Educator Alexander's Newsletter
APRIL NEWS
๐Don't see entire newsletter in your email? Click "view entire message" at the bottom.๐
๐๐ฅSOOOO MANY UPCOMING EVENTS๐ฅ๐
ANNOUNCEMENTS
**********NEW WEBINAR ALERT**********
**********APRIL WEBINARS**********
**********MAY WEBINARS**********
Get Your Copy Today
AND HERE'S MORE...
๐ THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
National Assistant Principals Week Contest--NOMINATE BY APRIL 5
As we embark on National Assistant Principals Week, it's time to turn the spotlight on the extraordinary leaders in our schools. We're incredibly excited to announce a heartfelt initiative: the first-ever Restful Leader Box Giveaway.
This unique box is more than just a token of our appreciation. Itโs a carefully curated collection designed to offer relief, reflection, and rejuvenation to the amazing individuals who tirelessly support and guide our educational communities. Every item within, echoing our Restful Teacherโข principles, is chosen to acknowledge the dedication and complex challenges faced by our assistant principals.
Nominate an assistant principal who has been a beacon of inspiration or who has significantly contributed to your school's journey, or even consider nominating yourself.
๐ CLICK HERE FOR NOMINATION FORM ......... Nomination Deadline: April 5, 2024
**NEW** Healthy Digital Habits Self-paced Course from Common Sense Education
Why a self-paced course?
We have been searching for a resource to help introduce ALL educators to digital citizenship, whether for compliance or general staff foundational knowledge.
What is the course?
The hour-long self-paced course will introduce educators to digital citizenship concepts, our very own thinking routines we recommend when navigating digital issues, and practical ways educators can incorporate healthy habits."
Please take the time to jump into the course if you haven't already!
Educator Alexander Consulting Provides FREE Google Training for Your District Through Google's EPSO
You may be wondering what districts are eligible and how to redeem this offer?
To learn more about the offer, check out this one-pager or this site. Still undecided? Review the quantifiable benefits and cost savings enabled by Education Plus here.
Eligibility Requirements:
Customers purchasing Education Plus for the first time
Customers upgrading to Education Plus who did not own Education Plus licenses as of Jan 1, 2024
Transition renewals moving from legacy G Suite Enterprise for Education on a price lock (purchased in 2020) to Education Plus
How it works
Purchase Education Plus licenses for your full domain
500 license minimum
Choose your services by filling out this form
Select PD and/or IT services. Learn more about each here: goo.gle/education-plus-offer
Within 30 days of receiving email approval from Google, connect with Educator Alexander Consulting to schedule your services.
Services do not have to be redeemed within 30 days, just scheduled / on the calendar
EDUCATOR ALEXANDER CONSULTING is an approved provider for these services! Choose us and we can provide your FREE training!
Are you an educator eager to make connections between gaming and education?
On Saturday, April 13, at 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET, join Digital Promise and Games for Change for Edcamp: XP Games in Education to share your experiences and expertise as you discuss ways to bring games and education together!
This virtual event is a free, unconference-style professional development opportunity for and by educators. At Edcamp: XP Games in Education, you'll:
- Explore the possibilities around games for learning, scholastic esports, or designing and developing games
- Gain inspiration and ideas for ways to center games as a tool for teaching, learning, creating, collaborating, and competing
- Discuss, share, and network with a community of educators interested in uplifting games in education to the same heights as other โtraditionalโ media, design, and extracurriculars
Questions? Email us at edcamp@digitalpromise.org.
Brisk Boost for Students Coming Soon (AI to Help Students
Already Love Brisk Teaching?
Sign up for the waitlist for Brisk Boost for Students!
LOUISIANA EDUCATORS: LDOE Special Education Advisory Pane--Apply by April 8
Applications are now being accepted to serve on Louisiana's Special Education Advisory Panel. Apply by April 8.
Advise and assist our agency with the provision of free and appropriate public education for individuals with disabilities across the state.
FETC Conference Proposals Due June 2
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION AND APPLICATION! JUNE 2nd is the deadline to apply!
TCEA Conference Proposals Due June 3
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION AND APPLICATION! JUNE 3rd is the deadline to apply!
GaETC 2024 Proposals Due May 1
The GaETC 2024 Request for Presentation Proposals is Open! Would you like to be considered as a lead presenter or co-presenter? Now is the time to apply!
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION AND APPLICATION! MAY 1st is the deadline to apply!
You want to see certain featured speakers and keynoters at GaETC 2024? RECOMMEND THEM NOW!
