#CAMHOOBIZ - A Student Collaboration Project (and One of the Reasons Twitter is Kinda Awesome)

This school year,  I decided to fire up my Twitter account.  I was one of those people who joined Twitter back in '09 when it seemed like the only people who really used it were celebrities. I'd pop in every once in a while and tweet during a professional development session or field trip, but never consistently.  Until one day at the beginning of this school year, I noticed how many educators were on Twitter talking about best practices and instructional technology. More importantly, they were challenging each other as educators. I was floored. These people had it going on.  I knew I could no longer pretend this community didn't exist. I decided I would no longer miss out, so I joined the party.

I immediately connected with a group where I would fit right in:  the #BusEdu community.  And boy did I "meet" some cool people. I eventually branched out and connected with teachers, administrators, tech specialists, counselors, and business people from all backgrounds who challenged me with their ideas and experiences. That is EXACTLY what a PLN is supposed to do, so I am grateful.

One of those individuals is Jordan, a business teacher from Regina, Saskatchewan. He was one of the first people I made direct contact with on Twitter. I can't remember exactly how it happened (I'm sure it was Jordan's idea), but we decided it would be great to let our students collaborate. We Skyped a couple of times, planned, collaborated, and came up with an opportunity for our students to discuss their local economies, social media, and personal branding.

The students collaborated through Google Docs, blogging, and Twitter, and it was a pretty cool experience. Our students were able to discuss relevant issues with students miles away in a different country. There were times when differences were present, but more often, there were similarities. It was a great experience, and a great discussion from their perspective on social media and personal branding. I am glad to have "met" Jordan and his students, and look forward to future opportunities like these.

Campbell Biz image: Jordan McFarlen

Check out some of the discussions: #camhoobiz.

School's (Kinda) Out for Summer + Pics from NBEA 2014

Somehow between now and my last post, the school year ended. JUST LIKE THAT.  It always happens this way.

It was an incredible school year for many reasons. Nope, every day wasn't perfect, every lesson didn't work, nor was every kid an angel all the time. This was probably the most challenging school year to date for me, actually.

What made it incredible is that I slowed down and focused more on building relationships. I stopped and smelled the roses with my students. Sure, relationships and trust are naturally a part of my job, but something about this year and this group of students made me re-realize the importance. I was reminded that there will be students you will NOT reach until he or she knows that you are 100% in his or her corner. Some will know you are from day one, but a few may need a little more convincing.  In addition to teaching a new course this year, I had students who challenged my ability to REACH. I needed that. I am so grateful for this year's group.  It was a great year.

The students are home enjoying the sunny rainy summer days (what's up with this weather?),while I'm...TEACHING.  That's right, I'm teaching a credit advancement course this summer in another school system, and I'm really enjoying it.  I'm weird -- I enjoy summer school. I've taught it all but two summers of my whole teaching career. It's going great so far.  Summer school in this district is only for the month of June, so I'll get to spend July like a normal teacher. I've got a little bit of professional development opportunities for next month (excited about that -- more on it later)...but other than that, I'll be free to do whatever.

Speaking of PD, I still haven't blogged about the NBEA Annual Convention...

About a month before we got out of school, a few colleagues and I attended the National Business Education Association Annual Convention. This is something I always look forward to for many reasons. The location this year didn't hurt, either: Los Angeles.

I've said how valuable events like NBEA are to me, so I won't go into all of that. I'll just talk about what made this year's convention so cool.

I learned.
Of course. There are so many ways to reach students these days, and hearing from others always refreshes me and gets my brain pumping.  I've got a few things up my sleeve for next year.

I networked.
I always like meeting new people -- especially business teachers. :D

I met Twitter buddies.
I really started taking advantage of Twitter over the past school year, and I "met" some incredible business teachers in the process. It was so cool to run into some of them at NBEA this year.

Bill from IA

Shelly from NE

And Mickie made it possible for Bonnie (pictured) and me to meet.

I also ran into Ken. I met him in Boston at NBEA 2012, so it was cool seeing him again.

