Barney Desroches

Hello!

Last week I was in Tokyo, Japan on vacation when I placed my initial post to our EWYL blog -- from a Kinko's Copy center on a pay-by-the-minute computer (yes, Kinko's exists in Japan, along with KFC, Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and just about every other common franchise). Anyway, now that I'm back to San Mateo, I can finally include a photo.

I work at The Carey School in San Mateo, an independent Pre-K - 5th grade school. I am the technology director, which means I do a little of everything to support the faculty, staff and students. In addition, I teach computers to all students in our Mac computer lab on a weekly basis. I really love my job, and the enthusiastic kids I teach. I look forward to incorporating the new technologies and curriculum we develop in the EWYL program into my classroom.

I've enjoyed learning a little about each of you via this blog, and can't wait to meet all of you July 9th! What an interesting and dynamic group!

See you soon!

Barney

Jennifer Yuen

Hi there!
My name is Jennifer Yuen and I have just survived my second year of teaching! I teach 6th grade english and history, but will be teaching math and history next year. Woohoo!! Through EWYL, I hope to learn more about technology and walk away feeling that I, for once, know more about it than my students!!

So far my summer has been hectic. I spent a fabulous week in Hawaii and upon return, I have already had "team" meetings to start planning for next year. (Trust me, it's not me who's eager to begin thinking about school again!) Also, I have been juggling my time between helping my cousin get ready for her 7/7/07 wedding, along with hanging out with my 10 week old niece who is the most adorable thing ever!!! I still haven't managed the whole changing dirty diaper thing yet. I muster up the courage each time, but literally gag at the smell alone. I know...TMI! Other than that, with one more week of supposed "free time", I am looking forward to learning all that I can from EWYL because I've just seen all the amazing projects teachers design after taking this course! I'm also excited that I get to work with some familiar faces, Danielle and Jon. :)

Scott Forbes

'Am looking forward to beginning the EWYL program. I've been something of a hermit since the school year ended. I just received a job offer from a new district. I'm a science teacher and the new district wants me to teach both science and math so I've signed up to take the CSET in math this summer. I've been pouring over my old math books and hoping that I'd remember some trig and things about polynomials ... yikes; I feel like I'm back in college.
The main difference is that I now have a four year old ... so when I'm not hitting the old precalculus books I'm sitting down to a tea party with her and some stuffed bears.
'Hope everyone has been enjoying their summer so far. I posted a link to my website in my profile. It is a pretty basic site but it kept parents informed during the school year.
http://www.geocities.com/skforbes@sbcglobal.net/

Take care all and see you in a few weeks.

Scott

Marisa DaSilva

Hello All,

My name is Marisa DaSilva. I teach 8th grade Language Arts. I prefer talking to people in person, rather than this "blogging" thing. But, if I must, I must. I'm still hesitant when it comes to using technology to communicate. I'm hoping that the EWYL training will help me embrace all the good things about the Internet and technology.

Does anyone else feel like time is running out? I know my summer just started, but I'm already planning for the Fall and feel like the summer isn't long enough. Maybe I just need to relax, chill out, and enjoy everyday as it comes. Now there's an idea! A teacher who can relax. What a concept.

I absolutely enjoy teaching and hope I can improve my skills so my students can benefit. I think that is all I want. I don't want to fail my students. I don't want them to fall short, because of something I did (or didn't do). Yeah, 8th Graders can be difficult students to teach (to say the least), but I wouldn't teach any other audience. I enjoy their energy, humor, and the "off beat" vision they have on life.

Well, that's it for now. Looking forward to meeting everyone at the training. I'm excited.

Kind regards,
M---

Charles Schletzbaum

I'm an 8th year teacher about to start my 7th consecutive year teaching Physics at Milpitas HS.

