Doug Peterson (@dougpete) is one of the first educators that I started following on Twitter. He’s a prolific blogger and a leading voice on technology in education. Doug’s helped me see the true power in connecting with others. He constantly supports educators from all over Ontario with his Twitter lists, blog Livebinders, and regular #FollowFriday tweets.
Doug’s one of the people that I interacted with online for quite a while before I ever met him in person. I’ll never forget the first time that I met him. It was at ECOO last year: I almost felt “star struck” to finally meet someone that inspires me so much. Many thanks then to Doug for making me feel truly honoured this week when he asked to interview me for a post on his blog. Doug, your questions made me think deeply about what I do and why I do it. I can’t thank you enough for this amazing opportunity!
Aviva
What a great interview Aviva and such an honour too. I loved your comment regarding marking vs prepping. That’s my biggest fear about heading up the grade ladder. I’d much rather spend my time prepping, than marking. Who knows though there may be a grade change in my future too.
I love your “star struck” line in this post. I have to tell you Aviva, when I met Kathy Cassidy face to face for the first time it was exactly how I felt yet now I giggle at that. I’m pretty sure it will be the same for me when we finally meet F2F too. I’m not sure ECOO is going to work out for me this year unfortunately but then again you never know. Stay tuned.
Thanks for the comment, Karen! Yes, the marking vs. prepping is one of the biggest changes, but it’s not a bad one. I’m so glad that I still made the change in grade.
Meeting you would give me this same feeling too. Sorry to hear that ECOO likely won’t work out this year, but we will meet eventually. I’m sure of it! 🙂
Aviva
It was me who was honoured that you took your time from all that marking for the interview, Aviva. I really enjoyed reading your answers and your enthusiasm and professionalism came through loudly and clearly. Your Grade 6 students are the obvious winners. One of the things that I found interesting was not within my realm as a secondary school teacher. It’s quite often that you get to teach students, 2, 3, and maybe even 4 years in a row. Not so in the elementary panel. I think that’s the coolest part that you get to revisit your kindergarten students. I wonder if you recognize the personalities that you helped develop during those years!
Again, many thanks for taking the time to be interviewed.
Thanks Doug! I was thrilled to be interviewed, and I’m so glad it all worked out. With making some moves from JK to SK to Grade 1 and then to Grade 1/2, I’ve had this opportunity to teach students for up to 3 years. Having the chance to have students again is fantastic! You really do make connections with them. Now, as a Grade 6 teacher, I definitely can see the personalities that came through with these students when they were only 3 and 4 years old. I must admit, this makes me feel old sometimes. 🙂 I don’t mind though!
Thanks again!
Aviva
Aviva, thanks for mentioning Doug on your blog. You’ve hit the nail on the head with your description of the power (and yes, star-power) of @dougpete and the impact that he makes. The way he crafts his #FF posts suggests that he works hard to make cross-connections between educators from all over. (He must have a spreadsheet or an app that helps him generate what names to combine together in his Twitter posts.) I really enjoyed reading your interview with him. To be honest, meeting you F2F at ECOO last year was a bit thrill for me. I hope Doug continues to do these occasional interviews even after ECOO 2013 / Minds on Media 2013 is over.
Thanks Diana! I loved meeting you last year too. It’s always nice to connect face-to-face with someone you’ve connected with for a while online.
I agree with you about Doug and his #FF posts as well. I don’t know how he does it, but he really does bring educators together.
Aviva