Innovative Visual Aids to Elevate your Basketball Unit
Basketball is one of my favorite sports. I was able to learn the fundamentals from some amazing coaches over my time in middle school and high school. Ball handling was not something that came natural to me as a player. I remember spending long periods of time in middle school working on developing my ability to dribble with my left hand and changing directions.
As a techie, I’ve always looked into using different forms of technology to help students learn skills. Teaching ball handling seemed like a great opportunity to use tech to provide additional instruction and help lessen the load as a teacher.
As a techie, I’ve always looked into using different forms of technology to help students learn skills. Teaching ball handling seemed like a great opportunity to use tech to provide additional instruction and help lessen the load as a teacher.
How to Use Plickers in #PhysEd (May 2023)
GOPHER Blog asked me to write a new article. This time on how to use Plickers (Educational Technology). Please click on the link below to access the blog article.
Activities to Start Your Year Off on the Right Foot! (August 2022)
GOPHER Blog asked me to write a blog article. This article was on starting off the year. Please click on the link below to access the blog article.
#OneWord for 2022
I’ve never really been a person who has been attracted to New Year’s Resolutions. A number of years ago I found a movement on Twitter that used the #OneWord resolutions. In 2018 I attempted to be “BOLD” and it was a year that I was put into the limelight. In 2019 I was unsure of what to use but I found inspiration in a message from a pastor in the last few days of 2018. I ended up using the word “IMPACT” to keep my focus on the importance of my work with those around me. I’m sorry that in 2020 I used the word “UNCOMFORTABLE.” I feel like that world was impacted by my poor choice in words. In 2021 I went with the word “BALANCE” as I wanted to make sure to keep myself in check with my work/life/family balance.
Dear Parents
Dear Parents was originally a Facebook post that started to go viral with numerous Health & Physical Education Teachers. It was an open letter to parents pleading them to take action for making sure that students had quality Health and Physical Education as we returned to in person instruction following the COVID lockdown. Shortly after posting this, Andy Milne asked me to share this during his Microblog event.
#OneWord 2021: #Balance
I’ve been working on the One Word movement for a few years now after learning about it on Twitter. I used the word UNCOMFORTABLE as my word for 2020. I had a few new opportunities for me in 2020 and I knew it could be a great time for growth. I was assigned my first student teacher, I was asked to teach an undergrad class at CSU Long Beach, and I was going to play on a 1890s baseball team. I feel the need to apologize to the world as I didn’t realize the effect that my one word would have on everyone else.
#UNcomfortable Update (March 2020)
My #OneWord for 2020 is #UNCOMFORTABLE. To be honest, I did not see this coming when I talked about it in January. The last week has been filled with a lot of uncertainty. I felt very anxious last week as I went into school every day. The news told me one thing while I tried to stay calm on the inside. The hardest part was learning that someone from a local high school had tested positive for Coronavirus that made it much more real. As the bell rang Friday afternoon for dismissal we had our AP tell us of a staff meeting over the PA system. I knew what this meant before she was done talking.
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#ONEWord 2020: #Uncomfortable
I’ve been fascinated by the #OneWord movement in recent years. One word that you will use to motivate and drive you for the upcoming year. It’s been a challenge to find just the right word. In 2018, I chose the word #BOLD as I wanted to be BOLD in what I was doing both personally and professionally. In 2019, I was struggling to find the correct word and while at church I found my motivation, #IMPACT. This year I’ve been thinking about my 2020 #OneWord and it came to me fairly easily.
Where We Stand
Today I’m scrolling through posts of #physed teachers and #healthed teachers who have descended upon the Washington DC area to advocate for our profession. I’m amazed at the people who have taken time to go. I learned of this experience a few years ago and I’d love to go some year. Sadly, I have not had the opportunity yet. I’m grateful for SHAPE America and how they have created this opportunity. Our collective voices can be heard, loud and clear, over the course of a few days in March. This unity has helped legislators add Physical Education and Health Education to a well rounded education!
Sadly, I’m at a point that I’ve gotten a bit frustrated again with our profession.
Sadly, I’m at a point that I’ve gotten a bit frustrated again with our profession.
#OneWord 2019: #IMPACT
December 30, 2018
Today was a great day at Grace Church of Glendora! More on this later...
Last year, I was asked by my friend Pete Charrette to write a blog post. I took inspiration from Tanner Roos and Jason Steele who started the blog with “20 Seconds of Courage” and “Finding Your Niche.” I shared about my journey to #SHAPENashville and used my #ONEword for my 2017-2018 school year. To be #BOLD. I went on to challenge the #physed community to have a #ONEWORD for 2018, to #SHINE. Many times, quality #PhysEd programs go unnoticed because the worst outshines the best. Most of you reading this probably have one of those memories.
Last year, I was asked by my friend Pete Charrette to write a blog post. I took inspiration from Tanner Roos and Jason Steele who started the blog with “20 Seconds of Courage” and “Finding Your Niche.” I shared about my journey to #SHAPENashville and used my #ONEword for my 2017-2018 school year. To be #BOLD. I went on to challenge the #physed community to have a #ONEWORD for 2018, to #SHINE. Many times, quality #PhysEd programs go unnoticed because the worst outshines the best. Most of you reading this probably have one of those memories.
A Journey Begins with One Step
November 11, 2018
In March, I was awarded the 2018 Shape America National Elementary Teacher of the Year in Nashville. It has been an honor and privilege to have received such an award. I still struggle with the realization that this award was given to me when so many other amazing teachers were nominated in the elementary category.
My journey to the national stage has been a long one and it started in a place that I don’t like to talk about much. I’m afraid that, when I share, people will think less of me. That my accomplishments will be overshadowed by my past. My journey feels like it has been a thousand miles long, but it started with a single step. Maybe it’s time that I shared the beginning of my journey and how it almost didn’t start at all.
My journey to the national stage has been a long one and it started in a place that I don’t like to talk about much. I’m afraid that, when I share, people will think less of me. That my accomplishments will be overshadowed by my past. My journey feels like it has been a thousand miles long, but it started with a single step. Maybe it’s time that I shared the beginning of my journey and how it almost didn’t start at all.
It's Time to Shine!
January 22, 2018
The new year started off with a bang when I read Tanner Roos’ blog post about 20 seconds of courage. It doesn’t seem like that long ago when I started my journey, taking a few seconds of courage to step out into our #physed profession. It was scary in the beginning, but it seems to have gotten a little easier over the years. Then, I read Jason Steele’s blog post that focused on Identifying Your Niche and Loving What You Do. Luckily, I found my niche in my profession and it mostly revolves around helping and working with something that I enjoy- technology.