Today's guest post is brought to you by an incredible educator of 28 years! Kim Voge is an innovator in and out of the classroom. In the classroom, she weaves together pedagogy and technology in meaningful ways. Literacy in all content areas, including multimedia, is the goal.

Last year, Kim was awarded the CUE Blended and Online Teacher of the Year. And most recently, she is the new author of an outstanding DBC, Inc. book, Deploying EduProtocols, all about improving student learning and engagement.

Take it away, Kim!

Guest Post by Kim Voge

My book opens with this quote:

"One day, the mountain that is in front of you will be so far behind you, it will barely be visible in the distance. But the person you become in learning to get over it? That will stay with you forever…"

In education, as in life, we are faced with many obstacles- mountains- that we must overcome. Deploying EduProtocols is a result of conquering one mountain and looking back in the distance…and then prepping for the next peak in this journey. 

The Origin

My professional life came to an abrupt halt when I was unexpectedly returned to the classroom for the Fall of 2019. After being a teacher on special assignment for 7.5 years, focusing on ed-tech, I never thought my position would succumb to budget cuts. Luckily, during the 18-19 school year, I had been using EduProtocols as I supported teachers K-12, in all subject areas. 

As I planned my return to the classroom, I wanted to take my years of training and skills to maximize what learning COULD be. I prepared to go full tilt with EduProtocols. From the first day of school, my class engaged in building relationships and routines that helped me teach better, work less, and accelerate learning.

There were frustrating times as I had to reconcile the new curriculum with many lofty ancillary pieces. I am not going to lie…it wasn't always pretty. Jon Corippo received a tear-filled call from me while he was on a layover at the airport. He coached me through the fact that I needed to focus on standards…not on the publisher teacher manual. 

My Hopes

The events of 2019 through this pandemic led me to collect my thoughts into a book. The goal of Deploying EduProtocols is to help leaders and teachers have practical examples of how to improve learning for students. Obviously, student learning is a priority. The beauty of EduProtocols is that students, teachers, and the whole learning community benefit. Being a teacher, even before the pandemic, was difficult. Implementing EduProtocols allows teachers to plan pedagogically sound lessons, provide effective feedback, and build relationships with students-without spending as much personal time.

At Spring CUE 2022, the first big face-to-face event in a long time, a fellow educator approached me with tears in her eyes. She told me that all the Zoom-based EduProtocol training I offered since March 2020 helped her "survive" the past two years. It is my genuine hope that my book helps teachers find balance in their personal-professional life AND create effective ways for students to enjoy learning.

Steps to Get Started

Of course, there are now FOUR EduProtocol books to help you in your journey. We have support built in at eduprotocols.com, @eduprotocols #eduprotocols on Twitter, and EmpowerEDventure on Facebook.

Here's a game plan for tomorrow to get you started. 

1. Fast and Curious- Create a 10-12 question quiz about your topic (facts, vocabulary, etc). Administer the quiz using an online app (let the computer do the grading for you!)
2. Conduct a mini-lesson about the information. Have the students create a Thin Slide (one word, one sentence, one picture)
3. Play the game again…and watch those scores go up!
4. Repeat the next few days- build mastery through reps.

We are here to help and support you! EduProtocols are nothing new…they are proven methods that help students learn…but with a twist…and that is where the learning gains happen. Thank you for all you do for OUR kids!

And to conclude the opening quote:

"...and that is the point of the mountain." —Brianna Wies

Thank You, Kim!

Thanks for this incredible post! We can't wait to see how you all implement the EduProtocols mentioned above. If you like what you've read here, you will love the new Deploying EduProtocols book by Kim, too.

If you haven't already, follow Kim Voge and learn more from her by clicking these links Twitter HERE and his website HERE.

And, don't forget to preview her amazing new DBC, Inc. Book, Deploying EduProtocols right HERE!