Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/436829
On this day, Cohen is visiting fellow blogger and social studies teacher Karl Lindgren-Streicher at Hillsdale High School in San Mateo. The two con- nected on Twitter, follow each other's blogs, and meet occasionally with other teachers to chat about the profession over a glass of beer. Lindgren-Streicher, San Mateo Union High School District Teachers Association, expresses thoughtful opinions in Student Centered History: Technology and Critical Thinking at historywithls.blogspot.com on topics ranging from managing expectations to peda- gogy, technology and teacher tenure. "Karl has influenced my thoughts on teaching," says Cohen, who sits unobtrusively in the back of the class to observe. "I admire him because he spends a lot of time thinking about ways to put students in charge of their own learning. This class- room, like most I walk into on an average day, has good things happening." That's why this Palo Alto Education Association member decided to focus on the positive. "Negative stories don't motivate positive chang- es. That's why I want to tell positive stories." Highlights for Cohen thus far have included visits to Los Altos High School and Graham Mid- dle School in Mountain View, which are piloting a program using Chromebooks; Crenshaw High School, an inner-city school in Los Angeles; and 2012 National Teacher of the Year Rebecca Mieli- wocki, Burbank Teachers Association, who amazed him with her ability to meet the needs of every child in her class. A visit to Brentwood Science Magnet School in Los An- geles, which he attended as a youngster, evoked nostalgia, especially when his former sixth-grade teacher, now retired, stopped by. "Wherever I go, I am impressed by people's knowledge and creativ- ity," says Cohen. "I'm definitely feeling optimis- tic and energized." Karl Lindgren- Streicher works with a student while David Cohen observes and takes notes for his blog. Photo by Scott Buschman. Following bloggers is an excellent way to stay current, share experiences and reflect on your own teaching strategies and political views. There's no shortage of excellent bloggers to follow. See "25 Brilliant Teacher Blogs Worth Following" at www.edudemic.com/best-teacher-blogs. Go Online @ @ New to the scene is Kathie Yonemura, who started blogging in July. This fourth-grade teacher blogs anonymously "as a teacher in Southern California." A classroom veteran of 27 years, she recently created her Tried and True Teaching Tools blog about topics ranging from behavior manage- ment to classroom resources to Common Core lessons to Pinterest boards. She has no idea how many people follow her and believes her audience consists of mostly other upper-grade teachers. BLOGGING IS BENEFICIAL BECAUSE… it forces me out of my comfort zone and challenges me to get tech-savvy. It's helped me organize my thoughts and store materials and information. It's reinvigorated my career. It's made me stop and think what I could be doing different- ly. In the blogging community, I found a wonderful group of like-minded colleagues who are motivated to keep up with the latest educational research and determined to improve our teaching methods. MY ADVICE FOR THOSE CONSIDERING BLOGGING… is just enjoy it. Don't be hard on yourself. The first few months I was comparing myself to others and frustrated with what I didn't know. Now I try to enjoy sharing what I know without worrying about what others think. Kathie Yonemura, United Teachers Los Angeles triedandtrueteachingtools.blogspot.com 21 V O L U M E 1 9 I S S U E 5