I met my wife on a MUD when I lived in Massachusetts and she in Alabama. (for those who don't know, a mud is an old TEXT based MMORG like world of warcraft and Evercrack). Of course, Mudding was also the reason I was on the 7 year college plan like Tommy Boy. I am married to Jammie and I have 3 children; Michael 14 (ACK a teenager), Alex 7 (and mildly autistic) and Brandon 5 (cute but sneaky). My summer so far has been 2-4 DVDs a day, playing LAN videogames against my 14 year old, and introducing my oldest to tabletop miniature games. I am looking forward to this, but I am also wondering if anyone lives in the FAR east, as I commute from Manteca daily for school, and if there is anyone who wants to carpool, that would be awesome (even though I snore in cars :-) )

Dana Gaudio

My name is Dana Gaudio. I teach at Graham Middle School in Mountain View. Next year I will be teaching two periods of 7th grade Social Studies, two periods of 8th grade Social Studies, and Leadership. I have been teaching for 11 years. As I enter into my 12th year, I've decided that I needed to work on the amount of technology that I use in my classroom. I am really excited to be part of the EWYL program this year. When I am not teaching, I spend time with my new niece who is 3 months old tomorrow and I coach many sports for Northern California Special Olympics! I look forward to meeting everyone in a couple of weeks.

Ilka Handler

Hello Everyone! My name is Ilka Handler and I teach Integrated Science and Biology at Woodside High School. For now, I am keeping busy teaching summer school but I will be well rested by the time we meet next month. I am taking a short trip to Mexico.
I do not have a pic to include at this moment. My son Maxwell, 15, took the camera to Mississippi (his first trip away from home) for Katrina relief. I also have a 13 year old son, Jacob.
As I learn and develop my skills I continue to incorporate more technology in the classroom. I am eager to learn ways to engage, motivate and challenge my ELL students as well.
I am looking forward to meeting all of you soon; I've enjoyed reading the bios.

Ilka

Jenni Cummings

Hi everyone!!

My name is Jenni Cummings and I am a kindergarten teacher at Monta Loma School in Mountain View. I have been wanting to make a post on this all month but incredibly, this is my first opportunity to do so. In addition to being a teacher, I am also a photographer. I am actually off this weekend to photograph a friend’s wedding in Redding.

I love taking pictures of my students, and using them to help them learn. I am hoping to find new ways to use technology and photography to help teach my students this summer. The ironic thing is that even though I am a photographer, it took 3 weeks to find a photo of myself. It seems that I am always behind the camera these days and rarely in front of the lense. This photo shows me having fun in a hobby of mine…karaoke. I was so excited to find a group of friends at work that love karaoke as much as I. Don’t be fooled by my love of singing however. As much as I love it, and do it, I will never be found on American Idol, or even Bay Area Idol for that matter. It is just a lot of fun. I look forward to meeting all of you next month.

:-) Jenni

Melissa

Hello Everyone!

I am so excited about participating in this year's program. I just finished my first year of teaching in a sixth grade classroom at Allen Elementary School in San Bruno. I was chosen to pilot the Promethean Activboard in my classroom and I think this program will help me use it effectively. I think that it is so important to incorporate technology into the classroom and I can't wait to get started. My other passions are animals and conservation. I am posing with my cat Phoebe in this picture. Anyways, I can't wait to meet everyone and to share ideas. See you all soon!

--Melissa

Angie Cary

Hello! My name is Angie Cary and I teach 5^th grade at the Charter School of Morgan Hill. The charter is based on Project Based Learning. I believe technology is an integral part of this process which is why I am really looking forward to EWYL. I just completed my first year of teaching… I survived, better than I expected… and I am looking forward to doing everything different next year! I look forward to meeting you all after my visits to Alaska, Canada, Boston, and DC in the next 3 weeks. My first video (edited with iMovie) explains about my growth as a young teacher: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L-MJQxflKk I look forward to meeting you all!

This is a picture I took while visiting a stilt village in Ghana. They had no running water, no sewage system, and of course no electricity... Favorite community past time: watching a small black and white TV run off an old car battery. Ah... the things we do for technology!

Jan Chock

Hi
Last day of school was today. I teach 8th Grade physical science at John Muir in the San Jose Unified School District. Most of my teaching was done at private schools, the majority of them back east, followed by a few years at a an educational dot com in Sunnyvale. I look forward to meeting you all and working with you in July.
BTW - those little ones are my 8 day old twin granddaughters, Flora and Nadia.
Jan

Alex Brown

Greetings!

My name is Alex. I just finished up my first year of teaching at Woodside High School. I teach Integrated Science and Biology and I am loving it!

I am always looking for ways to incorporate technology into my classroom and I can't wait for this summer.

Steve Burrell

Hi everybody!

My name is Steve Burrell and I feel so fortunate to be joining the EWYL team this summer as an instructor. It should be a whirlwind, tech-filled three weeks!