And Uche!  Though she and I'd never met before the convention, we found out that she and I both attended another seminar in Philly back it the fall. Small world.

And of course I had a great time with my own peeps.

I've been teaching with these rockstars the past eight years. I'm so lucky.

Another teacher in our metropolitan area attended the convention this year, so it was great to hang out with her, too.

Alabama Peeps

Then of course we got out and had a little fun in the evenings. The only time I'd been to LA was back in 2009 (or 10?), and we didn't go to Santa Monica Pier. It was a must for me this time.

View from the Ferris Wheel

My husband traveled with me this year. 

He enjoyed pool time, the Clippers, and the Dodgers while we were there. 

But there's one more thing that made this year's convention pretty special:

I co-presented! 

My friend and colleague, Madge, asked me to join her as she presented a session on recruiting. She wanted me to talk a little about branding, since it's a little project I started this year in our department. I was nervous (I'd never presented a session at a convention), but it went well. I'm so glad she offered me that opportunity. She has a history of nudging me out of my comfort zone, so I'm lucky to work with her.We're set to present again at our regional convention in Little Rock (October). 

Next year's NBEA Convention will be in Chicago. I haven't been to Chicago since 2007, so I'm looking forward to it.

Hope everyone had a great school year, and that you're getting some good rest and refreshment over the summer. I plan to teach, learn, play, and have fun over the summer. So far, so good!  Enjoy the summer, and thanks for stopping by.

Class Happenings - College Research, Managing Warehouses, and a Trip to Honda

Hi there! We just wrapped up the third quarter of the school year (crazy), and I'm sitting here like I do every year wondering how it all happened so fast. Next week is Spring Break, and then there are only seven weeks left in the school year.  Crazy how time flies.

Of course we've been pretty busy around here. In my Career Preparedness class (freshmen), we recently took a break from financial literacy to work on a college research project. Most freshmen don't yet see the value in the college research process, so I started it off with something creative and collaborative. My goal was to help them at least recognize some factors that will influence their postsecondary decisions (costs, academics, etc.).

I asked student to create an e-poster on the postsecondary institution of their choice, and share it with the rest of the class in a collaborative spreadsheet. Naturally most students are interested in the same schools (those within our state), but I thought it'd be good if they explored other options. Therefore, none of the 90+ students could research the same school. It resulted in a nicely diverse collection of information!

Screenshot of Spreadsheet

Student Work Sample

Student Work Sample (SEC schools were popular!)

Student Work Sample

We used Google Drawings for this project. We've been using Google programs quite a bit this year, but never Drawings.  In fact, my first time using it was when I created the sample poster for this project.  Google Drawings is very simple program if you have never checked it out. The students liked it. 

Overall, I think this project served its purpose:  helping students see the factors that may affect their college* choice.  Go HERE to check out some of the posters!

On another note, my Business Management students (upperclassmen) have been learning management concepts through various types of management "opportunities" all year.  Their most recent opportunity involved managing warehouses. Last week they began "fixing" warehouses that were badly managed (think the virtual Restaurant Impossible...or maybe Tabitha's Salon Makeover). I've watched them turn these badly managed companies into profitable businesses.

And while they each have to manage their own companies, they work together to help solve problems. They've figured out who is strong in which areas, and are using the people around them.  Talk about real life.

On an slightly different note, we recently took a trip to Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (along with other business, finance, and IT classes). The students were able to tour the facility and watch vehicles and engines be built from scratch. I insisted on taking my students to a car manufacturing facility after visiting this very facility with a group of teachers last summer. It's an amazing process that requires teamwork, work ethic, accountability, etc., and serves as a lesson to students no matter the field they plan to pursue.

Lunch at the mall after the trip.

So it's been pretty busy around here. Now I'm trying to prepare my Career Preparedness students for a personal finance challenge, and my Management students for retail management. At this point, my Management students have encountered every management concept under the sun, and are probably going to breeze through retail management. Many of them are seniors, so let's be real -- it's only a matter of time before they mentally "check out." And all the juniors are going to get to "pre-senior-year-itis" and check out, too.  So hopefully at this point, they've learned so much about management, they can manage these retail stores with their eyes closed.  We shall see! 

