Goals and Resolutions

What crazy things are you tackling this new year? Did you claim it as yours? I did not. However, we have signed up for a few half marathons, a life/ business course with Scott Miller, along with a few other drastic changes that were long in the making. I have goals to make A’s in my doctoral courses and I am resolved to run those races and read 24 books.

I can not wait to see this year unfold, but for now we are definitely off to an amazing start. And as always, we recognize God’s amazing grace in all of our blessings.

Reminder set attainable goals and resolve to do something that builds you up.

Wishing you a great week!

Tolmans are talking about going back to school

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-q6x65-ebf1d5

In this episode, Doug and I are talking about going to school and what that is feeling and looking like for me mostly.   

Tolmans are talking about virtual learning and virtual teaching

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-s27aq-eaa736

This has been a hard season for our family to transition too. This week Doug has been home and he’s sharing his observations and how he’s taking the experience as a growth opportunity for not only himself but for his staff. 

Hardwired

After a week of WiFi issues we’ve opted on hardwiring everyone to eliminate or at least minimize connectivity issues within our home.
We were asked what do people who aren’t familiar with these solutions do?
Doug’s response: they go on Facebook to complain.
🤷🏻‍♀️ sounds accurate
All jokes aside, we did have a chat with our kids about the blessing that it is to have these things within our own home. Make no mistake it’s an investment.
We shared an image that was circulating where the kids are on the sidewalk doing their class work. We reminded them that they should have grace and recognize the small blessings that these conveniences are… even when they seen inconvenient.
Maybe some adults can recognize the same.

Items purchased include a LOT of Ethernet wire, an 8 port switch, and usb to Ethernet adapters.

Happy Sunday.

Starting school in a new season

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-fun38-e92abb

As school starts we are sharing what it was like to send one to college and how we (me) is managing life at home as a teacher and a mom.

Tolmans are starting a new season!

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-f85sf-e63df7

We are truly starting a new season in our home with the way that we teach, parent and basically navigate this new space that life has provided. We are having the big discussions regarding the decisions being made by those around us and how that affects those of us who actually teach. This is an incredibly candid talk about how classrooms are being affected even more unnecessarily than needed. 

Creating solutions

I am seeing so many educators struggle for so many reason and I decided to create something that would alleviate some concerns. I have decided to add content to my YouTube channel that gives MINUTE long lessons on how to bring technology into your classroom. The videos are created in real time to show that we are heavily overthinking what we need to do for this new and revised version of teaching.

I am both a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and Microsoft Innovative Educator Trainer, so I know a little about what I am talking about.I am currently only at 3 but have a whole list of topics in mind.

I respect and value time and learning which is why I kept them short but relevant. Anything I suggest is because they have proven effective and I am not being paid by anyone to promote them. Here’s the link- I hope you find something that helps.

Yours in service.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIsk-B0pU1-t7N71x5LiEYA/

👩🏻‍🏫Teacher Rant Not Related to Going Back👩🏻‍🏫

I rarely post my annoyances with online schooling- however- I’m really frustrated with everyone pushing Google classroom.
I get it it’s easy.
But we don’t use Google docs as adults- we use Word, PowerPoint, Sway, Excel!! So why are we as educators not encouraging this as the platform.
Our district already offers free downloads for the students so they can work offline.
I love using Teams- we just finished our summer program where we had a Team for us as educators to collaborate and another for the students.
If you are an educator PLEASE take the time to see the benefits of preparing our students for real life and not choosing something because it’s easy-for you. (Kids can be taught-my students have been using Teams and OneNote for a few years now)
As educators/teachers we expect our students to learn new concepts even when the content is hard.
Don’t let your own professional growth be limited because it’s hard. It’s really not. But you have to use it to learn it.
And I’m certified in both- so I do have experience with both platforms.
Okay rant over.
Here’s the link if you want you see everything this platform offers.
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

https://education.microsoft.com/en-us

Tolmans are starting summer!

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-umvzk-e1d554

Doug and I are wrapping up Season 1 and we’re sharing our plans for summer, school and family during a pandemic. We’ll be back in August but we’re excited to share how we’re prepping in this time. 

Co-parenting struggles and perception

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-8jn42-e0a56d

In this episode, we are discussing how one bonus parent’s perception is affecting her partner’s final parenting obligation. This is a hard talk but one we definitely felt needs to be heard. Co-parenting and parenting are not walks in the park, kids are horrible sometimes, but they’re still yours, keep that in mind.