Guest Post by Matt Miller

What if you had access to a really GOOD Netflix-style online professional development?

You know, not boring videos of stuff that you’ll never use, but practical ideas. Inspiration. Plug and play activities you can use in class tomorrow. And from speakers you KNOW you’ll love to listen to.

Well, that Netflix of professional development exists, and it’s only available December 13th through January 7th!

Oh and it’s completely FREE! Watch the videos whenever you want over the window of the summit, and since it is virtual…you can make it PAJAMA PD! 

I’m Matt Miller, author of Ditch That Textbook … a blogger, speaker, creator of things for educators and the host of the Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit.

Every year I put on a free online conference for teachers each year called the Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit. Here are the details:

We release new sessions day by day for nine days. But once they're out, you can watch them (or rewatch them!) whenever and wherever you want, from the time it opens on December 13 until it closes on January 7.

Also one of the BEST things: the variety of speakers. DBC authors are featured PROMINENTLY in the Ditch Summit, with sessions including ...

• Teach Like a Pirate author Dave Burgess
• 50 Things You Can Do with Google Classroom author Alice Keeler
• Talk to Me author and Ron Clark Academy co-founder Kim Bearden
• EduProtocol Field Guide author Jon Corippo
• Explore Like a Pirate author Michael Matera
• Learn Like a Pirate author Paul Solarz
• Control Alt Achieve author Eric Curts
• … and more!

Oh, and there’s me! I (Matt Miller) have several sessions on tech integration, including a FUN one on my book, Tech Like a Pirate! It’s full of ideas to make learning memorable with tech!

Other speakers you can see at the Ditch Summit that you may have heard of ...

• Atomic Habits author James Clear
• Show Your Work author Austin Kleon
• Kid President co-creator Brad Montague

Here’s what educators are saying about the Ditch Summit: 

It is so motivating to hear passionate educators speak about how we can make a difference for students. It always takes place at a moment where everyone needs a little energy boost. Thanks! -- Emilie Racine, educational consultant, Quebec 

You DO NOT want to miss this year's #ditchsummit hosted by @jmattmiller. You gain valuable knowledge from top innovators AND receive tips you can implement immediately!!

It's FREE PD that will change the way you teach!!! -- Catherine Day, reading specialist, Pennsylvania

Have you registered? Go to DitchSummit.com to get signed up. (It'll take 15 seconds ... super quick. Go do it now so you don't forget!)

Oh, and there are free prizes, too! We will be giving away TONS of prizes throughout the summit including books signed by authors, edtech subscriptions, online courses, and more!

So, the topics … what are the presentations about? Each year, I’ve brainstormed my favorite presenters in the education space and asked them to participate in the summit. And each year, almost all have said yes!

This year’s new speakers include: 

• Dr. Catlin Tucker, author, educator, and blended learning expert
• Deanna Rice, STEM teacher and classroom supply guru
• Jen Giffen, sketchnote and visual thinking enthusiast
• Chanel Johnson, leader in STEM and culturally responsive teaching
• Merve Lapus, VP Education Outreach and Engagement, Common Sense Media
• Nate Ridgway, educator, author, UDL & differentiation enthusiast
• Todd Shriver, tech integration specialist, virtual guest guru
• Mike Lang, Director of Storytelling, ed.Xtraordinary
• Gina Ruffcorn, veteran fifth grade teacher, student choice advocate

Ways to share Ditch Summit with your colleagues:

1. Email your school staff, district staff, teacher friends, etc. about the summit.

You can copy and paste the text of this document into the email if you want to make it easy!

2. Tweet about it. Here's a quick and easy pre-written tweet you can use to tell others you're joining the summit -- so they can too. Have Facebook? Click here to post to Facebook about the summit. 

3. Hang up a flyer at your school. For the teachers who don't get this email newsletter (I know ... sad) here's a printable flyer (Google Slides file / PDF download) so they won't miss out on the Ditch Summit fun! (PS: Yes, you are allowed to hang this up in the staff restroom ... captive audience, you know ...)

