My name is Beth Still and my blog is Nebraska Change Agent. I am passionate about helping teachers connect to one another and learn how to integrate the use of technology into their curriculum so that it is not an event. I have known Richard since I started following him on Twitter in 2008. He was kind enough to be the test subject of a crazy idea I came up with in March of 2009. This is that story.

My love affair with Twitter began on June 14, 2008. By the time September rolled around I was telling everyone who would listen that they needed to sign up for Twitter because it was an amazing resource. By the spring of 2009 I was really tired of people looking at me like I was some kind of freak each time I uttered the word “Twitter.” So I devised a plan that would show everyone who ever dared to question the power of Twitter that we could use it to do great things.

I decided to see if I could organize my personal learning network around a common goal. I asked them to donate funds to send one person to the National Educational Computing Conference (now called ISTE). This project came to be known as the ISTE Newbie Project and it was a huge success. Richard Byrne was the first “Newbie.” Within two weeks of launching the project we reached the goal of $1500. It never occurred to me to do the project more than once, but the response was so overwhelmingly positive I decided to do it again in 2010. Jason Schrage, a Social Studies teacher from New York, was the Newbie in 2010. For 2011, I decided to shake things up a bit by sending an administrator. George Couros, a principal from Canada, is the Newbie for 2011.

Selecting an administrator was a tough decision because I knew I would get some push back from my personal learning network. Most people have been supportive because they understand how critical it is for administrators to attend conferences so they can continue learning and also so they can network with other administrators. I realized many months ago that significant changes will not occur in schools until administrator are on board. Administrators are not our enemy. We need them and that is why I selected George.

The Newbie Project is about what we can do together as a network. It is meant to serve as an example of what one person can do when they are connected to so many people either directly or indirectly. I am a teacher in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. There aren’t many places in the United States that are more rural than where I live. This project illustrates the point that geographic location no longer matters.

For two years in a row my network has helped me accomplish a task that would have been next to impossible a few years ago. I need your help to make sure the third ISTE Newbie Project is a success as well. If everyone who reads about this project would make a $5 we could meet the goal for 2011 in no time. If you believe in the power of the network please consider making a donation. Together we can do great things!