Think Fast!!!

Every once in a while, the Internet forgets to work. And suddenly, life becomes so much more… exciting. Yeah. Exciting. That’s the word.

Where’s my sarcasm font when I need it?

So there I am, teaching technology, 25 middle school students teetering on the edge of good behavior, when the Internet dies. Suddenly. Without warning.

Think fast!

I whipped up a spur-of-the-moment assignment, passed out paper and pencils, and declared: “Today, we’re going Old School.”

I'm definitely going to keep this one in my toolbox. 

Digital Creativity: How Today’s Students Are Building Tomorrow’s Innovations

We’ve talked a lot about how technology is shaping education—AI in the classroom, cybersecurity, and ethical considerations. But this month, I’d like to shift the focus from what technology does to students to what students can do with technology.

Digital creativity is booming among today’s middle schoolers. Whether it’s designing a 3D model in Tinkercad, programming a video game in Scratch, or using Canva to produce a class newsletter, students aren’t just consuming technology—they’re creating with it. Tools that were once locked behind professional paywalls or steep learning curves are now browser-based, free (or nearly so), and designed with young learners in mind.

This creative shift is more than a novelty—it’s a powerful educational opportunity. When students code an animation, build a simple app, or design a virtual world in CoSpaces, they’re not just playing around; they’re engaging in problem-solving, systems thinking, storytelling, and collaboration. They’re building digital literacy, resilience, and confidence in their own ideas.

As educators, we can nurture this trend by making space for creativity in our curriculum—not just in tech classes, but across disciplines. A history teacher might let students create an animated reenactment of a historical event. An English teacher might encourage digital storybooks or AI-generated dialogue experiments. The key is to provide flexible tools and encourage exploration, not just correctness.

Of course, balance is important. Not every moment needs a screen. But when used thoughtfully, creative technology gives students something even more valuable than answers: a chance to imagine, design, and build their own. In a world increasingly shaped by innovation, these early acts of digital creation are more than fun—they’re foundational.

 

The Best Thing I Didn't Know I Needed

The other day, I was roaming the hallway like a ghost of bad behavior past. I had one mission: find a fellow teacher to vent to before I exploded into a confetti blast of frustration and sarcasm.

It had been that kind of day—kids throwing things, lying with the boldness of someone auditioning for a courtroom drama, general chaos. The kind of day that makes you seriously wonder if you accidentally signed up for the wrong profession. ("Did I check the wrong box on that career interest survey in high school? Should I have gone into dental hygiene?") I was evaluating my life choices, and it wasn't pretty.

Anyway, I was on the hunt for my usual confidante, but her office was empty. Heavy sigh. But across the hall… I noticed something strange.

Laughter.

Joy.

People having fun? In a school building? After 2:30 p.m.?

Naturally, I was suspicious.

But I poked my head in and found a whole group of teachers—just hanging out, solving the New York Times crossword puzzle together like it was the most normal after-school activity in the world.

And here’s the best part—they welcomed me in like I’d always been part of the crew.

We’ve got a little of everything:

• Two social studies teachers who know just about every historical fact ever.

• Two math teachers who actually enjoy numbers.

• A technology teacher who loves coding.

• A special ed teacher with the patience of a saint.

• An ELA teacher who knows words that haven't been used since 1874.

Our ages range from mid-20s to 60s, so our knowledge is as diverse as our snack choices. Someone always knows something, and someone always has a random fact no one asked for—but turns out to be super useful.

And Friday? Friday was a milestone. For the first time ever, we completely solved five days’ worth of crosswords in a row. A full streak. It was like winning the nerdy Olympics—and yes, we were very proud of ourselves.

I went looking for someone to commiserate with, but instead I found a little unexpected joy in a classroom full of crossword-loving coworkers. Now, I look forward to it every day. It’s not just about the puzzle—it’s the laughter, the camaraderie, the brainpower, and the feeling that hey, even on the worst days, I’m not alone in this.

Teaching is hard. But a daily puzzle with good people? That’s a little reminder that there’s still a lot of good tucked in between the chaos.

March is for the Weary (and the Warriors)

March is the hardest month to be a teacher.

If you know, you know. It’s the final stretch before spring break, but somehow it feels like the longest, coldest, grayest tunnel with no snacks and questionable Wi-Fi. The kids are stir-crazy. The staff is tired. And you? You’re just trying to make it to Friday without using your “teacher voice” at the grocery store.

So today, right when I needed it most, my boss left me a note. Just a note on an index card, nothing fancy. But what it said? It hit like a hug from someone who actually gets it.

“Had lunch with some ladies today—they said you were a favorite teacher because you mean business. Don’t give up the good fight.”

Cue the lump in the throat.

My boss is a former teacher herself, so she knows what March feels like. She’s survived the “I forgot my homework,” “I didn’t know we had a test,” and “Can we just watch a movie?” era. She knows that by this point in the year, you’ve repeated instructions 97 times and the copier has betrayed you at least twice this week.

That note reminded me that even when I feel like I'm running on caffeine and stubbornness, I'm still showing up in a way that matters. “You mean business” doesn’t sound like a compliment at first—until I realized it means I have standards. I create structure. I care enough to push kids to be better.

I didn’t know I needed those words today. But I did.

So if you're out there wondering if what you’re doing is enough—if you’re tired, tapped out, or just plain over it—I see you. I am you. March is brutal. But you and I - we're still here. Still showing up. Still fighting the good fight.

And someone out there thinks you’re their favorite. Just because you mean business.

The Role of Technology in Education

Technology is reshaping education, breaking barriers, and creating opportunities for learners worldwide. From online learning platforms to virtual classrooms, educational technology is transforming traditional systems, making learning more accessible, interactive, and personalized.