As the year comes to end, I am winding up my fifteenth

year of teaching seventh grade language arts and social studies (sometimes I'm not sure who's crazier me or my students.) Currently, I just finished my second year at Lawson Middle School in Cupertino after spending the previous ten at Cupertino Middle School.

Technology has always been part of my career, all the way back to the lab full of Apple IIe computers. Besides teaching core, I've also taught computer electives, yearbook, and provided our campus with technical support. Three years ago I spent the summer as an EWYL participant just prior to beginning a Enhancing Education Through Technology grant at Cupertino Middle School. The goal of the grant was to use technology to level the playing field for special education students by mainstreaming them into a classroom with one-to-one computers for all students. This experience has truly been career changing as it accomplished what it set out to do--empower the less fortunate students!

During my free time, I love spending time at the beach with my wife and three beautiful kids (we live in Aptos and usually vacation on Kauai.)


I look forward to a fabulous summer with everyone...

Jeff Schmidt

Hi everyone!

My name is Jeff Schmidt. I teach Video Production at Central County Occupational Center (CCOC). My class is made up of mostly juniors and seniors in high school, however, we also accept adults and an occasional 10th grader as well. Diversity is an understatement in my classroom. I look forward to the EWYL program, learrning new tools and tricks to enhance my ability to be the most effective teacher I can.

I am also very excited about the on-going project that will come from the EWYL program!!!

I can't wait to meet you all and get the ball rolling.

See ya soon.

JEFF

Nichole Crawford

Hi, my name is Nichole Crawford. I am a fourth and fifth grade math and science teacher at Audubon Elementary School in Foster City. I am just wrapping up my second year as a teacher and like many of you, I am just trying to survive the end of the year. Before teaching I worked in the corporate world (Boeing, Teradyne, GAP Inc.) as a Process Engineer, and am enjoying the change into the teaching world. Teaching is definitely my passion.

At Audubon I am currently the technology liaison for my school as well as student council advisor, safety patrol advisor and treasurer for the social committee.

When I am not teaching I like to spend time entertaining friends and family, reading, traveling, photography, working out, trying out many yummy restaurants and drinking wine!

Last summer I was getting married, and this summer I am excited to learn lots of useful tools and techniques to use with my kiddo's at school.

(The second picture is on our whirlwind tour of Italy for our honeymoon last summer. We were very lucky to spend a very relaxing month in Italy...)

Can't wait to meet everyone...by the way I love reading through the bios.

Catherine Baron

Hi! Catherine Baron here,
I teach French at Mount Pleasant High School in San Jose.

I have just returned from a strenuous week of AP correcting in Louisville, Kentucky. This week is busy with finals. I am on survival mode till the end of the school year. Most of you probably know how it feels.

On Saturday, my husband and I will be going to France to visit my family. It should be fun and relaxing.

I am looking forward to meeting you all next month.

Sincerely,

Catherine Baron

Christine Chen

Hi Everyone!

Wow, this is a really varied group! (In case you're wondering, I'm the one in the black with the white skirt - the other two is my sister with her son). I'm finishing up my first year of teaching. Currently, I am in a 5th grade classroom at Stocklmeir Elementary in the Cupertino District. Before becoming a teacher I did a little work in consulting/market research for a non-profit business incubator that specialized in tech companies from abroad.

My interests are reading, writing, tennis, Asian pop culture, cooking, and of course EATING! ^_^ I also love playing/reading about new tech gadgets and have built my own computer as well as made/used several different websites over the years for clubs and classes in college, blogging, and a teacher website for parent communication. While I feel like I know a lot about technology, I have found it difficult to integrate into my class so I'm really looking forward to learning from the EWYL program about how to implement my knowledge into the curriculum. :o)

George Kwong

Hello everyone,

It is really neat reading all the different short biographies. I am a 3rd grade teacher at Schafer Park Elementary in Hayward. This is my 5th year as a teacher. I am looking forward to being part of EWYL this summer. I can't wait to learn about using technology more in the classroom because I am technologically-challenged.

A little bit of what I do at Schafer Park. I coach 3 soccer teams at my school (2 boys and 1 girls). Our last game is this Saturday the 9th. We have games at 9:00 am, 12:00 noon, and 3:00 pm. I am also partnered with another teacher in advising Student Council. With another teacher, we perform a Lunar New Years assembly around Chinese New Years with lion dancing, fashion show, dances, martial arts, etc. I organize and referee an intra-school soccer tournament where different classes play each other, one for grades 1 to 3 and another for grades 4 to 6. Fourteen games later, we have our champions. As the referee, you would think I could get my class to win but alas the trophy has not yet graced Room 23 in this 3rd year of competition.

