With apologies to Charles Dickens, this year has been the best of times, it's been the worst of times. From the worst end, while trying to keep up on everything that has been successful, I've also been in constant touch with my doctor, and the diagnoses have been everchanging. Starting back in the Spring, I've been fortunate or unfortunate to spend an inordinant amount of time in the hospital, used a human pincushion, and lab rat - have had many, many blood tests, and MRI, x-rays, and a lumbar puncture and while I've learned that my brain (my pride and joy) is getting older, much older than the rest of me - the doctor stated that it is 15 years older, so it would be retired (not as funny as you would think) due to not getting earlier blood pressure tests. I joke that it's like Beautiful Mind, without the beautiful mind. More tests, and more diagnoses - fibromyalgia, cervicogenic headaches, with being diagnosed as bipolar, which seems to stick, but doesn't explain the pain. Now the good news, with all of the negatives, a lot of positives have occurred as well - I've received an updated on the Gus Stavros Award for Excellence in Teaching, FTE award, Knowledge @Wharton recognition, MCSS award and election to the state board, MME award, and election to the state board, nominated for the Apple Distinguished Educator Award for North America, MAMSE presentation, MACUL presentation, Flipped Teaching presentation, Flipped Classroom International Open House Honor, Flipped Classroom Presentation for West, Flipped Classroom certification through Sophia, Financial Literacy nomination through Wharton, all while completing my third book - Everybody Teach! and completing my 10th degree, J.D through Novus University, while receiving several other teaching offers, but I couldn't imagine being anywhere but TC West Senior High School. So again, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. And I wouldn't have it any other way! And thank all of you for your support as we fight the good fight!!

Scholar Spotlight: Brain Pickings

Brain Pickings easily the best intellectual websites out there - very nice article on something we've all been curious about - what is the inner drive behind the geniuses - we're closer to the answer with this excellent article and book.

Recommend Sophia.org Highly!

Sophia.org is an outstanding site for those scholars who are looking for tutorials, lesson plans and other resources to be the most updated in their fields. Certifications are available in many fields which is beneficial for learning and resume and career advancement. Let us know how this website works for you!

Essay on evolving ideas about technology and education | Inside Higher Ed

Essay on evolving ideas about technology and education | Inside Higher Ed

Common misconception that the flipped classroom has come about over the past couple years, whether looking at the work Bergmann and Sams have created, the academy that Sal Kahn created, or the applications that I have carried out, all around 2007 - but as you can see from this article, the ideas have been presented over the last 50 years, and the student centered approach could be argued over the past several thousand years....so I will happily pay homage to my creative professional ancestors when it comes to ideas that truly worked inside and outside the classroom to benefit our students....

Heading to the Foundation for Teaching Economics conference at Hillsdale College - chosen as on of the top Economic teachers in the country - very cool - will update the page after each day starting tomorrow - Study on! FTE link

Flipping the Classroom Network

Created by Knewton and Column Five Media

http://vodcasting.ning.com/

If you're trying to "update" your classroom to meet the needs of today's student, "flipping" the classroom is an area you may want to take a look at. You create an environment using technology and the classroom, so the student can view/click the links/sites/videos/presentations that will assist them in understanding the material (the items usually covered in the classroom), while working on the "homework" (projects and activities) in the classroom with assistance from the instructor - I've tested it out over the past couple years and have found it to be more effective in working with students at all levels - it's quite a change in the classroom, so you need to have a total "buy-in" from the teacher, to get a similar "buy-in" from the students. This link is to join like-minded professionals as we aspire to make our classrooms, and thus, our students, the best they can be. Good luck in your pursuits!

The Renaissance man: how to become a scientist over and over again

The Renaissance man: how to become a scientist over and over again