Google Innovator Academy Applications Open Now and Due in April, June & July...INCLUDING THE VIRTUAL ACADEMY
The application for three Innovator Academies are open now and you can apply now. Visit the site for more information.
Language Spoken: English
Academy Dates: Wed, 7 August 2024 - Fri, 9 August 2024
Application Window: Fri, 1 March 2024 - Tue, 9 April 2024
Virtual
Language Spoken: English
Academy Dates: Mon, 7 October 2024 - Mon, 25 November 2024
Application Window: Mon, 1 April 2024 - Sun, 9 June 2024
Amsterdam
Language Spoken: English
Academy Dates: Wed, 13 November 2024 - Fri, 15 November 2024
Application Window: Mon, 1 April 2024 - Tue, 16 July 2024
Solar Eclipse on April 8 Resources from PBS LearningMedia
Are You Ready for the Upcoming Total Solar Eclipse?
On Monday, April 8th, millions of Americans will witness a total solar eclipse! Did you know there wonโt be another one to cross North America from coast to coast until 2045? This special episode of News Quiz features stories about the types of solar eclipses, what makes a total solar eclipse so exciting, and where and how your students can view the eclipse safely.
Jumpstart your Earth Month lesson planning with our NEW collection, Climate and Our Planet, that contains 70+ resources on climate science, solutions, and how your students can make a difference.
Total Solar Eclipse: Science Fact vs. Science Fiction!
Does the Sun orbit the Earth? Do solar eclipses happen 1-2 times per year? Test your studentsโ knowledge with this fun blog thatโll challenge everything they think they know about solar eclipses and our universe! Then, use the accompanying resources in your lesson plans to spark excitement in your classroom before the celestial event.
Watch an Animation of a Total Solar Eclipse
Why did it get so dark? Do your classroom scientists know that the changing alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth creates solar eclipses? Total solar eclipses โ in which the Sun is completely blocked by the Moon โ are a spectacular and rare sight to witness. In this animation from NOVA, your students will learn why solar eclipses happen and observe a simulated total eclipse.
Explore More PBS LearningMedia Resources
- Safely View an Eclipse with a Pinhole Viewer (K-5)
- Why Isnโt There an Eclipse Every Month? (6-8)
- Teach the Total Solar Eclipse with Ready Jet Go! (K-2)
- Explore Relative Sizes and Distances of the Sun and Moon (6-8)
- Watch a Solar Eclipse with an Astronomer (3-8)
- Check Out the Awesome Totality of a Solar Eclipse (6-12)
Help Us Find the Next 4.0 CEO--APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 15
Since my early days with 4.0 back in 2011, Iโve been lucky enough to see us evolve from a small group of education-obsessed dreamers to a worldwide community thatโs crazy passionate about building the future of learning.
For those who might not have caught the news, Iโm currently wearing the interim CEO hat, stepping in for Hassan Hassan while weโre looking for someone amazing to take us into our next phase. Itโs been quite the ride, and itโs clear we all want to keep this momentum going.
I have a small ask. Iโm reaching out as Interim CEO, an alum, a board member, and someone whose life has been transformed by 4.0. Take a moment to review the position and help us find the best person for the job.
CEO Role at 4.0 - led by Offor
Nominate folks you know and trust, and share this opportunity with your networks. I can promise you it will be the most interesting role in the space.
If you want to apply and learn more about this role, the direction weโre headed, or anything else 4.0, letโs set up time.
I hope youโll consider either stepping into these big shoes yourself or helping us spot the perfect fit for the community. Thanks for your consideration and for everything you do to keep this movement going.
Cheers,
Nicole Jarbo
Interim CEO
P.S. Check out my LinkedIn post and help us amplify this amazing role.
TCEA TECH BLOG GOODIES
FOUR SOLAR ECLIPSE-THEMED ACTIVITIES
FIVE LESSON PLAN IDEAS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
EARTH DAY IDEAS TO INSPIRE YOUNG ECO-HEROES
THE NEW DIGITAL SATยฎ AND THE FUTURE OF STANDARDIZED TESTING
23 WAYS TO CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING
EIGHT MUST-TRY AI-POWERED CHROME EXTENSIONS AND FEATURES
FIVE ESSENTIAL MINDSET SHIFTS FOR TECH LEADERS IN EDUCATION
ENGAGE STUDENTS WITH VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) AND PROJECT-BASED LEARNING (PBL)
A SIFT LESSON PLAN: CRITICAL SKILLS FOR NAVIGATING MEDIA
EAT THAT FROG: REDUCE PROCRASTINATION AND IMPROVE TASK MANAGEMENT
โ๐๐๐5 Minute Tips of the Month
๐ฅ Webinars of the Month
๐ FREE Extension of the Month
This extension allows you to help students read passages by giving them MULTIPLE tools to help them instantly! Was your heart broken by the Immersive Reader extension not working after a Google Chrome update. WELL...IT IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
๐ป ๐ฑ Tech Certification of the Month
๐ซMICROSOFT SUPPORT
Educators Can Get Office 365 for FREE
Flip Blog with Updates
๐ Google Updates
A Couple More Google Updates
To Stay Updated, Watch ALL Here or EDU in 90: The Latest Episode: Product Training Series - March 2024
GOOGLE ADMINS: JAMBOARD IS WINDING DOWN OCTOBER 1!
