The course starts on February 27th and is based on ideas from George's amazing book, The Innovator's Mindset.

This book has taken the educational world by storm and is currently the #1 best-selling book on Amazon in Education Administration.

This is a HIGHLY interactive experience that will incorporate multiple channels of participation from YouTube Live videos, a Twitter chat component, a Facebook group, and blogging.

Simply put, this course could be just what you need to take your educational innovation game to the next level. I HIGHLY recommend participating and encouraging others in your system to join along with you.

Imagine a fully developed and collaborative professional development experience created by two of the top educational thought-leaders in the world and designed to move your system from pockets of innovation to a culture of innovation...and then imagine that it was COMPLETELY FREE! This is an absolute no-brainer.

How could this get any better? You can win prizes!! Participate in the #IMMOOC Selfie Giveaway and possibly win your choice of 3 books from our DBC Inc. line. Currently 22 choices!! Learn how to get in the contest on my blog post: http://daveburgess.com/immooc-is-back/

Join #IMMOOC and get as many people from your system as you can to jump in with you. This could change the whole conversation and transform your school and district. See you inside #IMMOOC! Join here now! http://immooc.org/sign-up-for-the-innovatorsmindsetmooc/

Curious About the New Math SOLs?

An overview of the 2016 Mathematics SOL are available in a series of videos from the VDOE Office of Mathematics. Topics addressed include the curriculum framework, crosswalk comparing the 2009 and 2016 standards, and the timeline for implementation.

Unable to participate in our Evening Technology Academies? Beginning this month, the Technology Department will be sharing monthly tips to help make integration of technology easier in your daily work.

1. Check your email spelling: Within your email (GMail), compose your new email. At the bottom right, click the DOWN ARROW(More Options) and select CHECK SPELLING. Click a highlighted word and select the correct spelling from the list or click Ignore. When you're done, click SEND.

2. Turn on 2-Step Verification for your email (GMail): When you enable 2-Step Verification (also known as two-factor authentication), you add an extra layer of security to your account. You sign in with something you know (your password) and something you have (a code sent to your phone). Go to the 2-Step Verification page (https://myaccount.google.com/security/signinoptions/two-step-verification). You might have to sign in to your Google Account. Select GET STARTED and follow the step-by-step setup process. Once you're finished, you'll be taken to the 2-Step Verification settings page. Review your settings and add backup phone numbers. The next time you sign in, you'll receive a text message with a verification code.

From Our Partners

10^th 11^th and 12^th grade math, science and technology teachers:

The Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity (CEED) at Virginia Tech would like to invite you to join us in a unique professional development activity. We are looking applicants for eight high school (10^th, 11^th or 12^th grade) math, science and technology teachers to take part in a collaborative effort to improve the teaching of STEM.

The program will take place on the Blacksburg campus of Virginia Tech and is open to all math, science and technology teachers in your middle and high school programs. Participants will attend a two-day training session June 5-6, and then spend one week teaching in the CEED’s Imagination summer camp (https://www.eng.vt.edu/imagination) for middle school students, either July 10 – 14 or July 17– 21. During this week participants will spend half of their time teaching the “Game Changineers” coding program, and the other half of the day observing activities and presentations led by Virginia Tech engineering faculty, staff and graduate students and touring lab facilities.

The Game Changineers is a free, English-based coding language that allows students to create Pacman-like games. It can be used from 4^thgrade up and was developed by Dr. Michael Hsiao, a professor in the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech.

In collaboration with CEED, the College Access Collaborative will cover travel and accommodations for teachers who are selected to participate. Additionally, Participants will receive 40 professional development points and a $500 stipend for the week of teaching. Upon completion of the camp, teachers will be required to write up and implement two lesson plans in their classroom based on either the Game Changineers Program or the activities they observe.

Apply online at http://tinyurl.com/hd3us4s.

For more information about our programs, please see our web page at https://www.eng.vt.edu/ceed.

Contact Information:

Dr. Kim Lester

Coordinator for Pre-College Outreach

Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity

College of Engineering / Virginia Tech

(540) 231-7337