Classroom Set up-day 2, technology coach?

So before and after my work today on Quickbooks I was also trying to setup my classroom.  Things that I know I still have to do, receive and put away all the ordered material.  Including stamping all the new books for Office 2010 that we are getting.  Separate books for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and of course Publisher.  That fun still awaits me.

I did have the privilege of talking with our district technology guru today (what a nice guy :) ).  I shared with him a problem that I noticed on my machine, and thought might cause some problems for teachers/staff unable to find a solution.  So here it is: when I click on my documents it gives me an error message saying it can't be found.  I can very easily find it by clicking on my computer and then clicking my drive on the server, but any spot in windows that says my documents use to go to my drive on the network now doesn't work.  Andy (the nice computer guru) changed some things (I know technical term) on the network in order to manage it better (YEA!), but this is what cause the problem.  The direct point to my files on the server location is wrong, so I think it will be wrong for everyone at the high school ??  So is it better to know and fix now, I hope so otherwise there will be a lot of tech support tickets going out on it.

I also talked with Andy about getting my computer up to Windows 7.  My entire lab is Windows 7 and I thoroughly believe I should be demonstrating within the same environment that that the students are working in. So we had a big discussion on Windows Licensing and and nice new automation to work with Windows using a KMS update (I am hoping that I am remembering it correctly) and how this great automation system is not working and he is working to determine what the issue is.  Good Luck!

After my quickbooks session I was then able to meet with my Principal and Vice Principal to discuss the schedule for next year and what it looks like for the business department.  My district has been great on maintaining high moral for employees through the issue happening in Wisconsin and to teacher unions, so I was nervous to find out what they really wanted from Cindy and I.

Reduced funding means reduce staff.  How is this happening?  Not hiring back all the retirees that left, some positions are going unfilled and others are being filled by half-time staff, but I always hear on how they are looking to best suit the needs of the students.  Cindy is going to be working a some capacity in the Middle School.  She has done this previously and is very willing and excited to do this.  The problem being is they don't know what she is teaching or even what grade.  Let me tell you this dose not sit well with her.  Cindy is a great planner and likes to have the time to think through what she will be doing and what is the best way possible to attain this.  I know she will be do a fantastic job, but I was really hoping that this meeting would alleviate some of her stress, alas not yet.

I had for most of last year meet with the principal for 1 prep period a week talking about technology and where we can go and what Seymour can do.  I know we missed weeks, but I can't say how much this has helped our communication.  Prior to last school year I didn't feel appreciated or valued for my knowledge or contribution to the school, so I am glad to have put the time in to build that relationship.  So what does that mean for my schedule?  I am now going to have time during the day to teach teacher technology!  Yippee!  I have lots of ideas, exciting (just hope I don't lose contact wit my FBLA kids).

I did ask for a statement or sheet from my principal and vice principal on their goals/vision or thoughts on what they would like to have accomplished during my time.  I have ideas, but I need to make sure that we are both on the same page.  So if you have ideas on how I can help get the technology train moving.  Let me know.  I know one of my first steps is Google Apps up and running for students and staff and the school (then training them on how to use it).

So busy day 6 hours on my previous post on quickbooks and 3 hours on this.  Don't forget you can click on the link on the right to see my total hours work today.  Current I am 221.5 hours since school got out.  That is over 5.5 weeks if you say you work 40 hours a week.