Prior to becoming a teacher, I was an accountant and restaurant owner. My family has been in the restaurant business since coming to California in 1972 from the Bahamas. When my Dad reached retirement age, I took over the business to keep Mom gainfully employed until she could retire.

I am looking forward to learning from EWYL and all of you. Many of you are already so adept at using technology in the classroom. See you in July.

Best Regards,

George

Janey Vasconcellos

Hi ! My name is Janey Vasconcellos and I teach at John F. Kennedy High School in Fremont along with Olivia. We are team teaching on our project. I feel like I am the non-technology person in this group when I read all the experience that you all have. I am a RSP teacher and an Art teacher. Our school is going through some changes and I would love to use more technology in both of the areas I teach. I need the knowledge to help my special ed students be successful in their general ed classes and Olivia and I would love to team teach a class. We both love history and art. This is my third career. I was a graphic artist/designer for a computer company many years ago then I freelanced, then mom for many years until I got into teaching.

While many of you are starting out with your young families, mine is maturing and moving out. Thank goodness! My husband, Brook, and I will be married 31 years next week. Our sons are aged 26, 24 and 20. Two have graduated from college and the youngest is going to be a junior in college. My middle son, Brian, got married last November and I love my daughter Amanda. Tonight I had to say goodbye to her because they are moving to LA. I finally get a daughter and she is leaving. Their wedding picture is included because I thought the ceremony was beautiful and the other picture is of my husband and I at the wedding.

I am looking forward to taking this class and meeting all of you. Have a great time off, we all deserve it.
Janey

Cindy Lin

Hi everyone,


My name is Cindy Lin and I am teaching first grade at Meyerholz school in Cupertino. I teach in the Mandarin Immersion Program and I'm finishing up my second year. I'm very excited about this program and can't wait to learn more about technology and meet other teachers who also enjoy learning new technology.

In my free time, I enjoy hiking, running and going to baseball games.

Sophia

Hi!

I'm Sophia. I teach World History (1500 - 1938) to 9th graders at Mountain View High School. Yup. I've got 130 Freshmen every day, but I wouldn't have it any other way! I have been a teacher for 10 years, but this is my first year in the South Bay. Next year I will be piloting our new 3rd Semester of world history (Current World Studies: 1935 - present), and I am thrilled to finally have the time to really teach the modern era. (No more Korean War in 15 minutes or less for me!). I am the designated computer trainer for my department, so this year has seen a good deal of me learning how to use our district's programs, and then helping explain them to others in my department. I'll also be leading some trainings over the summer. You can see my school web page at: http://www.mvla.net/caramagno.

When I'm not teaching, I design and make costumes for theatrical groups (Renn Faire, Civil War, Dicken's Faire, Sci-Fi Conventions, etc) and I belong to a Pirate Reenactment group that performs in the Bay Area. You can see some of the costumes I'm working on at http://www.iphigen.com/PiratePhotos.html. That is my Pirate Costume show page. I also do period dancing, including Swing, Lindy-Hop, Victorian Ballroom and I've just started Belly Dance! Below is a picture of my husband and I at our October wedding. It was a Chinese-Western-Sci-Fi Wedding, so a bit unusual, but very fun!

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to the Institute this Summer and usung some of this fabulous technology (my last school didn't even have a computer lab) in the classroom.

See you all soon!

Steven Caringella

Hello everyone,

My name is Steven Caringella. I am one of the instructors for EWYL 2007-2008, and I am looking forward to meeting all of you this summer.

I teach Fourth grade at Zanker Elementary School in Milpitas Unified School District. I am also involved in training teachers to integrate technology into their curriculum at my school site, in my district, and at the Krause Center for Innovation.

I have been a participant teacher in both the Earn While You Learn and Earn While You Learn Fellows programs, and I guarantee you are about to have an extremely valuable time this summer and in the following school year. EWYL is awesome!

If any of you would like to get a taste of EWYL before it starts, and ideas for the project you will design, consider taking my June 16 LINC class at the KCI on using blogs and wikis in the classroom, and my June 23 LINC class on using Think.com for collaboration during student projects. Just go to http://www.foothill.edu/cfi/linc/ to register.

