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literacy for big kids blog

Putting Myself Out There

3/2/2017

14 Comments

 
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Outside of Scholastic Headquarters in NYC, March 2016
How hard it is to try something new. To put ourselves out there and hope, maybe foolishly, for something to happen. I often wonder how we can expect our own children and students to be brave if we are not. It is easy to sit behind our desks and tell kids to be brave. It is easy to do this when they're the only ones filling their days with taking chances, not us.

They listen to a teacher say "what's the worst that could happen if you try?"

But, what if our kids saw us taking chances too? This thought took root in my mind this last year as more and more opportunities came knocking on my door. Suddenly, I was presented with possibilities to grow as an educator, to learn more about my craft and to collaborate on levels I never imagined for myself. It was scary. It still is scary. But for me, the chance to grow and be better than I am today helps squash my fear.

It started with having enough courage to stand up in front of hundreds of educators, librarians and authors at Nerd Camp and tell Donalyn Miller that her books saved my teaching life. Then it transformed into having the courage to apply to be a Scholastic Teacher Advisor. After that, it was connecting with eight other educators, most of which I did not know in real life. Now, it is taking the form of saying yes to sharing my passion with other educators on a larger scale. While these moments help me grow professionally, chances to be brave happen in my classroom every single day.

It might take the form of sharing my own writing with the class, and listen... that takes more courage than almost anything else I have ever done. Often it is being honest about books and my own reading life. Kids can see right through you, and why listen to someone who talks the talk but does not walk the walk? I am not standing at the front of my room telling my kids to be readers when I am not a reader myself. Maybe it is acknowledging that I do not know it all. I am learning right along with my kids and it took me a couple of years to embrace that.

So, maybe if we can show bravery then our kids will be more likely to. Maybe knowing that they are a part of a caring community helps them be brave. I know my community helps me show courage. If you want to put yourself out there, this Nerdy community will be there.

I have the audacity to believe that what I do is important. Monumental, even.

The words I choose can uplift or deflate. The look on my face can encourage or hinder. I set the tone. If I put myself out there in and out of the classroom, then my kids have a role model. They can see (from a safe distance) that when we are bold in life, amazing things can happen.

I mean, what's the worst that could happen if we try?





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14 Comments
Mandy Nabors
3/2/2017 04:16:44 pm

Great blog! Slice of life totally puts me out there, too. However, I have learned so much about writing and teaching writing!

Great job!

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Kathleen
3/2/2017 04:23:21 pm

Wow... I'm so impressed! Audacious was my OLW for 2017... teacher's rarely give ourselves permission to be great or at least to try to be great... how cool for our students to see us striving and taking chances. Your Scholastic opportunity sounds amazing!!

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Susan
3/2/2017 04:28:01 pm

Wonderful blog. I am fortunate to share a profession with you.

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Leigh Anne Eck link
3/2/2017 04:28:57 pm

I remember that day at Nerd Camp and I remember those tears of a teacher who felt (maybe for the first time) that connection with others who thought the same way. It is powerful, and I am guessing that you have the chance to pay it forward and make an impact on other teachers' lives. So I ask you that same question, what's the worst that could happen?

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Vanessa Worrell
3/2/2017 04:31:38 pm

Thanks for putting yourself out there and being brave. It's so nice when you find your tribe!

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Michelle DeBlois link
3/2/2017 04:38:11 pm

Thank you for your slice today. You are an inspiration to other educators (and students). I really love these two lines... The words I choose can uplift or deflate. The look on my face can encourage or hinder. We have such power as educators, and I am happy to hear that you wield your superpower of teaching with great responsibility and intent.

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Karen link
3/2/2017 05:04:10 pm

I love that you have audacity and courage, and are willing to show your students those qualities in yourself. Congratulations on what you achieved because you dared!

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Adrienne link
3/2/2017 05:30:45 pm

I am an introvert by nature and find it hard to take risks in front of adults. It is different in front of my class, where I feel we have a community. Maybe that's why unfamiliar adults are hard for me; I don't feel las though I am part of thier community yet.

I get to hear Donalyn Miller speak on Wednesday. I am very excited.

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Holly Mueller link
3/2/2017 05:47:55 pm

"It is easy to sit behind our desks and tell kids to be brave. It is easy to do this when they're the only ones filling their days with taking chances, not us." Amen! It sounds like you are getting wonderful opportunities to grow and share. I love that picture. :-)

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Krista D
3/2/2017 06:07:00 pm

It can be difficult to put ourselves out there, but we often are happy we did because of the growth we made. Keep doing what you are doing!

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Ashley Brown link
3/2/2017 06:35:04 pm

This is one of the hardest things for teachers to do, but one of the most important. Thanks for taking a risk and sharing your story!!

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Krista Schmidt
3/2/2017 08:27:51 pm

This was an important slice! Thank you for opening yourself up and sharing this. I'm sure it was important for you to write and I truly believe it was important for me (and others) to read.

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Carrie Gelson
3/2/2017 11:53:13 pm

Smiling big after reading this.

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Kat T
3/5/2017 01:26:48 pm

Hightly recommend reading, "Daring Greatly" by Rene Brown.

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