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 —
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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 —
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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 —
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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 —
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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…
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Added by Justin Tarte on February 2, 2011 at 12:31pm —
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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 —
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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…
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Added by Justin Tarte on January 31, 2011 at 9:18am —
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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 (…
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Added by Justin Tarte on January 24, 2011 at 9:44am —
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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…
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Added by Justin Tarte on January 20, 2011 at 4:45am —
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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.…
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Added by Justin Tarte on January 20, 2011 at 4:44am —
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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.…
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Added by Justin Tarte on January 20, 2011 at 4:43am —
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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 —
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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 —
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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 —
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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…
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Added by Justin Tarte on September 11, 2010 at 11:16am —
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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…
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Added by Justin Tarte on September 3, 2010 at 8:56pm —
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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…
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Added by Justin Tarte on September 3, 2010 at 8:52pm —
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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…
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Added by Justin Tarte on August 29, 2010 at 8:22pm —
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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.…
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Added by Justin Tarte on August 22, 2010 at 12:03pm —
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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…
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Added by Justin Tarte on August 16, 2010 at 6:53pm —
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