Educator Alexander's Newsletter

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Here are some things that you should know! Click on the pictures or words to find out more information about these new things that have been announced.

Apply to be a #KamiCreator, the ultimate side hustle.

Kami Creators capture the very best teaching and learning moments with Kami and share them across Instagram and TikTok. As a Kami Creator you’ll be paid to produce Instagram Reels or TikToks, connect with like-minded creators, get Kami free for the year, and enjoy plenty more perks!

Are you a coaching educator in your school or district?

Join the Apple team to learn more about Apple Learning Coach - a free, professional learning program that trains instructional coaches, digital learning specialists, and other coaching educators to help teachers get more out of Apple technology.

Join one of the info sessions August-December.

Try out the latest experimental tools and technology from Google by checking out the Google Labs!

Welcome to "Everything But The Lesson Plan," this podcast is designed specifically for educators seeking support, inspiration, and professional growth. Join us on a transformative journey as we delve into the realm of education, self-care, and wellness. We are here to empower teachers to excel in and out of the classroom.

Tune in to "Everything But The Lesson Plan" and unlock your full potential as an educator. Brought to you by Thrive 12 with Franchesca Thompson. Check out our website @ www.thrive12.com

Show Link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/franchesca-thompson/episodes/Leading-Innovation-in-Education-withDr--Desiree-Alexander-e2lub1c

Embark on a Summer Reading Adventure (PreK-12)

There’s something for students of every age and reading level in this diverse collection! Young learners will love seeing their favorite storybook characters brought to life, while middle and high schoolers will enjoy new takes on classics like Great Expectations and To Kill a Mockingbird. Let’s get reading!

Explore Collection

Timeless Stories from Reading Rainbow (K-5)

Did you grow up watching the popular PBS series Reading Rainbow? Join your students on the show's next iteration as they watch and listen to stories that will spark their creativity, encourage exploration of world cultures, and more. These snappy videos provide early learners with opportunities to engage deeply alongside accompanying activities, discussion questions, creative art projects, and writing prompts!

Explore Collection

A Modern Take on the Classics: It's Lit! (6-12)

How do you write a bestseller? Should we take fanfiction seriously? Is sci-fi a mirror on society? Share these smart, funny video essays with your students and dive into popular literature topics that will get them talking about their favorite books and what they love to read.

Tip: Check out One Minute Lit for super quick book reviews!

Explore Collection

Explore More PBS LearningMedia Resources

• Check Out Super Why!'s Comic Book Adventures (PreK-K)
• How and Why We Read (9-12)
• Comparing Hemingway to Today's Young Adult Literature (6-12)
• Get Wild About Reading with Between the Lions (PreK-1)
• Reading as a Revolutionary Act | Toni Morrison (9-12)
• Practice Phonetics with the Raising Readers Collection (PreK-2)

Seesaw Connect is an inspiring virtual conference that fosters professional growth and energizes teachers and administrators for the school year. Don’t miss out on engaging keynotes and educator stories, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, 25+ PD hours—and a chance to win over $6,000 in door prizes! Connect is free for all attendees. Register to join us live or access the sessions on-demand.

It's here! The IDEAcon 2025 Call for Proposals is now open. What creative, innovative, practical, or foundational ideas do you have to share with other educators? We want to hear them! With an audience of teachers, administrators, educational coaches, tech integrators, tech directors, and librarians, there's room for educators in all roles to share their ideas. Submit your proposal today at https://ideail.org/IDEAcon2025CFP!

You may be wondering what districts are eligible and how to redeem this offer?

To learn more about the offer, check out this one-pager or this site. Still undecided? Review the quantifiable benefits and cost savings enabled by Education Plus here.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Customers purchasing Education Plus for the first time

2. Customers upgrading to Education Plus who did not own Education Plus licenses as of Jan 1, 2024

3. Transition renewals moving from legacy G Suite Enterprise for Education on a price lock (purchased in 2020) to Education Plus

How it works

1. Purchase Education Plus licenses for your full domain

1. 500 license minimum

2. Choose your services by filling out this form

1. Select PD and/or IT services. Learn more about each here: goo.gle/education-plus-offer

3. Within 30 days of receiving email approval from Google, connect with Educator Alexander Consulting to schedule your services.

Services do not have to be redeemed within 30 days, just scheduled / on the calendar

EDUCATOR ALEXANDER CONSULTING is an approved provider for these services! Choose us and we can provide your FREE training!

