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Back in April, Mrs. Yollis noticed this tweet from her Twitter friend, Ms. Moroder. The tweet mentioned a "Thank a Teacher" essay contest to win a free trip to ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), compliments of Promethean.
Mrs. Yollis mentioned the contest to her class and they immediately and enthusiastically jumped on the wagon train to support their teacher and get her to San Antonio, Texas, where ISTE will be held at the end of June!
On Friday, the winner was announced! Here is a video of Principal Hibler revealing the exiting news to Mrs. Yollis and her class!
Sheriff Yollis, who makes western style literacy videos with her sidekick Sheriff Salsich, is excited to head out to the great state of Texas to start the learnin'.
When asked how she feels about winning the contest, Mrs. Yollis stated, "I'd like to give a big, Texas-size thank you to my students, their parents, and my principal for contributing such heart-warming letters on my behalf. As everyone knows, integrating technology in meaningful ways is a passion of mine. Last year, I presented Flattening Classroom Walls: Educational Blogging at ISTE with my talented Australian blogging buddy, Kathleen Morris. I saw firsthand how valuable this type of professional development can be for educators and their students. I look forward to this opportunity to continue my learning."
Thank you, Promethean, for selecting me as the recipient of your generous gift! I look forward to learning and sharing my insights right here on Mrs. Yollis' Classroom Blog.
What are some topics you would like Mrs. Yollis to explore while at ISTE?
Have you ever been to Texas? Please share some Texan facts!
Dear Mrs. Yollis,
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled Promethean chose you as the winner to attend ISTE! As far as your learning goes, you are an expert in so many areas, but are continuously growing and learning more.
For me, I want to learn more about Google Chrome Store apps/extensions and learn more about the hidden world that Google offers! For example, I learned a ton from you in your post after attending the Google Teacher Academy. I would like to learn about those to use with the Common Core.
What would you like to learn more about?
PS This will be my first time visiting Texas!
Kind regards,
Mrs. Watanabe
Dear Mrs. Watanabe (and former ISTE 12 roomie),
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words of congratulations! I am thrilled to be attending the conference. Last year, I learned so much when I attended for the first time. There were so many fabulous sessions to choose from, it was hard to make choices! I was inspired by my peers and left ISTE with my head full of ideas!
Not only was ISTE a wonderful event for learning, but it was also a lot of fun! I loved being your roommate and hanging out in downtown San Diego. I look forward to being with you in Texas!
Like you, I am interested in all things Common Core. There will be a wealth of sessions and we'll have lots of discussions about the topic. I'm glad that my post about the Google Teacher Academy helped you learn too. That's what's great about having a group of teachers work together, we all learn from one another!
I am also interesting in learning about how to use iPads more effectively in my classroom. You have had some tremendous posts about that, and we'll have to chat about that topic as well!
See you in Texas!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Y♥llis
Dear Mrs. Yollis,
DeleteI very much look forward to spending time with you in San Antonio... catching up, learning, and having fun!
Your former ISTE12 Roomie and friend,
Mrs. Watanabe
Dear Mrs. Yollis,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! It is so great to see an inspiring and hardworking teacher be rewarded with such a neat prize.
I lived in Texas for about six months when I was in Army training. I traveled all over the state, and went to San Antonio a couple of times.
Texas is a big state, filled with people with big personalities, and I loved my time there. Texas' slogan is "Don't Mess With Texas," which is posted on the highways and lots of clothing items. This slogan refers to Texas' independent nature (they've threatened separation from the U.S. a few times), but the signs on the highways refer to keeping Texas clean. The highways were incredibly clean, and filled with beautiful wildflowers during the spring and summer. Hopefully, you'll get out and see a bit of the countryside while you're on your trip.
Be well,
Ms. Peyrot
Dear Ms. Peyrot,
DeleteThank you for your thoughtful words and interesting facts about Texas! I have heard the phrase "Don't mess with Texas". I love that they use that to promote clean highways and a beautiful Texas.
I read on World Book Online that some of the largest military bases in the United States are in the San Antonio area. No wonder that is where you trained when you were in the army.
It is funny that the first comment in this post came from my ISTE roommate from San Diego, and the second comment came from my ISTE roommate in San Antonio! :-)
I wonder what other facts people will share about Texas!
Your pal,
Mrs. Y♥llis
Dear Mrs. Yollis,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being selected to go to San Antonio and ISTE! Such a well deserved award. I have never been to Texas, so I will be learning about all these new things along with you.
I just found out that the word Texas comes from an American Indian word that means "Friends."
Dear Mr. JR,
DeleteThank you for saying that the award is well deserved! I appreciate that!
I was in Texas once for a family event, but was only there for the weekend. We stayed in the Houston area, and it was quite humid. Then it started to rain, and I have never seen it pour like that. It rained for hours and hours! I hope we don't get that kind of a downpour when we're there!
How appropriate that the word Texas comes from an American Indian word for "friends". We will certainly be a group of friends at ISTE!
See you there!
Your GTANY friend,
Mrs. Y♥llis
Congratulations, Mrs. Yollis! I am so excited to see you again when we are both in Texas for ISTE! I have been to Texas quite frequently; my grandparents live in Oklahoma, so we have to fly into Texas to visit them. ISTE will be in San Antonio, Texas, which is where Texas defenders fell to Mexican General Santa Anna and the phrase "Remember the Alamo" originated. The Alamo is considered the cradle of Texas liberty and the state's most popular historic site, and we'll be right there! I'm excited to do some technology learning AND history learning with you in June!