Anyhoo, hope everyone enjoys their Spring Break! 

* Of course some of my students will not attend college. I am not one of those teachers who tell students that college is the only way (because it's not -- especially in this day and age). We've discussed ALL the options they have after high school. 

Why I Am (& Will Always Be) a Member of My Professional Associations

When I started teaching back in 2006, I didn't realize just how much I'd hit the jackpot (I'm a teacher -- clearly I'm not talking about money here).  I knew I was at a great school with a supportive community, and I knew my colleagues were some of the best in the field.  What I DIDN'T  realize was WHAT made them the best, and how much they'd teach me through their actions.

You see, I had colleagues who were extremely active in their professional associations. At the time, as a new teacher, all I cared about was being a good teacher. Learning the ropes.  Surviving. What I didn't realize was that being active in my professional associations (Alabama Business Education Association, Southern Business Education Association, and National Business Education Association) would actually help me with this. 

Thankfully I learned pretty quickly.  When my colleagues registered for business education conferences, I followed. And boy, am I glad I did. I found out two things: 

1)  While it's great to participate in local/school-wide professional development that focus on technology integration, classroom management, differentiating instruction, etc., there is NOTHING (and I mean NOTHING) like developing in these areas with other business teachers.  Teachers who understand your content area. Teachers who know that the business classroom works very differently from the traditional classroom. 

2)  Another thing I learned was just how many business teachers have no clue what is available to them.  Teachers who haven't experienced, and therefore don't realize, the VALUE of learning with other business teachers.  While I have met so many great business teachers over the years at conferences and workshops, there are so many more out there who do NOT attend conferences with other business teachers. While I agree that there are other ways to to develop as a teacher (social media, general ed/technology conferences, etc.), nothing compares to learning from those in your own field.  

I am LUCKY to work at the same school as current and former state, regional, and national officers -- individuals who have served for many years. 

These same individuals have encouraged ME to serve. My colleague Madge Gregg (former National Business Education Association President) thought it'd be a good idea if I attended our regional conference as a leadership delegate a few years ago. I was young and eager.  Of course I said YES. So that year in Orlando, I got my first look at why leadership is important in these organizations. 

That following year, I was nominated to serve as my state association's secretary.  I was nervous.  I'm rather contribute from the behind the scenes, but I was glad I did it. I just wrapped up my second year as secretary of the Alabama Business Education Association.  I learned so much! 

Earlier this month, I took on a new role as our state's Membership Director. This position comes with a little more pressure. You've got to bring the people in. Help them see the value. And while I have some ideas on how to reach Alabama business teachers who are not active members, I know it's going to be a challenge. But I'm up for it. 

So to go back to the original reason for this post, I look back on just how rich my professional life has been because of the people I work with...and how they've exposed me to the best ways to develop as a business educator. In the eight years I've been a teacher, I've traveled and learned from the best. I've been put in positions to learn and lead. I've met business teachers from all over. I feel like I always know the latest/best practices for my content area because of the exposure I get at conferences and conventions. I receive yearbooks and publications JUST for business teachers (yes, the ENTIRE book/publication is for my content area). I'm RICH because of this. Total jackpot.

Which is why I will ALWAYS be a member of my professional associations. Which is why I will encourage every new business teacher I meet to take advantage of the opportunities early in his or her career.  Why I'll encourage seasoned business teachers to stop missing out. I hope to pass along the same encouragement I received early in my career so that I can make someone else rich.

Here are a few pics from past conference and conventions. 

NBEA 2012 Annual Convention - Boston 

My colleague, Glenith Moncus, is SUCH a fun travel partner.  After the sessions ended for the day, she and I explored Boston like CRAZY - snapping pics, trying new foods, visiting Harvard, etc.  We felt like locals by the time we left. 

