PLN Blogging Challenge

Earlier this week, Derek McCoy (@mccoyderek) #edfocuschat co-facilitator and friend, forwarded me a fun challenge.  Derek received the challenge from outstanding digital principal Dwight Carter (@Dwight_Carter).  I respect both these leaders tremendously and jumped on the challenge!  This will be a great way to get to know the members of my PLN and have some fun at the same time.

The first part of the challenge is to share 11 random facts about myself:

11 Random Facts About @normandinbill

#11 Was a former coach & athletic director

• Won 4 consecutive league titles as a HS head football coach, but never a Superbowl - felt like Marv Levy of the Buffalo Bills! My son asked me to coach his youth football team a few years later and we won the bowl in our 1st try - jinx removed. 

#10:  Has a dog (pug) named Pip....

• When I get real mad at him I use his middle name:  Stop that "Pip Richard!"

#9:    Is an insomniac-waking up at 4:30am each day....

• could being type AAA & drinking 5+ cups of coffee a day have anything to do with it?

#8:    Loves Technology....

• I'm on twitter, but my own daughter doesn't follow me because my tweets are "BORING"

#7:     Prides himself on being "over" organized. Has 3 email accounts, 2 blogs, 3 calendars & 2 "to do" lists....

• my definition of "over" organized, others call "CHAOS"

#6:  Makes Mistakes....

• My first week as principal I offered a teaching interview to a freshman in HS-had to postpone that 8 years :)

#5:  Loves to READ-reading several books at one time....

• My brain often tells me to focus on 1 Book-it gets really confused sometimes mixing storyline & characters

#4:  Is a Passionate educator, who always knew he'd be a teacher....

• at 10 years old I started a football team & was the head coach-we had 2 practices and finished the season 1-0! Strike abbreviated season :)

#3:  Lives by the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle....

• I had 1 classroom rule "mutual respect", 3 personal values= 3'F's "Faith, Family, Friends" & 3 educational beliefs=Be a Good Person, Student & Citizen

#2:  Loves to exercise....

• Formula = Gym, run, P90X, Insanity, T25 & Chinese Food & Pizza...can't figure out why I can't get back to playing weight?

#1 Married my high school sweetheart & have 2 beautiful children

• Met my wife in 10th grade: dated for 11 yrs + married for 17+...and I'm only 32!  Math teachers help!!!!

My wife & I 25 years ago @ The Brockton Fair in MA 

The 2nd part of the challenge is to answer 11 questions shared by @mccoyderek:

#1 What is one of your guilty pleasures?

• Pumpkin spice coffee during the holiday season (after that back to black)

#2 What is an awesome thing you can do to get yourself motivated, really psyched up?

• Listen to music- my taste is all over the place depending on my mood- I can go from Neil Diamond to ACDC to Frankie Valli to the Notorious BIG all in one sitting

#3  What education movie really inspired you?

• Freedom Writers- great teachers can, and do, change lives

#4  What is one thing you do that your close friends would say is unique to you?

• That my role as principal keeps me in the public eye, but I enjoy my private time spent with family and friends building memorable traditions.  

#5  What would you do different in the classroom today than when you first started?

• Involve parents more-current technology makes that easier

#6  Favorite desert?

• Not a desert guy, but mom's homemade brownies were always great with milk

#7  If we could get you a ticket to anywhere in the world to taste true, authentic cuisine, where would you go and what would you eat?

• Hawaii, eating Polynesian cuisine at a Luau! 

#8  What do you miss about high school or college?

• Unlimited opportunities, friendships and the feeling of invincibility

#9  Droid or iPhone

• iPhone

#10 Why education?

• The most noble and rewarding profession in my opinion.  Knew I would be a teacher since elementary school.  Always respected my teachers & coaches, the job they did and how they positively impacted my life.  Wish our society would consider this mindset. 

#11 Best vacation with the family?

• Washington D.C. - every child in the USA should visit to learn about our great country. 

My Homework…

1. Acknowledge the nominating blogger.
2. Share 11 random facts about yourself.
4. Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
5. List 11 bloggers.
6. Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer, and let all the bloggers know they have been nominated.
7. Don’t nominate a blogger who has nominated you.
8. Post back here (in the comment section) with a link to your finished assignment. Go on, you have homework to do.