Meet My Mentor | She Said, She Said Take 2

Part two...

Having a partnership with a mentor and building a strong foundation is definitely the expectation of the 12 month Google Certified Innovator program.

I am always so nervous when I am being 'paired' with someone.  What if you disappoint your person? What if you begin to have conversations and your vision or thoughts about education are grossly different?  What if you just do not mesh?

I do not have the answers to those questions because my mentor and I took off running.  We have covered being Googley, talking about our families, things we love and even things that pass time.  I am thankful that we talk daily, actually.  Undeniably, I even asked Jessica (Mentor Extraordinaire) if she comes in a pocket size person so I can carry her with me...she is truly THAT encouraging.

As we march forward and grow together...please enjoy our 'she said, she said...take 2'...MIGHT I add that we did not read one another's answers to these questions.  That's what makes them so endearing. Here's to camera-loving, English adoring, brightly colored blogging.

Hope you are inspired about the #GoogleEI process as you ride along for the journey.  It's truly surreal.

Meet My Mentor | She Said, She Said

Matchmaker, matchmaker, Make me a match, Find me a find, Catch me a catch,

Matchmaker, matchmaker, Look through your book, and make me a perfect match.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker by Sophie Milman

SO THIS HAPPENED...

Part of the Certified Google Innovator program is being matched with a mentor that will help you to the finish line over the next 12 months of working on your project...or for me, my dream.

I was nervous in 'picking' a mentor because, let's face it...everyone in the 'Mentor Look Book' were so stellar, how do you choose?  Lucky for me, three of the six coaches at the Google Innovator Academy in London recommended an amazing, funny, and great listener of a mentor- Jessica Loucks (pronounced Loucks- like owww, I have a boo boo).

In the busiest part of the season, closing down the school year and focusing on the next, we communicated back in forth through Google Hangouts to do our official face-to-face.  I LOVE the ability to see my person on the screen...it makes it so much more personal.  Even more than that, it felt like we have known each other forever.  

So, as this friendship, mentorship and journey continues, I want to share part one of the Top 20 She said, She said moments so you can get a glimpse of US.  More to come...

Until next post, continue that Googley greatness,

Whooping & Cheers for London

When you place 36 strangers from 11 different countries in one room, you feel all Googly inside!

PHOTO CRED: Mark Wagner | LON17 COHORT

I do feel all Googly.  Like BIG, SQUISHY full of love kind of Googly.  Why?

For the last week, I have shared life with AMAZING educators, coaches..and now, family.  

PHOTO CRED: Tinashe Blanchet | My Shoes designed by Studio 22, Anderson, SC USA

Less than 24 hours off of the plane and I am still flying.  I have always used the word surreal to describe experiences I have had, but honestly, there is a whole new level of how I perceive the word.  On Wednesday, April 19, 2017, I officially met my tribe.  A cohort of thirty-five incredible educators that challenged me and my love for education.  

I was a member of the ConNext '17 team, led by Andrew Caffrey, an Assistant Headteacher at The Streetly Academy (Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham UK)  My team taught me more than they will ever know.  Believe it or not, I am socially-awkward when it comes to new situations and new people.  Yes, ME, awkward.  But what I learned first was our purpose was the same and everything else just fell into place.  Among our team I found brilliance, empathy, collegiality, and the want to launch their Google Innovator project to the world.

We spent three intensive days Breaking Out (BreakoutEDU), eating the whole apple, design thinking, looking at the big data, ideation, examining critiques and iteration, repurposing what you have, prototyping, defying gravity, discovering our Lagniappes, speaking motivationally, gallery walking, reflecting, and finally GRADUATING!  

THANK YOU...

Allow me to introduce the incredible people that made our Innovator Academy happen: Becky Evans and Wendy Gorton (Innovator Program Managers), Our Coaches: David Hotler (#MTV16), Andrew Caffrey (#MTV16), Tinashe Blanchet (#LON12), Claire Lotriet (#LON14), Sway Grantham (#LON14), Dean Stokes (#LON13), Les McBeth (#MTV16), and Mark Wagner (CEO of @EdTechTeam)

There is so much more to share on the LON17 week and my Google Innovator journey...allow me to absorb ALL of the awesomeness so I can put the experience into words!

For now, I leave you with the most incredible tweet of all times from my coach!  He is so tolerant of a Southern Googler in his space...

Whoops and Cheers,

Google Innovator (#LON17)

My Google Heart | Established 2014

"My Google heart was truly filled, beginning in 2014."  

In 2014, we began the transition to Google Apps for Education (GAFE) with our teachers.  The process to learn as a faculty and staff first, and then work all of the kinks along the way, proved to be a solid decision.  We strategically planned for the first semester of school to be a smooth transition to Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms and Mail. (Also, let's not forget the ENORMOUS amount of work completed on the IT side.  They worked GREAT magic for this new venture!)

At the same time, the Director of Digital Learning and I were training and working with the Pioneer teachers to facilitate our "Google University", the GAFE student training model.  Essentially, each Pioneer teacher would specialize in a Google app and would rotate classroom to classroom in 55 minute sessions sharing their expertise.  TIP:  Teacher = ONE item to focus on (and do well) = SUCCESS!  We had 10 teachers in this cohort of AWESOMENESS!

February 2015 to Present 2017

As a team (Principal, Media Specialist, Instructional Coach, Assistant Principals, IT from the District Office) we unpacked over 400 Chromebooks, assembled the chargers and unwrapped the cases to be ready for our Google U training.  The students were as excited as we were.  We ALL were invested in this launch and...The. Time. Had. Arrived. Our personalized learning, global opportunity: 1: World Initiative was OFF and we have NEVER looked back.

We have successfully had THREE Chromebook launches.  Teachers are still excited, rigor has been raised, students are taking the use of G Suite to a whole new level...AND my heart IS FULL! Honestly, I think we learn just as much from our students as they do from us.  As a lifelong learner, you could not ask for more!

AUGUST 2016 | Third Google Chromebook Launch: In the Books (Get it?)

One for the Chromebooks (😅),

I am going to LONDON, y'all!

"I am!  I really AM!  I am going to LONDON.  The United Kingdom, across the ocean on a jet plane."

On March 15, 2017, I received an email that would change my life as an educator! 

Let's begin with the end in mind.  In April, (YES, next month...31 days actually, but who is counting), I will fly to London to meet my tribe.  Thirty-five brilliant educators from 11 different countries, 7 coaches, and 2 program directors will assemble at Google UK to DO WORK.

I have had many ask how I have gotten to this place, point, time in my Google loving heart.  It is only fair that I transparently share the "who, what, when, why and how".  Comfortably know I was NOT successful my first time applying to the Google for Education: Certified Innovator Program or #GoogleEI.  (Check out the hashtag on Twitter)

Since we have time until the London ride, join me daily as I share each of part of earning certifications (pass and fails), applying for #TOR16 (the first Innovator attempt), sending off my #LON17 application, and YES, applying for my Google Trainer Certification.

Until then, enjoy your family time and evening!  My current view: laptop, doggies, hubby, fire burning and WWE Wrestling. (Not my choice)

What is the Google for Education: Certified Educator Program?

Excited,