The Bammy Awards

       Since I started this blog two years ago, from time to time I'd see something about this thing called The Bammy Awards.  I remember that I first saw it on the webpage of one of my favorite online colleagues Daisy Dyer Duerr.  As I continued to make connections via twitter and via reading other great blogs about education, The Bammy Awards would continue to pop up; and they were always linked to something great about public schools.

       Since my blog is all about the great things that are happening  in our public schools, it is time for me to do my part to spread the word about The Bammy Awards--which has the very same mission of spreading the word about the great people that work very hard to make our public schools the best they can be.  The Bammy Awards strive to reverse the narrative that is so often in the public press and minds that says our schools are always failing and our students are sub-standard.

       The Bammy Awards recognize the exceptional collaborators, contributors, and role models in our public schools.  Awards are given in more than 20 categories for teachers, superintendents, principals,  support staff, parent leaders, researchers, bloggers, and more.

       This video shows the 2015 finalists and winners--although everyone making it to the finalist list is truly a winner and a strong supporter of our public schools.

     

       I would encourage everyone to learn the rules for nominating a educator you know who deserves a Bammy Award.  Everyone can contribute their voice to the process by either nominating someone (or themselves) or by voting for a nominee.  We know that great work is happening in our public schools everyday and I believe that everyone needs to hear about these great, hard-working people who are doing these great thing.

       Learn about the Bammy Awards; and read the articles and blogs that are put out by the nominees and finalists.  Join the twitter chats with these wonderful educators.  You will grow in your knowledge of our education system and in your abilities to help children to improve.  We can't do it alone; we need each other.  The Bammy Awards are helping to bring us together and to share the great news about our great public schools!

Teach100 Education Blogs

     The TEACH100 list of education blogs is a treasure trove information, ideas, resources, and people in the world of education.  Blogs from established companies like The Washington Post and Discovery Education can be found.  But mostly there are blogs from regular teachers, principals, and other educators who want to share what they do and what they have learned with others.

     If you want to learn about technology in the classroom, this is the place to go!  There are lots of blogs about technology.  Check out: iLearn Technology, Technology Enhanced Learning, Ditch That Textbook, Common Core and Ed Tech, Technology Made Easy in Education, and so much more.

     There are lots of blogs about teaching mathematics.  Some of my favorites are: I Speak Math, Math Ninja, Maths Insider, Magical Maths, and Math Coach Blog.  And (again) lots of other great blogs about teaching mathematics.

     In fact, there are blogs on just about every subject and issue related to education that you can think of.  Here is a small sample of the many topics that are covered in this list of blogs:

• History - US Government Teachers Blog and World Religions
• English - Literacy, Technology, Policy, Ect....A Blog
• Special Education - Special Needs Digest
• Science - Science Cheerleader
• Principal
• Common Core
• Librarian
• Trends
• Ideas 
• Issues

If you are looking for just about anything that has anything to do with education, TEACH100 is the place to find it.

     And, by the way, TEACH100 has far more than one hundred blogs.  They add to their list of blogs often.  As of June 2014, they are up to 692 blogs.  (In fact, this blog is among the list of the education blogs in TEACH100.)

     Are you looking for a little summer reading (or "Summer Personal Professional Development"), TEACH100 is a great place to go.  It is all about the educator and the act of education.  

     Enjoy!

The Art of Education

       The challenge of education is the art of education.  Namely, it is the art of finding the best way to reach every single student.  Learning styles and teaching styles have to "mesh".  Someone said that teaching really IS rocket science.  I've also heard that teachers make hundreds of decisions everyday--often on the fly while the class is going on.

       We know that our best teachers connect with their students.  They get to know them.  They talk with them in the hallways and in the stands during football games.  They care about their students.  And their students want to make their teachers proud of them.

       This blog is constantly on the lookout for positive stories about public education in America.  Let me know your stories.  Maybe I'll have some guest contributors.  And I want to post pictures and videos of the good and great things that are taking place across the nation in our K-12 classrooms.

       When I taught high school and middle school mathematics, I always enjoyed making Positive Phone Calls home to parents.  It's amazing to me, but nearly every parent told me that they never received a positive phone call from a teacher.  It made me feel good and the parents loved it.  Word got out to my students that I did this and students actually WANTED me to call their parents.  It was great.

       Teachers are always looking for ways to connect with their students.  I see it every time I visit a classroom.  And I read about it on Twitter and in journals often.  I am anxious to share these great ideas with others.

       Congratulations to all the teachers who have mastered the Art of Teaching.

       Keep it up!