Well friends, we’ve made it through another year.  The first year of two schools, communities, and cultures coming together as one.  As summer approaches, I like to sit back and reflect on the past year to see what I have or have not accomplished, where I’ve failed and where I’ve succeeded, and what I can do over the summer to ensure that I don’t make the same mistakes, while continuing to evolve both personally and professionally.  In September I entered the school-year with a bit of anxiety towards the changes that were to come, including a shift to a new career path and many new colleagues.  What’s great about this community, is that with each day that passed I was able to create new SCH relationships, both professional and personal, many of whom helped ease the transition.  Im hoping the same can be said for many of you.  I look forward to a summer full of innovative ed-tech workshops, the ISTE conference in San Diego (finally I get to visit the place I vow will be my home one day!!), moving forward with various FUTURE READY SCH initiatives, spending time with family & friends, and hopefully a bit of rest and relaxation….BRING ON THE BEACH!!!!!  With that, I thank you all for a great year and many more to come.

Before I give you a break from my writing with a a couple of videos and bid you a summer farewell, two final notes.  First, Daytime played a huge part in my decision to transition to the ed-tech world, with all of you sharing your thoughts and ideas to help me develop the “brand.” This year I made the decision to stop face-to-face meetings as it became more of a tech support channel rather than the “think tank” that I envisioned for the year.  I’m a bit disappointed in myself for abandoning the interactive component, so look for a reinvented Daytime Blog with built in time for face to face interaction when you return in the fall (try to maintain your composure, I know it’s hard to contain yourself after that announcement…ha!) Next, Jenn asked that I mention that we’ll be using the Twitter Handle @schdesign to communicate the happenings of the Design Thinking training in 2 weeks.  Be sure to add the hashtag #schdesign when tweeting before, during, and after the event.  We’re going to have constituents from a number of countries across the globe, let’s represent!!

With graduation rapidly approaching, I though you all might like to watch Steve Carrell’s speech at Princeton’s 2012 commencement.  Student use of technology was a big part of the theme of the speech, of course with a touch of his comedic brilliance.  Enjoy!

As we eagerly anticipate the graduation of the class of 2012, I’ve been thinking of what song I would want to hear at my graduation if I was one of this year’s lucky graduates.  A band that I’ve recently been listening to quite a bit is Group Love, the song Tounge Tied (one of my favorites) is all about celebrating with friends.  A great way to end the year!!!

I think my graduation song in 1996 was I Believe I Can Fly by R. Kelly…….ugh…..

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER EVERYBODY!!!