Source: http://www.teacheroz.com/images/alamo2.gif

Wes Fryer (SpeedofCreativity.org) recently copied me on an email someone sent him from Texas:

I’m so envious that it’s not the Celebrate “Texas” Voices,
only because I work in Dallas, otherwise I’m all for celebrating
Oklahoma voices! I was wanting to do something similar last year, based
on the idea of Story Corps, I just wasn’t sure how to implement it. I
work in a low-income, elementary school in Dallas where the ethnicity
make-up is 65% Hispanic and 35% African-American. I think it would be
great for these students to hear and catalogue the stories around them.
Is there anything like this in Texas…?

Wes’ response was to copy a few folks in Texas inquiring about a similar program. Here’s my response:

Howdy! Thanks for copying me on this email, Wes. Celebrate Oklahoma Voices is a great initiative, a statewide digital storytelling project empowering learners to become digital witnesses, archiving local oral history and sharing that history safely on the global stage of the Internet. Why not in Texas?

Casey, I’m in San Antonio, Tx and we face similar challenges as Dallas ISD. And, it would be incredible for Texas to implement a “Celebrate Texas Voices!” initiative. Due to the prevalence of available Read/Write Web technologies (e.g. content management systems, blogs, wikis, and podcasting), I don’t see why a large state-wide organization (such as the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA)) couldn’t take this on with grassroots support from its membership. In fact, it would present a wonderful opportunity for that organization. I’m submitting this email to several key folks at TCEA for their consideration.

And, if they aren’t able at this time to celebrate Texas like Oklahoma is, then I bet we could get independent educators to pursue a “Celebrate Texas Voices!” initiative.

I’m open to partnering with anyone I’ve copied on this email to pursue this and will also share it with other educators.

One of my take-aways from Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach’s presentation in Maine–recorded by Bob Sprankle–was that being able to collaborate with others via the Internet is critical to future success. Celebrate Texas Voices! would present a wonderful opportunity!

Texas, are you up to it?

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