Victoria Thompson is a STEM Integration Transformation Coach at TAF@Saghalie, a middle school located in Federal Way, WA. In her five years as an anti-racist educator, she began her journey teaching fifth and sixth grade math and science at Cane Bay Middle School in Summerville, SC after graduating from the College of Charleston in 2015. After completing her masters in curriculum and instruction from Western Governors University in 2017 she moved to the Seattle, WA area in 2018 with her wife Kourtney, where her career has pivoted to focusing on K-12 mathematics instruction with research on decolonizing mathematics curriculum for teachers and learners, creating inclusive math environments, and using technology to bridge equity gaps in math education. She is a certified Microsoft Innovative Educator, a National Geographic Educator, an Apple Educator, an InsPEARational Educator, and an educational technology consultant for tech companies in the Seattle area.
Microsoft Edge Browser I think I’ve reached a point professionally where I automatically assume that Google Chrome is the default web browser. It’s been years since I’ve seen someone use Firefox, and the one time I saw a colleague using Internet Explorer (in 2015) I was honestly in shock–I had been so used to Google Chrome! And while Chrome has… Read More »Enrich the Learning Experience in Edge Browser
@VictoriaTheTech shares about what goes into successful family-teacher conferences as she reviews the new Microsoft Educator Center course.
Guest Post by Victoria Thompson In our last post, we spoke about the first step of becoming an #MIEExpert. The #MIEExpert community (short for Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert Community, and often hashtagged on Facebook and Twitter to indicate involvement) is a community supported by Microsoft made up of passionate educators who are constantly learning, growing and working together to change… Read More »So, You Want to be an #MIEExpert? – Part 2 – Continuing Coursework by @VictoriaTheTech
Guest Post by Victoria Thompson How can I be more involved with Microsoft Education? I get really excited when I am asked this question but I sometimes struggle on how to answer because there are truly so many ways to be involved, with one of the best being part of the #MIEExpert community. So, in this next series, it’ll be… Read More »So, You Want to be an #MIEExpert? – Part 1 By @VictoriaTheTech
Guest Post by Victoria Thompson BONUS! Although I gave my favorite five Microsoft Educator Center courses previously, I couldn’t help myself and decided to add another. So, consider this a bonus! If you’re an education leader such as an administrator, a department head, or an instructional coach, I highly recommend that you check out this learning path on Getting started… Read More »@VictoriaTheTech’s Favorite Microsoft Educator Center Courses
Guest Post by Victoria Thompson Victoria’s Favorite Microsoft Educator Center Courses – #1: Creating Classroom Communities Using Social and Emotional Practices Okay, so technically I am cheating a bit–this is a learning path (a set of courses) instead of just one course. However, this is so important that I feel the need to give this the #1 spot! The title… Read More »Check Out @VictoriaTheTech’s #1 Favorite Microsoft Course!
All are welcome, especially those who work with pre-service teachers or those who are looking to get into education. Specific topics discussed are “things we wish we knew” before entering the profession, technology integration, and equity. The link to sign up is here. When you sign up, you’ll receive a link for live attendance.
Guest Post by Victoria Thompson Number 3 is one of my personal favorites: it focuses on Techquity! “Techquity” refers to the infusion of technology and equity, and equity refers to the concept of every student needing what they need to be successful in the classroom. Specifically, how do we make meaningful connections with all of our students—and how do we… Read More »Techquity- Creating Learning Environments for Sustainability, Equity, and Access
Guest Post by Victoria Thompson I am very big on self-care and mindfulness. I have given seminars and sessions on educator self-care in the age of COVID, as well as how to protect our peace and empathy. I have written an entire blog series on exploitation of empathy in professions dominated by women (particularly, teaching). So, I LOVE mindfulness, self-care,… Read More »Mindfulness in The Classroom – @VictoriaTheTech’s Favorite Microsoft Educator Center Courses
Guest Post by Victoria Thompson @VictoriaTheTech Hello, everyone! In my last blog post I mentioned that I would be speaking about my favorite courses on the Microsoft Educator Center (or the MEC, for short). We’re going to kick it off with #5: Getting Started with Office 365 and Windows. In the Microsoft Educator Center there are courses, which are typically… Read More »Getting Started with Office 365 and Windows – Victoria’s (@VictoriaTheTech) Favorite Microsoft Educator Center Courses
Guest Post by Victoria Thompson Next up is #4: Empowering young people to take action! Via the direct link: “the course, which forms part of World Wildlife Fund (WWF’s) learning path on Education for a sustainable planet, aims to help you further your understanding of sustainability and equip you with relevant information, tools, activities and good ideas from other skilled… Read More »Empowering Young People to Take Action – @VictoriaTheTech Favorite Microsoft Educator Center Courses
As a school that is fully integrated with Office 365, this is where the Microsoft Educator Center (or MEC) comes to the rescue.
Editor is a free, embedded tool in Microsoft Word to enhance your writing, and I’d certainly like to think that it enhances mine—in fact, I used it while writing this guest blog! I am excited to see what else I can do with Editor, particularly with its extensions into Microsoft Outlook.
When using Immersive Reader, consider giving these concepts tips a try. I’ve used them primarily for math and STEM classes but I’ve seen teachers do wonderful things with it in ELA, social studies, and even physical education!
I really appreciate how PowerPoint gives us the option to integrate these platforms to bring student responses and feedback to life.
