"Power To The Pupil" by Jennie Magiera

This lady motivates me every time I hear her speak.  I was so fortunate to have her as one of the Google Leaders in Austin, Texas!  Listen to this presentation and I'm sure you will be inspired, too...

Sheppard Software

At Sheppard Software, there are hundreds of free, online, educational games for kids. Anyone interested in online learning can use this site - there are so many subjects - (geography, math, animals, science, etc...) and many levels of games and activities for learners of any age. 

Quia

Quia offers some great activities for practicing states and capitals -- flashcards, a matching game, a concentration game, and a word search. 

Where in the USA is Mr. N? – A State Capitals, USA Cities, and Landmarks Game

Where is the Mysterious Mr. N? is a great capital game. 

To Play: Choose "US Capitals", "US Cities", or "US Landmarks"

Read where Mr. Nussbaum is.

Click on the appropriate state and

score as much as possible in two minutes.

Scribble Map

Scribble Map

Scribble Maps is a fantastic site that allows you to edit and customize your own Google maps. You can use the tools to draw on or to label any map available from Google Maps. The maps can then be printed, saved, emailed, or embedded on a webpage or blog.  The best part is that it is FREE!

Here's a demo:

A New Venture

A huge shout out to my daughter, Kayla Berry, for her creativity in creating the design for this blog site.  God truly blessed me when He allowed me to be her mother!  She never ceases to amaze me how she can take a task and turn it into a masterpiece!

Thank you, Kayla!  I love you!

Fun at the Google Teacher Academy

Wow!  What an experience!  The Google Teacher Academy had simply been a goal on a piece of paper hanging on my refrigerator for two years.  Conferences, trainings, sessions and surfing the internet to learn more and more about the tools for me to share with the teachers in Kentucky kept pushing me to the ultimate conference in Austin, Texas on Dec. 2 - 3, 2014.  

When I received the email on Oct. 22nd that I had been accepted, my life quickly switched to high gear.  The Hangouts, Voxer chats, Google+ notifications, emails, and more began flooding my computer.  I quickly saw that I was going to be introduced to some of the most amazing educators in the world!  And was I ever right!

The two days spent at the academy were just what I needed at just the right time. The positive energy filled the rooms and the leaders filled our minds with their wisdom. I left the conference with confidence that my goal in life 

     "to engage students in learning at high levels and connect the power of technology

      to prepare them for their future, to integrate technology in classrooms in 

      order to enhance instruction, and to provide training and support to faculty and 

      staff on the ever-changing technologies" 

is what I am meant to do.  The task is a big one since I work at the state level and have the opportunity to touch all teachers but I am ready for the challenge.  My plan is to influence teachers to differentiate/personalize instruction in order to engage and empower students' achievement.  

This group of amazing people changed my life forever! Their knowledge of technology integration is mind-boggling and their enthusiasm is contagious... I am so grateful for their support and friendship!

I made it!!

(A huge thank you to Donnie Piercey for your years of Pre-GTA training and to Kevin Hodges for that final "push".)