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Justin Tarte's Blog (34)

10 videos that WILL ignite a discussion - Part 4

This is part 4 of the "videos that WILL ignite a discussion" series. I have been using these videos during PD sessions, as well as during Power Lunch sessions to spur discussion and reflection. As educators, it is crucial that we are constantly in a state of reflection and evaluation, and with the help of these videos educators are able to engage in thoughtful and productive conversation.…

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Added by Justin Tarte on March 18, 2011 at 6:15pm — No Comments

10 videos that WILL ignite a discussion - Part 3

If you didn't know, I really enjoy watching short videos. In particular, I really enjoy watching videos that get me thinking and reflecting on my educational practices and beliefs. I have been using short videos in Professional Development sessions to get educators at my high school talking and discussing issues related to education. This is the third installment of the series..."videos that WILL ignite a discussion." I encourage you to check out…

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Added by Justin Tarte on February 21, 2011 at 4:39pm — No Comments

10 videos that WILL ignite a discussion - Part 2

Here are 10 videos that will get you thinking and reflecting on your educational practices and beliefs. I did a post a few months ago with 7 different videos, and the response was quite positive. Leave a comment and let me know what other videos you would add to the list. Thank you and enjoy!

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Added by Justin Tarte on February 6, 2011 at 10:05am — No Comments

7 videos that WILL ignite a discussion

One of the biggest reasons I enjoy using Twitter is it enables me to connect with educators from all around the world. Additionally, Twitter has proven to be an efficient and effective platform to discuss pressing educational issues. Unfortunately, most…

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Added by Justin Tarte on February 6, 2011 at 10:03am — No Comments

Leading by example...

A couple weeks I decided to do something most educators would never dream of doing. I gave all 140 of my German students the opportunity to assess me. I explained to my students that the assessment was 100% anonymous, and the most… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on February 2, 2011 at 12:31pm — No Comments

Technology in schools...25 students sound off!

We all live in a world that is rapidly changing, and in particular, the advancements associated with technology. As society evolves and changes, schools are coming under increasing pressure to stay with the times. So often we hear that technology is a silver bullet in education, but we must remember that technology is merely a tool. A tool in the hands of a sub-par educator will continue to yield a sub-par education, while a tool in the hands of a great educator will only enhance and aid…

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Added by Justin Tarte on January 31, 2011 at 9:20am — No Comments

6 Solutions to the Most Common Teacher Problems...

Last week we had our third professional development day at Seckman High School. As a PD representative, I had the opportunity to lead two PD sessions. The format of my sessions was to watch 7 videos that would… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on January 31, 2011 at 9:18am — 1 Comment

5 Ways to Empower Your Students...

Here are 5 concrete examples of how I am empowering my German 2 and 3 students. I was inspired to write this post after reading a great post by Chris Wejr (… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on January 24, 2011 at 9:44am — 1 Comment

10 steps for educators new to Twitter...

Educators from all around the world are beginning to use Twitter as a valuable piece in their professional growth toolbox. As professional development continues to evolve and transform, we will need new ways to encourage teachers to embrace new opportunities. Here is a "How… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on January 20, 2011 at 4:45am — No Comments

14 books educators should read...

Here are 14 books that I have read over the last two years that have had a positive effect and impact on me as an educator. Some of these books were read in the book club at Seckman High School, and some were read as part of my doctoral studies. Despite doing a lot more online reading of late (blogs, articles, etc...), I still feel that books play an important role in educator growth and development. Please comment and let me know what you would add to the list.… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on January 20, 2011 at 4:44am — No Comments

10 reasons to get educators blogging...

5 reasons educators should start reading blogs:

1) - Blogs are the heart of learning and sharing...

If you are an idea and inspiration junkie like myself, then you will find blogs to be extremely beneficial. Educators of all ages and backgrounds are bringing their ideas, reflections and experiences to one convenient location; their blog.… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on January 20, 2011 at 4:43am — No Comments

Educators making a difference...

I recently asked principals and administrators across North America one simple question: What do you love about your job? Here are the responses I got...and I must say, they are pretty awesome. Enjoy!

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Added by Justin Tarte on December 29, 2010 at 7:11pm — No Comments

I hope you realize you have the best job...

The last 4 weeks have been extremely busy for me. We recently started a brand new gradebook and website system in my school district. This has proven to be an amazing tool and

resource as we look to ways to improve education. For all the greatness

this new opportunity provides, we have been faced with the never ending

battle of growing and developing educators so they can utilize this new

resource. As exciting as it is to work with educators…

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Added by Justin Tarte on September 18, 2010 at 4:06pm — 3 Comments

Building relationships is all that matters...10 effective strategies

1 - Listen to what others are saying...

Being able to speak is important...being able to listen is more important. If you can truly listen to what others are saying, you will

be able to establish an unlimited amount of strong and long lasting

relationships. Your ability or inability to listen, will most

definitely affect the success, and the number of relationships you will

have in life.

2 - Watch what… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on September 11, 2010 at 11:27am — No Comments

5 ways to share how you light the world on fire...

Last week I was speaking with a colleague of mine, and we were discussing activities we could do during one of our professional

development days. As we discussed potential ideas, we turned our focus

to activities that teachers could employ immediately. We wanted to

avoid activities that would require a lot of time and preparation in an

effort to provide our teachers with several very strong and powerful

strategies they could… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on September 11, 2010 at 11:16am — No Comments

It all starts with you...

On any given day, educators experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. How an educator reacts and responds to these highs and

lows can often dictate the overall mood of the day. In my short 6 years

as an educator, I have learned several things as it pertains to

remaining positive, as well as keeping things in perspective when it

comes to my professional and personal life. Educators have an extremely

difficult and… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on September 3, 2010 at 8:56pm — No Comments

Changing the culture of professional development...

Most students from across the country have returned to schools refreshed, recharged, and rejuvenated to continue their journey through

the educational process. As students use their summer break to relax

and simply be kids, teachers and administrators utilize their time to

both improve and develop their skills as educators. The summer provides

an excellent opportunity for all educators to refine and enhance their

abilities as… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on September 3, 2010 at 8:52pm — No Comments

Taking risks and experiencing failure...the two perfect ingredients

Educators across the country are returning to their schools with fewer resources, larger class sizes, increased work loads, and the fastest

changing student population ever...these challenges and setbacks do not

excuse us from taking risks and doing whatever it takes to meet the

needs of our students.

This school year several colleagues and I have chosen to

implement some major changes in our classrooms. These… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 29, 2010 at 8:22pm — No Comments

Finding...and taking the road less traveled

I was inspired to write this post after speaking with a friend and colleague. Over the course of a lifetime and

career we all experience the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows.

So much of what we do in our lives comes back to our goals,

expectations, hopes and dreams. The biggest difference between those

who accomplish their goals and those who do not...are the paths they

choose while developing their vision.… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 22, 2010 at 12:03pm — No Comments

Reinventing yourself = survival...

My first official working day at school was today...I witnessed ups and downs, heard screams of joy, and whirlpools of pessimism and

discontent. As I thought more about the "happy" people, and the not so

happy people, I decided to concentrate on why the "happy" people were

happy. I soon realized there seemed to be a couple underlying factors

that lead to their happiness / enthusiasm toward the new school year.

I have to… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 16, 2010 at 6:53pm — No Comments