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Let Flexibility Lead To Alignment

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  In my previous school district, I was the only teacher teaching a physics course with set, district-wide learning outcomes. These same outcomes were also taught in physics classrooms at the other high school in our district. But at our school, I was one of the 2 physics teachers. The other teacher taught the AP-level physics courses. So, in many ways, I had opportunities to incorporate strategies I believed were best for learners and that I found worked best for them without being seen as out of alignment with anyone in our building. My amazing friend and one of my teaching philosophy goddesses, Katie Novak, stated the following misconception about alignment: All teachers must deliver instruction in the exact same way. True alignment, she says, is about shared goals, rigor, and outcomes. Thank you, Katie! Katie has taught me to truly believe that learner variability is the rule, not the exception. I encourage you to take 10 minutes to listen to Katie Novak explain it in the ...
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A Word from our Sponsors

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Our 3rd EdCamp Elmbrook is coming up on March 2nd. From communication to organization, the planning of this event has required me to grow in many different ways. The biggest area of growth for me has been asking for help. Not simply asking for help from colleagues in the district. Part of hosting the event has been asking for help from potential sponsors.

Seeking out sponsors used to mean going from business to business asking for donations face to face.  Or, getting a list of phone numbers and calling them one by one with a prepared script. Oh how times have changed. In the age of social media and email, it has become so much easier to reach out to and find potential sponsors.

Sponsors of events no longer need to be local.

The ability to connect with companies digitally has been a great boon for our EdCamp. It creates a wonderful two way street where they can help us with support for our event while we can share out their presence at our event and help build brand awareness not simply within our event, but beyond.

What has been amazing is how many of our sponsors I already had a relationship with. Not because they sponsored us in the past. No, they are already a part of my personal network. From EdTech companies whose services I use to authors who I follow on Twitter, potential sponsors are everywhere.

So while a few years ago, I would have been terrified to have to reach out to businesses for sponsorship. It has become a true area of growth. In a simple ask, I am able to speak to our brand, make the pitch personal based on my experience with the product or service the sponsor provides, and communicate potential sponsorship ideas.

It has become a source of pride that so many are willing to donate to our cause. Our great team of organizers have gone all out looking for potential sponsors and have done an amazing job locally and nationally.

If you are interested in attending EdCamp Elmbrook on March 2nd, find more info and register here: bit.ly/edcampelm 


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