When my phone rings in my office, I respond to each call as an opportunity to serve, earn, learn, influence, network, encourage or teach. A sign above my desk reads “ Obligation or Opportunity.” The people who change the world around them –rarely act from a sense of obligation….they almost always act from a sense of incredible opportunity. They interact with the world around them because they want to, not because they have to. Those who lead effectively view the circumstances around them as opportunities not obligations.
Genuine, authentic leadership infuses meaning into your life, because you know that your efforts count and that you are serving the needs of others as well as your own. You can help, influence and inspire those around you.2
In August of 2006 Karl Fisch shared a Power Point with me about our changing world and the impact of the “New Global Economy”. I then read the Thomas Friedman book, “The World Is Flat”. I then came across an old 1986 commercial called “Think Different”. For me that week was life changing. All the pieces came together on changing the way we teach our “Digital Natives” in the classroom. The commercial content included snapshots of people who changed the world and the concluding statement was….”People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do”. You can download or view the commercial on my web site at the following address: http://www.toolsfortheclassroom.com/page7.html
I have included the “Did You Know III” file in the attachment. If you can not receive the attachments the file is on my web page : "Tools For The Classroom" web site: www.toolsfortheclassroom.com
There have been over 50,000 views on YouTube, presentations at 10 conferences and over 2,000 attendees that have carried the message back to their school district. The intent is for you to show the PowerPoint and start on a journey of teaching our “Digital Kids” differently. Have a discussion with your peers, administrators, and school board members and help “Change The World, one teacher at a time.”
Mark Sandborn said it best, “ People who take an active leadership role in their lives tend to be good thinkers…Great leaders tend to be GREAT THINKERS”.
Enjoy…..
“Good Enough Never Is”
Howie
1 & 2…Content paraphrased from “The Fred Factor”; “You Don’t Need A Title To Be A Leader”; “The World According To Mister Rodgers”.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Tools For The Classroom-Welcome
Howie DiBlasi
Called "The Emerging Technology Evangelist” a Durango, Colorado resident is currently the C.I.O. (Chief Information Officer) for the Durango School District. Howie has been recognized as “Vocational Teacher of the Year” for the State of Arizona and was nominated as a finalist in the “Top Secondary Leaders in America”. He has been featured in several magazines as “ A CIO that really thinks outside the box”.
A recent comment at the Texas Distance Learning Conference was “ I have not heard someone think that far out of the box in years.”
His recent presentations and sessions have been to standing room only in Florida, California, Colorado and Texas. His passion is 21st Century Learning and he describes himself as a “Zelot” (a person who shows zeal or fanatic).
An expert in his field, Howie conducts interactive seminars on 21st Century Learning, Visual Literacy, Digital Interactive Learning and “Making Show-N-Tell Cool”. Howie’s programs are fun, educational, high energy and full of practical, take-home value. He has presented at over fifty (50) Technology conferences and is a recognized leader in 21st Century Learning and Digital Literacy. His professional focus has been in the fields of 21st Century Learning and Digital Literacy.
As an experienced classroom teacher for 20 years, 10 years as a computer business owner, and 15 years as a C.I.O., he brings the understanding of the business and the educational worlds together.
Howie serves as a state board member to C.A.L.E.T. (Colorado Association of Leaders in Educational Technology), Communications director for the I.S.T.E –Interactive Video Conferencing Special Interest Group and the President Elect for the I.S.T.E –Interactive Video Conferencing Special Interest Group. Howie is known as a highly energetic, compassionate and approachable speaker. He is a trainer that blends humor, applicable stories of best practice and high levels of audience involvement. Over the past fifteen years, he has presented programs, courses and speeches to thousands of administrators, teachers, technology specialists and professionals around the country. He lives in Durango, Colorado, has been married to his wife Joan for 42 years and has two children and four grandchildren.
“I guess I am crazy enough to think I can change the world and hope I have a small impact on what we do as educators,” DiBlasi said.
DiBlasi will retire from the Durango School District in December of 2007. After retirement, he will travel and continue to spread the word as a consultant and active member of TxDLA when he and his wife, Joan, relocate to Georgetown, Texas.
ED. NOTE: Howie DiBlasi's contact information is:
Howie DiBlasi, Ph.D.
I.T. Director, Durango School District
970-247-5411 ex 1451
e-mail: hdiblasi@durango.k12.co.us
Web Address: http://web9r.durango.k12.co.us/
Called "The Emerging Technology Evangelist” a Durango, Colorado resident is currently the C.I.O. (Chief Information Officer) for the Durango School District. Howie has been recognized as “Vocational Teacher of the Year” for the State of Arizona and was nominated as a finalist in the “Top Secondary Leaders in America”. He has been featured in several magazines as “ A CIO that really thinks outside the box”.
A recent comment at the Texas Distance Learning Conference was “ I have not heard someone think that far out of the box in years.”
His recent presentations and sessions have been to standing room only in Florida, California, Colorado and Texas. His passion is 21st Century Learning and he describes himself as a “Zelot” (a person who shows zeal or fanatic).
An expert in his field, Howie conducts interactive seminars on 21st Century Learning, Visual Literacy, Digital Interactive Learning and “Making Show-N-Tell Cool”. Howie’s programs are fun, educational, high energy and full of practical, take-home value. He has presented at over fifty (50) Technology conferences and is a recognized leader in 21st Century Learning and Digital Literacy. His professional focus has been in the fields of 21st Century Learning and Digital Literacy.
As an experienced classroom teacher for 20 years, 10 years as a computer business owner, and 15 years as a C.I.O., he brings the understanding of the business and the educational worlds together.
Howie serves as a state board member to C.A.L.E.T. (Colorado Association of Leaders in Educational Technology), Communications director for the I.S.T.E –Interactive Video Conferencing Special Interest Group and the President Elect for the I.S.T.E –Interactive Video Conferencing Special Interest Group. Howie is known as a highly energetic, compassionate and approachable speaker. He is a trainer that blends humor, applicable stories of best practice and high levels of audience involvement. Over the past fifteen years, he has presented programs, courses and speeches to thousands of administrators, teachers, technology specialists and professionals around the country. He lives in Durango, Colorado, has been married to his wife Joan for 42 years and has two children and four grandchildren.
“I guess I am crazy enough to think I can change the world and hope I have a small impact on what we do as educators,” DiBlasi said.
DiBlasi will retire from the Durango School District in December of 2007. After retirement, he will travel and continue to spread the word as a consultant and active member of TxDLA when he and his wife, Joan, relocate to Georgetown, Texas.
ED. NOTE: Howie DiBlasi's contact information is:
Howie DiBlasi, Ph.D.
I.T. Director, Durango School District
970-247-5411 ex 1451
e-mail: hdiblasi@durango.k12.co.us
Web Address: http://web9r.durango.k12.co.us/
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