This is my first post for my professional blog.I have wanted to create a blog for sometime to chronicle my journey through education but when I sit down and stare at the frightening blank screen I begin to second guess myself. I think, What do I really have to say that could be of some value to others who would be reading my blog? I have been hesitant also because I don't like to put myself "out there" for fear of judgement.
Heck for a while I couldn't even get past what I wanted to title my blog. After sharing this block with my wife, she mentioned that I should share an email that I sent last night to a fellow teacher that has inspired me to shake things up in my classroom and how I go about my career life as an educator. She said that would be a great blog post. It is unfiltered and has great value in it. So here it is. Below is what I wrote to Todd Nesloney. @techninjatodd
Good evening,
I saw your post and just like @MrP_tchr I would love your "You Matter" cards if you don't mind sharing.
On a personal note. I've wanted to write you for awhile but have gotten distracted. I attended your Ninja session just by chance at CAMT back in July and then attended your second one on the last day. While I was sitting in that large room I felt that you were talking to me. I am sure you get this all the time but your words of inspiration have done wonders for me. You mentioned how dare us as teachers expect our kids to learn and take chances, when we as teachers at times will not do that. I took that to heart. I have been an educator since 1999. In the last few years however I have become very comfortable. To my kids each year the information they are learning has been fun, beneficial and rewarding. What they don't know is that I have been using the same delivery for years. It wasn't stale to them but to me it was. But I was comfortable. I fell into a routine. One of my goals this year thanks to you is to do things that make me uncomfortable but that benefit my students. For instance I've actively thought, researched and created classroom learning spaces that are flexible and are purposeful.
You also mentioned that you surrounded yourself with the best educators but you were limited to your buildings walls. And then twitter came into your life and you were able to surround yourself with the best educators from around the world. Twitter in your words, "Leveled the playing field." Since CAMT I have been actively following different people and have learned a lot in the past three weeks. Thank you for that.
I still have to get "Flipped" certified and plan on incorporating that into my lessons more. Just like twitter in the past I tried flipping my class but when it didn't work I gave up. You have pushed me to continue to work through the problem areas and find a solution. PBL seems like a daunting task but through the Buck institute and Edutopia I have discovered valuable information on how to ease my way into it.
Basically I just want to say Thank You. Since CAMT anyone I have come into contact with I have shared that my ongoing transformation is in part to you. I appreciate what you have done for me and look forward to not only continuing to learn from you but hopefully meeting you sometime.
Thank again.
Chris Underwood
@mrunderwoodmath
I saw your post and just like @MrP_tchr I would love your "You Matter" cards if you don't mind sharing.
On a personal note. I've wanted to write you for awhile but have gotten distracted. I attended your Ninja session just by chance at CAMT back in July and then attended your second one on the last day. While I was sitting in that large room I felt that you were talking to me. I am sure you get this all the time but your words of inspiration have done wonders for me. You mentioned how dare us as teachers expect our kids to learn and take chances, when we as teachers at times will not do that. I took that to heart. I have been an educator since 1999. In the last few years however I have become very comfortable. To my kids each year the information they are learning has been fun, beneficial and rewarding. What they don't know is that I have been using the same delivery for years. It wasn't stale to them but to me it was. But I was comfortable. I fell into a routine. One of my goals this year thanks to you is to do things that make me uncomfortable but that benefit my students. For instance I've actively thought, researched and created classroom learning spaces that are flexible and are purposeful.
You also mentioned that you surrounded yourself with the best educators but you were limited to your buildings walls. And then twitter came into your life and you were able to surround yourself with the best educators from around the world. Twitter in your words, "Leveled the playing field." Since CAMT I have been actively following different people and have learned a lot in the past three weeks. Thank you for that.
I still have to get "Flipped" certified and plan on incorporating that into my lessons more. Just like twitter in the past I tried flipping my class but when it didn't work I gave up. You have pushed me to continue to work through the problem areas and find a solution. PBL seems like a daunting task but through the Buck institute and Edutopia I have discovered valuable information on how to ease my way into it.
Basically I just want to say Thank You. Since CAMT anyone I have come into contact with I have shared that my ongoing transformation is in part to you. I appreciate what you have done for me and look forward to not only continuing to learn from you but hopefully meeting you sometime.
Thank again.
Chris Underwood
@mrunderwoodmath
So there you have it. Who knows if this was the right topic or format but at least it's a start. I am excited and scared at the same time about the new journey I am embarking on. Now another hard part. I have to hit "PUBLISH". Here goes nothing or maybe it's something!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.