Teacher, Parenting, and Coaching Tip: Ask Great Questions

For the last few days, I have been blogging with some very, very new friends at Apperson.  I don't know about you, but that is one thing I appreciate about social media - all the connections and collaborations that can happen in weird, random, unforeseen ways.  Let me explain.  I noticed a few weeks ago the Apperson blog was referring readers to Upcycled Education because of this post of theirs.  So, I reached out to Apperson to say thank you; how lovely Apperson included me in one of their blog round-ups.  Then, Courtney from Apperson and I got to talking - through social media, of course - and she invited me to guest blog for them about....huge shocker....coaching!

One of the foundational skills of a coach is to ask curious and powerful questions.  With these three tips, you expand that skill immediately at school, at home, at work, and beyond.  Go read the post if you are interested and say hi to my new friends.

Cheers,
Jen

Updated Blog Colors - You like?

You might have noticed Upcycled Education got a color lift.  Yep, those little circles all changed colors. PS - For my mobile users, you might need to go to "web version" to see the new and improved changes :)  Here is the new blog header:

What do you think?  Do you like the new, semi-strange color scheme?

In case you were wondering, I aim to recolor the blog every season or two - part of the allure of the design I was thinking.  I am using the Pantone color guide to help me.  Since I am a wanna-be-designer, you will have to consult this Wikipedia entry to explain Pantone and their expertise a la color.

According to Pantone, this is this fall's color guide.  I used just a portion of this season's colors.  And since I am a wanna-be, I still have a long way to go to 100% color match.  But, I tried.  And I am happy.  Or at least, I think the colors look interesting.  Slightly different.  Unexpected.  And less perky than they were before.  Not that I don't like perky; I just prefer less perky colors to roll into winter.

I'm curious, which colors would you have chosen?  Maybe in the spring, we can have a contest to recolor Upcycled Education using the 2013 color guide.  Interested?

Jen

PS - In case you can't remember what the blog header used to look like, here is the before/summer blog header:

Now, the after/fall-into-winter blog header:

Which is your favorite?  I might like them both.  

Critical Reflection

Just because I am lame and not posting about anything education-related, doesn't mean we all have to starve?  Thankfully, my good friend, Carey, recently started a blog about critical reflection and teaching & learning.  Would you believe Carey is an economist and has a Ph.D. in Public Policy?  Could she be any smarter?

Did I mention she cares about students and learning?  And is a fantastic writer?

You don't have to be a teacher to appreciate her blog posts so far.

See for yourself here.

Best,

Jen