Turning It Off

The cycles of education are really an interesting phenomenon. They allow for re-do’s, they give us wonderful time for reflection and often give us chances to change. For me, the newest cycle of the 2018-19 school year has been a new one. I find myself out of the TOSA world, out of social studies and history and now fully immersed in the world of teaching video and film. My role in the past has always been as a history teacher and this led me to wanting to help other teachers with tips, resources and other ideas. Over time I became passionate about helping others in education, as a I realized that it was the CONNECTIONS between us which makes us all better. So, I started to share more with my friends, my department, school, district and beyond. 

In this great sharing / connected world, I realized that it was a two way street. The best connected educators share but also learn. They are NOT the ones shouting from the hills with the “look at my awesome ideas”, they are the “did you see this” people who try to help others; sometimes with an inspiration and sometimes with a nudge. And its these folks who also listen. 
I have had some incredible opportunities to share and learn with others, often through working with organizations such as TCM and CUE which have allowed me to travel to 19 states and meet teachers from all grades, subjects and walks of life. And in almost all of those experiences what I value most is times when I sit with teachers, often at lunch, and hear from them.  

I have tried many different tools and platforms in the “quest to share”. I’ve blogged, vlogged, podcasted, listerved, facebooked, presented, key noted and more and throughout it all I have always felt like I have been there. Been connected. 

Which makes where I am now a bit odd. You see, I am pulling back a bit. This was not really a conscious effort to protect my sanity as I am starting this new teaching world of video production… it kind of just happened. 

I started by swiping away some notifications but then it got just easier to turn them off completely. This led to me just stop opening up some of the tools like Twitter and Voxer. Instead, I find myself thinking just about my class and my students and constantly tweeking the next days lesson 

So, I guess this is my public “I’m sorry” if I failed to comment on a tweet, answer a Vox, or reply to an email. 

I am still wanting to be connected and know that I will return at some point. 

​Oh, and yes, I do understand the irony behind my writing a blog post and posting this on Twitter!