Melinda S. Miller

Recently I discovered Google calendars. I think this tool is going to come in very handy for me professionally and personally. I have customized and set Google as my homepage, I have a google email account, and I use Google Reader as my RSS tool. It is nice to have one stop shopping!I just finished ... Read More about Google Tools

This is my 3rd year as elementary principal in my current building. For the past two years I have "required" my teachers to spend one afternoon, after school, and ride a school bus. Well today was the day! We have early-out Mondays and the students are dismissed 30 min. early so teachers have ... Read More about Above and Beyond?

Is it really May? Do you say this every year? Yes!!! Where did this year go?I think this year was an especially trying time for my community, school, teachers and students. In January we missed 6 days of school due to a devastating ice storm. Families were without "power" for days and some people ... Read More about Where did the year go?

Now that I have my life back in order, thanks to GTD, I have been feverishly reading blogs. I guess I forgot to keep up with my own. I just get so intrigued with others. I want to comment on everyone but then I get headed off in another direction with a link in someone's blog! Vicious, but fun ... Read More about Principal Support Systems – BLOGGING!!!

If it were not for my iPod I can't imagine how I would keep up with all these new and great things I am finding on Web 2.0! I recently replied to a blog entry on LeaderTalk about iPods and it got me to thinking of all the ways I have been using mine lately.Originally I purchased my iPod because I ... Read More about The iPod Factor

It has almost been a week since I started reading the book Getting Things Done and reading about GTD on lots of blogs. What a difference a week makes! Just purchasing the labeler alone has saved my life. If all I do is get all my folders, piles, and papers labeled my life will be simply glorious. ... Read More about GTD Update

As I reflect on one of my most challenging weeks in my professional career, I have vowed not to revisit weeks like last week. You know what I am talking about...........mad parents, car accidents in the parking lot, bus write-ups, visits from school bored :) members, inside recess for days, etc. ... Read More about Getting Things Done

As I look back at my first post, March 30, I have to laugh at how much I have learned since then. I thought I was a blogging pioneer. I have been pleasantly surprised that the trail has been blazed before me! Thank you Bob, Janetta, and Glenn for getting me off on the right foot! These people have ... Read More about The Excitement is Contagious!

I have to admit that I haven't been as excited about something like this in a long time. However, keep in mind my comments are going to be very "raw" so-to-speak since I am such a novice at the virtual collaboration realm. I am apologizing now for my slow but straight-up learning curve.A BIG THANK ... Read More about THE POSSIBILITES ARE ENDLESS!!!!

I attended a workshop with my teachers this week. I carry my camera every where! I took pictures of everything because I wanted to be able to share all the great ideas with my teachers. My tech director referred me to Bubbleshare this week to try. I am not sure about Bubbleshare but the concept is ... Read More about Administrator modeling technology

In addition to blogging I have been downloading and listening to podcasts as well. These two things have provided me with more professional development in the past month than I think I have had in 3 years! My newest venture is Skype so I can listen to the WOW podcasts live on Tuesday nights.I am ... Read More about Skyped At Last!!!

I have just recently started sharing my blog links with my colleagues. I am not yet that confident in my blogging and how I am using it but I get more excited every day. I did share with a fellow principal tonight at my night class and I think he can help me tweak blogging to better serve my staff. ... Read More about To share, or not to share?

Over the past few days I have been reading up on blogging. I feel really comfortable with my Daily Bulletin version of blogging but I am still not confident about creating a school website with open comments. My "daily bulletin" is an informational site for my teachers with daily "news." Comments ... Read More about Getting the hang of blogging

Welcome to the Principal Blog! Our job is so busy that sometimes it is hard to get together or even talk on the phone. Maybe we can communicate on hot topics on our computers. Be sure to make this a bookmark and/or subscribe to this blog so you can stay up to date on the things going on with ... Read More about My 1st post to welcome you!