The Obligatory "Who am I post"

After much #edupressure, a mind full of ideas that need to be put somewhere easily accessible, made shareable, and share some learning with friends and new friends, here is blog post #1.

I shall dedicate this blog to the #eduawesomeness that was the #gafesummit in Napa two weeks ago. Between meeting Karl L.S. in real life (didn't get the autograph), hanging with Eric Saibel and Sergio Villegas, pointing at Jenny Derby and Ashley Williams (is that rude?), reconnecting with Amy Fadeji and getting the chance to talk, share and plan with my own colleagues, not to mention the hundreds of other people that I chatted with from around the state, I'm ready to blog. Let's do this.


Following the lead of Ashley Williams and her crafty blogging skills, dare I say inspiration, I have answered 11 questions.... 

1. What do you want to be when you grow up? 
When I grow up I want to be an artist. I'd like to meld together being in nature, photography, sketching, painting, movement and the production of something that inspires people to do something that makes them happy. 

2. What are your favorite weekend activities? 
My wife and I are fortunate enough to live in very close to the San Rafael Ridge Open Space. We like to spend weekend mornings with our dog, Spring checking out animal tracks, looking for deer and birds and generally being outside. If I'm not running around doing that, I'm usually sleeping, stretching from a Cross Fit WOD or eating. I'm going to confirm that eating is a weekend activity. 

3. What's your favorite thing about working in education? 
People, autonomy and the pace. 
Being surrounded by people that love what they do, love their children and love to learn makes for a pretty great work environment. People make the school great. 

I love that if I get an idea, I can put it to work now. If it stinks, I don't do it and the kids and I have both learned something about the process of designing things that work. 

I work well in a fast pace, and between my personality and 21 first graders, the pace is pretty quick. There really has never been a time when I've been bored- I think that would be terrible. 

4. If you could have dinner with anyone from your PLN, who would it be? 
Tough questions, but here is my soft answer. I'd eat with the person who has never sent a tweet because he/she is too nervous, or doesn't get it, or it just doesn't make sense (#educonfused). While munching organic kale salad, pizza and soup at Picco, we could discuss the merits of creating a PLN using social media, how great pizza is, and what they are doing on Monday in class that is totally different than what they usually do.

5. What are you known for at your school? 
I'm known for taking something normal and making it rather different, yet meaningful in a different way. I'm known for twitter and genius hour, how-to videos, thinking with no box at all, taking full bites and jumping in with two feet, but mostly I think I'm known for connecting with children and families.

6. How do you celebrate your birthday? 
Food, friends and family. Ever since I met my wife 10 years ago this March, my life has included food in the best ways possible. She taught me to cook well and to enjoy tasty bites. Usually some great meat, though two years ago we have a polenta party!

7. What is your current favorite tech tool (either personal or educational)?
iPhone 5. Next phone I get will have more storage space (32g), but this thing can do anything. 

Misha, 7

8. Do you have pets? YES! Misha the cat is 7. He is the OG pet, the beta test. Spring the brown spotted dog is animal 2.0 and has been a great dog for my wife and I and a wonderful friend for Misha. 

Spring the puppy

The dynamic duo

9. What's the craziest adventure you've ever been on?

Cliché answer- life has been pretty wild thus far. Marriage, traveling, camping, animals, pink slips, stitches etc... True answer- ice climbing in the Sierra Nevada.

10. Were you a good student when you were in school? 
Define good? I was engaged with my peers, though found myself rather disengaged with many teachers. Some connected with me, and surprise, I did well in their class. I didn't read well until 2nd grade, and didn't truly fall in love with reading until I was 23. 

11. What are you an expert at (doesn't have to be a good thing)? 
Making coffee, laughing, helping, whatever term means 'the opposite of folding clothes', cheering for the SF Giants, riding bikes, running and being a creative thinker. 

More education thoughts to come, but for now, Go Niners. 

Mike