With these funds I will... Get2ISTE! I have been trying to find my way to ISTE2015, but so far my other routes have been unsuccessful. I wrote a grant proposal to be a 2015 Fund for Teachers Fellow. I tried to sing and dance (poorly) to win the ISTE2015 social media contest for free registration and hotel accommodations (see above). If this campaign is successful...I will make a music video about my experience and shout out (sing out?) to all of those who helped me along the way. Who doesn't want to see that? 

Why do I want to Get2ISTE so badly anyway?

Adam Bellow in his ISTE 2013 Keynote centered his message to educators around one idea, “You are invited to change the world.” When I watched a recording of this keynote last year I teared up because of how powerful his message was.  It reminded me of how our chief purpose in the classroom is to change our students in order to change our world. I want to learn from educators that are taking this invitation and letting it drive their classrooms every day. I want to learn new techniques to awaken sleepy but brilliant minds that are giftedly bored. I want to make the connections and tools I need to empower my stereotype defying young ladies who tell me that they want to seek a career in Science and Technology. I want every student to leave our school feeling like a competent digital citizen who knows how to harness the power of technology to improve their learning and life.

I teach at a small magnet middle school for advanced academics where the majority of our students qualify as gifted learners. According to my job description I am the Latin teacher of our school where I serve every single student through various levels of Latin from their 6th grade year up to the 8th.  In my time here at this special school I feel that my title has expanded through my duties, passions, and students’ needs. I feel that I am a teacher of Latin with a concentration on Heart and Technology. These are anchors that guide my planning. I, above all else, want my students to leave my classroom better young people than they came to me in 6th grade. I, of course, want them to learn about Latin and the ways that a classical education can benefit them even in our modern world. I believe that technology is an inextricable piece of that modern world. Technology can help to open doors for my students in their education (personal and at school) and futures. 

$1,500? "That's a lot!" (You're telling me.)

This number was determined based on the following:

Travel: I am estimating $400-500 including airfare as well as travel from the airport to hotel accommodations. When comparing airfare from Raleigh, North Carolina to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, I found that a roundtrip ticket price for economy airfare departing on June 27th and returning July 2nd averages between $345-400 (including taxes and fees). These numbers were collected from travel websites: Kayak, Priceline, Google Flights, and Orbitz. The rest of the travel budget would include a taxi or Uber ride to and from the airport. Based on taxifarefinder.com a flat rate for this service is estimated as around $30 one way for a total of $60.  Uber estimated at the lowest $45 for this same drive for a total of $90.

Hotel Accommodations: I am requesting $1,100 for to cover hotel costs. This number reflects official attendee housing with ISTE for their lowest price room available today (and they're going away by the day, unfortunately!).

Back Up Plan