If you’ve made it this far in this post and haven’t claimed your free ticket to the Digital Summit, what are you waiting for?!? Head to DitchSummit.com right now and get signed up!

-Matt

Thank you, Matt!

Hey...it's Dave again. Thank you to Matt Miller!!! I am super excited to share this FREE #DitchSummit opportunity with you. Thank you so much for all you are doing for colleagues and kids during this incredibly challenging school year. Hopefully, this will be the boost you need over winter break to help prepare you for the rest of the year. But...no need to watch them at any set time or day...even skip around to what best fits you. Priority one is BREAK. And, if you have the bandwidth, enjoy some of this free PD, too! Tempted to add a PJ picture here...but that may be too much!  

-Dave

Guest Post by Matt Miller

Thank you, Matt Miller!

Adam and Kat have created a powerful resource for ANYONE who provides instructional support for educators. Their approach will dramatically increase the effectiveness of the coaching relationship and produce results that matter for kids. 

Molly joined me on a special Facebook Live to discuss the book on the day of its release, and I am embedding the video below. We were also joined by the incredible Michele Gay. Michele’s daughter, Josephine, was killed in the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School and is the cofounder of Safe and Sound Schools. We are truly grateful to Michele for bringing her story and message of hope to the program. Here is that video...so many incredible parts of the story and background are shared by both Molly and Michele. 

Here are what just a few of the reviewers have said about Lindsay’s book:

"The best informed, most usable, and best-written book on games and learning we now have for educators, teachers and parents." --James Paul Gee, author of What Video Games Have to Teach Us about Learning and Literacy

“Whether you're a n00b or a pro, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for what happens in the mind when engaged in play.”—Amber Coleman-Mortley, director of social engagement, iCivics

“Lindsay Portnoy brilliantly shows us why and how to bring play’s power into classrooms through games.”—Peter Gray, research professor of psychology at Boston College

“Lindsay Portnoy does a wonderful job emphasizing the importance of play in learning and how we need to ensure that we are addressing equity in terms of play.”—Steve Isaacs, teacher, game design and development, Bernards Township Public Schools

“Game On? Brain On! is guaranteed to make you feel good while learning about play—just like a great, fun game!”—Dr. Kat (Karen) Schrier, author of Knowledge Games

Guest Post by Rae Hughart

You’ve heard the phrase a hundred times - “We are living in unprecedented times.” However, just as we did before, we will do it again… Teachers are out there supporting students like Rock Stars! We are working long hours, clicking refresh on our emails, and filling notebooks with scribbles from class discussions. Boy, we are surely living in unprecedented times. 

Nevertheless, it seems like, even more than ever, teachers are carrying the stress of needing to give 100% to their students each day. And the worst part is, a Zoom 100% Teacher is like a classroom teacher on speed! It feels like we have to up the ante every day… Can you say lights, camera, action, Teach?!

I talk with my students all the time about the inability for anyone (yes - including teachers) to give 100% all the time, all day long. It's just impossible with all of the other moving pieces in a person's life! Everything from a chip in your manicure to caring for a sick loved one can affect your Best. Negative situations will come our way. The question is, what will you do about them? 

So, I do not set an unrealistic expectation and ask my students to give 100% each day. Rather, I ask them to give Today's Best. 

Today’s Best is the best any person can give throughout their day at any moment in time. Sometimes Today's Best is only 90% of their typical effort, because they are struggling with a small outside factor. Other times, Today's Best is asking the student, friend, or family member to operate at 70% or even 60% - because at that moment, that is the best they can muster. 

Rather than set an impractical expectation when the going gets tough, simply provide the best you can for that day, at that moment. Because the truth is, no one - even during unprecedented times - can give their 100%, 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week. 

The best part? You can start over at any time! Why? Because sometimes a simple smile can elevate your Best immensely. It's amazing what some love and laughter can do for the soul!

So, what does your “Todays Best” look like? Take a pulse on your emotional state and teach your students to do the same. Then, share out how your Best is going today using #TLAP and #TeachersDeserveIt. Will you commit to Today’s Best?

- Rae

Thank you, Rae!