Working with Companies
At the last conference, a group of teachers and I were talking about teaching ideas and teaching tools we liked, when some guy across the room pointed at me and yelled, “You’re not a teacher; you’re a salesman for that computer company!” I explained that I am a teacher, and his response was, “No, you’re not. I saw you in a suit in the exhibit area!” Outside the fact that he was wrong and obnoxious, his points were still fertilizer for this column. So what do they say, “Even from the mouth of fools, ideas can spring”? There are two points here: the notion that a teacher would not wear a suit at a conference and the concept about teachers working “for” a company are worth discussion. The term “I”, or versions of such, will occur because this is personal not “research based.” I apologize, in advance , to the entire “research based” purist league. I will also discuss a few specific companies- that are the reference points of my experience. I hope all teachers and companies that work together to improve learning would email me at bagoftricks@msn.com with other ways teachers and companies can work together.
When I work a conference, I wear a suit all day and change after dinner. I do this for a few reasons, but primarily when I present at a conference I want to make an impression about being a professional. I want to talk to companies, professors, and other teachers as a professional. Personally, I find a suit helps me set a comfortable tone. Simply put, I feel better when I dress well! Last time I checked there is no standard dress for teachers. We are all different, and I don’t look good in seasonal sweaters. I even know other teachers that dress up for conferences. Enough said on that topic.
A teacher working with a company while they still teach- is that wrong? Why not work with companies! Actually, I have learned more working with some companies than n I did at some of the conference workshops. I do mean “work with” a company, not “work for” a company. I see this interaction in the role of advocating for something I use in my room. This is really a matter of semantics since I am sometimes paid by the company for my time and/or expertise with the product.
When I am at a conference telling people about the company’s product, it is not only a company I know, but often it is also a person within the company that I have formed both a professional and a personal relationship with. If you start to examine the role of teachers and begin to establish relationships with the education companies we are exposed to and often have to evaluate, then it was worth the time to post this column . Please feel free to add your input, companies, and ideas.
Here are some of the companies I have worked with and why I believe in them.
Over the years I have promoted, trained with, and worked as a peer educator with a few companies and learned a great deal. So walk with me through the professional side of teaching outside of school.
These companies are listed in the order I met them, not in any other order and are by no means all-inclusive. Let’s call it my “elite eight” to go with March Madness.
Carnegie Learning®- I went to a presentation by William Hadley related to Carnegie Learning®, he is a must see on the conference speaker list, but wanted to know more. This sounded and looked like a great way to teach and excite kids. I then spent most of my remaining time at the conference getting to know him and the representatives of Carnegie Learning®. Since that day, I have trained to teach with their system, trained to teach other teachers how to teach with this method as a CIS teacher trainer, worked to tell other teachers about Carnegie Learning®, and even written a column about them. What I learned from this experience was invaluable and has made me a better teacher.
Bottom line- Personally, I still believe this is the best way to teach math to kids. http://www.carnegielearning.com
NASA- I met the regional education director at a conference years ago and developed a personal relationship that has opened up a world of resources that I use to this day. Since then the names have changed, but I strongly recommend that you meet and get to know the regional NASA education people.
Bottom line- Their list of resources and helpful ideas is almost overwhelming.
http://www.nasa.gov
PASCO Scientific- This Company makes probeware and data collection related devices for science classes. There are others, but two of the companies are more commonly used than the others. I chose PASCO after watching a “Peer teacher” demonstration at a conference in Orlando. After the workshop, I went to the booths for both companies. At one, I found a salesman that could not explain all the equipment; at the other, I talked to teachers using the product in their classroom. It was an easy choice after that event. * I know both companies use peers; all I am saying is that at this one conference when I was looking for probeware, one interaction made a difference. I have “worked with” PASCO to write a grant to get me started, we have set up workshops for other teachers in my district to learn how to use the equipment, and I talk with the representative of this company on a regular basis. We are now working on expanding the use of PASCO probeware in my area. We are also finding the best way to collect data at Six Flags for science days. (A future column will be written about our “Six Flags/PASCO teacher road trip”)
Bottom line- My science classrooms and labs will not be the same ever again.
www.pasco.com
Eduware- Both the Wizard test generator and the Edugame (see Eduware Triple Threat column) I have worked a NSTA National Conference in Dallas with this company and interact personally with Bill Stevens, the president of Eduware, at all conferences which we cross paths. This reminds me- Eduware gives away free copies of single computer / single subject software to teachers that sit in on their demonstrations at conferences. Then come to find out, most teachers do not activate and try the software! Teachers, try the stuff you get at conferences. It can not hurt you, and it might help!
Bottom Line- Read my other column!
www.eduware.com
School Island by Castle Software- There is another company with a similar name but not at all similar product (not a similar quality either- in my opinion!). This is the best “bang for the Internet buck” I have seen out there. I met School Island Bill (Bill Ingui, President Castle Software) at a conference and followed up on a free 4 week trial offer. I called the 800 number and asked for more time, and they gave me more time to evaluate this product. After my principal purchased a semester for a few students, we have grown to our whole school, and hopefully soon our district will use this Internet tool as well.
Bottom line- This story tells about establishing professional and personal bonds. I was doing one of my “Teacher’s Bag of Tricks” workshops at another school district on a Saturday morning. We ran into a wall between the Internet program and the district firewall. So I called Bill (president-Castle Software) on the cell to get some help. He got back to me within 30 minutes with ideas and help. Help on a Saturday before 10AM! That’s special.
www.schoolIsland.com
Educators Outlet- I play games with this company. They are my personal source of educational play toys (24 game®, Krypto®, “Busy Beetles”...) I started demonstrating games at conferences to interested teachers after meeting a representative, Carole Tilley, at a conference. Since then, they have supported my “Teachers’ Bag of Tricks” presentations with “interaction prizes” for teachers that participate in the workshop.
Bottom line- At one conference I demonstrated “Busy Beetles” and even though they did not carry them at the time, Carole got on the phone and found some for teachers that very day.
www.educatorsoutlet.com
The Paper Magic Group for their Stars & Smiles Sparkle Stickers- I use these for excellent work, improved work, and even in some cases, any work (A “WOW” sticker with a note saying “Congratulations we are 6 weeks into the school year and you have finally done something!”) I also use these “star” stickers with teachers at conferences to get the “Bag of Tricks” teachers to talk to each other.
Bottom line-The basic rewards of a sticker for work well done will never fade in getting kids to smile.
PITSCO- If you teach science or technology and do not know about PITSCO shame on you. This is just the greatest treasure trove of stimulating ideas and instructional play toys out there. For me, it is like a new recipe book with all sorts of new meals and dishes I want to try. I already use rockets, solar cars, gas dragsters, “Levatator” Maglev cars, and many more. I am very interested in their links to Lego-Education and using more robotics in my electricity/modern topics instruction.
Bottom line- A good box of toys makes teaching science exciting for the kids and teachers.
www.pitsco.com
Teachers, if I can interact on a personal and professional level with these companies so can you. Start slow, look around at what you use in your room, what you want to use, and what is working in rooms that excite kids, then stick your hand out and meet people. Use the internet, use your conference time better, use your imagination, and work with the companies that support your teaching and your students’ education.
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