October Featured Educator – Mindy Murphy

MassCUE is pleased to announce Mindy Murphy as our Featured Educator for October 2024. Mindy Murphy is a collaborator by nature. So, it makes sense that she would share her interest in learning and technology with both her students and her colleagues. A fifth-grade teacher and building technology integrator at Hobomock Elementary school in Pembroke, Murphy sees technology as a way to meet student needs and encourage teamwork. “A collaborative classroom is really important when we're using technology,” Murphy says. “As a fifth-grade teacher, I’m able to give the students a bit more independence. I’ll introduce a tool and give them opportunities to teach each other and show me what they can do.” One of her favorite projects to do with her students is stop motion video. For example, in a lesson on photosynthesis, she’ll show the students how to make slides in Google Slides or Canva and then change one small element. She gives the students the vocabulary that they need to incorporate, and the students then use We Video to put it all together and narrate the steps themselves. “Stop motion is really fun to teach,” Murphy says. “Usually when they come to my room and learn it, it’s the first time they’ve seen it.” Google Slides and Google Docs are Murphy’s go-tos for collaboration in the classroom. But she says she is learning more every day about the district’s newest addition: Seesaw. She says using technology helps her provide more personalized learning. “Technology makes it easier to provide differentiation,” she says. “It helps to be able to meet students where they are and give them some independence.” Another favorite for Murphy is Canva. She and her students have been exploring the AI features such as DALL·E. She incorporated the tool into a writing assignment with students in which they wrote about a haunted house and then used the tool to generate the image they described. “The students love to see the images that come from their descriptions,” she says. “They are like something you can’t even imagine. It’s really cool.” Her advice to other teachers who want to incorporate more technology into their lessons: have patience. She says it’s important to be flexible when it comes to technology. Have a backup plan and don’t be afraid to stop and come back to something or scrap it altogether. In her role as a technology integrator for her school, Murphy serves as a liaison between teachers in her building and the technology team for the district. She enjoys troubleshooting, sharing tech tips and highlighting some of the ways teachers are using technology in their classes. “I feel like teachers can get holed up in their classrooms,” she says. “If someone is doing a really cool project, I like being able to celebrate that and share it with other teachers.” Her collaborative nature has also led her to share ideas on social media and to present at the MassCUE Fall and Spring Conferences. At first, Murphy says she did not realize that the projects she was doing in her classroom were worth sharing. But she says once she got over the imposter syndrome, she and her co-presenter found presenting at MassCUE to be a really rewarding experience. “After our session, a lot of people took our contact information and reached out later. It was nice to get that positive feedback,” she says. “Meeting people from other districts really gives you a global perspective on what other educators are doing. Just being at MassCUE and the energy that’s there and seeing all the new things, I really love the whole atmosphere.” You can catch Murphy and her co-presenter at this year’s Fall Conference on Thursday, October 17th for Tech Titans! Dynamic Approaches for Putting the Power of Technology into the Hands of Students in the Educator Showcase.   Mindy Murphy is a 19-year veteran classroom teacher and building technology integrator for Pembroke Public Schools. She has taught grades 3-5, and currently teaches 5th grade at Hobomock Elementary School. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Bridgewater State University, and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Teaching from Fitchburg State University. She has a passion for giving students a voice through Universal Design for Learning, fostering collaboration, and incorporating technology into her daily practice. She currently also resides in Pembroke and her three children attend school in the district she teaches in. She loves cheering on her kids at their various sporting events and exploring nature trails with her dog.

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What will YOU discover at the MassCUE Fall Conference?

  What will YOU discover at the MassCUE Fall Conference? The MassCUE/M.A.S.S. Fall Conference…

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I&A Update: New Safety Measures for Teen Social Media

October 2024 I&A Update: New Safety Measures for Teen Social Media Many of you may have heard about TikTok’s New Family Safety Partnership designed to create a contract-style document that allows parents to establish clear boundaries and guidelines for their family’s social media uses. As well as Instagram's decision to unveil “teen accounts” feature, where teenagers are automatically placed into private accounts with built-in privacy controls. But did you know State Attorneys General Endorse Social Media Warning Labels: A coalition of 42 U.S. state attorneys general recently endorsed a plan to introduce warning labels on social media platforms. This initiative, first outlined in a June op-ed by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, would implement tobacco-style labels on social media to highlight risks such as anxiety, depression, and body image issues. These movements are designed to protect our children and keep them as safe as possible. Visit the MassCUE Influence & Advocacy Committee page to learn more about our committee and how to get involved.

