My Learning Stew

HODGE PODGE
"In Nova Scotia, it is a particular stew prepared consisting of new baby vegetables (potatoes, carrots, and beans notably). The vegetables are boiled in enough water to cover them and when the baby potatoes are soft; heavy cream, butter and salt/pepper are added. Locally, the addition of meat or older vegetables would be considered inconsistent to the tradition." (Source..Wikapedia)

I LOVE stew. This is my Turquoise cast iron pot. I LOVE Turquoise too! One of my biggest stumbling points in starting this blogging process, was coming up with a title or THEME for my blog. Let's see if I can draw some parallels to Hodge Podge:

So a little about me:
1. I'm originally from Nova Scotia, where the term Hodge Podge is commonly used to describe a "Spring Stew". I now live in 100 Mile House, a small rural community in the interior of British Columbia. 
2. I'm a self-confessed "foodie". In my house, one of our first conversations in the morning is, "So what's for dinner tonight?" 
3. I could take up this entire blog post describing my teaching background, but here's the (relatively) short version. I started out my career as a jock, and went into education because I couldn't believe I would get paid to hang out in a gym all day! I am in my 25th? year of teaching and my journey has seen me teach every  academic teachable subject at the junior and high school level (specializing in English, but conquering Socials, Science and even MATH!). Along this journey, I have moved into the field of "Special Education", and have worked in Learning Assistance rooms, "Modified" Classrooms,  Behavior Support programs, Life Skills Classrooms, ELL pull out. I took my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, and developed a love for building curriculum. All this has led me to my current title of "Learning Support Coordinator". My job entails travelling throughout our geographically large district (we are the size of the province of New Brunswick) supporting  our rural and remote school staffs, to create inclusive environments with all of their students. I am also District Partner for SETBC, which has played a huge role in my own professional journey in understanding the role that technology can play in improving teaching and learning. I see my background as a "HODGE PODGE" that has led me on this journey to where I am as an educator today.  
3. In all my years of being an educator, I am SO EXCITED to be in this profession today.  MY current job has led to incredible opportunities for me to build my professional practice. I have learned so much being able to spend time in a multitude of classrooms. As I build my PLN through Twitter and other social networks, and participate in so many online and face to face proD opportunities, I am overwhelmed with the amazing work, the willingness to share and the innovativeness of the people I have connected with. Education is a HODGE PODGE in the best sense of the word. We are finding all the "new vegetables', and throwing out the "old tough meat"!. And then we add the "Cream", by remixing sharing and extending all that learning. 

My Learning HodgePodge Blog, will be an education stew-a sharing and reflection on my own learning, based on my varied interests in education: Technology, Innovation, Universal Design For Learning, Inclusion, First Nations Education, Teaching ELL, Literacy, Everything GOOGLE!, Classroom Spaces, The New BC Curriculum, the work we are doing in our district...well just a Hodge Podge. Interestingly, if you google image Hodge Podge you are likely to come across many images like this! Chaos and Order! (Not sure what that has to do with "Hodge Podge", but the parallels to education are even more intriguing.)!

https://pixabay.com/en/chaos-regulation-chaos-theory-485499/