The PLN Challenge

Over break, I was lucky enough to be encouraged by a few members of my PLN to take part in the #blogamonth challenge where a group of educators commit to blogging and commenting at least once a month.  As part of the challenge, Drew Frank (@ugafrank) nominated our group for the PLN Challenge.  Like most people in my PLN, I have never met Drew in person, but I have had the opportunity to learn with and from him in many chats and through his blog posts.  Drew is a wealth of excellent resources and ideas.  I would encourage you to follow him if you are not already.  On to the Challenge!

The PLN Challenge:

1.      Acknowledge the nominating blogger – Check!

2.      Share 11 random facts about yourself

3.      Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you

4.      Nominate 11 bloggers for the Challenge

5.      Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer and let the bloggers know they have been nominated.

11 Random Facts about Me:

1.      I have two wonderful little girls.

2.      Huge Philly Sports Fan - Eagles, Phillies, and Flyers (Not really a basketball fan though, Sorry 76ers)

3.      I met my wife on a trip to Disney World after HS graduation, even though we lived 7 minutes from each other during HS.

4.      My wife is the most creative person I know.  She crafts, knits, cooks.  She’s awesome!

5.      I love video games.

6.      I am secretly addicted to watching Cooking shows, even though I can’t cook a lick

7.      I am a believer that almost anything can be improved by adding cheese or peanut butter (but NEVER Both!)

8.      I am a self-proclaimed math geek…and PROUD of it!

9.      I am the oldest of 3children with 7 years difference between me and the next oldest

10.  I come from a family of educators.

11.  I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was in 6^th grade.

 11 Questions from Drew:

1.      What is your favorite movie of all time?

It’s a tie between The Shawshank Redemption and Remember the Titans

2.      If you could go to have attended any concert anytime in history, what would it have been?

 I’m not a huge music fan, but I would have like to have seen the Beatles live in concert

 

3.      What do you do for fun?  Hobby?

 

Video games and Card Playing.  I love a good poker game.

 

4.      What two guests would make the best comedic pair as co-hosts for the Oscars?

 

Will Ferrell and Darryl Hammond as Bill Clinton and George Bush

 

5.      Cat, Dog or Goldfish? Why…

Dog, not even close.  Loyalty, companionship and unconditional love.  I love my dog.

6.      How do you caffeinate?

Not a coffee drinker.  I’ve tried, but just can’t acquire a taste for it.  I’m a Diet Soda guy.

7.      Favorite twitter chat?

#PAEdchat – I am co-moderator of this chat with my colleagues Bob Lochel (@bobloch) and Diane Holben (@DianeHolben) on Thursdays @ 9EST.  I am also a fan of #sbgchat and #mschat.

8.      Best place you ever vacationed?

My wife and I took a cruise of the Western Mediterranean for our honeymoon.  We hit Marseilles, Monaco, Tuscany, Rome and Naples all in one trip.  It was amazing!!!

9.      Best book you’ve read in 2013?

Shifting the Monkey by Todd Whitaker (@ToddWhitaker).  Simple, Practical ideas steps to implement.  I also love Todd’s style of writing

10.  Favorite television shows?

Game of Thrones, Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory

11.  What is one thing you never/rarely share that you are exceptionally proud of?

I played Division III lacrosse for DeSales University.  I started in goal for 3 years and, upon leaving, owned most game and season school goaltending records

My Turn to Nominate:

Now it’s my turn to nominate 11 bloggers.  I am nominating a mix of the #blogamonth participants along with other members of my PLN that have had an influence on me.  Please give these guys a follow and check out their blogs.

Name	Twitter Handle	Blog Address
Bob Lochel	@bobloch	http://mathcoachblog.wordpress.com/
Joe Mazza	@Joe_Mazza	leadlearner.com
Tom Murray	@thomascmurray	thomascmurray.com
Kevin Deissler	@MrDeissler	mrdeissler.wordpress.com
Justin Aion	@JustinAion	http://relearningtoteach.blogspot.com
Jeremy Lenzi	@MrLenziGS	http://dailylifeasateacher.wordpress.com
Steve Kwikkel	@SKwikkel	middleman2012.wordpress.com
Kevin Kelly	@EmmausKevinK	schoolpsycwaypost.blogspot.com
Justin Staub	@DrStaubSTEM	http://drstaub.wordpress.com/
Allison Petersen	@alcp	alcp.weebly.com
Rik Rowe	@WHSRowe	whsrowe.blogspot.com

 Here are your 11 questions:

1. If you weren’t in education, what would you do instead?
2. Who is your favorite actor of all time?
3. If you could go to have attended any famous speech anytime in history, what would it have been?
4. What do you do to relax?  De-stress?
5. If you could invite anyone to dinner who would you invite and why?
6. Would you prefer to visit a Zoo or Aquarium and why?
7. Favorite twitter chat?
8. What is one thing you tried last year that you learned about from your PLN?
9. Best place to be quiet and reflect?
10. Favorite book of your life?
11. What is one thing you never/rarely share that you are exceptionally proud of?