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Thank You for 20 Years.

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After 20 years of teaching at Brookfield Central, I am saying goodbye. Although I spent the majority of that time in the physics classroom alongside my learners. That changed for my last 18 weeks. I ended up in a place similar to where I started, teaching chemistry and biology. So, rather than dealing with juniors and seniors at the end of their high school careers, I was in classrooms with freshmen and sophomores still trying to find their place. At the same time, I was learning and teaching a set curriculum I hadn't taught in over a decade. So, we were learning. But, of course, I already knew the content.  The point of this post is to take a step back, take in, and share the gratitude from the last students I had in my 20 years at Brookfield Central High School through the cards and notes they made for me on my last day with them.  I don't take many yay me moments. But after 20 years, I think I'll soak this one in.
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EdCamp Elmbrook Wants You!

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In 2013, I attended my first EdCamp.  It was EdCamp Milwaukee organized by Chad Kafka, Tammy Lind, and Beth Lisowski.  At that first EdCamp, I met a lot of new faces that I would soon realize were great innovators in education.  It was the day I realized the power of a personal learning network. I learned about gamification from Michael Matera, Google tips and tricks from Jennie Magiera, fantastic tech toys from Tricia Louis, innovative PD design from Jason Bretzmann, and met essential people in my PLN like Brian Durst.

The great thing about this network was that it was not grade level or subject specific.  We all had something to contribute to the conversation and something to learn from each other. All the unconferences I have attended have been great experiences.  That is why we have a team that is organizing an EdCamp in own district. It will be held on March 25, 2017, at Brookfield Central High School in Brookfield, WI.  All are welcome and registration is free.

Registration opens on 1/1/2017. I hope you can find a way to attend.  The more sharing we have the more everyone will benefit.  

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