Pinterest for Educational Purpose??? YES

http://esheninger.blogspot.com/2012/02/exploring-educational-value-of.html

check out this blog titled

Exploring the Educational Value of Pinterest

I had only thought of Pinterest as fun  home crafty and recipes stuff. This is an interesting concept for educational learning and lesson building.  

Conference with site supervisor 2-13-2012

Conference with site supervisor: I was invited by my site supervisor, the Superintendent of Schools, to his weekly staffing on Monday, February 13 in his conference room at the administration building. In attendance at this meeting were the Superintendent of Schools, Executive Director of School Facilities, Assistant Superintendent of Department of Educational Operations, Assistant Superintendent of Department of Student Services and Community Relations, Executive Director of Technology, Assistant Superintendent of Division of Administration, Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations and myself (sitting in a guest chair). As the Superintendent called the meeting to order he introduces me and told them I would be joining them on occasion at these meetings when possible and told them I was working on my superintendent certification and would need their help with items over the next few months. Those that knew me greeted me with kind words of how they knew me while those that did not know me prior introduced themselves and welcomed me. In this meeting each participant gave a report of their area and answered the Superintendent’s specific questions. They discussed the board meeting work session for Tuesday night and that it would be board appreciation night. When the Superintendent adjourned the meeting he spoke with the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Operations privately for a few minutes and then spoke with me regarding my intern plan. He kept the plan to review and sent it back to me through school mail. He thought it was a well written and comprehensive plan. He said as I come to the staffing we will find other items to include as the school year proceeds. The Executive Administrator of Technology was giving a report on the District’s Wireless Survey on Thursday in the Superintendent‘s conference room and said I could attend, but I had to decline due to a meeting with a student and parent at my office at the same time. The Executive Administrator of Technology sent me and email and said his secretary would be getting back to me to set up the meeting I requested regarding the District Technology Plan 2010-2013 and we could discuss the survey at the same time. The Superintendent recommended the activity of attending his weekly staffing. He also recommended meeting individually with the administrators of the key areas needed in my plan to match the competencies

Brenda H Avance Educational Vita updated 2-13-12

Brenda Harris Avance

1821 Palomino Drive, Rowlett, TX 75088

(M) 214-402-1583; brenda.avance@gmail.com

Education/Certification

M. Ed.                                 Educational Administration, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX 2009

BS                                       Vocational Home Economics, Harding University, Searcy, AR 1976

Superintendent Certificate Texas (In Progress)

Standard Principal (EC-12) Texas 05/17/2009

Teacher Certificate              Secondary Generic Special Education (Grades 06-12) - Life, Texas

                                            Secondary Home Economics Grades (06-12) - Life, Texas

                                            Vocational Home Economics Grades (06-12) - Life, Texas

                                            Passed Early Childhood EXCET #7081083, 06/13/1992

Administrative and Leadership Experience

Vocational Adjustment Coordinator/Administrator, Transition Learning Center,

Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, 2004-present

• Supervised three/four job coaches who work directly with the adult students in our program

• Worked with adult students (18 to 22 years old) to help them find and retain paid employment in the community, and helped them access adult services

• Built and maintained good relationships with district administrators, 7 high schools’ teachers and staff, parents, community employers and adult service providers (e.g., Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Social Security Administration, Texas Workforce, Region 10 Education Service Center) in the Garland ISD communities and the Dallas metroplex

• Hosted, participated in and advised the Garland Area Community Service Providers Network and the Garland Independent School District Special Education Business Advisory Council

• Incorporated the Transition Learning Center as a Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)- Approved Certifying Agency that helped graduating seniors and other adults with disabilities to get a reduced fare, disability identification card

• Evaluated and piloted the new on-line system for goals and objectives with technology personnel in Garland Independent School District and presented staff development to train district special education personnel and district nurses in on-line system for goals and objectives

Administrative Internship (Lamar University), Cooperative Behavior Center, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, 2008-2009

• Incorporated activities to enhance knowledge and understanding of the nine principal competencies

• Maintained a good working relationship with all stakeholders, communicated effectively to promote the success of all students and promoted the district’s vision that all students can learn

• Evaluated self and others with meaningful observations and assessments to enhance knowledge and understanding of the nine principal competencies

Special Education Specialist, PLATO Knowledge Transfer Team, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, 2000-2009

• Prepared and presented summer trainings and staff developments during the school year for district employees

• Aligned, implemented and developed the district Alternative Assessment customized curriculum in PLATO courseware for TAKS preparation.

