I've been away for a while, but it was for good reason.
I was teaching.
As prolific as I can be, one must have priorities. Although some days I am an advocate, and some days I'm a presenter, some days I'm a blogger, and some days I am just tired- one must remember that when all is said and done, I am still a teacher. And I love that.
Almost a year ago I was doing research for a final project in my masters program, and I talked with a former teacher. This former teacher had grown into a pretty formidable person in the ed tech world, and we had a conversation. I talked about my love for technology and Web 2.0, and how I was integrating that into my science class. I said how I wanted to go further with technology.
I was asked where I thought I'd be in five years or something, and I didn't have an answer. I was so new to the teaching profession (2 years) that I never really thought beyond my classroom. All I knew at the moment, was that I was extremely on fire for what a teacher could do with technology in the classroom.
Seizing the moment, I remember asking, "do you have any advice? I really want to dive into this Web 2.0 stuff, I really want to be involved in tech at a higher level."
And then I heard those important words.
Sometimes (come on- most of the time) people tell you stuff, and you nod your head and smile and you don't really listen to them. Well this time, my former teacher told me something that I can't forget.
"I know you're passionate about technology, and you're trying some progressive stuff in your classroom, but technology aside, the best advice I can give is just- be a good teacher."
Technology aside? What's more important than technology? I'm just about to try out a new Online Learning Environment! I just started a new Google for Ed account and I'm going to get all my students email addresses! I just signed up for Voicethread and we're doing some digital storytelling! Technology aside? I just went to three technology conferences, and spent every Sunday listening to Ed Tech Talk Live! I worked all year to build my Twitter network and am getting ready to pass 300 followers and sent almost 2000 tweets! Technology aside? I joined Classroom 2.0, started some forums there and...huff...puff....etc.
And in reading that paragraph, I hope you get it. Because I do. I really do.
Technology does not make a good teacher, nor does it make me good. I still have to motivate my kids with exciting projects. I still have to differentiate. I still have to organize. I still have to use best practices- regardless if the agenda is written on the whiteboard or the interactive whiteboard.
Be a good teacher. That's my focus.
Be a good teacher. Thy will be done.
Thanks ;-)
