The Vade Mecum is my not-so secret identity. I normally go by Evan Williams, and I'm the journalism adviser and tech. coordinator at Clay Middle School in Carmel, Ind. To be funny, I call myself the CEO of student media for my school since I direct students in all things journalism.
I'm in my 13th year as journalism adviser, and it is such a creatively fulfilling job. I'm also in my second year as my building's tech coordinator. I'm helping to roll out blended learning and innovation with the help of technology, especially as we expand BYOD and supplement with Chromebooks, iPads and Windows Convertibles. I think we're headed towards 1:1 street, but we're taking the scenic route.
I'm not afraid to grow as a teacher, try new things or have our building's instructional coach observe me -- in fact, we meet on a weekly basis to discuss all things instruction. I want to build my craft by adding new ideas and ways of teaching to my ever-growing toolbox. I'm not afraid to fail.
I also want to share my journey with others.
Writing and visual communication are at the forefront of my classroom. My students get the chance to work on writing, photography, design for print and online publications, as well as video and radio broadcasting. It looks like chaos in my room, but I love it.
Armed with technology (literally at my students' fingertips, I'm a strong believer in students utilizing their phones), students are writing, interviewing, taking pictures, shooting video and editing video to tell the stories of their school.
I'm so proud of them when I get to publish their work!
I know my main focus is journalism, but I believe the processes I use can benefit all content areas.
I'm happy to say that my students produce the yearbook, which has been awarded a first-class status for six years from the National Scholastic Press Association. The 2015 yearbook was featured as an All-American yearbook. Previous yearbooks have been featured in Herff Jones' 'best of' publication "Ideas That Fly."
I'm also considered as a teacher consultant, a title I earned through the Hoosier Writing Project, a division of the National Writing Project, where he has worked with different teachers throughout Central Indiana.
I hope this online guidebook gives you some ideas, big or small, that you can use in your classrooms.
I'm in my 13th year as journalism adviser, and it is such a creatively fulfilling job. I'm also in my second year as my building's tech coordinator. I'm helping to roll out blended learning and innovation with the help of technology, especially as we expand BYOD and supplement with Chromebooks, iPads and Windows Convertibles. I think we're headed towards 1:1 street, but we're taking the scenic route.
I'm not afraid to grow as a teacher, try new things or have our building's instructional coach observe me -- in fact, we meet on a weekly basis to discuss all things instruction. I want to build my craft by adding new ideas and ways of teaching to my ever-growing toolbox. I'm not afraid to fail.
I also want to share my journey with others.
Writing and visual communication are at the forefront of my classroom. My students get the chance to work on writing, photography, design for print and online publications, as well as video and radio broadcasting. It looks like chaos in my room, but I love it.
Armed with technology (literally at my students' fingertips, I'm a strong believer in students utilizing their phones), students are writing, interviewing, taking pictures, shooting video and editing video to tell the stories of their school.
I'm so proud of them when I get to publish their work!
I know my main focus is journalism, but I believe the processes I use can benefit all content areas.
I'm happy to say that my students produce the yearbook, which has been awarded a first-class status for six years from the National Scholastic Press Association. The 2015 yearbook was featured as an All-American yearbook. Previous yearbooks have been featured in Herff Jones' 'best of' publication "Ideas That Fly."
I'm also considered as a teacher consultant, a title I earned through the Hoosier Writing Project, a division of the National Writing Project, where he has worked with different teachers throughout Central Indiana.
I hope this online guidebook gives you some ideas, big or small, that you can use in your classrooms.