When I am not working, you can find me at the park with my almost-two year old son Chase, or relaxing with my wife Jen in the house we just moved into in Mountain View. I am looking forward this summer to a short commute to the Krause Center!

See you all soon.

Jackie Kawashima

Hi and Welcome to this summer's EWYL!

I'm Jackie Kawashima, and I have been associated with EWYL since it was originated. Reading your posts has been wonderful. EWYL participating teachers have been such a great resource and together we have had so many learning experiences each summer! This year promises to be every bit as rewarding.

My background has been in K-8 education, in the classroom and at the district level as technology curriculum coordinator. I'm currently teaching online courses through the LINC department at Foothill and working with teachers in two elementary districts. My summer 'fun' revolves around my role as a trainer for EWYL. While not working I love to travel, learn new technologies, and play with my children, grandchildren and pets. My favorite traveling companion is my husband Don, who puts up with my inability to 'just relax' and enjoy life. This picture was taken with the terra cotta soldiers in China...absolutely unbelievable.

Danielle

Hi all!

This is my sixth year teaching in the Cupertino Union School District. I've taught kindergarten, second, and sixth grades, all for two years each. Although I love the little kids, sixth grade is definitely where I belong! I teach math, science, exploratory and advisory at Lawson Middle School. For two trimesters of exploratory each year I teach technology-I can't wait for some fresh ideas and projects to add to the curriculum!

I am looking forward to a (mostly) relaxing summer. I was married last summer and it was very hectic and exciting, so I am happy that this summer there won't be quite as much to do. We've planned some rafting, hiking and camping trips, along with a few vacations, and the rest of the time will be spent reading and hanging out with friends. We're getting a puppy mid-July, so I'll have some time before school starts to train it. :)

I hope everyone gets a chance to relax before July. See you soon!
Danielle

Julia

This is my 5th year of teaching at Egan Jr. High School. Along with Reed, I teach World History. Our school did an Apple training and Reed and I got a laptop cart. It seems that my classroom has turned upside down! We've been blogging, making wikis, iMovies, Keynotes, Podcasts and more. Soon after, I became a Google Certified Teacher. There are so many great tools available!

I look forward to the time we will get in EWYL to create fun and exciting projects. It will be great to learn how to be a 21st century teacher to 21st century learners in a 21st century classroom.

Vanessa Vitug

Hey Everyone!

I'm enjoying all the mini-bios. Being completely new to blogging, I'm already learning something new.Currently, I am teaching at Mt. Pleasant High School in San Jose. This year my classes are Physiology and Integrated Science, which is a challenge but it never gets boring. I love to challenge myself to new things but have a hard time saying "No! I won't have time," when I'm asked to take part in multiple projects. Aside from teaching my classes, I am the AVID Coordinator for MP, a Freshmen advisory teacher, a WASC leader, a MESA (mathematics engineering and science achievement) advisor, and People to People leader. Wheew, I exhausted myself just listing that. I'm looking forward to expanding my technology classroom integration this summer by learning to incorporate websites, videos, and video-editing into my lessons. I hope to soon create my own website for all the programs I take part in.

When not running the marathon race called a school year, I am slowing taking flying lessons and travelling. I'm finally going to France & England after the Institute, so YEAH!

Valerie Arbizu

Hello!

My name is Valerie Arbizu and I am currently teaching AP English Literature at Evergreen Valley High School in [East Side] San Jose. I have been teaching for five years after leaving the corporate world and love it!

A few of my crazy colleagues have given me the rare opportunity to be the English Department Chair and the Professional Development Coordinator for the past two years (after spending two years as the Tech Lead for the Professional Development Committee). After four years as a trainer of teachers, it's time to focus back on my own learning and recharge. :)

My good friend Mark Gross once commented on the marginalization of students as we make them put their iPods and cell phones away during the school day - that doing so is in essentially telling students that what matters to them isn't acceptable in an educational environment. I want to make my classroom as relevant and accessible to both teens and teachers - and that means embracing all of the technology that my students use.

When I'm not teaching, I have a four-year-old son (Maxwell) and my husband of nearly eight years to keep me busy. We're so excited that Maxwell is finally completely potty-trained and reliable enough to take on longer trips - so travel is finally a prospect for us once again! We also love movies, the beach, and anything that makes our son dance.

