I took a couple of days off this week to to attend the gathering of fellow State Teacher of the Year honorees in Sacramento. I was humbled to be considered as a finalist along with such a truly remarkable group of educators. I thoroughly enjoyed the day that included a morning mini-conference, interactive luncheon, private tour of the capitol - including a visit to the governor's office, and a stellar awards ceremony and dinner. Minecraft has made me a much better teacher and learner. It has opened my eyes to both possibilities and realities over the years and continues to have a deep impact on how my students learn. I look forward to sharing more innovative and creative student work with you in the the coming weeks.

What Minecraft has taught me

Lesson planning is much more challenging and intriguing when you design experiences
Gameplay is a necessity
Everyone has untapped creative potential
Student feedback is critical
Cohesive teamwork can be elusive, but the payoff is worth the effort