• Designed and implemented classes, group and individualized assignments in PLATO courseware for special education teachers at high schools and middle schools across the district

• Maintained and supported PLATO courseware used for students at the Meeting and Catering Service Office at Harris Hill Administration Building, Cooperative Behavior Center, Infant Center and Transition Learning Center

In-Home Training Specialist, Special Education, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, 2002-2005

• Developed and maintained positive relationships with students, parents, classroom teachers, and in-home training supervisor

• Followed Garland Independent School District policies and confidentiality guidelines for appropriate evaluation, documentation, and record keeping on student progress and behavior and provided feedback for goals and objectives to IEP committees

• Presented and participated in professional development trainings and workshops for continuous improvement and growth in knowledge base of the autism spectrum

Master Technology Trainer, South Garland High School, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, 1998-2004

• Prepared and presented group staff development sessions and individualized sessions of training in several areas of need (e.g., Interclass, Gradebook, GroupWise, Inspirations, Mapper, PCC administration, TRO/PLATO)

• Attended technology meeting with other district master technology trainers, evaluated and trained on updates needs

• Designed and conducted surveys to find out teacher skills and needs in technology and subsequently prepared trainings in those areas and collaborated with the other trainers on my campus to make sure all staff needs were met

Vocational Adjustment Coordinator, South Garland High School, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, 2001-2004

• Conducted individual transition plans with every student with special needs at South Garland High School and advised them on transitioning information to facilitate graduation with knowledge of adult services

• Supervised one job coach and coordinated with the part-time vocational adjustment coordinator to facilitate student transition services, job employment and vocational class work

• Maintained a good relationship with regular vocational teachers, helped their students with special needs access their programs, assisted students in finding paid employment, and job coached students at work locations

• Developed and maintained good relationships with community businesses as an employment consultant and job search specialist

• Integrated technology use into the vocational preparation classes, prepared resumes,  completed on-line applications, accessed Texas Workforce Commission employment services, and established student email in a secure internet school site

Teaching Experience

High School Resource Teacher, South Garland High School, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, 1997-2001

• Integrated technology use into the classroom curriculum in campus based special education  resource classes for students with special needs

• Maintained and audited the special education department data

• Maintained a positive classroom environment and individualized curriculum for students with special needs as they worked and met their own goals and objectives

• Maintained relationships with and collaborated with supervisors, general education teachers, special education teachers, and coaches and helped all students succeed

Substitute Teacher, High Schools and Elementary Schools, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX 1997

• Implemented teacher lesson plans effectively and followed policies and procedures of the district, schools and classrooms

• Maintained good relationships with campus administrators, teachers, secretaries, and other staff on a variety of campuses throughout the district

• Incorporated knowledge about the district’s vision, goals, and cultural makeup which created flexibility and effectiveness at different campuses, and also in general education, special education and vocational classes

Cafeteria Manager, Part-time Physical Education Teacher, Basketball/Volleyball/Tennis/Cheerleader Coach and Substitute, Dallas Christian School, Mesquite, TX 1992-1997

• Owned and managed a personal business that ran the cafeteria for the elementary, middle school and high school for a year. Employed eight staff members and was offered the contract for the next year.

