Eric Sheninger

Principal

How are you involved in education?
Principal at New Milford HS  (NJ)

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?

My ideal school would consist of a teaching and learning culture that is student-centered and focuses on cultivating essential skill sets that are essential to success.  These skill sets include creativity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, technological proficiency, media literacy, and global awareness.  An emphasis on these skills sets will radically transform my school into an institution that ignites a passion for leaning amongst students.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
Harnessing the Power of Social Media to Improve Schools.

Do you have a website or blog?
http://ericsheninger.com/esheninger

Are you on Twitter?
@NMHS_Principal

Mike Ritzius

High School Science Teacher. NJEA Consultant, Union Leader

How are you involved in education?
I am a HS science teacher at Camden County Technical School, a leader within my local association,,and a Professional Development and Instructional Issues consultant for the New Jersey Education Association.

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
Three years ago, I built my ideal classroom. It is an interdisciplinary project based learning environment supported by an online backbone. By removing the limits of a rigid schedule, and to a lesser degree, space and curriculum, the educators working in this environment are better able to meet the needs of individual learners.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
I plan on facilitating an inquiry session on organizational learning. By the end of session, attendees should have a plan for discovering innovative ideas and bringing the best to fruition.

Are you on Twitter?
@mritzius

Christine Miles

Supervisor of English/Language Arts & English Language Learner Programming Grades 5-12

How are you involved in education?

I currently serve as the supervisor of English/Language Arts and English Language Learner Programs for grades 5-12 in the Lindenwold Public School District in addition to teaching remedial reading to an awesome group of 10th graders.

In addition to this, I am pursuing my doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University, focusing on the Effectiveness and Sustainability of 21st Century Professional Development Programs.

In my spare time, I facilitate several websites, http://EngDoCollaborative.wikispaces.com and http://miles-o-resources.wikispaces.com .

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?

My ideal classroom inspires students by providing them with autonomy in learning. It is empowering and shows students that all members (teacher included!) have unique interests. It is an environment where we all have the ability to contribute, explore, and develop into our best possible selves.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
Creating collaborative environments online; web tools to enhance literacy and differentiation across the curriculum; the empowerment of choice vs. the oppression of force in the English/Language Arts classroom.

Do you have a website or blog?
http://www.miles-o-resources.wikispaces.com
http://EngDoCollaborative.wikispaces.com

Are you on Twitter?
@ritzius2

Marc Mancinelli

Assistant Principal for Teaching & Learning, Haddonfield Memorial High School

How are you involved in education?
I currently serve as a high school assistant principal for academics.  Before that I was a supervisor of English and an English teacher for over 10 years.  I’m also in the dissertation phase in my doctoral work on Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum.  I enjoy researching and writing about technology, literacy, globalization, assessment, and the role of schools in preparation for the world of work.

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
My ideal classroom would be open in the center for class discussions, mini-lectures and model lessons. It would be surrounded by nooks and crannies for private reading and independent work. There would be tech centers and work spaces fit for group planning and working. The walls would be covered in idea paint for brainstorming and organizing information. There would be books EVERYWHERE!  The environment would be fun, safe and comfortable, a place to learn and explore new ideas together.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
At Edcamp, I might discuss the ways in which digital media and various technologies affect– for better or worse– learning essential skills and content.

Do you have a website or blog?
http://showallyourwork.wordpress.com/

Are you on Twitter?
@marcmancinelli

Patrick Higgins

Supervisor of Instruction, Caldwell/West Caldwell Public Schools

How are you involved in education?
I am in currently the Supervisor of Instruction for the Caldwell/West Caldwell Public Schools.  My role is to oversee the development of curriculum, professional development, and academic technology to meet the needs of the communities of Caldwell and West Caldwell.  I have been a teacher of English and Social Studies, as well as a technology coordinator, and curriculum specialist in the 11 years I have been in education.

