Hooked on learning
October 26, 2006 by Kimberly
I think this blogging gig is actually leading to meaningful conversations about education. Face to face conversations. I’m running into teachers and students in the hallway who have read a blog post and then want to talk about it. This is much different than the casual, “how’s it going?” conversations that normally take place. They are a meaningful dialogue where both professionals and students are reading, reflecting, and responding.
Blogging may just lead to a professional learning community where we talk more about our ideas on education than the lack of toner in the printers. Even on a bad day at work, when I’m inundated with tasks that seem mundane or meaningless, I feel energized by what I read. I’m reminded, every day, of what’s important in education.
I’m encouraged and uplifted by the meaningful conversations taking place in the hallways, on-line on blogs, through email, and in my community. I truly hope that this continues to grow, that we’ll really think about what’s important in G-town and more important, that we’ll talk about it. All the petty little things that people find to complain about may actually give way to a much higher ground. I’m seeing it and I’m believing it. I’m also energized by it and will be a better principal because of everything that my readers and other bloggers teach me. Yeah, I’m totally hooked.
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Kim!
I’m hooked too - and it has re-energized me!! I realized recently that one of the reasons I left my classroom was the lack of a professional learning community (I think I mentioned that already somewhere…)
I have since been lucky enough to be involved in a face-to-face professional learning community through CSETL (Center for the Study of Expertise in Teaching and Learning) which unites teachers, administrators, professional developers, etc. in a working community that is the vision of Giselle Martin-Kniep. While this work has filled in the gap - I miss those who come from and work in the same region.
Blogging has helped me with that. After High School’s New Face - I desperately wanted to return to the classroom where I thought I could make a bigger impact. Lots of reasons why I can’t do that right now - but I am hoping to have some influence through the use of blogging and other Web 2.0 tools. That daily interaction with others who have the same passion as you - that’s what keeps me coming back and perfecting my craft.
Kim,
Just want you to know, you are my new hero. And poster child for administrator’s blogging. If I get on Oprah, you’re coming with me.
Will
[...] I have been inspired by this principal’s blog - G-Town Talks. Angie and I are planning on helping teacher’s at our school start their own blogs. We will also help them get set up with an aggregator so that we can all link into each other’s feeds. Hopefully, it will be a way for the teachers to network and communicate with each other. Teachers have such limited time to share ideas, especially across grade levels. For example, I get to talk with the kindergarten teachers often, but I rarely have time to chat with the 3rd grade teachers. By using blogs, we can post questions, such as, “I am looking for a fun, hands-on way to teach a lesson on adjectives; anyone have any suggestions?”. Or we can post tips such as “I found a good website for reading: http://www.starfall.com“; [...]
I also am excited about the potential of blogging for students, teachers, and principals. As an elementary school principal, I have just ventured into this new world. I am constantly looking for topics of interest about which I can write. I have run into two challenges: 1. finding useful topics to write about and 2. convincing people (especially parents) to visit and read my blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.