Looking forward to meeting and working with you all in a few short weeks!

Reed Smith

Pancake Breakfast at School!

Greetings fellow EWYL'ers! I am really happy to be joining all of you this summer in order to update my curriculum and get much work done creating fun and educational projects for my 7th Grade World History students in the 2007-8 year. I am entering my 12th year at Egan Jr High in Los Altos and it will be about my 20th year of teaching overall. I have much to learn about intergrating technology into my class in a way that enhances, not encumbers, the students' learning; therefore, again, I am happy to be enrolled in the EWYL summer. I have a credential to teach English, Social Studies, and Mandarin Chinese. I am currently trying to learn Spanish. This is me (far left) helping chaperone the school Disneyland trip for music students:






See you all soon! : )

Sarah Cullom

Hi everybody.
My name is Sarah and I teach 4th grade in San Mateo. This is my fifth year teaching and in my third district. I've moved around quite a bit the last few years. I started teaching in LA after getting my credential and masters from UCLA (Go Bruins!). Then I moved to the bay area so my husband could go to law school here. He finally graduated a couple weeks ago! I'm happy that I'll be keeping busy with this program while he's studying for the BAR. This summer I'm also looking forward to traveling, watching movies, dancing, and taking pictures/scrapbooking.

I can't wait to learn more about technology and be able to integrate it with my curriculum. This year I worked with my students on i-movies (which was so much fun!) and each student got their own email account through gaggle.com - a great school-only website.

I look forward to meeting all of you!

Sarah

Olivia Santillan

Hi all. My name is Olivia Santillan and I am finishing up my 9th year teaching. I teach U.S. History, AP U.S. History, World History and Ethnic Studies. I am very excited to be a part of the EWYL program so I can sharpen my technology skills.

I spend most of my time trying to juggle work, school (I am in an educational leadership program), and family. I have a 4 year old and a nine month old. When I used to have free time I enjoyed traveling, goint to museums, listening to live music and going out to dinner. Now my hobbies include playing with trains, watching cartoons and reading (mostly about trains).

Hart Walsh

Hello All,

As you can see from this photo, teaching is a 24 hour a day job for me. This year I returned to the classroom after taking four years off to be a stay-at-home mom. I am currently (for the next two weeks and next year) teaching half-time 7th grade English at Egan Jr. High in Los Altos. I work with Sara who is also in the EWYL program, and we are hoping to add some fabulous technology to our curriculum starting this fall.

I am truly looking forward to meeting you all and getting started in the EWYL program. However, like many of you, I have the end of the school year to concentrate on right now. Oh yes, and also a 5th birthday party with a real pony and farm animal petting zoo! Yippee!

Hart

Anne Smith

My name is Anne Smith. I'm frantically finishing up my year with my first graders, trying to get in a few more projects and a little fun before they're off to their next teacher. I work and live in Alameda with my 2 hilarious kitties.

Can't wait to meet you all. Before our paths cross, I'll be finishing up my Master's at CSUEB, taming my overgrown garden, running, getting my classroom ready so I can go to surf camp in Costa Rica a week before school starts, visiting my family, and retraining myself how NOT to multi-task....unless it involves lifting a wine glass to my lips WHILE sitting in a chaise lounge AND laughing with friends.


Enjoy the summer!
Anne

Recep Iscan

Rushton Hurley

Seriously excited, both for this program, and for summer to start! Love the students, but sometimes one needs a break. Anyone else feel that way?

My name is Rushton (really), and I teach Japanese at Wilcox High School in Santa Clara. I also do a lot with video, including running a nonprofit called Next Vista for Learning (NextVista.org). We've built a library of online videos by and for teachers and students everywhere - totally free to use or contribute to. (I've been told a preposition is a bad thing to end a sentence with. Apologies.) Feel free to give it a look, or if inspired by our little save-the-world effort, to sign up for the newsletter.

I look forward to seeing everyone on July 9th, and perhaps even getting some things going before that!

The picture below is Flaka, one of our three feline kiddos.

Andralee Roberts

I'm Andralee, and I have been teaching first grade for six years. I taught for five years in Southern California (near LA and in Orange County) and am just completing my first year in the Mount Pleasant School District in San Jose. Next year I'll be teaching third grade, so I'm very excited for that!

