About+Us!

=**We are Group 1: The EdTechTeachers!** = == =**Welcome to our wiki! **= = We are a group of teachers who have come together to build a professional community with other educators and share helpful resources. In order to continue building a network for professional collaboration, we have utilized this wiki to share and evaluate education blogs and web resources that focus specifically on integrating technology in the classroom. = = We have developed a five star rating system described below to evaluate educational technology sites. =

= Please click on our resource pages using the links to the right or below, and you will find a variety of blogs and websites that have been collected and reviewed by several professional teachers. = = =

**Five Star Rating System:**
=Excellent Quality Resource:=
 * This resource provides solid evidence, explanation, detail, and situations related to the topic researched. **
 * The site is updated frequently and the author is a very credible source. **
 * The site is very easy to navigate and information is highly accessible. **

=Great Quality Resource:=
 * This resource thoroughly explains, provides detail, and gives other resources and examples of the topic researched. **
 * The site is updated at least once per week and the author is a credible source. **
 * The site has made it easy to navigate and access information. **

=Good Quality Resource:=
 * This resource explains and provides details about the topic researched. **
 * The site is updated occasionally and the author seems as a credible source. **
 * It is fairly simple to navigate and access information. **

=Fair Quality Resource:=
 * This resource basically explains the topic at hand, **
 * The site is updated sporadically and the author's credibility is unknown. **
 * It is sometimes difficult to navigate and access information. **

=Poor Quality Resource:=
 * This resource only briefly touches upon the topic researched. **
 * The site is seldom updated and the author does not appear to be the most credible source. **
 * It is difficult to navigate and access information. **

= Meet the professionals... = =**Whitney Pastorial**=
 * My name is Whitney Pastorial. I work for an after school tutoring company in Cookeville, TN. I work with mostly K-8 students. I travel a lot during the week because I am the director of all of our satellite locations around Cookeville. Since most of my teaching takes place after school, I have odd availability which is posted below. All times are according to Central time.**
 * Monday: After 6:30pm**
 * Tuesday: After 8:30pm**
 * Wednesday: After 6:30pm**
 * Thursday: After 3:00pm**
 * Friday: After 2:00pm**
 * Saturday: After 1:00pm (Although this Saturday, 3/17, I will be available all day before 2:00pm and after 8:00pm)**
 * Sunday: Between 12:00pm-5:00pm and after 7:00pm**
 * The best way to contact me is via e-mail as I check it frequently throughout the day. You may e-mail me at whitney.pastorial@waldenu.edu. I am also available on Skype (Username: whitney.pastorial). My cell phone number will be provided upon request.**

=**Cristina Stratton**=
 * Hello everyone! My name is Cristina Stratton, and I am excited to participate in this wiki with all of you. I live in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. I am an early childhood teacher, grades Pre-K, through Third. I have most recently taught Kindergarten. I'm currently laid-off from my teaching position in Cleveland, and I am now primarily a Walden student and a stay-at-home momma, raising my eight-month old son. My schedule is flexible. I check my Walden email several times throughout the day. This is the best way to contact me, and I can be reached at Cristina.Stratton@waldenu.edu. I also am available via Skype evenings and weekends, and my screen name is Cristina.Stratton. If you would like to call me, I will provide my phone number upon request.**
 * Please also visit my blog: []**

=**Kristine Hibbert**=
 * Hello! My name is Kristine Hibbert. I am a high school music teacher at South Hagerstown High School in Maryland. I am on my email frequently at school, but the board frowns on us using it for too many outside things. So if it is an emergency, please email me at school (hibbekri@wcps.k12.md.us). I usually check my school email once in the morning and then at night. Also, my cell phone is on all day if there is a need to call or text me (717-404-9166).**

