Staff Spotlight: Kris Powers
By Kris Powers | September 1st 2015
As we continue our Ed4Career Staff Spotlight series, I thought I would take a moment and introduce myself on this page!
I've been with Ed4Career for over four years and have held many positions within the company, allowing me a thorough understanding of each department. I've been in my current role as Social Media Relations Manager for the past two years and have enjoyed this position immensely. I maintain the social media channels for the Ed4Career brand, as well as develop content for weekly blogs, newsletters, and the creation of branded graphics. My primary responsibilities include creating, managing and growing brand presence across all social media channels as well as acting as an aggregator of online education news and events.
I hold a degree in Social Work from Florida State University and find that connecting people with one another as well as with available resources is a driving force regardless of my workplace.
Six Top Digital Storytelling Tools
By Kris Powers | August 25th 2015
A few weeks ago, we published the first in a series of Top Websites for Teaching and Learning, as compiled by The American Association of School Librarians (AASL). The AASL makes their yearly selections to honor those internet sites that provide “enhanced learning and curriculum development for school librarians and their teacher collaborators”.
This week we’ll explore some of the digital storytelling websites available for teachers and students alike. Digital storytelling provides an exciting way for students and teachers to share their knowledge. It may include a combination of video, animation, sound, still images – any type of digital media that can be used to present an idea or tell a story.
Below is an overview of the top Digital Storytelling websites selected by the AASL in 2015 along with a few additions of our own!
1. Booktrack Classroom (AASL top pick)
Ed4Career Staff Spotlight: Dr. Laura Quinn
By Kris Powers | August 18th 2015
This week we continue with our Ed4Career Staff Series - sharing our fantastic team member's stories and backgrounds in order to allow you a glimpse of the people and talent behind the Ed4Career brand.
The following letter is from Dr. Laura Quinn, an integral part of Ed4Career's curriculum design team.
Four Top Websites for Teaching & Learning
By Kris Powers | August 11th 2015
The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) announced its 2015 Best Websites for Teaching & Learning at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference held in San Francisco in June of 2015. AASL's annual list honors internet sites that "foster the qualities of innovation, creativity, active participation and collaboration".
Four of the top Media Sharing websites selected by the AASL in 2015:
1. Tackk: Ridiculously Simple Creation + Sharing
According to Google, Tackk is “prime edtech for your blended-learning classroom”. Educators can use Tackk to create, collect and review assignments for their students and share lesson plans with fellow teachers.
Ed4Career Staff Spotlight: Kristy Rolen
By Kris Powers | August 4th 2015
This week we are proud to introduce you to Kristy Rolen. Please read the letter below to find out more about Kristy and the amazing work she does with Ed4Career.
"My name is Kristy Rolen and I work with Student Services managing the Online Student Center. I graduated from Taylor University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work with an emphasis in statistical research. I have been with the company for about a year now. My job is a perfect fit for me because I enjoy helping others use technology to improve their life. One of my professional goals is to continually learn new ways to engage the online student by providing practical tips and tools that allow them to be successful.
Going Back to School as an Adult Learner
By Kris Powers | July 28th 2015
The start of school was always a favorite time of mine. Fresh school year, new school supplies, new classmates and professors, the feeling of “anything is possible”. Along with the excitement of starting something new, there was apprehension about the course load and work involved – would I be up to the challenge?
For those who may have been out of the learning arena for awhile, these apprehensions may be magnified. However, there are steps that you can take to set yourself up for success:
7 Steps to Adult Learning Success
By Kris Powers | July 21st 2015
There are a myriad of reasons adults return to school. Some are planning a career transition, others need new skills or certifications to advance and still others enroll in courses for enrichment, development and to study subjects of personal interest. Whether it has been one year, ten years or even forty years since you were enrolled in college, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure you’ll be successful in your new endeavor.
1. Sign Up for a Non-College Class
Ed4Career Staff Spotlight: Marissa Wilson
By Kris Powers | July 14th 2015
This week, we continue our series of "Staff Profiles" introducing you to the tremendous talent behind Ed4Career. It is with great pleasure that we introduce you to Marissa Wilson.
Marissa is a Curriculum Designer with Ed4Career and in August she will celebrate her one-year anniversary with the company! Marissa holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and hopes to get her certification in Instructional Design within the next year. In her downtime, she enjoys traveling, swimming, photography and learning about new topics. Marissa currently resides in St. Petersburg, FL.
Marissa's favorite quote is: “What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside you” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Please join us in recognizing Marissa as a key player on the Ed4Career team!
The Gift of Doing Good
By Kris Powers | July 7th 2015
It's important to think good, speak good, and do good. If we want to see positive change in the world, then we need to connect to goodness. Shari Arison
From donating your time, money or gently used household items to various charities and organizations, to giving blood and plasma through the American Red Cross, there are many great ways to give. “Doing good” benefits your long-term health and happiness while helping others – a win-win situation if we’ve ever heard of one!
Ed4Career Staff Spotlight: Erin Fouse
By Kris Powers | June 30th 2015
Continuing with our Ed4Career Staff Spotlight series, this week we are pleased to introduce Erin Fouse.
Erin is the Director of Partner Services for Ed4Career where she has been working for the past two years. Erin has a Masters Degree in the Science of Psychology and has also earned a BS in Psychology and BA in Elementary Education from SUNY Potsdam.
Erin has spent the past 20 years working in the field of education, 15 of those years as a teacher at various levels. Since leaving the public school system, Erin has moved to working in the adult education arena, assisting Military Spouses, WIA Candidates, Veterans and the general public with working on vocational rehabilitation and earning professional and national certifications through Ed4Career’s online education programs.