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Fall Conference 2024: Celebrate our Award Winners

MassCUE is pleased to announce the recipients of the Administrator, Pathfinder and Shelley Chamberlain Community Service Awards. Please join us in congratulating these extraordinary educators. They will be celebrated and receive their awards as part of the MassCUE Fall Conference 2024. Michael Rubin Principal, Uxbridge High School As Principal of Uxbridge High School, Dr. Michael Rubin has built a pathways program that now serves as a model for districts across the country. He often hosts visiting districts, some from as far away as Utah, and shares all of his knowledge and experience with all who are interested in learning more. He focuses on career and skill development in students and has established partnerships with many local businesses to provide authentic work experience through internship programs for students at UHS. Mike also charged into the AI scene and attended conferences, webinars, and other PD opportunities to learn everything he could about AI so that he was equipped to lead UHS through this technological advancement. He has presented on AI at multiple conferences, and models AI best practices for his staff and district leaders. “Mike Rubin is hands down the most authentic, genuine, and innovative administrator I have ever had the pleasure of working with,” one colleague wrote. “He makes it a priority to share his experience and leadership skills with new administrators, and never says no when a colleague needs assistance or advice. He's an incredible human with a big vision, and he is unlike any other administrator I have ever known.” Beth Hughes English Language Arts Teacher, Wakefield Memorial High School Beth Hughes is an English Language Arts (ELA) teacher at Wakefield Memorial High school. She is a visionary educator who has transformed the ELA classroom. Beyond cultivating a profound love of reading, she is a pioneer in harnessing technology to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences. Her expertise in crafting real-world tasks, authentic assessments, and innovative learning practices is evident in her inspiring writing and presentations. A passionate advocate for all students, Beth is a driving force in Massachusetts education, constantly seeking new approaches to empower and support every learner. Her infectious positivity and joy make her an inspiration to colleagues and students alike. Having served in the field for 28 years (but she only looks 25, which is crazy!), Beth has demonstrated an immeasurable commitment to fostering a love of learning among her students. Beth has presented at numerous conferences in New England and MA, including the MassCUE Fall and Spring Conferences and the Blue Ribbon Schools Conferences on a variety of topics including digital literacy, writing in the digital age, authentic assessments, real-world tasks in the ELA classroom plus many more. Beth is a pioneer in educational technology. Since Wakefield High School chose to incorporate a Bring Your Own Device model in 2013, Beth has embraced the presence of educational technology in her English Language Arts classroom. Inspired by thought leaders such as Catlin Tucker, Katie Novak and others, Beth has pioneered multiple ways to incorporate technology tools in her classroom, such as purposeful and meaningful blogging (Passion Blogs), multimedia projects and fostering an active, digital writing culture amongst her students. Additionally, as readers, her students use digital tools to track their progress in reading new texts throughout the year. In a recent blog post, titled, when numBAHs don't lie, Beth wrote: "Students can’t be reduced to a number. They can’t be defined by their results on a common assessment, reduced to where they fall on a state test, nor limited by their SAT/ACT scores. However, sometimes numbers don’t lie." She then shared in a beautiful digital display that her high school students demonstrated an astonishing 221% increase in their independent reading habits over the course of the school year. Beth supported these students with her incredible classroom library - more than 3,000 texts available - as well as access to various e-texts and resources. As digital consumers, we need to ensure that our students thrive in literacy skills. Beth keeps the passion for reading alive for her students. Beth maintains a dynamic (and beautiful!) website/blog that serves as a hub for learners, colleagues and parents in her community. On it, she shares her thoughts on teaching, resources for others and celebrations of learning. There is no question that students feel welcomed, supported and challenged in Beth's classroom. She is truly an exemplary teacher! Jared Perrine Director of Technology Naragansett Regional School District Jared Perrine is an experienced educator and technology leader from Massachusetts. He has served as the Director of Technology for the Narragansett Regional School District and previously worked in Somerville and at the Benjamin Banneker Charter School. Jared is a foundational member of the MassCUE community and has continually supported members of the board as well as the membership as a whole. He is always asking about others and how they are doing, what is going on in their lives and how he can help support them and help them achieve their goals. Jared has the interests of both teachers and students at the heart of all he does. His motivation is to improve MassCUE and therefore the education system as a whole to support the learners throughout Massachusetts and the surrounding communities. Jared has been a long-time member, committee member, board member, and advisor for MassCUE. He has also been heavily involved with the Massachusetts Educational Technology Administrators Association (METAA) and the Digital Learning Advisory Council (DLAC). Jared holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology and the Massachusetts CTO Certification. In addition to his educational work, Jared is also a writer and podcaster. He lives in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, with his wife, three children, a cat, and a dog. Interestingly enough, Shelley Chamberlain is a former professor and mentor of Jared's, and one that he holds in the highest esteem.   You can learn more about our MassCUE Awards & Recognition and the work our committee does to oversee the awards and recognition handed out by the MassCUE Board.   Past Recipients Administrator Award Recipients Pathfinder Award Recipients Shelley Chamberlain Community Service Award Recipients  

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Communications Committee Update: STEM Network Event for Students

STEM Network Event for High School and College Students The MassCUE Communications Committee would like to share the following resource with our members. See Yourself in the Green Workspace Explore, Share & Network! Wednesday, October 23 Walk-in any time between 3:30pm-6:00pm Christa Mcauliffe center, Framingham State University During Massachusetts STEM Week 2024 Join us for the MA STEM week event, where high school and college students will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from local employers and sustainability organizations to: Explore a wide range of emerging job opportunities in the green sector. Share your skills and interests and learn how they support the needs of the green workforce. Network with local employers, green sector professionals and like-minded youth. Visit the event website to learn more. Visit the MassCUE Communications Committee page to learn more about our committee and how to get involved.