• Maintained good relationships with campus administrators, teachers, secretaries, and other staff on all three campuses and followed policies and procedures of the school, classrooms and extra-curricular activities

• Evaluated the specific instructional needs of the students for physical education and developed a curriculum to fit their needs

• Created successful athletic programs in 8^th grade girls basketball for 2 years, 7^th grade volleyball for 3 years, 7^th and 8^th grade boys and girls tennis for 5 years and supervised a variety of cheerleader groups (e.g., 7^th, 8^th grade, junior varsity, varsity) and coordinated all the groups for 3 of the 5 years

Substitute Teacher, Dallas Independent School District, Dallas, TX, 1980-1981, 1989-1992

• Implemented teacher lesson plans effectively and followed policies and procedures of the district, schools and classrooms

• Incorporated knowledge about the vision, goals, and cultural makeup of the district which helped me be flexible and effective at different campuses and in general education, special education and vocational classes

• Maintained good relationships with assistant administrators I had worked with at H. Grady Spruce, other campus administrators, teachers, secretaries, and other staff on a variety of campuses throughout the district

Vocational Home Economics Teacher, H. Grady Spruce High School, Dallas Independent School District, Dallas, TX, 1977-1980

• Designed and developed lesson plans and generated tests for the curriculum in 5 subjects (e.g., home economics 1, home economics 2, home economics 3, child development 2, family living

• Integrated a variety of teaching methods and instructional strategies, created a positive classroom climate to generate student interest and helped all students learn

• Maintained good relationships with campus administrators, teachers, secretaries, and other staff to foster teamwork to help all students learn

Additional Training/Professional Development

“Non Violent Crisis Intervention Training (NVCI)”, Garland, TX 2011

“Professional Development and Appraisal System,” Education Service Center Region 10 Richardson, TX

      October, 2008

“Instructional Leadership Development,” Education Service Center Region 10, Richardson, TX June, 2008

“Life Strategies Workshop for the Special Needs Family”, Dallas, TX 2010

“Podcasting”, Garland Independent School District Technology, Garland, TX, January, 2009

“BEH – Review 360 Training”, Garland Independent School District Technology, Garland, TX,

      December, 2009

“Office 2007: Access Basics”, Garland Independent School District Technology, Garland, TX, November, 2009

“PLATO Web Learning Network (PWLN): Basic Skills”, Garland Independent School District Technology, Garland, TX, September, 2009

“Non Violent Crisis Intervention Training (NVCI),” Garland, TX, 2009

“LEGAL – Special Education Connection,” Garland Independent School District Technology, Garland, TX

      January, 2009

“Travel Training Strategies for Students with Special Needs”, Garland Independent School District, Garland,

      TX, October, 2008

“EduGence”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, October, 2008

“Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/Automated External Defibrillator Training,” Garland, TX, September, 2008

“Achieve Texas”, Region 10, Richardson, TX, April, 2007

“PLATO-PWLN”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, May, 2007

“Desktop-Access II”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, April, 2007

“Desktop-Access I”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, March, 2007

“Travel Training,” Easter Seals, Austin, TX, February, 2007

“Evaluation-TAKS”, Garland Independent School District Technology, Garland, TX, December, 2006

“Career and Technology Education and Special Education—Facts and Strategies” Region 10, Richardson, TX

      March, 2006

“Garland Oracle”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, March, 2006

“Desktop-Excel II”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, October, 2005

OSHA Course 501, OSHA General Industry Outreach Trainer, Southwest Education Center, Mesquite, TX,

      June 2005

“Desktop-PowerPoint I & II”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, January, 2005

“Introduction to Project Management”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, June, 2004

“Board Maker Software”, Region 10, Richardson, TX, February, 2003

“MS Excel Fundamentals”, online, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, February, 2003

“PC Technology Course”, ITT Technical Institute, Richardson, TX, July, 2003

“GISD Tech Train Studies”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, August, 2000-May, 2002

“A Layout of Tomorrow’s Technology”, Richland College, Dallas, TX, June, 2002

“Networking: The Cisco Way”, Richland College, Dallas, TX, June, 2001

“Web Page Design Using Front Page 2000”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, May 2001

“MS Front Page”, Richland College, Dallas, TX, June, 2000

“Digital Imaging Technology”, Eastfield College, Mesquite, TX, May 2000

“Assistive Technology - What Does the Law Say and Legal Issues to Consider?” Infomart, Dallas, TX,

