I was recently asked to apply to become an Apple Distinguished Educator. Basically the program, which is facilitated by Apple, is a way to connect nationally, and internationally, with like minded educators each of whom are changing the old educational paradigms for the better. I have no idea if I will be accepted or not, but I very much love the idea behind the ADE program. My preference for Macs and related products aside, I think the notion of getting teachers like this together - even just helping to put them into contact with each other - is very cool.
On the other hand, funny as this may sound, while I am incredibly proud of what we've created with CMAS, on so many levels getting selected for the ADE program (should that happen) feels a bit like giving credit to the guy who sold you some paper to write your novel on. Despite all that can be said, and again, I am very proud of all we've done with CMAS - to say nothing of what I feel we can do with it in the future, at the end of the day - and please forgive the ridiculous cliche that this sounds like - it really is the students making it happen.
I've been teaching a long time. Far longer than I probably want to admit, but in that time I really have learned many things and one of them is that all I can really do is show them that there are opportunities for them to take advantage of. I cannot make them take advantage, I can only show them what is possible. They have to actually do the work. I don't say any of that lightly. It's just a reality of the gig.
All that in mind, I put together the required 2 minute video that Apple asks for as part of the selection process. The end result feels a bit, as I've said in other forums, self-indulgent for my taste, but I think I covered the main points that Apple wants. Here's a link to the final two minute submission: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nxAL_79aDc
In the end, the really cool thing (beyond some really wonderful comments by some incredible supporters of the program - there were so many more than I could include in this version) is that I found I have the foundation for what I think could be a great, and I think insightful, look into CMAS. I'm hoping to get this longer and, less "me centered" version complete shortly and be able to use it when I do presentations about CMAS and as a way for future/interested students to learn more about what it is we do.
I am also really hopeful to be selected as an ADE so that I can further my own understanding of what sort of possibilities there are to continue to expand all that CMAS has to offer. Wish me luck!
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