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Communications Committee Update: DLCS Leaders Network

Communications Committee Update: DLCS Leaders Network The MassCUE Communications Committee would like to share the following resource with our members: The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's 2024-2025 Digital Literacy and Computer Science Leaders Network has announced their schedule of meetings for the year. They are now accepting registrations for the first in-person meeting on September 19, 2024. This meeting will be a Joint STEM Leaders Network meeting welcoming leaders for Math, Science, DLCS, and Comprehensive Health & PE. The theme of this session is "Applying Instructional Tools to Support the DESE Vision for All Students." There will be time from 1:00 – 2:00 to meet as a DLCS Leaders team. DUE TO CAPACITY LIMITATIONS, YOU MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND THE SEPTEMBER EVENT. Date: Thursday September 19, 2024 Location: Taunton Conference Center, 70 Myles Standish Blvd, Taunton MA Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Dates of 2024 – 2025 DLCS Leader Meetings September 19, 2024 (in-person) November 13, 2024 (in-person) January 22, 2025 (virtual, 1:00-3:00 pm) March 18, 2025 (in-person) May 2025 — DLCS Summit (date TBD, in-person) Meeting registration will be required for in-person meetings. Visit the MassCUE Communications Committee page to learn more about our committee and how to get involved.

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MassCUE Corporate Partners 2024-2025

Welcome 2024-2025 Corporate Partners!  MassCUE is proud to announce our Corporate Partners 

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I&A Update: A New Era of Online Safety for Kids

September 2024 I&A Update: A New Era of Online Safety for Kids It’s been more than two decades since there have been any new federal laws addressing online safety for children. Since then, we have seen the rise of social media and so many safety concerns impacting kids when they are online. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal introduced the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) back in February of 2022 and this summer it made its way through the Senate. President Biden is expected to sign the bill when it makes its way to his desk. Learn more about the ways this bill will protect our kids: What to know about the Kids Online Safety Act that just passed the Senate | AP News Visit the MassCUE Influence & Advocacy Committee page to learn more about our committee and how to get involved.

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MassCUE August News and PD

August News Blast Check out the latest newsletter for all that MassCUE has to offer. Fall Conference 2024 registration is open Summer Webinar Series Join a Special Interest Group MassCUE News_ August 2024 August PD News View the PD News to find out information about exciting upcoming professional development opportunities. MassCUE PD Offerings - August 2024 Interested in signing up for our monthly news or viewing our archives?  Visit our website subscription page.

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Volunteer at the 2024 MassCUE Fall Conference!

Volunteer at Fall Conference! Want to be part of something big? Help make MassCUE's 2024 Fall Conference a success! Deadline to apply extended to October 4, 2024 Take your Fall Conference experience to a new level and earn reduced admission by serving as a conference volunteer. MassCUE is seeking volunteers to help answer questions and give directions over the course of the conference. Sign up for a two-hour shift and you will receive discounted registration of: 1 Day - $ 90 2 Day Volunteer - $170 Volunteer 1 Day, Attend the 2nd - $270 Want to be a MassCUE Fall Conference Volunteer? APPLY NOW!

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Become a MassCUE Social Media Ambassador for 2024 Fall Conference!

Share Your Experience:  Be A Fall Conference Ambassador! Do you love creating content and sharing it on social media? Use your talents to help us share the learning and fun of the MassCUE Fall Conference! We're searching for dynamic educators to represent MassCUE at our 2024 Fall Conference. As an ambassador, you'll have the opportunity to share your passion for education and technology with a wider audience. What's in it for you? Free conference pass: Immerse yourself in inspiring keynotes, engaging workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. Become an EdTech influencer: Showcase your expertise and build your professional brand. Exclusive perks: Enjoy special recognition and opportunities to connect with industry leaders. Responsibilities: Create engaging social media content to promote the conference before and during the event. Share highlights from keynote speeches and breakout sessions with your followers. Collaborate with the MassCUE team to amplify our message. Ambassadors will be selected based on their social media experience and number of followers. If you're a social media maven with a love for education, we want to hear from you! Want to be a MassCUE Fall Conference Ambassador? Fill out the application below. Applications due no later than September 23, 2024. APPLY NOW!

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Fall Conference Registration is Open

Registration is open!  MassCUE4ALL: Beyond the Surface is the theme for the MassCUE/M.A.S.S. Fall Conference…

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