Summer Blog Recap

Engaging Students with Current Events

Some Advice for Veteran Educators

Free Equatio Alternatives: Top Editors for Math Teachers

Canva Updates for July 2024

Unveiling Amazon’s Educational Treasures

Five Ways to Make Research More Engaging

Fostering a Supportive Classroom for Student Success

Human Bingo: A Fun and Effective Icebreaker

An AI-Powered Google Workspace

This extension allows you to create a presentation clicker using your phone or tablet.

Click on the image to find out how to get certified with the featured tech certification of the month.

Here is a great way to get support and tips from Microsoft and stay update by subscribing to their newsletter!

Students and educators at eligible institutions can sign up for Office 365 Education for free, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and now Microsoft Teams, plus additional classroom tools. All you need is a valid school email address. It’s not a trial – so get started today.

Here are some updates from Google!

To Stay Updated, Watch ALL Here or EDU in 90: The Latest Episode: EDU in 90: Product Resources & Tutorials - June 2024

Explore CS First's Back to School Toolkit

Leverage the new CS First Back to School Toolkit which is packed with resources to support educators like you. It includes key lessons, professional development, an AI course from Applied Digital Skills and more resources designed to make computer science accessible and engaging for your students.

Read Along Available in Google Classroom

Using Read Along in Classroom, you can assign reading activities based on Lexile® measure, grade level, or phonics skills, with 800+ books from Heggerty, ReadWorks, and more - plus automatic insights on accuracy, speed & comprehension. It's available globally in English if your admin has enabled it!

Reserve Your Spot for Free Applied Digital Skills PD

Free virtual professional development! Level up your teaching with Applied Digital Skills. Beginner or pro, we have sessions to fit your needs. Integrate these lessons & empower your students! Sign up now!

JAMBOARD APP IS GOING AWAY

This is a reminder that we will wind down the Jamboard app starting October 1, 2024. Between October 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024, the app will be placed in “view-only” mode and you’ll no longer be able to create new or edit existing Jams on any platform, including the web, iOS, and Android platforms. During this time you can continue to back up your Jam files.

Here are all of the in-person trainings that are upcoming! Also, come see me at some of the following events.

Click on the pictures below for more information and to register and find more information such as dates, times, room numbers and links to register HERE.

Follow the directions for each Freebie!

If you have taken any professional development from Educator Alexander and/or have taken the SLLA test after attending any of her test prep classes, please click the picture below to leave comments.

Dr. Desiree Alexander is an award-winning, multi-degreed educator, speaker, and author who has been in the educational field since 2002. She is the Founder CEO of Educator Alexander Consulting, LLC and the Deputy Director for the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana. She consults with members of several schools/businesses and presents at conferences globally.

Dr. Alexander is lifetime certified in Louisiana in Secondary English Education, as a Reading Specialist, as a School Librarian, as an Educational Technology Facilitator, as an Educational Technology Leader and in Educational Leadership 1. She is certified in Texas as a Principal, in English Language Arts and Reading for grades 4-8 and grades 8-12, as a Reading Specialist for grades EC-12, and as a School Librarian. She holds multiple technology certifications, including, but not limited to, IC3 certification, Google Certified Trainer, Innovator and Partner, Apple Teacher, and Microsoft Office Specialists.

She holds a Bachelor, a Master + 30, and an Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Louisiana State University, a Master of Library Science from Texas Woman’s University and a Master of Educational Leadership with a concentration in Educational Technology Leadership from Nicholls State University. She also holds a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.

She is the author of Ready to Be an Educational Leader: Your Guide for Passing the SLLA 6990, the 2024 Common Sense Education Ambassador of the Year, a 2024 Common Sense Ambassador of the Year, a 2024 Illinois Digital Educators Alliance Conference (IDEAcon) Thought Leader, 2023 Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators (LACUE) Conference Featured Speaker, 2022 & 2021 Texas Computer Education Association Conference (TCEA) Featured Thought Leader, 2020 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Featured Voice, 2020 Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) Featured Presenter, 2019 Customer Commitment Award Honoree from Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Torch Awards for Ethics, a 2019 Shreveport National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Mover and Shaker, a 2017 Young Professional Initiative 40 Under 40 Awards Honoree, 2017 Center for Digital Education Top 30 Technologists, Transformers & Trailblazers, 2017 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Learning Media Digital Innovator for Louisiana, 2016 Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Member of the Year, 2015 Librarian of the Year for Louisiana Librarian Association, 2015 Campus Teacher of the Year in the Zachary Community School District and 2014 Leader of the Year for Region 2 Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators.

Email: educatoralexander@gmail.com
Website: https://www.educatoralexander.com
Phone: 318-759-7591

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