From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I couldn’t really explain it when asked why. After finishing my education to become an educator, I realized that I had some great teachers who made me feel comfortable in the classroom environment, which made me want to do what I saw modeled. I am currently in my thirteenth year teaching high school English at North County High School in Bonne Terre, MO. I have been in my district for 12 of those years, finishing my first year teaching in a nearby district before moving to my current position.
I love having a creative angle to the assignments in my class. I feel there’s nothing better than seeing students create something they are proud of and run to my desk to show me. I have tenth through twelfth graders, but even the oldest still get excited to show off their work. Seeing that is something special that not every teacher gets to see. When I found Buncee, I instantly realized its potential in my own classroom! My district went to 1:1 Chromebook technology for all students this year, so it’s been very fun finding so many new EdTech tools to use, and Buncee has landed a spot on my favorites list!
FOLLOW ME:
Twitter: @EdTech_Nerd
CLASSROOM MOTTO:
“Learning can be as fun or as interesting as you make it.”
WHAT IS THE PROUDEST MOMENT OF YOUR EDUCATION CAREER?
I feel like I have proud moments in my career frequently, but I’ll discuss a couple.
Winning over a class full of teenagers is not an easy task, but I feel like — for the most part — that my students like coming to my class and look forward to it. Like Dave Burgess says, “If your students didn’t have to be there, would you be teaching in an empty room?” I don’t think I would be. Not to sound too vain, but I’ve had kids say to me (or to others that I overhear), “I love coming to this class” or “This class is so fun.” That is a proud moment that will get any teacher rejuvenated! I overheard one student say last semester, “I think Mr. Bryan just sits around and finds new things and tools for us to use, but I like it.” I walked away with a smile on my face.
Other proud moments are those instances when you hear your classroom door open, and it’s a face who graduated and left the halls of the building the year (or two, three) prior. Seeing that type of familiar face walk in lets me (and other teachers) know that I have made a difference and/or impact on that person. Being a teacher is so rewarding in various ways. The best kinds are those one can keep past that student’s educational career where that person seeks your advice and mentorship.
WHY DID YOU WANT TO BECOME A BUNCEE AMBASSADOR?
I love being a Buncee Ambassador in order to spread the awareness of this fantastic educational tool. Technology is such a focus now in education (and it’s not going anywhere), so an EdTech tool like Buncee is an invaluable amenity to have at one’s fingertips! I stumbled upon Buncee on Twitter. I was curiously intrigued when I saw it mentioned, so I explored further. When I logged on and looked around, I was instantly hooked and impressed! Ideas began entering my mind as to what I could do in my own classroom and how students could find their own niche within the platform. I love the versatility of the site and countless pathways you can take with it; a person can create a presentation, comic strip, postcard, invitation…whatever is on the mind!
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BUNCEES?
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