Author: Laura Steinbrink

Introducing #MyPoetrySnaps Many of us have been enjoying  #BookSnaps, created by Tara M. Martin (@TaraMartinEDU) as something we create as we read professional books, something we just like to view, or something we use in class with students as Tara intended.  Talk about engagement. Take one of the most popular social media apps for teenagers and … Continue reading From #BookSnaps to Creating Poetry!

As I listened to Daisy and my daughter, Shalyn, tell about the climb up Handies Peak, my mind immediately went to real life and educational applications, once the proud mommy glow had it's moment.  Feeling very inspired, I decided to go with the real life application in my first post of this series, Got A Mountain to Climb? Baby Steps. Are You Ready? We got this.  As I pondered the educational side of this story, I realized that there is more than one area in education where we can apply this.  My second post in this series, Got An EDU Mountain to Climb? Baby Steps. Are You Ready? We Got This! focused on the power of PLN's (professional learning networks) and how we teachers sometimes ignore the power they provide and try to go it alone. But that isn't the only educational application here.  Some teachers may have sore toes by the end of this blog, and at times in my career, my toes would be among those trod upon here, though I'm ready to trudge ahead anyway. Are you ready? THIS post is dedicated to my husband, Cayl, (@caylst) and all those technology directors out there. I feel your pain. This is for you. Let's grab our gear and get started. Baby steps. We got this. 

Part 2 When I originally listened to my daughter and Daisy tell about their experience with hiking Handies Peak in Part 1, Got A Mountain To Climb: Baby Steps. Are You Ready? We Got This.,  I thought I knew which direction my posts would take, and then I didn't.  I immediately saw an amazing teachable … Continue reading Got an EDU Mountain to Climb? Tap Your PLN! Baby Steps. Are You Ready? We Got This!

Part 1: I love the mountains out west. I really do.  My favorites press upward past the tree line and have snow draped around their summits year round, or nearly year round.  During our recent vacation in Colorado, my cousin's wife, Daisy, had a day picked out to climb Handies Peak near Lake City, Colorado … Continue reading Got A Mountain to Climb? Baby Steps. Are you Ready? We Got This.

Everyone wants a magic formula to create the perfect lifestyle and to know they are doing things right.  If we just had this formula, then happiness and success would invade and take over our lives. Sure. That would be great.

I came home this afternoon after a rewarding but long day of summer professional development, and I noticed that my flowers were in great need of a long cool drink of water. I may have been in air conditioning all day, but they had been in the warm June Missouri humid heat.  I may not … Continue reading Thought It Was A Weed

This summer, I have a lot of reading to do. My list of books I want to read is growing (but don't tell my husband...). I have begun already with a few books, participating in (Lead Like A Pirate) and leading (Instant Relevance) book studies, and there are more on my radar, besides the regular fiction authors that I love. So here goes a few on my radar, in no particular order, and why I've chosen them:

As teachers, we're well aware that our voices have power. If for some reason you are shaking your head "no" at me right now, just relax. You may not be aware of it yet, but you will discover this at some point in your career as an educator. Think of it this way, picture in … Continue reading The Power Of Your Voice