Margaret Sisler

We will build a future we both want but it will require sacrifice. The challenge is to tell a story of a meaningful future will build that will be worth the sacrifice

We need to be reminded more than we need to be taught.

#vste25

We sacrifice the way things have always been done, it’s comfortable, it’s convenient.

We sacrifice the person you were told you were and came to believe.

We have to lead in this way and show our students and colleagues the sacrifice so they can redefine themselves

#vste25

When we change the story or tell a new story,
We help people grow in experience and opportunities.

A story is a when a hero wants something and sacrifices something to get it.

Sacrifices require belief (in the story of the future we are living and telling)

#vste25

Listening to Esteban Gast this morning at #vste25 is a great reminder that our stories matter -

we believe what is possible based on the stories we tell ourselves and others.

We believe what is possible based on what we have seen and experienced.

Stories shape the world around us.

* Gemini extended activities - upload framework, curriculum guide and standard to generate activities and drop into google sites #vste25 #demoslam

*Google Gemini gems - Human Centered Design. start and center the people first! The gem will walk through and question how to solve problems of practice bit.ly/FCPSHCD

#vste25 #demoslam

* Question Well - paste in the curriculum framework and generate questions and export to other platforms
*windows captioning - always available on windows devices
*grab text with Gemini - ask Gemini to extract the text to make it accessible

#vste25 #demoslam

*Teachshare.com - add teaching strategies to your lesson and reduce the load of planning
* Once upon a Prompt - preK learners developing genAI thinking skills
*AI for accessibility- 1 in 4 people have a disability and AI tools are helping to break down barriers

#vste25 #demoslam

Lots of great ideas in the #VSTE25 Board Demo Slam:

* Kami Companion - can change the reading level or language of Text and read aloud
* Sumo AI - create songs in any genre to summarize learning or celebrate
* Wayground - make boring slides interactive #demoslam

6 students are seated on the stage answering questions!

Student panelist Sam encouraged adults in schools to let kids be more creative with technology and find their passions. He gave an example of finding he loved the podcast scene after an assignment and even wanted to start his own sports podcast #vste25

Sunrise over an empty beach and pier at Virginia Beach

Sunrise over a beach, empty of people and only seagulls enjoying the surf. Pier in the right side

THe Va beach convention center at sunrise

A conference room illuminated by usb disco balls

The @vste.org Conference Committee is gathered and hard at work in Va Beach for our final prep before our Annual Conference Dec 7-9! #vste25

Register now for our in person or virtual conferences! vsteconference.org/2025-registr...

Check out my list on Amazon

Next Thursday evening we will visit three stops in my school’s community to ensure every student has the supplies they need to come to school ready to learn!

Would you please help by donating items from this list?

www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...

#clearthelist #clearthelist2025 #clearthelists

Check out my list on Amazon

I work at a wonderful community school. We serve around 700 students in grades PreK-6. Every year we provide supplies to kids and families before school starts so EVERY child has the items they need to engage in great learning! More families than ever are in need!

www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...

Doh! Typo.. it was a GREAT day of learning 🤣

Complex sketch note from AVID Summer Institute general session on June 17 in Orlando. Contains notes, drawings and key takeaways from student speakers, keynote speaker Carleen Alford.

Greta day of learning at the General Session of Avid Summer Institute @avid4college.bsky.social

I hope to see you at #vste25

A collage of book covers of books read in January and February: Blackwater, good and mad, the fountains of silence, salt to the sea, mad honey, the life we bury

Collage of book covers that were read in March and April: gentle nutrition, black pill, the five star weekend, no one can know, sharp objects, the new menopause, my friend Ann, mountain girl, true biz

What I read in January (1) February (5), March (3) and April (6) 2025 #whatmargaretreads

EdCampNoVA Spring Edition 2025 We're Back! Free, educator-led conference. Attendees set sessions & learn together. EdCamp NoVA: April 5, 8am-1pm, Arlington Career Center

Join us April 5th for #edcampNoVA! Register here for a FREE opportunity to learn with colleagues from around the region! #edumatch www.eventbrite.com/e/edcampnova... @edumatch.bsky.social @edcampnova.bsky.social

EdCampNoVA Spring Edition 2025 We're Back! Free, educator-led conference. Attendees set sessions & learn together. EdCamp NoVA: April 5, 8am-1pm, Arlington Career Center

📅 Mark your calendars! EdCampNOVA is happening on April 5, 8am - 1pm at the Arlington Career Center. Join us for a day of learning and collaboration! Register today www.eventbrite.com/e/edcampnova... #EdCampNOVA #EdTech

a group of cartoon characters with their hands in the air and the words we 're back baby Alt: a group of cartoon characters with their hands in the air and the words we 're back baby

#edCampNoVA is back!! Mark your calendars and stay tuned for registration details! April 5, 8am-1pm, Arlington Career Center #edCamp #eduMatch

For the start of #BlackHistoryMonth, resharing this Virtual Picture Book Read Aloud Library - a Google Slideshow covering 233 titles, in 7 categories, with book covers linking directly to copyright-compliant video read alouds of recommended picture books.

heisereads.com/bhm2024-ralib/

Snowy scene of pine trees with snow on them. A yard of snow, partially undisturbed and partially filled with tracks

Snow day

As is so often true, @heymrsbond.com says it so well. I’m surrounded by teachers who have trees and stockings and such. I have snowmen and snowflakes. Kids are surrounded by Christmas. I’ve learned my room doesn’t need to include it.

Two women stand behind giant lighted VSTE letters

I’m so honored to be a part of this team and to watch us grow and change and improve an incredible conference year after year. I’m continually awed by the dedication of this group of volunteers who share their time and talent all year long.

So long for now #VSTE24 - see you next December! @vste.org

A group of about 25 people in matching black shirts pose for a group photo in front of the VSTE logo

The end of the #VSTE24 conference is such an odd feeling. A year’s worth of work by this incredible group of educators comes together, ensuring we have an amazing experience for more than 1400 attendees and exhibitors, and then… it’s over. The exhaustion and the quiet and stillness sets in @vste.org

I’m Margaret, an elementary assistant principal from Fairfax #vste24

Hey #VSTE24 - here is a starter park of educators at VSTE24! Want to be added? Just reply here!

Bonus tip: Click the FOLLOW ALL button to add these educators to your follow list!
go.bsky.app/DpaVt5D

Green background with title text that reads Social Media Meet Up! The body of the message says connect with VSTE and other educators. Find out more about how to engage online and learn more about the newest platform, BlueSky! Sunday 2:15 in 3E and Tuesday 9:45 in 2D. Graphic includes icons for X, Facebook, Instagram, Linked In and Blue Sky

Join us for the Social Media Meet Ups at #VSTE24! Meet the Social Marketing Team (@ctrlalttabitha.bsky.social and @techymargaret.bsky.social), connect with educators, and talk about how we engage with social media!

Entrance to the VA beach convention center - glass doors with vinyl decals with the VSTE logo on the doors on both ends

Va Beach convention center in the dark - the glass building is lit from within and the tower glows blue

Did you know that the conference team starts planning for next year’s conference before this years conference even started? Want to help? Sign up to volunteer this year!

We are up bright and early and so excited to see our attendees today! @vste.org #vste24

Lightbulb image and question asking What are you excited to learn?

#VSTE24 starts tomorrow! We're excited to welcome you all and can't wait. What are you most excited to learn as kick off this year's conference?