Madge Gregg (pictured between Glenith and me) is a business education rockstar. This particular year, she was immediate past president of NBEA and had obligations, so she couldn't get out and play like we did. But we did catch her a couple of times. 

NBEA 2011 Annual Convention - New Orleans

Judy Kehr is my ultimate travel buddy. We've been roomies many times. I'll always remember that she took me to my first business conference in 2006!

She and I decided to be adventurous and ride the train instead of drive or fly to New Orleans in 2011.  It was an interesting trip, to say the least, but I'll save that story for another day. 

NBEA 2013 Annual Convention - Atlanta, GA

My colleague, Glenith Moncus, and I at a restaurant we love!

NBEA was held closer to home for us last year, so it was cool not to have to worry about flights, trains, etc. for once.

Southern Business Education Association 2013 

Annual Conference - Williamsburg, VA

These are some of the very people I've learned from over the years -
current co-workers and former grad school professors-turned colleagues.

I look forward to attending this year's NBEA Convention.  Not because it's in California (though that's certainly a plus), but because a colleague asked me to help present a session.  Toooooootally not my thing -- I'm pretty nervous -- but I've learned that it's healthy to get out of your comfort zone. So as nervous as I am about presenting to a group of peers, I'm just as excited.

If you are a business teacher and are not a member of NBEA, what are you waiting for? Go to NBEA.org for more information.  If you are a member of NBEA and know a business teacher who is not (we all do), invite them to join.  More than once.  :)  Help them become rich just like you.

Other Sites:

Alabama Business Education Association

Southern Business Education Association

The FBLA Week That Pretty Much Didn't Happen

Last week was National FBLA-PBL Week! Our lead adviser, Mrs. Bruce, and our FBLA officer team had a great week planned for our chapter of approximately 200 members. Community service, teacher appreciation day, the works...

But it pretty much never happened.

Remember we were recently out of school a few days because of winter weather?  Well, we had another scare (this time, no overnight stay at school).  We were actually out of school another three days (and got snow that third day).

So FBLA Week just didn't really happen.  But it's okay!  We were able to do our community service the Saturday before all the weather drama. So glad we were able to do that!

Our business classes made Valentine's Day cards for residents at a local senior living community. It was a great opportunity to give students a quick taste of Microsoft Publisher, a program we no longer spend time teaching (so many other ways to do desktop publishing these days), but a program we didn't want them leaving without ever using. 

They enjoyed making the cards! Many took the time to include personalized messages to the residents, which I thought was very kind.

The next morning, FBLA members went and delivered the cards (and candy) to the residents. The residents were delighted, and I think it was just as rewarding for the students.  A few our students heard some very interesting stories that day, as you can imagine.

Afterwards, we checked out a new Steak 'n Shake that opened in our area. We don't have many down here, so several (including myself) had never eaten Steak 'n Shake...

Anyhoo, we had big hopes for FBLA Week, but Mother Nature had other plans.  It's cool (no pun intended).  There's always next year.

Have a great week!

Digital Learning Day 2014

My classes participated in Digital Learning Day again this year. I admit it's hard to get "pumped" for something you do every day, but I believe in the purpose...which is why joined the Twitter party and tweeted what my classes happened to be doing yesterday:

My students continued a Super Bowl blogging activity we started earlier in the week. We'd already discussed the various persuasive techniques companies use in their ads.  The students chose their favorite Super Bowl commercial and did a blog post on the persuasive techniques used. This lesson is always a winner. (It's also another opportunity for students to improve their writing. I've enjoyed watching my students become more "aware" of their writing.  They're getting better.)

Student Work Samples: Beats Music | Spiderman Trailer | Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt | Honda

I have never known a classroom without technology (since I teach business and technology), but I DO recognize how new technology has allowed me to further differentiate my instruction. So I appreciate Digital Learning Day and its goal of supporting the effective use of technology to improve education for all students.

Visit DigitalLearningDay.org for more information.

So, about that time we spent the night at school...

