Malchow's Tech Bytes~ January 3rd, 2022

 Click the image above to view larger format with clickable links 

Malchow's Tech Bytes~ Jan 4th, 2021

Click the image above to access the links and view the deck in a larger format

#OneWord2020

Another year and the beginning of a new decade which means it's time again to reflect on where I've been and where I want to go. Last year I chose the word CONQUER and it was a tough one. I may have even bit off more than I could chew as they say. Conquering comes in many layers and some are easier than others like projects, but conquering obstacles and fears isn't always easy.

I typically print my image off and post it in various locations (my offices, by my treadmill, etc) and also make it the screensaver on my laptop to help keep my word at the forefront of my thinking, but I didn't do that last year for various reasons, and I think it made a difference, and not for the better. So here's to a new year, a new goal and back to printing off my image to help me focus on my goal throughout the year. 

This year's word is SIMPLIFY. I've learned that I love to have my hands in a little bit of this and a little bit of that and my plate is usually heaping full and spilling over the edges which quite honestly, stresses me out a bit. So this year, I need to simplify. I need to come to grips with how much I can put on my plate and when and know that it is ok to say, No or I can help you with that, but I won't be able to get to it for a week or two.  

A good friend of mine told me a couple of years ago, 

As a people person I'm always willing to help others, even when it means putting my projects and obligations on the back burner. Unfortunately this means that I stress myself out to get my things done at the expense of my family and my "me time". I haven't gotten on the treadmill in longer than I can remember, I haven't blogged for the sake of blogging and I haven't connected with friends, played outside or just had a good laugh in quite some time. So all said and done, I need to simplify my life and bring back the joy, laughter and time for myself that will make me a better person.

Signing off to print my images so I can put them in my office first thing tomorrow!!!

Malchow's Tech Bytes~ Happy New Year 🎉

Click Here ---> Malchow's Tech Bytes~ January 7th <---

OneWord2019

Each year instead of making a New Year's Resolution,  I choose OneWord to live my life by for the year. Last year I started using a photograph that I took at some point in the year to help represent my word. This year's picture is of my husband on his mountain bike working on his jumps at a pump track near our cabin. Why? Just because he wanted to see how much air he could catch. LOL He amazes me in everything he does. If he sets his mind to it, he does it and does it with gusto. I don't know if I'll ever conquer catching air on my mountain bike, but to be honest, it's not a goal of mine either. I have many other goals, obstacles, and fears that I want to work on conquering this year. I want to conquer those with the same drive and determination that my husband has at the pump track.

#OneWord2018 ~ Happy New Year

2018?   Seriously?!

As I sit here reflecting on the past 365 days, I wish I could say that I even had an inkling of where this past year has gone. It's been a year of many ups and downs- the true epitomy of balance I guess.

Last year's word was balance which is something I need to continue to work on.  My family may disagree with me, but I truly feel that I have made progress in this area. Although I spend far too much time on my iPad and computer (it's a major part of what I do, a passion, and a connecting point for friends near and far) I feel that I've spent more time with my family over the past 365 days- not just physically, but truly engaged with what's going on around me. This past summer was by far the best summer I've had in years. Although my brain is always thinking school, I was able to disconnect from work and enjoy mountain biking and kayaking with my family at our cabin. I found that I really enjoy the tranquility of kayaking and although my phone was with me, it was solely for taking pictures!

I also traveled to Houston to take part in the Apple Distinguished Educator Academy where I was able to meet  Twitter friends face to face, people who I now consider some of my closest friends, despite the miles that separate us. This was such a positive experience on so many levels and one which I will cherish for years to come.

Putting a year behind my belt in my new position has given me peace of mind. Switching positions was a positive move and was a major factor in helping me achieve to begin achieving, the balance I was looking for. I was nervous about leaving the classroom and missing the connections I had with students and families, in fact, it was quite an agonizing decision. Although the connections aren't as deep as when you have your own classroom, they are still there and they continue to grow as students and teachers get to know me better.

So... where do I go from here? I'm the first to admit that I need to continue to work on balance, however, I think this is something I will ALWAYS have to work on, so I'm moving on to my 2018 goal while continuing to keep balance on the front burner.

