In honor of our Friday Fun series, I thought we'd give you some dirt on members of the SmarterServices team. Read about Jeff Worford one of our Developers and get to know him.

Question: What is the most beautiful place you’ve ever visited and why?

Answer: It would have to be Montego Bay, Jamaica. I remember looking out over my balcony thinking "This looks more like a photo than real life". The water was perfectly blue and calm. Definitely a sight to remember.

Question: What is your most embarrassing moment?

Answer: Hiking in the Boy's Scouts and thinking I could make the 4 mile hike in a tight to use a restroom. Needless to say, I did not make it.

Question: If you could dine with someone who is deceased who would it be and why?

Answer: It would have to be my great aunt Lucile. She was a strong matriarch in our family. She passed when I was 6 but she influenced me so much at that young age. I would love to speak with her now that I am an adult.

Question: What is the one thing you love to do and wish you had more time to spend doing?

Answer: Fishing. I love to be on water one way or another but I have not been fishing in a couple of years and I wish I had more time to do it.

Question: What is your favorite decade? Why?

Answer: I feel like I am too young to answer this question. I have only lived through 3 of them… but I would have to say it would be the current one. Starting a family has been exciting and new experience.

Question: Name one thing that you’ve done that was on your bucket list.

Answer: Surfing in Hawaii. I got a rare opportunity to surf in the famous Sunset beach when I went to Hawaii a couple of years ago. This is the spot where all the pros surf. I definitely stood out as a newbie but had a blast nonetheless.

Question: What is your biggest fear?

Answer: Failure. I have a strong desire to succeed and a fear of failure is what drives that desire.

Question: When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?

Answer: I have always wanted to be an airplane pilot. My first grade teacher told me I loved planes so much I should do that when I grew up and that word of advice stuck with me all the way to Aerospace Engineering in college. I ended up ultimately taking a different career path of course but I have signed up for a couple of flight lessons this year so the dream may still come true!

Question: What is your favorite meal?

Answer: I consider myself a pretty healthy eater, but I do have one big vice and that is MEXICAN food. I seriously cannot say no to Nachos and cheese dip!

Question: Who is your favorite person?

Answer: This is a hard question to answer. I have so many favorites but if I had to choose one it would have to be my Mom for all the opportunities in life she gave me to be who I am today.

Friday Fun - Jeff Worford - Staff Interview

Today is the big day!  All of the new improved features of SmarterMeasure were launched today and we are super excited!  If you missed one of the training webinars over the past 2 weeks, you can watch a recording by clicking the link below.  You may also wish to check out our new tutorials.  They have all been updated with the new interfaces and features.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Account Manager.  

https://vimeo.com/41931212
password protected - 2NewSM2012

SmarterMeasure Change is Good

Well it's almost here! The "GO LIVE" date for the improved SmarterMeasure is this Thursday, May 17th.  The first two webinars have been huge hits and we are gearing up for our final training session tomorrow at 10:00 am CST.  To register click here.  If you cannot attend you may click this link to view a previous session - https://vimeo.com/41931212 - password protected 2NewSM2012.  Below are a list of key points to remember about the enhancements and updates.

Suggestions

• Join SmarterMeasure google groups for the latest news and updates - http://groups.google.com/group/smartermeasure
• Read the newsletter – Thinking Smarter (emailed monthly)
• Update your SM contacts – go to admin panel, click manager account, click contacts
• Use the Account Requested Data and add your own questions
• Modify the custom texty on the login screen for students.

Reminders

• If you’d like us to update your new custom user interface – email julie@smarterservices.com
• Go Live date – May 17th
• Update your SM contacts – go to admin panel, click manage account, click contacts
• All tutorials will be updated later this month.
• Assessments replaces terminology test taker groups
• Assessment groups replaces terminology admin group
• Click the Account Manager icon for more details about how we can best assist you to get the most out of SmarterMeasure
• There will be no downtime associated with the enhancements
• SSO access will not be affected by the new enhancements
• With SSO we still do not allow for custom questions at this time
• Readiness Alerts will pull from the past 30 days, and shows the most recent 50 most assessments.

SmarterMeasure Enhancements Key Points to Remember

In honor of our Friday Fun series, I thought we'd give you some dirt on members of the SmarterServices team. Read about Angela Cantrell one of our Sales Manager and get to know her.

1. What is the most beautiful place you’ve ever visited and why? The Grand Canyon simply took my breath away…I was about to be a high school senior. I’d love to take our grown children there sometime.

2. Your most embarrassing moment…I think I was 7 years old (yes, it still haunts me)…We were at the beach on vacation. My brother was in the pool, but I had to get out earlier because I had to get dressed for church. (You know it takes girls longer.) I decided to walk around the edges of the pool, and he was taunting me. So I reached out to hit him and fell in the pool – dress and all! Of course, there was another boy in the pool, too, and he couldn’t contain his laughter. 

3. If you could dine with someone who is deceased who would it be and why? Princess Diana. She and I share the exact same birthday (7/1/61), and my family line on my maternal grandmother’s side goes back to the House of Spencer.

4. What is the one thing you love to do and wish you had more time to spend doing? Enjoying the outdoors.

5. Favorite decade, why? For music, it was the 70’s. For life experience, it was the 90’s…my kids were young.

6. Name one thing that you’ve done that was on your bucket list. Recorded a CD with my family…No, we’re not professionals, but we all love to sing.

7. Biggest fear. Heights

8. When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up? A mommy, then a teacher

9. Favorite meal. A baked potato with a little butter, diced colorful peppers, and a little cheese…could eat it every day.

10. Favorite person. My husband, Keith…he’s made me laugh for over 30 years.

Friday Fun - Staff Interview - Angela Cantrell

We are pleased to formally announce our partnership with Cengage Learning.  Through their MindShare Alliance program, Cengage representatives will be able to access detailed information through this unique portal about SmarterServices and the tools we offer.  We are excited about the opportunity to be exposed to a new client base who share our love and dedication for online learning and student readiness.

Partnership with Cengage Learning