Tennessee DEN

(Thanks to RJ Stangherlin for posting this on the Pennsylvania DEN Blog) 

We had a Leadership Council webinar last evening, so I would like to share some of the important reminders and information from Lance.

Without a doubt, the DEN Tech or Trear Fall Virtual Conference was an astounding success. We held the same numbers of attendees as we had last year. But–and here’s the good news–we grew our Live Event sites and numbers.

Want to be a DEN GURU? That would step you up to Level 4 in DEN. You ask, what are the “levels.” And the answer is:

1. DEN
2. DEN STAR
3. DEN LC
4. DEN GURU.

There are advantages at any level, but if you step up to GURU (up to 5 people will be chosen this first year), you will have noticeable benefits that set you apart. Perhaps the largest benefit is that Discovery will take you, free of charge, to a national convention. Application deadline: November 15, 2009

This brings me to the big event I really want to push because completing this one is easy and a lot of fun. You can make a podcast or a video telling how you use Discovery Education resources in your classroom. Doesn’t have to be a big deal project–keep it short and simple (the KISS philosophy) and then upload it. Fun, fast, and a FREE Discovery hoodie, limited edition is in the mail to you. And just in case the idea of uploading to Media Share daunts you, this upload is to a simple spot where Discovery will mine your golden uses. Do it today, because the deadline is November 15.

Some of my best friends are actively engaged in pursuing the MS in Instructional Media offered by Discovery Education and Wilkes University. I remember the kick-off two years ago at the National Institute. We were even offered 3 credits for a minimal fee to begin the degree work with our week’s intense completion of learning. Although I am not one to regret decisions, I often wish I had made the choice to study for this degree. Keeping in touch with my friends who were the first class to begin this program, I can tell you that the subject matter is extremely engaging, timely and worthwhile.

This summer I had the good fortune to follow the China Adventure. What an amazing trip this was, packed with singular experiences that only could be found in a Discovery Education adventure. Nothing beats repeating a good thing, so the China and Australia trips are encores. New to the venue are the Arctic, Anarctica, Costa Rica, and Ecudor/Galapagos Islands. You will definitely need to have your prospective students fund raise, but if you get 5 students to sign on, you as their teacher travels free.

Not exactly Fast Five, but there you have it, a synopsis of some of the best and time-sensitive offers from Discovery. - R.J. Stangherlin (PN DEN LC)

That’s right all you DENners!  The annual DEN Virtual Conference is happening on Saturday, October 24 beginning at 9 AM EST.  And, while you could stay in bed all day in your comfy PJs and participate via Webex, we encourage you to find a live event near you and get even more from your Day of Discovery than you could have imagined!

Tennessee is hosting 3 locations for the Live/Virtual Conference.  These include Memphis, Knoxville, and Cleveland.  No, Cleveland, Tennessee!

The Virtual Agenda looks like this:

Schedule
(All times ET)

9 AM
Can I Help You With That?  The Student as Collaborator, Creator and Director
with Justin Karkow

10 AM
Do You Have the Audacity to Podcast?

11 AM
Thinking Outside the Slide

12 PM
Putting the Bling in Your Builders
with Steve Dembo

1 PM
What on Earth is a Gloggle?

2 PM
Be Nice and Share: Publishing Your Media-Infused Projects for the World to See

3 PM
Can I Help You With That?  The Student as Collaborator, Creator and Director
encore presentation with Justin Karkow

The LIVE events will include even more workshop offerings for you!  Look for more information soon concerning how to register for the LIVE events in our state.  You won’t want to miss it!

This Saturday over 100 teachers are scheduled to meet together at St. George’s Independent School located at:

1880 Wolf River Boulevard
Collierviille, TN  38017
8:30 to 3:30

There are still spaces available!  You can register here.

You can see the agenda for the workshop here as well.

This is going to be an exciting day of workshops and networking!  Don’t miss it!!

On Tuesday, May 27, the DEN sponsored a webinar to announce the DENny Awards.  While many, many people were honored, the Tennessee Leadership Council won 3 awards!

First, the leadership council as a whole won an award for Most Creative Events.  The two events that put us over the top were our Digital Camera training at Best Buy in Knoxville, and the “Movie”-ing Down the River event at the TN Aquarium.  We were psyched win this award!

Second, Tim Childers won a Leadership award for his work regarding the blog and various videos created and uploaded.  Also receiving a Leadership award was Susan Tompkins, the chair of the Louisiana LC.  You can see a short video created by Tim and Susan at the last DEN Leadership Institute below.

Last, and most importantly, Teryl Magee, won the presitigious Leader Award for her outstanding service to the DEN in TN and beyond.  Teryl has done a remarkable job bringing the TN DEN to the forefront of all the LCs across the country.

Your TN Leadership Council is continuing to work hard for all the DEN members across the state.  Look for more information soon about upcoming events.

And now that video…

Nobody does Teacher Appreciation better than Discovery!  If you are a STAR Discovery Educator, head over to the DEN National Blog every day this week and register to win one of the many cool give-aways being offered.

Today, Mimeo is partnering with Discovery.  Check out the National blog every day.

Oh, and did I mention each registration has a deadline?  Don’t go there late!