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Technology is a Tool, Not a Learning Outcome

Fun times!

9/25/2024

It has been a week! Whew. Lots of action in the House of Representatives and I am starting to understand more of what is happening!

I attended a new hire orientation for Capitol Hill last Friday. I am not an official Hill employee as a fellow, but it is good to know things and a great way to network. I was not the oldest in the room for a change, but barely. Then I met up with some of the fellows to attend Teacher Night at the Spy Museum. This is my 3 rd visit to the spy museum and it is better every time, I had no idea the amount of resources they have for teachers. They have all grades and all subjects. Here is their website Digital HQ. They do field trips both in person and distance!

I enjoyed some football on Saturday from Clemson, SC. Makes it feel like home isn't so far away. Threads is my new favorite Social Media. Sometimes your comments get crazy numbers, I have had a few get over 1000 views. Not pay worthy, but fun!

Spent a lot of time this week listening to DC in action, with debates on the house floor, hearings, briefings, and morel There are quite a few representatives who sound like me! My accent has been talked about quite a bit...it makes it even worse when people as where I am from, but then I lay it on thick and they laugh. I have also started hosting constituent meetings! I talked this week to a contractors group who gave me a book their members had written about the importance of kids learning trades. They didn't know I was a teacher, but they quickly learned and were happy with how excited I was about the book!

I got to see leaves changing! It has been a while since I have lived where that happens. There are yellow leaves showing up!

We had another exciting event with the Library of Congress. We went to the Golden Goose Awards. It is an award for Science that is a little kooky but makes a real difference. Who knew penguin poop could make such an impact on the world! I also loved the woodpecker project. My Granny Cricket was an avid birder and anything that brings up my memories of her makes me happy. I can't wait for my Scientist Tula to be up there!

Today I attended two pretty great meetings about education prep and science. I loved being in the education world just a bit today. I found my way to another building using the tunnels and didn't get lost!!! Those tunnels have been my nemesis, but today I did it. Next week probably will get lost again but for today...today I did it! Got to meet the panelists afterward and talk about NGSS standards and Lego! If you know me you know I love Lego!

Okay I am off to finish up my ISTE proposals and enjoy some sleep!

Have questions? Ask away!

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Washington Weekly

9/19/2024

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Apparently I am destined to forget it is Wednesday and I am supposed to blog...and that's okay.

This is has been a hopping week! Last Thursday and Friday I had two costumed activities back to back! First was the Library of Congress Costume Ball with a Movies Theme. I dressed up as Mirabel because my great niece Macie said I should, and Adalynn agreed. Then we had the 1924 Speakeasy night a the Academy of Science. I wore my flapper dress and accessories...and my tennis shoes because I don't have fancy shoes. Both were excellent and great opportunities to get to know my fellow Fellows.

I had a low key weekend doing laundry and went to baseball Sunday. I love baseball and it was a perfect breezy day for it, not so great outcome for my home team the Marlins. But I had BBQ nachos and teared up at the Dipping Dots thanks to memories of my nephews, cousins and little Micmac who is now all grown up.

Work has been busy as well. I have researched AI, watched countless webinars, attended a training on Amendments, met with the education team in New Mexico, attended the Congressional Hispanic Causcus Institute K12 Disparities in Tech panel. My Congresswoman gave the opening statement. The panel had members from ExxonMobil, NEA, Salesforce, and NASA. They discussed how to help kids see themselves as leaders in Tech, how to support families and communities, and how technology can help open doors.

I presented two webinars this week as well. I hosted one for teachers on how to write conference proposals, prepare, and present. I also presented a session at the AI Salsa Slam about Padlet. You can see both under the 2024 tab of my website. I will be doing a webinar next month on Writing Grants. One of my goals for this year is to mentor other teachers and help them meet their goals of presenting, writing, and getting materials needed for their classrooms.

Well that is all for this week. Enjoy the pictures and let me know if you have questions!

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Wednesday 9/11...on 9/12 because I forgot

9/12/2024

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It has been a busy and fun week here in DC. So busy I forgot to post!

Last Thursday I was so excited to sit in on a few different virtual meetings. I attended Building Computational Literacy and learned about research and work toward helping learners understand how to use technology in thoughtful and safe ways. The best example was about a bus driver who takes continuing education classes online, does practice skills using computers, volunteers to participate in AI assisted training and eventually becomes a mentor and helps others learn using the AI programs. The bus driver understands how to take technology and apply it to their work, and then gain more understanding and expands their job skills even further.

I met with my mentor Lauren and Maura who will step in while Lauren has a baby soon. We discussed my goals and what I can do to help the Congresswoman whose office is hosting me.I am going to visit New Mexico in October and will be meeting with educators and organizations across the area. I am SOOOO excited.

Then that afternoon I sat in on a conversation with Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland as she talked about telling the American story on our public lands. It was a beautiful conversation of what we are doing and what we still need to do in order to save the language and customs of Indigenous people.

Saturday I made my way along the Metro to attend an exhibit opening called Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond. We learned about Asian culture, food, and customs through panel discussions, martial arts exhibitions, maker projects, and more. I was excited to learn along with fellow Fellows Selene and Judy.

Sunday I went to a concert at the Hill Center, riht down the street from my house. My cousin Dixie met me there with her friend and Dara, another Fellow in the neighborhood came too. We heard a great Zydeco musician and then watch football at a place on Battery Row.

Monday we had training at the Department of Energy with the Einstein team. We learned all the steps needed for travel stuff, we shared about our first few weeks, and worked on how to tell people about what we do. They had a really cool 3D printed car in the lobby! And of course the best part was hanging out together afterwards with a few of the Fellows and continuing to get to know each other. Monday night I joined NatGeo Classroom to learn about their programs and WOW teachers you should really check it out.

Tuesday was my first day on the Hill where EVERYONE was in the office and votes were happening. It is a constant state of go, go, go, with literal bells and whistles. There were so many votes happening and meeting new people. Several fellows met up in the Capitol meeting rooms to hear a panel of experts discuss AI and Education. We heard about the benefits, challenges, and how we haven't even scratched the surface. My favorite quote was from Dr Punya Misha from Arizona State. He said "ChatGPT is a smart, drunk, somewhat biased intern." What you get could be good, or bad, or really bad.

Wednesday was more hearings and votes and bells. I attended a webinar from the Congressional Research Service to know how to look up information and what to look for when searching. It is a lot...like a lot. But luckily much of it is similar to the work I did while searching in my Grad programs. I got to meet my Congresswoman, Rep Melanie Stansbury. She was a STEM teacher, so we shared our passions for building students voice and helping them discover passions. I was nervous to meet her, but she was very nice and we had a great conversation. I met with a few Fellows Wednesday night at my favorite local food hall to discuss conference presentations, how to write the proposal, how to prepare, and how to present. I am hoping to help them, as well as other teachers and admin, to start and continue sharing their work with the world. Because everyone has something to share. If you are an educator who wants to present, write for ed blogs, and work on grant writing I want to help! I (and some Fellows) will be sharing ideas in a Zoom webinar soon. Watch this blog and @penchevable on Threads, Instagram, and Nancy Stone Penchev on Facebook for announcements.

I have been continuing my goal of understanding the legislative process through attending trainings, researching bills, utilizing the Library of Congress, and watching the process in person makes it real, real. I have shared the sidewalks, halls, and tunnels with people who are always in the News, people who lead decision making, and regular folks who are in town to ask for help for their communities. It is surreal and I appreciate every single moment! Last year Konstantin and I toured the Capitol Building on a visit to DC and this year I work here. Mind blown.