Last week I had an opportunity to spend the day at the Google Teacher Academy in New York at the Google HQ. I was one of 59 educators selected to attend the Google Teacher Academy. Upon completion, we all became Google Certified Teachers. Members of this new class of Google Certified Teachers included K-12 classroom teachers, curriculum specialists, technology specialists, librarians, administrators, professional trainers, and other higher education professors. In their words the:
"Google Teacher Academy is a professional development experience designed to help educators get the most from innovative technologies. Each Academy is an intensive, one-day event where participants get hands-on experience with Google's products and other technologies, learn about innovative instructional strategies, receive resources to share with colleagues, and immerse themselves in an innovative corporate environment. Upon completion, Academy participants become Google Certified Teachers who share what they learn with other educators in their local region." (http://www.google.com/educators/gta.html
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It was great to spend some quality time with other passionate educators, and to get a feel for the kind of company Google is. I had an opportunity to meet many wonderful Googlers including Jonathan Rochelle the Product Manager for Google Docs. Here is a video tour of the Google HQ by Jonathan himself.
It's nice to be a Google Certified Teacher and associated with such a well respected company.