Monday, December 5, 2011

2011 EduBlog Award Nominations

UPDATE: TIME TO VOTE! Three of my nominations got short-listed (original post below):
Best Group Blog - Cooperative Catalyst
Best Edu Tech - Innovative Educator
Best New Hastag - #occupy EDU

VOTE NOW, it's easy.
http://edublogawards.com/2011-3/best-individual-blog-2011/

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Non-educators, parents and students are writing and reading blogs to become informed on initiatives that affect their communities. As a non-educator, I read widely to make meaning of the rapid changes occurring. These bloggers have provided consistent fact based information. I applaud the increase in parent blogging. Here's my list for 2011 Edublog Award consideration.


  • MOST INFLUENTIAL BLOG (post)
    Nancy Flanagan writes Teacher in a Strange Land, with views on the educational landscape. The post that stood out for me this year is Opting Out. She is a strong supporter of public education but adds: "In the end, I believe parents have absolute justification to take control over their children's schooling."

  • BEST TEACHER BLOG
    The Cooperative Catalyst is a group blog that encourages dialogue among teachers, but does not exclude non-educators, to promote "facilitating a positive and rich learning environment, where the negative and unnecessary wounds traditionally inflicted by schools, will not have a place. I will build a culture that honors, listens to, nurtures, and empowers all learners. I will not tolerate events, actions or words that cause any student to think or feel that they are stupid or worthless......” Cooperative Catalyst gives opportunity to students and others to participate via the blog.

  • BEST STUDENT BLOG (post)
    The Definition of Education by Jabreel M. McChisley, a 17-year old who attends Ohio Virtual Academy. He aspires to be a children's rights and family law lawyer. He is the CEO of Students Coalition for Responsible School Choice. The post was hosted by Cooperative Catalyst.

  • BEST PARENT BLOG (post)
    Race to the Top is a Race off a Cliff posted on Seattle Education 2010 brings parent activism out of the shadows.

  • BEST INDIVIDUAL BLOG - FLORIDA
    Scathing Purple Musings keeps an eye on all things education in Florida. This blog keeps Floridians up to date on the fast moving events affecting education so that parents, community members, and taxpayers get the facts.

  • BEST ED TECH/RESOURCE SHARING BLOG
    The Innovative Educator explores ways technology can have positive effects on classroom instruction. This blog is real "thinking outside the box" and we need to be comfortable with being challenged by new ideas.

  • BEST USE OF AUDIO/VIDEO/VISUAL/PODCAST BLOG
    The Unplugged Mom is creative, dynamic, informative, and supportive for those considering or on the path of home education.

  • BEST PARENT BLOG FOR HOME EDUCATORS
    Parent at the Helm is a non-judgmental and supportive blog, full of resources for home educators. With a steady increase of parents choosing home education, these resources should be welcomed.


  • BEST TWITTER HASHTAG
    #OCCUPYEDU

20 comments:

  1. Don't I deserve honorary mention? I mean, I am the original frustrated teacher.

    www.thefrustratedteacher.com/

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  2. Thanks for all the kind words!

    David Loitz
    Cooperative Catalyst
    Occupy Education
    co-editors

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  3. Sandra, I'm blown away...thank you so very much!

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  4. No, really, thank you, you're too kind...

    californiafather.com

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  5. To TFT: The deadline for nominations is December 2, so there is time for your supporters to nominate you.

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  6. To California Father: I don't think I nominated you. If I did, can you share that with me? In any case, good luck with your blog.

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  7. To David: My thanks to you. Non-educators, parents, and community members must be part of the type of conversations Cooperative Catalyst promotes.

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  8. To Linda: Some parents are desperate and feel helpless. You provide an important resource. I stand with parents without judging their choices. There are numerous reports that the number of parents opting out of the system is increasing.

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  9. Thank you for the mention! It's great to connect with you!

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  10. I'm also blown away. Thanks so much, Sandra.

    The blog you nominated pretty much wrote itself. Parents--not bureaucrats--should have ultimate control over what happens to their children in school.

    I really appreciate your kind words and the nomination.

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  11. No nomination that I know of, Sandra. Just wallowing in a little self-pity. Check out my blog, tho. I am the father of an auti, a sped teacher of 25 years, a weekend occupier and plenty pissed off! Cheers!

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  12. To Laurette: You're welcome and Happy Thanksgiving.

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  13. To Nancy - When the narrative divides parents and teachers, parents and parents, we all lose. Thank you for bringing an authentic perspective into the mix.

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  14. To California Father - The 2011 Edublogs are taking nominations until December 2. I will check out your blog. Please know that I have the deepest respect for parents of special needs children. I thank you for all you do for the children you teach....everyday. HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

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  15. I'm flattered. Thank you (Bob Sikes)

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  16. To Bob: I just don't know what we'd do in Florida without your reporting. Thank YOU.

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  17. Edublogs 2011 voting begins around December 3, according to their website. Get ready to vote!

    http://edublogawards.com/

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  18. Please consider my blog: http://www.laurieacouture.com/category/blog/
    I am the author of Instead of Medicating and Punishing: Healing the Causes of Our Children's Acting-Out Behavior by Parenting and Educating the Way Nature Intended.

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  19. @Laurie - The nominating criteria and process for the 2011 Edublogs is on that organization's website.
    I have no connection with that organization, just decided to nominate a few blogs I have followed this year. Good luck to you.

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  20. Great list of resouorces. I'm honored that the ESOLFL blog is included. Thank you.

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