Online learning platforms like Khan Academy, Coursera, and edX have revolutionized how students access knowledge. These platforms offer courses on virtually any subject, often free or at a fraction of traditional costs. Students can learn at their own pace, revisiting materials as needed, which is especially valuable for those balancing education with work or family responsibilities. This flexibility allows education to reach individuals who might otherwise be left behind by conventional systems.

Educational apps have also become game-changers. Apps like Duolingo for language learning, Photomath for solving math problems, and Quizlet for study aids make learning engaging and convenient. Gamification—adding elements like badges, leaderboards, and levels—motivates students to practice skills in a fun and interactive way. These tools can complement classroom learning, catering to various learning styles and preferences.

Virtual classrooms have taken center stage, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams enable teachers and students to connect in real time, regardless of location. Virtual classrooms often include features like breakout rooms for group work, screen sharing for presentations, and integrated quizzes for instant feedback. This blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning creates a dynamic and versatile educational environment.

However, these advancements come with challenges, such as the digital divide, where not all students have equal access to devices or the internet. Teachers also need training to effectively integrate technology into their lessons.

Despite these hurdles, technology continues to democratize education, empowering learners and educators alike. By embracing these innovations while addressing their challenges, we can build an inclusive, adaptive, and future-ready education system.

An Overview of Leading AI Systems

In the world of AI, there are a lot of tools out there. The leading AI systems are ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Gemini. Each of these comes from a different company and serves a unique purpose, but all of them are designed to make our lives easier in different ways.

ChatGPT, created by OpenAI, is a general-purpose AI that can do pretty much anything—answer questions, write essays, generate code, you name it. It’s like a jack-of-all-trades. Whether you're looking for a quick answer or need help brainstorming ideas, ChatGPT is there to lend a hand. Its ability to generate human-like text makes it useful for everything from customer support to content creation.

Then we have Claude, developed by Anthropic. Claude’s main selling point is safety and ethics. The team behind Claude has designed it to be more careful with the responses it gives, reducing harmful or biased output. It’s built with the idea that AI should align with human values, which makes it a great choice for high-stakes or sensitive environments where you want to be extra sure the AI stays on track.

Next up is Copilot, a collaboration between GitHub and OpenAI. If you're a developer, Copilot is a game-changer. Powered by OpenAI’s Codex model, it helps generate code, suggest improvements, and even debug. It’s like having a personal coding assistant that can autocomplete lines of code, saving developers tons of time. It works in a variety of languages, making it a go-to for anyone writing code.

Lastly, Gemini is Google’s latest offering from DeepMind. It’s designed to handle both text and images, making it a more advanced, multimodal AI. If you're looking for something that can analyze text, generate images, or do both at the same time, Gemini is the tool to turn to. Google is clearly aiming to push the envelope with this one, integrating it across their suite of tools for an all-in-one AI experience.

In short, while ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Gemini all offer powerful AI capabilities, each one brings something different to the table. Whether you're chatting, coding, or looking for something more advanced, there's an AI for you.

Advancements in AI in 2024

In 2024, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have reached unprecedented heights, fundamentally transforming industries and daily life. One of the most significant developments is the improvement in natural language processing (NLP), enabling AI systems to understand and generate human-like text with remarkable accuracy. This has led to the widespread adoption of conversational agents in customer service, education, and healthcare, enhancing user experience and accessibility.

Moreover, generative AI models have evolved, allowing for the creation of highly realistic images, videos, and music. These tools are not only revolutionizing content creation but also fostering creativity among individuals and businesses alike. In fields like marketing and design, companies leverage AI to generate innovative ideas and streamline workflows.

Another crucial advancement is in the area of machine learning algorithms, which have become more efficient and capable of processing vast datasets in real time. This efficiency is enabling breakthroughs in predictive analytics, allowing businesses to make data-driven decisions with greater accuracy.

Ethical considerations have also taken center stage, prompting the development of frameworks to ensure responsible AI usage. Transparency, bias mitigation, and user privacy are now integral components of AI systems.

Additionally, collaborative AI, where humans and machines work together, is gaining traction, enhancing productivity across various sectors. As AI continues to evolve, its impact on society will only deepen, offering both exciting opportunities and challenges that demand careful consideration. The trajectory of AI in 2024 exemplifies its potential to reshape our world in profound ways.

The School Building is Closing

 

We're going to be closed for at least two weeks because of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Some of the teachers are saying we won't be back this year. 

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.  In the meantime, we'll be teaching online from our basements, spare rooms, and wherever we can find a bit of quiet. 

It's been a while...

Teaching has been so rewarding, but so very challenging. I started in 2016 teaching middle school math. That summer, I taught 7th and 8th grade math in summer school. In 2017, I started teaching HTML and CSS from code.org as well as Intro to Computer Science from codehs.com. I had never had any computer courses before and had no idea how to code, so the entire year, I was one or two lessons ahead of the students. 

In 2018, I taught these two courses as well as Desktop Publishing and AP CS A. AP CS A was a disaster...I thought I was supposed to be teaching Computer Science Principles, but I spent the year being one step ahead of the kids in Java. 

This year, I am teaching the original two courses (HTML/CSS and Intro to Computer Science) as well as AP Computer Science Principles and Introduction to Business. I am really looking forward to this year! 

In the meantime, for the first time since I graduated from high school, I took the summer off. My son and I have seen baseball games and thrown catch in the yard, gone to movies, seen the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and just relaxed in general. 

It's time for me to get serious again though... school starts in four weeks, and I have the remainder of a 60 hour PD course to get through!