How to deal with #GoogleEI rejection.

• First off - congrats to all that got accepted into #GoogleEI #MTV16. This post is not to take away from your accomplishment!

If you are like me you received a very wonderfully written rejection letter saying you are not accepted into the Mountain View 2016 Google Certified Innovator Academy. If you are also like me you started the five stages of grieving. Now I know they are typically known as Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. That makes it seems so dark and morbid. I'd like to think of my stages more like the emotions of Disney/Pixar's Inside Out. Getting the e-mail (on my day off too) sent me through a roller coaster of Fear, Anger, Disgust, Sadness.... but then somehow... JOY.

So how did I get to JOY? Here are the things I focused on the most.

There are AMAZING people out in the world!

Rejection does mean I'm not an Innovator it just means there are other fantastic individuals out there that are just as passionate about changing the world of education. This is their turn to rock it out - not mine. My time will come, it just is not today

It is not about me 

Why should I be down when the outcome is to find innovative ways to connect educators to create better and more meaningful ways influence educator and the students we teach. Just becuase I am not part of the program doesn't mean that change isn't going to happen. 

Connect!

The first thing I did - after read through the waves of acceptance tweets and retweets - I went back and followed each and every person that applied and got into the program. The purpose of applying to the Google Innovator Program was to connect and work with passionate, driven, and optomistic individuals that wanted to create a better world for education. That can STILL happen! By following these amazing people I believe I have just created a stronger PLN. 

There is always next time.

This was the first of many Google Certificed Educator Programs. It seems there may even be another opprotunity to apply in March! All that means is to keep working. The program connects people ready to make a difference, not people would just want a pretty badge that says "Innovator." That means I need to keep doing what I'm doing and continue to try to change the world of education for my students. I plan to continue to blog, connect via Twitter chats, and continue presenting at #GAFEsummits and around my district.My husband asked "Are you bummed?"

You are allowed to be upset. Just do not let it consume you.

My husband asked if I was upset.I replied "Of course I was bummed, this is something I really want." He then smiled and said "I'm just glad that is present tense and you are not giving up. Not getting in this round will make it just that much sweeter when you do."He's right - but do not tell him I said that.... he'll get a big head ;-D

In the end, so what....it was not my time - and maybe it wasn't yours. It doesn't mean you should stop trying, it means LETS CONNECT! COMMENT ON MY BLOG, FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER and GOOGLE+ even E-MAIL ME.  I want to work with you. Instead of sulking I want to work together we can make a difference! How could that not bring out the JOY in the situation? My journey isn't even close to being over.

Rejection won't stop me! 

I hope it doesn't stop you either.

Google Certified Innovator Application 2016.

As I promised myself (a resolution as it were) I would blog about my adventures inside, and outside the classroom. I have a few blog posts cued up from some fun (and I deemed successful) math lessons but most recently my life has been consumed by my Google Certified Innovator Application.

A little bit about Google Certified Innovator can be found on the Google for Education Trainer page.
Be aware - this is not something you can apply to in about 15 minutes. It is for sure a commitment! You first need to pass the Google Educator Level two. Again this is not for the faint of heart. This 3-hour exam is the future of assessments! I signed a NDA so I can't give too much away but you are not just checking off multiple-choice questions you are CREATING the same way you use Google Applications every day!!! It does cost $10 but for me - I enjoyed EVERY second and I'd do it all over again (and I'll have to in 24 months to keep my certification). Check out my badge!!

Now I doubt many people will read this but since this is my portfolio I thought I would share parts of my application! Now note you do not receive a copy of your submission, so if you plan to remember what you said - write it in a Google Doc! Luckily the Google for Edu website gives a great outline you can follow so you don't miss a beat.

So here is my Ideal Learning Space - I used Paper 53 (WHAT AN AMAZING APP) and I got a little artsy. Then I uploaded it to make a thinglink - NERD ALERT! Feel free to poke around. (FYI how amazing that you can embed a thinglink in your blog?!)





Then my Vision Slidedeck. I made it in Google Slides (as they asked). The goal was to "This is an opportunity to share your initial vision for an innovative solution to a current problem in education -- at any scale... from classroom concerns to global issues. Please articulate the problem you hope to solve, and explain your idea for an innovative solution. If you are selected to participate in the Innovator Program and attend the Innovation Academy, you will have the opportunity to iterate on this initial vision, so please focus more on exploring new possibilities with great potential rather than fleshing out a complete solution you're already confident in."

And last but not least - my Vision in video form. You only get 1 min - HARDEST THING TO DO EVER! I decided to make mine in iMovie and upload straight to youtube. It's titled "WHY NOT ME?" It is about how I want to help and develop new shortcuts and Add-ons to make teacher's lives easier and save time so they will use technology more often and more efficiently in the classroom.

It's not perfect - but who is?! I'm just happy and honored I got to selfishly take so much time to think about what I want to do in the future as an educator. How many times do we really take time to just think about changing the future?! No matter what I'll hear in a week. My hopes might be too high, as this is the first round of Google Certified Innovator and there are some AMAZING and innovative people out there, but no matter what I'm honored to have a chance to apply. The reason I applied is to join a community and even just in applying I've already met some great educators that want to make a different. I hope to meet a few of them one day.

And of course - if I do - I'll share it with you.

So that's a wrap! I hope you enjoy - I sure did!!!!