Why every school needs a Kim Cofino
Some times being in the educational technology business can be a thankless job. The phone call or the e-mail that is a panicked teacher that sends you sprinting down the hallway. We get to play the hero a lot of times....swooshing in to unmute a computer who's audio is not working before a presentation or other times more complicated matters arise. Nobody ever complains when the Internet is working, when the e-mail chugs along or every student laptop connects to the wireless Internet flawlessly.
So here is my shout out when everything works and everything is amazing (see video).
Kim Cofino has been working with three of our 5th grade teachers here at ISB to create podcasts. But not just any podcasts....Students Teaching Students podcast. Chrissy, Robin and Ali have been working with Kim all year on a Reader's Workshop project. Today I got to listen to one of the podcasts the students made...and I have to tell ya....they are on to something here. If you click on the image to the right you'll be taken to the iTunes store where you can download the 3 minute or less podcasts the students have started to create...and don't worry there are more to come. Kim outlines the whole process here in a blog post.
This is just one of many projects that Kim has helped teachers with this year. I'm sure many of you reading this blog have either worked with Kim on a project or will in the future.
Kim knows how to create a network for learning, she knows how to create projects that span space and time. She uses the technology and her personal network to her advantage. Take the 1001 Flat World Tales Project that she is helping to head up with Jeff Whipple. Organizing some 33 Elementary Schools on 5 continents.
Kim has amazing organizational skills that makes sure things get done in and out of school. Being the only female on a Ed Tech team of five she keeps us boys in line and focused...which we all agree we need. :)
I was excited to work with Kim when I moved here this year....only really knowing her through the blogosphere and I have to say she's helped me learn a ton this year. This is probably the only blog post this year that wasn't first bounced around in a conversation with her. It's great to have an equal to help you out with everything. Two full time Ed Tech people for 70 teachers in the Elementary School...I'm not sure ISB knows just how amazing that is...and then to have Kim be one of those two and some other slacker tagging along is just unheard of. It truly is unfair that one school gets that must Ed Tech power.
So here's to you Kim. You are amazing whether people are happy or not!