Okay, it's been about a week since I had quite possibly the most interesting day in my entire teaching career.

Last week, we were expected to get a little winter weather. No biggie.  Usually when that happens, we either stay out of school or we leave school early. (We're in the South.  Yes, that's how it goes here.)

Well, the snow started coming down that morning around 9:30. As expected, my otherwise "cool" teenagers turned into little kids with big, sparkly eyes.  (Again, we're in the South. Snow gives us all sparkly eyes.)

But then the snow kept coming.  And it got colder.  And somewhere somehow it dawned on someone that MAYBE we should be heading home.

So student drivers were released. Bus riders would wait until the buses got there.  Easy.

Or not.

Because the buses never really made it.  The roads were AWFUL. Ice City.  Cars were slipping and sliding into each other.  The lane that leads out of our school?  Well, some folks never made it off of it. They had to abandon their cars.  Some folks waited it out.  For hours.

And as the day crept by, we -- the teachers who were still with their 3rd period students, and the students who were being patient as they waited for their names to be called over the intercom -- started realizing that we could be there.  All night.  Crazy.

And then the official announcements started coming.  We WERE, in fact, going to be there for the night, and there was absolutely nothing we could do about it.

And what do you when you can't control something?  You be sure your attitude is RIGHT. I never got discouraged or frustrated with the situation itself.  What exactly would that have solved?  The only thing that worried me slightly was the fact that my daughter, who was just a mile down the road, would have to spend the night at her preschool.

I had never been so happy that she is enrolled at a top notch school. Nevermind how much they teach them -- the love and care they've shown my baby girl over the years comforted me in those very moments when I realized they would be tucking her in that night.

I called her to check on her.  Though they told me she wasn't thrilled initially, she quickly started liking the idea of a "slumber party." Whew.  

They did give us this note the next day -- something she wrote when they told her she'd be staying at school.

Bless them for not telling me about this note until the next day. :)  Thankfully she had a great time at the "slumber party."

So back to my school.  The students were calm, patient, and...OKAY.  They knew there was nothing they or their parents could do, so they were OKAY.  Our awesome lunchroom ladies made dinner (we're talking 400 students and plenty of teachers).  The students were then separated by gender and assigned to teachers' rooms -- no more than 10 per teacher (I had six).

We got back up to my classroom, made popcorn, and watched Netflix until lights out at 11:00.  The girls put my computer chairs together and made beds, and I pulled an extra chair up to my desk and made a half-bed. Some chose the floor.

And we slept.  At least as much as we could.  Our heating system wasn't working, so it got a little chilly.  But we weren't freezing.

I got maybe two hours of sleep.  Much more than I thought I would, actually.

Breakfast was served the next morning at 7:00, and the day went from there.  Not much change in the weather early in the day, so...well...we stuck around.

Eventually the sun came out.  The temps didn't change much (ice was still everywhere), but there was enough change that more parents were able to get in.  My husband (who teaches at a school across town) was able to come get my daughter and me.  Luckily a colleague was there with me and the girls in my room, so she was able to stay the last couple of hours as parents came.

It was certainly an interesting day, but doesn't come close to being this huge unfortunate event folks thought I endured. My family and I were warm and safe in buildings. WE WERE LUCKY.

There were motorists stranded for hours.  Who were in ice-induced fender benders. Who had to abandon their cars and walk for miles (I had a colleague who had to walk MILES and MILES to her daughter's school to give her meds). Folks slept on store floors. In their cars on icy highways.  Some gave out of gas and slept in COLD cars. I just cannot imagine.

So that night was quite interesting.  To sum it all up, I actually was QUITE HAPPY that I spent the night at school. Never in a million years did I think that sentence would come out of my mouth.

Never thought I'd be spending the night at school. Should be an interesting night. Good thing I 💛 my job! #HHSiBucs pic.twitter.com/5xV3PkGWiB

— Gerri Kimble (@KimbleBusiness) January 29, 2014

I'm happy to be back in school this week. And I have to say that I'm not a bit worried that this will ever happen again! :-)