EdTech leader and author living near Disney World! My wife thinks I'm cute and my dog thinks I'm funny. I share about tech, education, fresh pasta, and general theme park joy. Catch me public speaking or running around World Showcase. Opinions my own.https://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3mfmrlcpqpc2vOn the topic of leaving teaching: I haven't had a classroom in 8 years. I did re-enter in 2018 but was also consulting. Then I was a coach. I've worked full time in tech since 2022. When you're no longer in a teacher-facing role, your end game is no longer other teachers. It is the SYSTEM.24 Feb 2026 18:16 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfmrlcpqpc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3me45ciqzck2dSo I’m in quite a few professional learning networks and this has been the first time I can think of where at least 10 people have already been laid off this year and it’s only FEBRUARY 5TH. 1/05 Feb 2026 10:05 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3me45ciqzck2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3mdxjdkctks2kI'm about 150 pages into this book (it's taking me slower to read due to work travel) and my biggest takeaways so far are that his mother was insecure and unstable, he was struggling with moving to a new town, and his mother used that to her advantage to push homeschooling. [contains quote post or other embedded content]03 Feb 2026 13:57 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdxjdkctks2khttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3mdvjujquqs2mAlright y'all: I'm happy that I'm seeing less "transitioning teacher" content on LinkedIn and other platforms but some of the stuff I am seeing is truly out of pocket. Y'all absolutely HAVE to stop saying "hire teachers." These corporations do not owe you anything. That's lesson number one. 1/02 Feb 2026 19:01 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdvjujquqs2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3mdlnob3bw22dThe kids: “Mrs. Thompson, we made a playlist for you of songs from when you were a kid.” Me: “…okay…” The first song was Rockin’ Robin. I AM THIRTY-TWO YEARS OLD29 Jan 2026 20:43 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdlnob3bw22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3mde4vs42422jPutting this out there: We can feel thankful that we are alive, employed, and able to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. But we can absolutely also feel angry about the state of the world. These feelings can 100% coexist and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.26 Jan 2026 20:54 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mde4vs42422jhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3mczjuowksk27Did I purchase this book? Absolutely. I heard about Block’s story on NPR and how his mother “homeschooled” him (it was more like unschooling) and how he fought to exit that environment and become independent, all the while still trying to stay close to his mother. I am excited to read this memoir.22 Jan 2026 15:47 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mczjuowksk27https://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3mcx27jzxas2pWell, my day just got a lot more interesting! Utah has introduced two bills regarding technology usage in schools. One of the proposed bills completely eliminates “non-essential screen time” in grades K-3. Link: https://www.abc4.com/news/education/two-bills-technology-use-schools-2026-legislative-session/21 Jan 2026 16:01 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcx27jzxas2phttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3mcucegrvjc2sA book came across my feed and I'm lowkey thinking about purchasing it for my kindle and reading it. I was locked into "The Girl Who Doesn't Exist," which is a real story about a girl whose parents didn't have any legal documentation for her, and it made it impossible for her in adulthood. 1/20 Jan 2026 13:49 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcucegrvjc2shttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3mbweikgzac2fI'll be honest, I don't utilize this platform as much as I could. I make a conscious effort to not have social media on my phone unless it's at a conference or an event, and I really don't want to have to download another app. I'll try harder this year, though. (Without another app.)08 Jan 2026 16:08 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbweikgzac2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lwth2wc5bs26So in today's edition of "please stop listening to advice that you see on TikTok," there must be some "wisdom" floating around that if you apply for a job (especially if it’s in tech) to cold message people who already work there and ask for a referral. This is not good advice. Do not do this.20 Aug 2025 12:38 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwth2wc5bs26https://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lwqpwbvpr22eKourt and I had an absolutely wonderful “staycation” (since we live 25 minutes away, we staycation at Disney!) at Animal Kingdom Lodge this past weekend. We made it a mission to go to Animal Kingdom each day too.19 Aug 2025 10:39 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwqpwbvpr22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lwc4one2oc2kThis week I'm in Chicago, IL for an internal work conference. Today we had our "Women in K-12 IT" breakfast. It was so yummy!13 Aug 2025 15:17 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwc4one2oc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lw4lzycxbs26Shout out to all of my educators, school leaders, and district folks starting the school year today! 