Hear Ye! Hear Ye! #Kinderchat Needs Leaders!!!

... yup, that is right. The time has come once again for us to hang out the "help wanted" sign, because:

#KINDERCHAT IS HIRING! 

For the 2015-16 school year, we are recruiting chat leaders (note the name change from moderators). The compensation is beyond price (this is a fancy way of saying that we have no money with which to pay you), and includes:

•  Involvement with something fresh and exciting
•  Input into our ideas and projects, 
• Practice with tech tools that may be new to you
• Stronger connections to the entire #kinderchat network. 
• Opportunities to grow your own PLN
• The FUN of being "behind the scenes" at #kinderchat 
• Depending on how progressive your administrators and/or school district are, your involvement could possibly count as PD hours. 

Ready to learn more?

(We have tweaked the topics and categories a little for next year, so even if you have moderated in the past, it is worth a look at the job description!)

The #kinderchat chat leader job description is RIGHT HERE. READ IT BEFORE APPLYING! We want you to know what you are getting into!

 Ready to apply?

The #kinderchat  job application (we use the same application for all positions) is right here.

Looking forward to adding some friends to the backstage party!

Amy & Heidi

New Blogging Challenge: Your story, as a reader...

Hi Friends!

We all have stories. As educators, we tend to focus on the stories of our classrooms and students, and of ourselves as teachers. But we all have stories that go before, beyond, and above the school stories. These unique stories help connect us as people. Share YOUR story with us this October, as part of Connected Educator Month!

A new assignment every Friday. Blog it, then tweet it with the #Kinderblog14 #ce14 and #Kinderchat hashtags. You can also post the link in the comments, here, or on the #kinderchat facebook page.

This week's assignment:

The story of you, as a reader. Who are you, as a reader? When and how did you learn to read? Did you love it right away? Did you have to learn to love it? Do you still  NOT love it? What is the story of your story with stories?

We can't wait to read it!

New Blogging Challenge: The Stories We Share

Hello, friends!

As part of our involvement with Connected Educator Month, we are excited to host a blogging challenge right here, for the month of October. Like all of our challenges, it is easy to join, and you can participate to whatever degree you want: write ALL the posts, or pick and choose the ones that float your boat and/or fit your schedule!

Here's the scoop:

We all have stories. As educators, we tend to focus on the stories of our classrooms and students, and of ourselves as teachers. But we all have stories that go before, beyond, and above the school stories. These unique stories help connect us as people. Share YOUR story with us this October!

Every Friday, we will post a new story for you to share. Your job: write the story on your blog, then tweet the link using the #kinderblog14 and #ce14 hashtags. You're also welcome to post the link to your post in the comments RIGHT HERE, or on our Facebook page. If you are not a blogger, you can follow those hashtags, and participate by commenting on the posts other people write.

Ready?! GOOD, because the first topic has been burning a hole in my keyboard for WEEKS!

Tell us YOUR story. Who are you when you’re not “Teacher”?  If you had to describe yourself and your life WITHOUT talking about your job, what would you say?

Yeah, I know, it's a tough one. You can do it! We believe in you.

Now, get blogging!

Smiles and Sunshine;
Amy

Help Wanted! That's right, #kinderchat is hiring!

... yup, that is right. The time has come once again for us to hang out the "help wanted" sign, because:

#KINDERCHAT IS HIRING! 

For the 2014-15 school year, we are recruiting chat moderators, and (NEW THIS YEAR) official kinderchat pinners!. The compensation is beyond price (this is a fancy way of saying that we have no money with which to pay you), and includes:

•  Involvement with something fresh and exciting
•  Input into our ideas and projects, 
• Practice with tech tools that may be new to you
• Stronger connections to the entire #kinderchat network. 
• Opportunities to grow your own PLN
• The FUN of being "behind the scenes" at #kinderchat 
• Depending on how progressive your administrators and/or school district are, your involvement could possibly count as PD hours. 

Ready to learn more?

(We have tweaked the topics and categories a little for next year, so even if you have moderated in the past, it is worth a look at the job description!)

The #kinderchat chat moderator job description is RIGHT HERE.
The #kinderchat official pinner job description is RIGHT HERE. (There are multiple pinner positions available, so don't be shy!)


Ready to dive right in and apply?

The #kinderchat  job application (we use the same application for all positions) is right here.

Looking forward to adding some friends to the backstage party!

Amy & Heidi

We're Moving!

