In today's Take10, we are excited to feature the one and only, Sam Wightman. We first met Sam at a local edCamp -- he is part of the team that coordinates edCamp NOVA, educator-driven professional development that offers choice and relevance, while building relationships across school districts throughout Northern Virginia.  As a Senior Instructional Technology Coordinator, Sam is an innovator in our field, helping to meaningfully infuse technology into classrooms and into the lives of students. So Take10 and meet the insightful, funny, techie, Sam Wightman.

This week we wrapped up our first semester of the school year at our middle school. And the stress level was palpable. Teachers were feeling the crunch of what seems to be a never ending to-do list. I swear every time I opened my email there was another thing to do. And I wasn't the only one; my students were feeling it too. I asked what in the world was going on when I saw one of my kiddos looking exasperated -- her reply, "there is just so much to do." Meanwhile, other students were acting so off task it was as if they had never been in a classroom before: a sure sign that their formative minds are completely overwhelmed. I honestly left my building Thursday afternoon, frustrated (like, where did I go wrong; how did I let myself get so stressed and why did I let myself stress my students out?). Time to dig deep and try to come up with solutions. I called my stepmom (a huge support in my life for decades and a veteran teacher with more than 30 years of experience) for ideas and also of course hit up some favorite blogs and websites. In case you had a week like mine (AAAHHHH - make it stop!),  here's what I found.

If you are a teacher who engages in Twitter (#edutwitter) than you know that the beginning of January is the season for declaring your one word. Teachers reflect and determine what one word will define their work in the coming year and then put it out there on Twitter using the hashtag #OneWord2019. I find great value in finding your one word, or as I sometimes call it a teaching intention. But this week I saw a teacher on Twitter post something that I had never before encountered in my 15 years of teaching - a PERSONAL mission statement. Brilliant! I had to have one! And also had the feeling of of course, why didn't I think of that? What a great way to remind yourself what you are all about, to share with your students and their parents, and your colleagues. ​

This week, we're back to a Take5 full of news and ideas from around the web. We've been reading about movement in the secondary classroom and key lessons that all kids need to learn. We're thinking about creating fantastic book displays to lure in readers, administrator observations, and using time on the school bus to extend learning. So, take a look and let us know what you think!

Happy Almost New Year! This week we are reposting a timely blog post from last year: Forget the New Year's Resolution; Try a Teaching Intention. I believe that if you are looking to inspire your teaching practice that this is a helpful approach. This year my intention is to teach each and every second with empathy. Life is so complicated; and every interaction with kids and our community counts. I want each child to know that I see them as an individual, with their own story and their own set of circumstances.

So what will be your teaching intention for 2018? Read the post, share, and let us know what your teacher intention is. We'd love to hear from you!

I strongly believe that these three big ideas can help all school librarians improve their teaching practice and in doing so, help improve the lives of the learners and teachers who visit their libraries to learn, read, dream, inquire, collaborate and create. I hope that if you missed the conference that this reflection post can help bring you up to speed. If you were able to attend the conference, I'd love to hear about your major take-aways.