🎉 Have an AWESOME day!11 Aug 2025 10:36 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lw4lzycxbs26https://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lw2u6sk4a22zFor the last few years I have not participated in what I refer to as “pencil discourse.” If you’re in education and this (and the school supplies conversation) stresses you out, I encourage you to do the same. If it’s worth your peace of mind, stepping out is ALWAYS the right option.10 Aug 2025 17:57 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lw2u6sk4a22zhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lvz3yj3cjc2mKourt’s home, our neighbor is over (more on that later—if you’re on the other site, you’ve probably seen the saga where I helped my elderly neighbor get set up with an online dating profile), I made a pot of tea and made a cookie cake, it’s raining, and it’s another peaceful Saturday evening. 🌧️10 Aug 2025 01:11 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lvz3yj3cjc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lvxs3qslvs2jIt's been about 2 months (mostly because of laziness--I don't really keep social media on my phone) but ya girl is back! What have I missed? https://media.tenor.com/3eT3hx60724AAAAC/pizza-big-bang-theory.gif?hh=278&ww=49809 Aug 2025 12:41 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lvxs3qslvs2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lqacvtxfrs2nAlright alright alright it's been a while! I'll be headed to Georgia today to be a part of their "Cobb In Tech" conference in Cobb County, GA! I can't wait!28 May 2025 13:32 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqacvtxfrs2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lpjljbd2ys2xThis is a friendly reminder that the best store in the world, Costco, will be closed on Monday, May 26th in observation of Memorial Day. If you need anything from Costco soon, get it before next Monday!19 May 2025 12:35 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpjljbd2ys2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lpcp4hye3s2dIt's been a good week, but I'm also ready to get to Epcot tonight. Y'all feel me?16 May 2025 18:51 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpcp4hye3s2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lp7kplequc2bWhew, it's been a while. And I woke up yesterday to news of mass layoffs at a company I used to work at (3% of the workforce, nearly 7000 people). This is a friendly reminder from your local edtech and Disney enthusiast that if you are in education right now, DO NOT QUIT YOUR JOB.15 May 2025 12:54 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lp7kplequc2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lohhb37v622oThe Cholula Variety Pack is back. All of my fellow hot sauce lovers: run, don’t walk.05 May 2025 22:48 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lohhb37v622ohttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lofz7t7jfc2vIt’s Teacher Appreciation Week! 📚 Years ago, Kourt and I created a scholarship at my undergrad alma mater. The scholarship alleviates financial burden for pre-service teachers during the student teaching semester. Consider donating if you can! Link: give.cofc.edu/Thompson-Johns… https://give.cofc.edu/Thompson-Johns…05 May 2025 09:05 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lofz7t7jfc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lny32pwcu22eI had to explain the concept of dial-up internet today to a bunch of kids and simultaneously explained that you couldn’t be on the internet AND the telephone at the same time and they could not believe the words that were coming out of my mouth. They thought I was lying.29 Apr 2025 20:00 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lny32pwcu22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lnspkqnb2c2qI’ve been MIA the last 9-ish days because I’ve been on vacation! California (Disneyland), Hawaii (Aulani), and then California again (Knott’s Berry Farm). I’m off tomorrow too since I don’t do well with time changes between zones more than an hour away, so I’ll be resuming normal ops on Tuesday.27 Apr 2025 16:51 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnspkqnb2c2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3lndeazwnkk2dWe had a great time at Disneyland yesterday! Our first ride was one of our favorites: Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!21 Apr 2025 14:19 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3lndeazwnkk2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/victoriathetech.bsky.social/post/3ln4lgfgzcc2oI made it! I’m officially on vacation!18 Apr 2025 21:39 +0000at://did:plc:2xjwe6js2nquldtocg2twt6j/app.bsky.feed.post/3ln4lgfgzcc2o