      December 1999

“Assistive Technology – Adaptive Computer Access” Infomart, Dallas, TX, December 1999

“Technology Bootcamp”, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX, June, 1998

Presentations

Avance, B (2008, June). Trinity Railway Express Training Presentation for Garland Independent School District, Garland, Dallas, Fort Worth, TX

Avance, B (2007, June). Dallas Area Rapid Transit Training Presentation for Garland Independent School District, Garland, Dallas, Richardson, TX

Avance, B (2006-2008, Jan-June), PLATO Knowledge Transfer Team trainings, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX

Avance, B (2006- 2008, Aug-Dec), PLATO Knowledge Transfer Team trainings, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX

Avance, B (2005, April), Garland Independent School District PLATO Knowledge Transfer Team Presentation at Association Supervision and Curriculum Development 2005 Annual Convention in Orlando, FL

Avance, B (2004), PLATO Behavior Adjustment teachers’ training, Garland Independent School District, Garland, TX

Grants/Honors

Graduated magna cum laude, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX, 2009

Avance, B (2009, Fall), Garland Independent school District BEST Foundation Grant $400

Avance, B, (2007, Spring), Garland Independent School District BEST Foundation Grant $1000

Graduated cum laude, Harding University, Searcy, AR, 1976

Professional Affiliations/Committee Member

Garland Kiwanis 2011-2012

National Association of Professional Women, 2009-2012

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2000-2012

Texas Area Vocational Adjustment Coordinators (TAVAC), 2001-2012

Dallas Area Vocational Adjustment Coordinators (DAVAC), 2001-2012

Garland Independent School District Special Education Business Advisory Council Member, 2001-2012

Association of Texas Professional Educators 1998-2011

Garland Independent School District Special Education Business Advisory Council, 2001-2010, treasurer,

Parent Teacher Association, Dallas Christian School, 1985-2008

State Developed Alternative Assessment II; Math Instructional Levels 6-8 Item Data Review Committee Member, Austin, TX, July 27-29, 2004

Parent Teacher Association, South Garland High School, 1997-2004

MATH TAAS TASKFORCE, South Garland High School, 1998-2000

South Garland High School Campus Improvement Team Member, 2000-2004

KAPPA DELTA PI, 1975-1979

I will be posting the questions and answers from my interview with my district superintendent on February 1, 2012 once he approves my write up of the details. I do not feel that it is ethical to post an interview reflection or the questions/answers without telling him I am suppose to do this for my week 2 assignment and giving him a chance to approve it. 2-10-12 After talking to Dr Lu, I will not be posting the questions and answers here. Sorry for the confusion.

I am so excited about my first individual video conference with my field supervisor, Dr Jimmie Creel, that is set up for February 23. I don't like the camera part, but I love the question and answer format. It will be a great opportunity to be mentored by a man with so much superintendent experience.

EDLD5396 SP1 12 SU3003 1st Web Conference Notes

January 26, 2012 7:00PM Conference Notes for Cohort 5

For those of you that could not make the web conference tonight, it was worthwhile to attend (not mandatory) but worth the time. Dr Creel gave us date ranges for our 3 individual web conferences with him. Conference #1 between February 20 and March 5th (will set time and date for 2nd one) , Conference #2 between April 16 and May 4th (will set time and date for 3rd one), Conference #3 between July 9 and July 23rd. He said to pick a date and time between 8:30 AM and 9:30 PM and send him an email with your 1st choice date and time and a 2nd choice date and time.

Dr Creel will post it somewhere for us to look at when we miss them. Did not ask that question;Where will the web conferences be posted to view?

Next week is Thursday, February 2nd  6:30PM (central time). You need a web cam and microphone. Ms Pam Komer will speak on the Lamar TK20. It is not optional is my understanding. When you sign in put your name EDLD5396 SP1 12 SU3003 like Earl did tonight. Good job, Earl. Dr Creel has lots of experience and will be fun to work with in my opinion.

I love being a life long learner!