ReplyDeleteDear Megan,
DeleteThank you! I too am excited about seeing you again!
I have read a bit about the Alamo and would love to take a little time off and make a trip out to see it. I was reading that the battle took 13 days!
The River Walk looks beautiful too! It sounds like the San Antonio River has a lot of barges and activities for tourists! Lots of learning and a little fun along the way!
See you in Texas!
~Mrs. Y♥llis
Mrs Yollis
ReplyDeletePrincipal Hibler did a great job of the ambush video, I did smile when she told you that you had been nominated and then said that you'd won because we got to see the excitment on your face. I was also excited too because I thought of all the good things that you can do at the conference and all the teachers that you will influence and then all of the students who will benefit as a result.
Mr Webb and Room Five, Melville Intermediate, Hamilton, New Zealand. melvilleroom8.blogspot.com
Dear Mr. Webb,
DeleteYes, Principal Hibler surprised us all! We could not figure out what she was doing with the camera. Some thought she was making a video about our school. When she mentioned "Thank a Teacher", that's when she really had my attention! I had been watching my email all morning and did not expect to find out from our principal. I'm glad she filmed it because it is fun for us to relive it!
I am so looking forward to attending ISTE, learning from others, and sharing with my friends online and my elementary students.
I wish you could be there!
Your friend,
Mrs. Y♥llis
Dear Mrs. Yollis,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I know it will be an educational and fun-filled experience for you.
The look on your face in the video is priceless! I also loved hearing all the children giggling with excitement in the background of the video.
Warmly,
Shannon- Collin's mom
Dear Shannon,
DeleteA million thanks for your supportive letter! It really meant a lot to me!
Yes, I was quite surprised by the news. I was expecting to be notified one way or the other via email. Everyone was excited about the news! It is fun to watch the video!
Looking forward to sharing everything I learn!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Y♥llis
Dear Mrs. Yollis,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I am so happy for you. You truly deserve it. I love watching how you and the children were surprised and excited in the video.
Warmly,
Echo (Heather's mom)
Dear Mrs. Yollis,
ReplyDeleteWe are thrilled for you. Congratulations! We are excited to hear about your adventures and all that you learn at ISTE this summer! What great fortune for your future students!
Thank you so much to Mrs. Hibler for filming that. Your look of shock and happiness and the children's excitement for your win is memorable and just plain fun to watch.
Enjoy your time in Texas! We cannot wait to hear about all you learn and experience there.
Warmly,
Gayle - Jenna's mom
Dear Mrs Yollis,
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled that you have been selected, but not surprised! A most deserving winner and I am sure that you will make the most of your opportunity - and we, your friends in the blogging community will also benefit when you share that learning with us.
Your friend,
Mrs Monaghan
Dear Mrs. Yollis,
ReplyDeleteWhat fantastic news this is! :)
You already have the hat for San Antonio and now have the chance to got to ISTE in June. I hope you have a fantastic sharing time there.
Mrs. Yollis's class, it was wonderful of you to support your teacher in this way. I wonder what great ideas Mrs. Yollis will bring back?
Ross Mannell
Teacher (retired), N.S.W., Australia
Dear Mrs Yollis
ReplyDeleteHow exciting for you to be traveling to Texas for another ISTE event!
I spent several weeks in Texas in December/January about 13 years ago, visiting my sister-in-law and brother-in-law who were living and working in Kerrville at the time.
My husband and I also spent some time in San Antonio, visiting The Alamo centre, the Riverwalk and Seaworld among other attractions. I hope you get some time to sightsee!
We also went to a very large mall which was an eye-opener for us, coming from a small town with one short main street!
Have a fabulous time,
Mrs McKenzie, NZ
Dear Mrs Yollis,
ReplyDeleteThe video of your principal announcing the wonderful news brought such a smile to my face! I'm thrilled to hear that you will be attending ISTE again this year.
You and I had such a fantastic time learning together at ISTE in San Diego last year. It was amazing to meet you in person and present with you!
I wish I could be joining you, Mrs Watanabe and all our other buddies at ISTE this year but as you know I'm expecting a baby in July!
I look forward to learning from your experience.
Your friend in Australia,
Mrs Morris
Hello Mrs Yollis,
ReplyDeleteI "work" at Promethean and can't wait to meet you in San Antonio. Congratulations! It is SO fun to see how genuinely excited your students are for you. I'm sure it is because they appreciate all you have done this year to help them become better learners. Waaahoooo!
Fun Texas Fact: Texas is about the same size as the country of France.
Sad Texas Fact: Texas has become much for barren over the years. It used to be much greener than it is now. Here is some information: http://texaseden.org/disaster-resources/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/l-5456-03-05-restoring-native-grasslands.pdf
Kind regards,
Preston Winn
PS: I had to read through this twice to make sure I didn't make too many spelling or grammar mistakes. I get nervous writing to teachers! Doh!
Dear Mrs Yollis,
ReplyDeleteA huge congratulations from down under. I am so over the moon as I just received your new blog post and when I read you had won I was even more thrilled than you were. :)
I am with Mrs Morris I just loved your reaction when your principal said you had won.
You deserve this win for so many reasons. I truly believe you are an outstanding role model for lots of different reasons.
Have a wonderful time and enjoy catching up with your other amazing blogging buddies.
Happy time.
From AA :)