Wednesday, June 17, 2015

"Twitter Vacation" or 10-Day Silent Meditation Retreat

"Every morning, when we wake up, we have twenty-four brand new hours to live. What a precious gift!" -- Thich Nhat Han

Today, I begin a ten day silent retreat...

I flew from Chicago to Minneapolis, and am about to surrender my cellphone for the next eleven days.

Talk about unplugging at the end of the school year.

On my way to the Vipassana silent meditation retreat, I hopped on the light rail and hiked this pristine city park. The Mississippi River cuts through Minneapolis and makes a 50-foot drop within city limits. It's breathtaking-- Minnehaha Falls in Minnesota. 

Save your pennies, nickels, and dimes and travel. See the world and share your stories!


Vipassana is meditation technique: it's not a religion. If you have a devotion, it might help you to strengthen your practice. I've wanted to do this for quite some time, several years... Each summer I ponder the occasion, and back away citing personal responsibilities and the illusion of unlimited time--"next year...".

At any rate, I don't have romantically notions of this being the first day of the rest of my life, but I know that this moment will forever be imprinted upon my consciousness.

Think about it: 240 hours with your inner monologue to keep you company??? Yes, an experience like that will penetrate the recesses of the soul.

Alas, I'm going on my "Twitter Vacation". Signing off of the blog...
For now.

-Jennifer Lanas
@educateYINZ

Monday, June 8, 2015

Graduation Selfies 2015

High Fives & Hand Grenades: You blew me away, class of 2015!

I'm proud to have been your teacher... And, yes--you may NOW call me "Jenny" :^D
#HillerNation Commencement Photos


Forever your teacher, forever a Hiller...
-Jennifer Sylves de Lanas
@educateYINZ

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Power to the Tweeple - Democratization via Twitter

Is Twitter democratizing our schools in a way that outpaces the acceptable use policy? We are living in the Information Age--social media echoes the sentiments of Marshall McLuhan who proclaimed, "The medium is the message." As we strive to be stewards of educational innovation and improvement, shouldn't we embrace the power of social media in our ever-expanding learning ecosystem?

Think about it: When social media is used to promote the free exchange of ideas and showcase student creativity and innovation, that goes beyond "acceptable". It is downright exceptional!

Twitter Moment: Capturing "That Time Our Students Met Governor Wolf"

Twitter Moment: Introducing "The Child I Was" to the Students I Teach

Twitter Moment: Embodying "The Essence of Teamwork" and "Resilience in Defeat"

#PowerToTheTweeple

For those bold educator-innovators whom are in violation of their district's acceptable use/social media policy, I dedicate this post to you. As of this date, I am you... My district's official policy is opposed to teachers tweeting--but it sure is nice when colleagues, administrators, and students stop by my classroom because they saw the tweets showcasing the "cool and creative" things we do.

I am the high school representative on the Trinity Area School District Education Committee. To me, putting educators in the lead is one of my highest priorities as a committee member. We see the power of sharing and showcasing student creativity and achievements both in the classroom and our community. As a digital innovator, I want this to be as much a part of our culture and identity as reading, writing, and arithmetic. 

Teaching our students to be digitally responsible, 21st century citizens isn't an option: it's what the age of innovation demands. It is my honor and duty as a teacher to lead the way.

Let's make a push to democratize our schools and allow educators to responsibly post classroom artifacts, best practices, and student achievements... Without the fear of violating the same district policies that strictly forbid students from wearing "jams and Zubaz pants". 

The '90s called... They want their acceptable use policy back.

*Note: 

As a sophomore, I was assigned detention for going on the Internet without a signed and approved permission form. It was a beautiful spring afternoon in 1999, and I was locked in the after school detention dungeon with class skippers and bathroom stall smokers.

The website I accessed was a 10th Grade Chemistry Review Guide that I created using Tripod: I was so proud of myself--and so busted by our school's librarian!

My parents did not challenge the penalty, citing that it was a ridiculously silly policy, yet I knew what might happen if I went online. It was my folly for trying to learn independently between the hours of 7-3.

I am still amazed that I found my vocation as a teacher... The beauty and irony of it all. Life is a gift, and a sense of humor is a blessing!

Monday, June 1, 2015

Zombies & Steam Punk on Arts Day

This year's Arts Day festivities at Trinity High School included Zombie Tag and Guitars on the Graduation Stage. It continues to be one of my favorite days of the year--a celebration of diverse interests and activities, culminating in the annual talent show.

Enjoy the moments captured below. 

Zombies took over the graduation lawn. Props to Mrs. Jenkins & alum/former GSA president Danny Shaffer for the incredibly realistic zombie make-up. The work you did was straight out of Hollywood: impressive!

Old Main is a glorious sight to behold. Trinity High School was once a military academy. The bell tower rings triumphantly on graduation day.

Students were serenaded by our very own homegrown steam punk band. These animatronic musicians are powered by Crystal Pepsi. I'm pretty sure that they would be on Sherlock Holmes' playlist.

Seriously #AwesomePossum special effects. I'm a little frightened to give these Zombies their final exams!

We had a blast putting this whole thing together! Huge props to Mr. Hagerman & Mr. Baughman for organizing the Arts Day calendar.

Finally, the unveiling of the latest art installation by Mrs. Knight's Independent Art students. I'm blown away by their talent!