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
Imagine a traditional woodshop class in which each student arrives and begins working on a project he or she designed and created, rarely if ever disengaging from their work.  They all have a personal stake in the outcome of the project, they build it so that it will last beyond the time they are in this class, and they build it so that it will be seen by more eyes than just their teachers.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
I’d like to gather some thoughts on how we allow students to write in authentic spaces and how we manage that from the standpoint of a traditional classroom.  For example, if your students are writing reviews of video games in online forums, can you track and quantify that to assess whether or not they are writing well?

Do you have a website or blog?
http://chalkdust101.wordpress.com/

Are you on Twitter?
@pjhiggins

Kristen Swanson, Ed.D.

Curriculum Coach

How are you involved in education?
I work with Grant Wiggins to help teachers implement Understanding by Design as part of the iZone project. Helping teachers give their students opportunity for meaningful transfer is my passion!

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
My ideal classroom would be the REAL WORLD! Students would travel to places near and far to get authentic learning experiences. They would then evaluate and create new products based upon what they learned!

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
I hope to lead a “fishbowl” session where we debate different pedagogical strategies.

Do you have a website or blog?
http://www.kristenswanson.org

Are you on Twitter?
@kristenswanson

Kevin Jarrett

K-4 Computer Lab Teacher and Technology Facilitator

How are you involved in education?
I’m a K-4 Computer Lab Teacher / Technology Facilitator at Northfield Community School in Northfield, NJ, where I have been teaching since 2003. Prior to teaching I worked in the corporate world for almost 20 years. I left the private sector in the aftermath of 9/11 because I wanted to do something more important with my life, to follow my lifelong dream of one day becoming a teacher.

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
Since I teach in a computer lab, my ideal classroom is truly a laboratory – one in which inquiry, curiosity, experimentation, exploration and learning are aided by technology and its ability to link people, places and ideas. It doesn’t even have to be a physical, formal space; it could be in a hallway or even outside in a field. Students should work independently yet collaboratively on authentic, challenging tasks and projects in which the technology is ubiquitous and natural, like reaching for a pencil or crayon, a piece of paper or a book. Work would be published online for the community (and world) to see and interact with. There would be no state tests, only portfolios required for graduation, a living digital archive representing the summative work of a student from their first day in school. The linkages between school, home and the community would be seamless and transparent.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
Honestly, after all the planning and preparation we’ve done for the event, leading a session is the last thing on my mind. We are however considering running a couple of sessions in which we discuss “the making of edcamp philly,” which would be led by different members of the organizing team (whoever is available). I think that would be a lot of fun, and, it might inspire others to put on their own edcamps, just as we were inspired at BarCamp Philly.

Do you have a website or blog?
http://www.ncs-tech.org
http://about.me/kjarrett 

Are you on Twitter?
@kjarrett

Damian Bariexca

School Psychologist

How are you involved in education?
I am a school psychologist and Child Study Team member at Lawrence Intermediate School in Lawrenceville, NJ.  I am also an adjunct instructor at Delaware Valley College and a professional development consultant for the New Jersey Education Association.  Finally, I am pursuing my Ed.D. in Innovation & Leadership at Wilmington University, with a focus on distributed leadership.

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
My ideal school environment would be one where inquiry drives learning, failure is not only tolerated but encouraged as part of the learning process, and the lines between teacher and student blur regularly.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
Either a brainstorming session on overcoming logistical obstacles to widespread technology adoption & integration OR a discussion of Universal Design for Learning.

Do you have a website or blog?
http://www.damianbariexca.net/
http://www.apaceofchange.com/ 

Are you on Twitter?
@damian613

Lisa Thumann

Assistant Director, School for Global Education & Innovation, Kean University

How are you involved in education?
I provide professional development and in-class coaching and mentoring in NJ schools. I am a Google Certified Teacher and Certified Trainer and an Advisor for the NJ Education Computing Cooperative (NJECC)

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
My ideal classroom is managed by a knowledgeable, flexible and empathetic teacher who is supported by the same type of administrators and colleagues. Students are curious, engaged learners with a passion for learning.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
I would like to facilitate a session on what districts are doing to implement the Common Core.

Do you have a website or blog?
ThumannResources.com

Are you on Twitter?
@lthumann