Hello Friends!
We are officially moving to our new site over at Kinderchat.org! 
Please visit us there!
Thank you!

#Kinderblog14, week 5: Arts & Entertainment

Holy crippity-crap, it is Sunday, isn't it? And that means you folks are waiting for another challenge.

Ok, here goes:

Arts and Entertainment:

When you spend all day in a room with young children, there is no avoiding the moments where it is all you can do not to bust out laughing.

What are the parts of this job that make you laugh the hardest (or work the hardest to KEEP from laughing)? Share examples if you want -- we all have our stories that should go in a book some day!

Because, let's be honest: it really DOES resemble a circus, some days!

Remember to tweet your post using the #kinderblog14 hashtag, and to post the link in the comments here, and/or on our Facebook page.

Smiles & Sunshine;

Amy

#Kinderblog, Week 4: The Personals

Hello my friends!

I know I am a day late with this one. I am on vacation in the middle of nowhere (which is also the middle of EVERYTHING that matters. It's beautiful here.) and both my time and my internet access are a little sparse. Have no fear, though, I am ready to challenge you today!

For the 4th week of this challenge, you once again have 2 choices:

1.) Write about a relationship (either personal or professional) that challenges you, or is maybe difficult for you. What makes it hard? What are the ways that it makes you grow? Is it worth the difficult-ness? Why do you think that relationship came into your life? What are you learning from it?

2.) Write a personals ad for the perfect classroom assistant or partner teacher for YOU. What are the skills and qualities that balance out your strengths and weaknesses? What are the areas of knowledge that are less strong for you, and that would be important in a partner-in-crime for you? What are some of your quirks that someone else might need to be patient with?

As always, tweet your responses with the #kinderblog14 hashtag, post a link in the comments, and/or share it on our Facebook page.

I can't wait to read about you!

Smiles & Sunshine from paradise
xo
Amy

#Kinderblog, Week 3: Homes and Gardens

Well, hello, friends!

I know I am just under the wire on this one, but it is still Sunday in my part of the world, so I feel like I'm ok.

Last week's challenge was... very challenging for many of you, and I wanted to give big shiny gold stars to those of you who found the courage to express disagreement. I really think this is one of the hardest things for teachers to do, but also the most important for all of us as professionals. If you opted out last week, I completely understand, but I also hope that, maybe, it planted a seed of courage in you, and that maybe somewhere down the line, you will find a way to meet the spirit of the challenge in your own way.

This week's challenge is a lot less scary, and even includes TWO possible ways to participate:

Option 1: What is the process you follow for setting up your classroom? What are your priorities, your values, your beliefs, about classroom setup, decor, and organization? (Feel free to share photos! We love photos!)

Option 2: How do you feel about where you live? This could be your house, your neighbourhood, your city, region, even your country. What do you love about it? What do you hate? What would you change if you could? Again, we love pictures!

Ready, set, go!

As always, remember to tweet your response using the #kinderblog14 hashtag, and to link to it in the comments here, or on Facebook.

I can't wait to read about the places you love.

Amy

#Kinderblog14, Week 2: Letters to the Editor

Hello again, friends! I know it is already Monday in some parts of the world, but it's still Sunday in my beautiful Mountain Time Zone, so I AM NOT LATE YET!

I loved loved loved reading your responses to the Week #1 challenge, so much so that I sort of want to just make you all finish ANOTHER draft post, just to see what we are all hesitant and unsure about. I sometimes feel like the bravest thing we do, as bloggers, is hit "publish" and wait for the response.

HOWEVER, I imagine you all would like a new challenge, so here it is. (Please note that this will still required you to Be Brave). This is a new sort of challenge (almost like a field trip!) and it has 2 parts:

1: ANYWHERE ON THE GREAT WIDE INTERWEBZ: Find an article or blog post that you do not agree with, and post your response in the comments of that article/post. Obviously, do this in a way that is respectful, professional, and kind, but BE CLEAR about your points of disagreement and the reasons for them.

2: On your OWN blog, share a link to the article, a brief summary of it, and tell us WHY it pressed your buttons. Is it just plain WRONG? It is misleading? Is it misinformed, or not adequately informed? Is it striking a nerve for you personally because of a specific situation or experience?

Yeah. I know. I am totally pushing you to air some of your dirty laundry. It feels good. Trust me.

When you're all done, tweet the link with the #kinderblog tag, share it in the comments below, and/or on our Facebook page.

Ok... go!