I received my BS in General Studies (Elementary Ed) and credential from USC in 2000, and then received my MS in Learning and Instruction from USC in 2002. Until some LINC courses this spring, I hadn't been in school since then, so I'm excited to take part in Earn While You Learn this summer and learn some innovative ways to integrate technology into my class.

Gotta run...report cards are calling my name! See you all in July.

Andralee

David Pettinari

Hi everyone,

My name is David Pettinari aka foremyle. I am so happy to be in the EWYL program this summer. I am part of a long list of teachers at our school (John F. Kennedy Elementary in Daly City) to have attended the program. I look forward to learning a lot so that I can return to my students in the fall with lots of new projects and fun things to do. I currently am in my second year of teaching and finishing my first year in fourth grade. Last year I was the Oral Language Instructor at our school.

I attended San Francisco State University where I earned a degree in Classics. For those of you who are not aware, Classics is the study of Ancient Languages, Literature, History, Archaeology, Art, Architecture... basically all western culture up to the Renaissance.

I have been working with computers for the last twenty-four years and am looking forward to learning all of the new things that are out there. I currently work on the school website and hope that I can learn some valuable tools to help me expand our website and include student pages as well.

I look forward to seeing you this summer.

foremyle

Debbie Eitner

Hi, I'm Debbie and I just finished my first "formal" year of teaching by completing my internship, finished my masters and my tech certification. I'll receive my preliminary credential this summer. While this is my first full year of teaching in public school, Monroe Middle School, in San Jose, this is my 10th year of teaching. I was a 6th grade Math/Science teacher for 7 years at a private school, an EETT Math Coach (computers and math) for a year and 2 years of subbing in public school.

I used this picture, which I use on my website - no wrinkles, and I look so much thinner! My family is beginning to grow up and out. I have 3 children, 23, 21, and 18. One has already moved out and my husband and I are beginning to experience the joy (oops, sorrow) of the empty nest - we celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary this year too.

I'm excited about my job next year as Technology Coordinator at my middle school and I will be teaching Advanced Tech, tech exploratory classes and 7th grade history. I am looking forward to learning new tools, techniques and of course stealing as many great ideas as I can from all of you! I love to collaborate and don't worry - I'm an idea person too, so I'd love to share. I am also grateful that I can partner with my "twin geek" Carrie as we work on our project that will involve collaboration of our students next year - we're off to NECC in Atlanta at the end of June to get some great ideas! Can't wait to meet all of you!

Carrie Tibbs

Hello fellow EWYL'ers. I can see already that we will have an eclectic group!

My name is Carrie Tibbs and I am a technology teacher and coordinator for Campbell Middle School. I have been teaching for 18 years, the first 7 as a 6th grade teacher and the last 11 as the technology teacher/coordinator.

I had the pleasure of designing our school's technology building 10 years ago and at that time we implemented a video production studio. We have broadcast over 1700 daily broadcasts! Here's a photo of my advanced Tech class. We presented at two School Nights at the Apple store this year. It was like being a kid in a candy shop!


I live in Fremont with my partner of 13 years and our two cats, Jackson and Zoe. We just returned from our first trip to the East Coast. Guess I should take a vacation more than once every 13 years!

I look forward to the exchange of ideas and best practices with all my fellow EWYL'ers and my collaborator, Debbie Eitner. This is going to be an exciting summer!

Debbie

Hi everyone! I teach 3rd grade at Weller School, in Milpitas. I have taught in Milpitas for 7 years; but this was my first year at Weller. It is a great place to teach. Even though, I am looking forward to summer, I had a great class and will miss my students. I am so excited about this opportunity, though. I became interested, last year, when my sister was participated in EWYL. I saw what she was learning and immediately signed up for the on-line classes. Now that I have taken a few LINC classes, I have learned so much. I can't wait to learn more and take it back to my classroom.

My "baby" (well, not really) just turned 15. I live in Newark, where I grew up. I posted a picture taken of us last summer, on a cruise to Alaska. My parents took my sisters and our families, for their 50th wedding anniversary. It was so beautiful and I would love to go back!

I look forward to meeting all of you in July.

Roxanne Shapiro

My Name is Roxanne Shapiro....and I'm so excited about being selected for this summer's institute! I teach 4th grade at Crestmoor Elementary in San Bruno. I look forward to meeting you all! I'm attaching a picture of my family...we did the Hawaii Cruise last year and had a blast!! As you can see I have a baby boy...not really a baby anymore...he'll be turning 3 this September!