Today we had the privilege of presenting three workshops in Pana.

Why “Home”?
 
It was in this community that I had my “first classroom”.  Before teaching in Pana, I taught as a Reading Resource teacher in Mattoon, and as a Science, Art, and Computer teacher in Shelbyville.  I had never had a “self-contained” classroom where I taught all subjects to one group of students.  I was between jobs, busy raising six children of our own, and teaching as a substitute whenever I could. One day I received a call from the principal at Sacred Heart School.  She had a position that had opened up because of a maternity leave, and would I please come the next day and “try us out”?  It was eighth grade.  I winced, but she convinced me to just come one day, and if I didn’t like them, I wouldn’t have to come back.  How do you say “No” to someone whose first name is “Sister”?
 
I stayed four years.
 
And they are filled with some of the happiest and best memories teaching.
 
Why?
 
The students…
How often does a teacher have the opportunity to teach eighth graders in a self-contained setting?
They were fun and funny…and they loved to learn.
They were enthusiastic about anything I offered as a challenge.
 
The parents…
Behavior problems were seldom an issue.  If they misbehaved in school, there were consequences at home, as well.  Christmas gifts arrived in the form of  “home-made”, and usually ethnic. 
 
The community…
They embraced their members, and they would do anything to make you feel like one of their own.
 
That is how our workshop went today.
 
We were met at PHS by Scott, the IT specialist. To say that he loves his job, loves his teachers, loves his administrators, and loves Pana is an understatement.  He had us up and running in only a matter of minutes.  He was very encouraging, and he was excited about what we were going to show his teachers.  “This is cool stuff.”
 
I’ll let Shannon tell you the rest…

Scott was truly a pleasure with which to work.  He has many big plans for Pana in the way of upgrading the capabilities for everyone associated with the school district.  I was truly impressed with his passion for making a great operating system “outstanding”.  It is awesome to be surrounded with other individuals in our field of work that have the same passion as we do regarding the use of technology within the classroom and beyond!
 
The sessions went very well, at least I think they did.  Teachers didn’t throw anything at us or give us the evil eye.  They were EXTREMELY quiet and seemed to be taking in all of the ideas that we were presenting for integrating technology into the classroom.  I don’t think it hurt that we passed around a little chocolate to keep their tastebuds happy during the presentation…but nonetheless. 
 
We have traveled to many schools in this area to present and Pana obviously has it figured out…what is “it” you ask?  EVERYONE attended our presentation…and I mean EVERYONE.  Every teacher, every administrator, as well as Scott.  “It” means that they are all on the same page regarding the technology integration within their district.  Now that doesn’t necessarily mean they liked all of our ideas, or will use all of our ideas.  But they all received the same information first hand which hopefully will generate some spark and discussion!  We couldn’t be more thrilled about that possibility.  For that we extend a huge THANK YOU.

We always try to include something we learn at each of our workshops.  So many times it is from our participants, each other, an IT specialist, or when we are just looking for an answer to a question.  As we were setting up our speakers, they made a little buzz that I often hear both at home, and from my car speakers as I drive, especially on my daily commute to school as I pass by one particular place every day. Shannon asked me about it and “name?” explained that it was my cell phone.  The phone was next to the speakers, and Scott asked if I had an AT&T phone.
 
He explained it’s known as the “GSM Buzz”, and it has to do with the way my cell phone communicates with the tower, and the way the GSM networks work. The radio frequency in a GSM phone “pulses”, and it’s picked up by devices that aren’t shielded well. You don’t notice it on Verizon phones because they work on a CDMA network which operates on a spectrum that isn’t as audible. The pulse rate on my phone is in a spectrum that is easily heard. He also said it’s not a problem, but it just happens.

…and the best part?
 
I explained this to my granddaughter, “Queen of the Cell Phone and All Things Texting”, and she, of course knew all about it.

As I was packing up our equipment at the end of the day, I looked up and saw this sign. It made me smile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought you would enjoy it, too.