Today my car turned north, almost on its own as we headed out with my bags of 21 century equipment to spend time in Highland Falls Intermediate classrooms.
Just a dusting of snow and drizzle on the way but the 30 minute ride with a glimpse of the Bear Mountain Bridge on my right side that features the Hudson River from another vantage point, reminds me that Spring will force me to stop to grab new shots on my way to this district.
But I was running late and so I dangerously raced through the town’s 30 MPH speed limit. Safe again!
I had my list of classes: Special Ed with Cecilia, 6th grade with Lucas, 8th grade Social Studies with Jen…and planning stops along the way.
Since the very end of November, this challenging project of professional develop has become comfortable. THe rooms along this hallway on the second floor are filled with familiar faces. Most teachers are welcoming and there are wonderful things happening with their students. Will they receive accolades as a result of higher test scores this year? Probably not! Clearly the assessment tool needs to be revamped in a positive way but will it be?
What I see behind the lens of my camera takes my breath away. Most teachers (grades 3-8) have opened their doors to me, with pleasure and with some, the planning conversations are ongoing. Everyone is charged with a project that focuses on CCSS Anchor Writing Standard 1 and 8. My challenge is to support argumentative writing that moves beyond traditional nonfiction print resources and could include a digital project beyond the written piece.
In March( fingers crossed) all teachers will meet together with Hudson Valley Writing Project leaders and TCs to use protocols as they examine and reflect on student work and the digital pieces. FINGERS CROSSED!
There are many pressures playing on school administrators to prepare teachers for new accountability instruments and we may be upstaged.
I can’t say for sure that February 1st will be the official Digital Learning Day but I saw a lot of Digital Learning going on today.
Cecilia shared her student blogging comments with the whole class. Lucas had his students writing Haikus to images of their Hudson Valley area.
Jen has kids creating PSA’s on critical social issues. This is as new for her as it is for her students.
And there was more…
I left exhausted, but like my visit to Dover just a day ago, I left breathless and grateful to be a part of something exciting!


So happy to be in NYC at Lincoln Center with Tuvia at my arm and with my iPhone. Inside we lived Gershwin and Bernstein and I was living my New Year’s Eve fantasy.