This is a reminder that we will wind down the Jamboard app starting October 1, 2024. As alternatives for whiteboarding in Google Workspace we have integrations with industry-leading third-party whiteboard tools FigJam, Lucidspark, and Miro.
What do you need to do?
Your institution has users that actively use the Jamboard app or that have at least 1 Jam in their Google Drive. Starting October 1, 2024, the Jamboard app will go into โview-onlyโ mode on web, iOS, and Android platforms and users can no longer create or edit their Jams. Educators can still export Jams to PDF or migrate it to FigJam, Lucidspark, and Miro.
On December 31, 2024, we will complete the wind down of the Jamboard app and your users will no longer be able to access their Jam files. Before then, we recommend the following:
- Evaluate alternatives - we recommend that you evaluate our whiteboard app partners, all of whom are integrated with Google Workspace. To learn more, visit each partner website.
- Export or migrate Jam files - before December 31, 2024, have your users download their Jam files. Your users can also migrate their Jam files to FigJam, Lucidspark, and Miro, well before Jamboard winds down.
Google is there to help!
For more information, you can visit our Jamboard app FAQ page. We will follow up as we approach the wind down date with reminders and updates.
๐กSee Me Here
Click on the pictures below for more information and to register and find more information such as dates, times, room numbers and links to register HERE.
๐ฏ FREEBIES
โ๏ธ Commenting to Educator Alexander
Dr. Desiree Alexander, Educator Alexander Consulting
Dr. Desiree Alexander is an award-winning, multi-degreed educator, speaker, and author who has been in the educational field since 2002. She is the Founder CEO of Educator Alexander Consulting, LLC and the Deputy Director for the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana. She consults with members of several schools/businesses and presents at conferences globally.
Dr. Alexander is lifetime certified in Louisiana in Secondary English Education, as a Reading Specialist, as a School Librarian, as an Educational Technology Facilitator, as an Educational Technology Leader and in Educational Leadership 1. She is certified in Texas as a Principal, in English Language Arts and Reading for grades 4-8 and grades 8-12, as a Reading Specialist for grades EC-12, and as a School Librarian. She holds multiple technology certifications, including, but not limited to, IC3 certification, Google Certified Trainer, Innovator and Partner, Apple Teacher, and Microsoft Office Specialists.
She holds a Bachelor, a Master + 30, and an Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Louisiana State University, a Master of Library Science from Texas Womanโs University and a Master of Educational Leadership with a concentration in Educational Technology Leadership from Nicholls State University. She also holds a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.
She is the author of Ready to Be an Educational Leader: Your Guide for Passing the SLLA 6990, a 2024 Illinois Digital Educators Alliance Conference (IDEAcon) Thought Leader, 2023 Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators (LACUE) Conference Featured Speaker, 2022 & 2021 Texas Computer Education Association Conference (TCEA) Featured Thought Leader, 2020 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Featured Voice, 2020 Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) Featured Presenter, 2019 Customer Commitment Award Honoree from Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Torch Awards for Ethics, a 2019 Shreveport National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Mover and Shaker, a 2017 Young Professional Initiative 40 Under 40 Awards Honoree, 2017 Center for Digital Education Top 30 Technologists, Transformers & Trailblazers, 2017 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Learning Media Digital Innovator for Louisiana, 2016 Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Member of the Year, 2015 Librarian of the Year for Louisiana Librarian Association, 2015 Campus Teacher of the Year in the Zachary Community School District and 2014 Leader of the Year for Region 2 Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators.
Email: educatoralexander@gmail.com
Website: https://www.educatoralexander.com
Phone: 318-759-7591
Subscribe to All: https://www.educatoralexander.com/subscribe
Newsletter: https://www.educatoralexander.com/newsletter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/educatoralex
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EducatorAlexander
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educatoralexander
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/EducatorAlexander
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/educatoralexander
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/educatoralexander