Lessons from a Concert

Lately I have really enjoyed reading Tim Childers' blog because he has a talent for learning from everyday happenings. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it! So here is my attempt from trying to view my Spring Break in a different way.

Wednesday marked my trip into D.C. for the Maroon Five concert. It was an amazing concert despite the fact I was in the nosebleed section and at a height that made me slightly nervous. In trying to take it all in and doing more than just enjoying the music, this is what I learned:

• In the line to get water there was a mother and her son. He was already in his tour t-shirt and super excited because it was his first concert. I still remember the excitement of my first concert and it brought a smile on my face to hear the kid talk. Firsts are a great thing and we should try new things no matter what age we are now.
• This has been my third concert since December and I have enjoyed the opening act(s) at every event. There are so many that come in just in time for the main act. By doing so they missed out on some musical surprises. How many moments do we skip because we don't believe there is anything to gain?
• On the opposite end, people left before encore was finished. Yeah, they made have made it out of the parking garage a little faster or didn't have to battle the same Metro crowd that I did, but was is worth it? What are you saving the extra time for? Some things are worth seeing it through to the end, to enjoy it without the worry of a small delay.
• Live in the moment! There was a teenager in front of me that was one of the few in the section that stood through the concert. She danced, sang, and acted out the emotion of each song. I admired her passion and the ability to live completely in the moment. Imagine if her and her teachers had that same passion in school.

At a Crossroads

Don't get me wrong, I still LOVE my job! Especially with the changes I made to my course this year, creativity is at an all-time high with my students. It also helped that I put my super-hero complex in check where I volunteered for everything to help out the school. Yet, it is a point in my career where the question comes up: What is next?

Since I missed out on a job opportunity in Mobile Learning last year because I didn't have an administration certificate, I am taking care of that now. Right it has become the excuse to delay figuring out the next step. If the delay continues, I am afraid of staying in one place because that is safe.

What do I want? An opportunity to work with students without grading and the day-to-day "stuff." A chance to help teachers with training that is meaningful. Most of all I want a voice and the chance to make real change in education. Unfortunately teachers only have the power for change the classroom, but I am ready to fight the bigger fight and don't mind getting a couple of bruises.

So current possible moves:

Assistant Principal- HECK NO! I admire what they do, but it is not for me. Even with the possibility of becoming a Principal.

Technology Trainer- While I think I could like this job, I can't see it working out for me in my current school system. I am not the kind of presenter that follows prescribed training modules.

Curriculum & Instruction- A true possibility. The decisions made here have the biggest impact on students and this is where the good fights are currently taking place.

??????- I feel like there is something I am not thinking about. Is there some amazing opportunity I am missing because I am missing something in the picture?

Sorry another all-about-me post, but that has been the focus of this blog. If you haven't had this conversation with yourself in a while, why not?

To Deserve or Not Deserve

I have heard the word "deserve," quite a bit lately as others found out that I will be receiving one of ISTE's Emerging Leaders award at this year's conference in San Diego. Technically I knew since early April and tried to keep it under wraps for as long as possible. Words cannot express how grateful I am from all of the lovely messages from my PLN who really made me the educator I am today. At the same time, I am still wondering whether "deserve," is the right word? It seems more like I found the golden ticket to a career I really enjoy.

"Lucky" might be a better word. It seems like some of the events that put me where I am right now was a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Before being a Tech Integration teacher, I was teaching sixth graders to be true readers and writers. Just happened to be one of the few teachers that would put in the work with the mobile labs. So I was offered the new position and lucky to have an AMAZING, supportive supervisor that has put up with me for five years. Lucky to win so many grants to build up from a set of desktop computers to a multimedia lab.

"Fortunate" would definitely describe my journey of instructional technology. The DEN, Discovery Educator Network, has been so wonderful to me over the years! Some of the absolute best people in my PLN, I met at a DEN event. Not only did they share their expertise, but they have the best positive attitude about changing the world of education one classoom, school at a time. Being a Google Certified Teacher and Trainer has expanded my network to include more fantastic educators. As I see so many tweets from those that can't make this year's ISTE conference, I am fortunate that I have been able to attend 5 years in a row.

When I submitted my application at the beginning of this year, I knew I didn't "deserve" any award. There are so many young educators that are working hard to try and change the face of education, they deserve awards too. Going through the application was actually the best part because I could reflect on what has happen and decide where I want to go in the future. When I submitted the application and now receiving the award, there is so much more to do. I vow to work even harder to earn the word "deserve."

Having Control

Like most educators, I like having control. So much so that it took me a while to give control to the students when it comes to projects. Never regretted that decision.

Unfortunately, it is easy to get wrapped up in the things you can't control in a school. Colleagues not completing their assigned duties. Knowing that students are not getting the education they deserve. Seeing students that are being left behind when something could be done. To know that change can't happen with the current climate.

Since I fell in the trap, I spent way too much time angry and sad. When Friday morning started off just as rough as the past three mornings, I took a moment to stop myself and the pent up resentment. In that moment there was a decision to make: to hold on to the anger or make a change. The choice was change.

I took a quick moment to write two thank-you notes to staff members that really helped me during this rough week. Both already told me how much the notes meant to them. By letting go of the anger, it allowed me to see how hard my students work in my class. It resulted in me giving lots of feedback, praise, and pats on the back.

This post written on a Sunday night is really meant to be a reminder. A reminder that the problems existed last week still exist. A reminder that I do have control if my week is a positive or negative experience.