My Life as a Blogger

Looking back at my previous posts has prompted me to reflect on how my blogging journey started and where I am now as a blogger.

I started this blog as part of my PLP year 2 passion based learning project, to share out my findings.  I was actively pursuing an action research project on 1:1 computing through the use of iPod Touches.  We were pioneers in this area, the iPads weren't out yet and very few schools were utilizing the touches in the classroom.  As we ventured on this journey, paving the way through what felt like the thickest rain forest you could ever hike, I felt like for the sake of transparency (for our parent community) and helping our fellow 21st century pioneers, we had to share our findings.  This seemed like the best way to get the word out.  And it was. 

I landed on the name Emergent Lucidity because that's exactly how I was feeling.  Have you ever felt like at one moment, you can't see beyond your nose...it's cloudy, there's no direction, and no clear path?  Then the next moment, it's clear as a bell, you can see the path you are on and the understanding of where to head next is evident.  Then it's gone again.

Like all things, my blog transitioned to reflections as an administrator.  A way for the parents in my building, and also my fellow PLCers to gain insights as to what was happening in my world and offer great feedback/thought provoking questions.  It's sad, the last post I created was about leaving my role as an admisitrator. 

The blogging assignment has come at a perfect time.  It's causing me to reflect on my blog space and how I see myself moving forward.  In my new role at the Strive Partnership, there are some really exciting things happening that are causing me to reflect deeply on the importance of education reform, especially in an urban setting.  Some days, it's all very clear...some days it's so cloudy I can't even see what I'm working on...Emergent Lucidty at it's finest.  Time to start blogging again.

CH..CH..CH..CH...Changes!!!!

It is with mixed emotions that I say goodbye to Sherwood. Sherwood is an amazing school, filled with some of the best teachers that I have ever worked with in education. The leadership of this building is outstanding, which continues to foster the growth of our teachers and your children. Your children are absolutely incredible and only grow stronger with your support. This is what drew me to Sherwood and is what makes it so hard to say goodbye.

I value all of these things, tremendously, which only made my decision that much tougher. I have been offered an exciting opportunity to work with Strive Together Partnership, a subsidiary of KnowledgeWorks, as the Director of In School Support. I have wanted to utilize my education background to give back to the city of Cincinnati, especially in the area of urban education. In this role, I will have the opportunity to impact education on a much larger scale which will help impact academic success in urban education, ultimately assisting in breaking the cycle of poverty that our inner city students face.

So, the end of this school year is quite bittersweet. Sherwood has had a huge impact on who I am as an educator, as well as a person. It has been truly a blessing to be a part of such a great community. As much as I hate to say goodbye, it’s time for me to turn the page and begin the next chapter in my life. Thank you so much for your support. I will miss Sherwood very much.

One Little Word...

So, you may have seen Your Three Words on ABC Good Morning America. These three words help to express your thoughts, your feelings, your sadness or joy. They can be a celebration of a special event, or a thought on everyday life. It's amazing how much you can express in just 3 words. We have a teacher at Sherwood who has incorporated this into their classroom and the kids have really gotten creative in sharing their 3 words.

I have always loved this idea and what it stands for, so when I stumbled across Ali Edwards' blog I was blown away by this concept. One little word...could it really represent my year? I had enough trouble coming up with 3 words to really share who I am and what I'm all about. Could I possibly narrow it down to 1 word that would encompass the whole year?

At first I thought my word should be "grow"...I mean, there's always room for growth right? However, when I look back at 2010...that year truly represented growth. From taking on a new job to leading the GO New Orleans trip...I have been stretched in grown in ways I couldn't begin to imagine! Then I thought my word should be "let". Sometimes I need to step back and let others step into roles that would stretch them. I also need to let go of things on my plate, rather than hanging on to them and getting bogged down. But it just didn't seem like the right fit.

So I started this blog about a week ago, and I have been hitting save, trying to figure out my little word. I wasn't sure if I would choose the word, of if the word would choose me. But, somehow, I have landed on the word for me. The word is "link".

I'm going to be working on linking my passions with my profession, linking professionally with folks who can make me smarter (a little selfish I know...but I do love twitter!). Linking people in need with the resources that they need to be successful in life. Linking and making deeper relationships with my husband, family, friends, parents in my building, and anyone else that crosses my path. And, even more exciting for me, are the areas where "link" will pop up that I'm not even thinking about yet.

I see this little word permeating every area of my life. I'm excited to see how this word changes me as it becomes the lens that I look through the next 353 days!

If you are interested in joining me, please post your little word in the comment section. I'd love to hear what little word represents you this year.