So here it is.... my #oneword2018

Picture taken by me with my iPhone at South Beach, Miami~ ADE2015

This year, I need to work on believing. 

I need to believe in myself. 
I need to believe in my dreams. 
I need to believe that I can achieve balance (see how I worked that in so it's still on the front burner?).
I need to believe in the decisions I make.
I need to believe that I am just as worthy as everyone else.

At ADE Academy we were told.... "You deserve to be here."~  I need to believe that.

So with that said, I BELIEVE! I believe that God has a plan for me and it is all in His time. I believe that I need to put my faith in Him, stop selling myself short, and start putting my health and my family first. Life is too short to sit back and always wonder if you can do it better, faster or if you should have done it different. Live life to its fullest and cherish every day!!

#OneWord2017

As I reflect back on 2016 and my #oneword2016, a barrage of feelings and memories, both positive and worrisome, came flooding back. It's hard to believe that only a year ago, I was teaching first grade and immensely enjoying the class of kiddos that came through my door each and every day. I had a supportive parent group, a great group of colleagues, a fantastic school community, and a beyond awesome global PLN on Twitter, yet I felt a craving for change. I was burning the candle at both ends teaching full time, spending hours upon hours every night seeking out technology integration ideas and trying to find time for my family (yes, that was unfortunately the order of how things fell- sad to say the least) Unsure of what the change was that I was looking for or how I could pursue something I wasn't sure of led to the choosing of that one little, yet powerful word, Hope. Hope, that God would guide me and help me realize his plan for my future, both personally and professionally.  

I printed off the image I created above and taped it to my classroom file cabinet, made it my screen saver, and found various other places to display my one word as a constant reminder of the hope I had and was entrusting to God. At one point I took things into my own hands and applied to teach 1st grade in a different school within my district. I got that position and at the end of the year began to pack up my classroom, excited for the new adventure, yet wondering if the choice I'd made was the right one. I'm not one to make big changes, I like a bit of routine and structure to my life, so this was completely out of my usual comfort level. Maybe I was trying to prove to myself and others that I was capable of doing something so drastic, who knows.  As I moved into my new building and began setting up my new classroom I became excited about the upcoming year, my new students their families, and how I would make this new room an inviting place for learning, yet, I still wondered if this was the change, the pursuit, that I was yearning for since it was really the same as what I was already doing, just in a new location with new colleagues, students, and families.

It was about a month later that I realized that taking things into my own hands defeated the purpose of placing hope in God's plan for me.  An opportunity arose that left me reevaluating my decision. I was torn, confused, and at the same time beyond excited at this new possibility. An unexpected opening had become available which would allow me to continue to teach and work with students while utilizing my passion for technology integration as an Elementary Digital Learning Specialist. This was truly a match made in Heaven and should have been a no brainer however, it took many days of weighing pros and cons, going to bed one night saying I was going for it and waking up the next morning saying, no, I'm sitting tight in 1st grade before I finally told my husband that I was going to put my name in and this time, truly put it in God's hands. 

That was then, and now, 4 1/2 months later I am beyond grateful for the changes and new adventures that have been put in front of me. I am working to define a totally brand new position and am loving it! I have much to learn but am reminding myself that it's one day at a time which has lead me to create my #OneWord2017~ Balance. 

All good things come in time and learning the ins and outs of my new position is no different. I am finding that I can balance my time differently with this position. I"m not quite sure how to explain it as I am just as busy as I was as a classroom teacher, but in a very different way. I'm still working with students and using my passion for technology integration but am finding that I now have more time for my family and they are once again becoming my #1 focus. I can still serve others, but I need to serve my family first- something that is long overdue. I have many bad habits to break and have many times had to remind myself that my work will wait. I'm working hard to say, "Yes, let's take that walk in the woods, I can send this email later on." Balance, yup, that's my one word and it's a BIG one. One that will definitely challenge me from January to December and well beyond, but one that I need to put all of my heart, soul, and effort into. I once again have printed off my picture and will be placing in multiple spots to remind me daily of what I am truly after this year.

So to 2016, I say thank you. You will forever have a special place in my heart as I am grateful for the many wonderful opportunities, connections, and changes that occurred last year but I am ready to hit 2017 head on and find the balance in life that I have been truly craving for many years. 

Here's to a fantastic and well balanced 2017!!!