=**Scott Martin**=
 * Hey everyone! My name is Scott Martin, and I am a middle school social studies teacher in Stafford, Connecticut. Stafford is a rural/suburban neighborhood about 1/2 hour from Hartford. I have taught at the middle school for eight years now, and have nine years total experience. I am also the high school baseball coach in my district, and have very limited availability currently. Throughout the course, I should be available to be online anywhere after 8pm, but that will certainly change depending on my game schedule and the weather. As we get closer to our season, I will let everyone know when I will definitely be unavailable. Like many others, I am hesitant to give out my cell phone over the internet, but will email it to anyone who would like it from this group. You can email me any time at my Walden email: scott.martin2@waldenu.edu or at my school email: martins@stafford.k12.ct.us I do have my school email open often, and that may be the easiest way to contact me during school hours.**
 * I am excited to participate in this group wiki!**

=**Stacey Komsa**=
 * I finally was able to get on. It made me create a new account! **


 * My name is Stacey Komsa. I work in Maryland as a 6th grade, middle school teacher. I currently teach English and Social Studies. I am available most weekdays after 5pm Eastern Time, and anytime Saturday or Sunday. **


 * I usually have time to check my e-mail during lunch, which is around 1pm, and I frequently check it throughout the night, after work. My home email is komstac@yahoo.com, my school email is skomsa@kent.k12.md.us. My school email will probably be the best place to reach me during the day. My Walden email is Stacey.komsa@waldenu.edu. My personal email goes to my cell phone as well. My skype username is StaceyKomsa. I can email my phone number if needed to! **
 * I can’t wait to work and learn with all of you! **

=Christie Gauer=




 * Hello all! My name is Christie Gauer and I am excited to participate in my first Wiki! I teach Special Education in New Jersey. My first two years I co-taught all subjects to fourth and fifth grade students. This year, I am teaching all subjects to fifth graders with learning disabilities in a pull-out setting.**


 * I am usually available weekdays after 5 pm Eastern Standard Time. On the weekends, I have more flexibility and I am more available. The best way to reach me is to e-mail my personal e-mail address- christie.gauer@gmail.com. I can access it on my computer and phone and check it a couple of times a day. If you need my cell phone number, let me know and I can e-mail it to you.**


 * I look forward to working with all of you!**

=**Jacquelyn Caliente**=

**Hi Everyone! I finally figured out my way around the Wiki page! That was eventful...**

 * My name is Jacquelyn Caliente and I am happy to be apart of this patient and kind group of professionals! Thanks guys! I am a teacher in New Jersey, just like Christie. I currently teach Basic Skills Mathematics for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. A Basic Skills student is one who scored below Proficient on their New Jersey ASK Standardized Test. I love the flexibility of my job and the content I teach. Aside from teaching, I am also a Professional Massage Therapist! I decided to take classes after I first started teaching. I love being a student and learning, however, I was not ready for the burden of loans that went along with achieving my Master's, at the time. So, with this, I went for something less expensive education in Massage Therapy. It was very //intense//, but I earned a wonderful education. Now that I am married and have tenure in my teaching position, I decided it was time to work towards my Master's education. I have learned a plethora of information so far, and I am anxious to see where else this adventure will take me.**


 * During school, my schedule is usually all over the place during the week. Some days I do not get a break at all, so it is hard to give exact time frames. Once I arrive home, it is usually 7:00pm Eastern Standard Time. On the weekends is when I have more time to get my life together, if you know what I mean. I think you all know what I mean! My e-mail address is either jacquelyn.baldini@waldenu.edu or msjackiexoxo82@gmail.com. I receive e-mails and text messages by phone, so if you need to contact me right away or feel it is easier to speak over the phone, please call me. I will send out my number via your Waldenu.edu e-mail.**


 * Thanks again for all of your help, so far. I am looking forward to learning with and learning from all of you!**

Megan Craft

 * Hi guys,**
 * My name is Megan and I am excited to join this Wiki with you. I live in a suburb of Portland Or called Beaverton. I teach third grade and have for the past handful of years. I have also taught 1st and 2nd. It has been a crazy week due to report cards, regular Walden homework and a sick little 5 year old. She had a fever of 104.8 today. I am usually available after about 5 Pacific Standard time which is about 8 for most of you. I am really flexible on the weekend. The best email address for me is my personal account which is mcvenus5@hotmail.com but I am also trying to check my Walden account on a regular basis. I really look forward to this adventure with you.**