Dear Ladybug!

Dear Ladybug,

I could really use a hug from you right now. I just lost all of my assignment and I am having to start over from scratch. Technology - gotta love it right. This week will be three years since you transitioned. I remember all of the talks we had as I was considering leaving my nearly six figure job to become a teacher. I remember you saying that I was already a teacher and all I had to do was show the world. Well to me the world is the problem. At least when it comes to education. So many people think just because you give a student information that it equates to them learning it. That could not be further from the truth. Being given information and learning information are not the same. To learn is to acquire the necessary mindset for growth and mastery.  Being given information is just that. Look at platforms like Siri, Google, Ask!, Bing, Yahoo, and other search engines. You can simply type in anything you want to know and the answer will come up. You no longer have to interact with and learn from others. You do not have to foster and enhance your social skills, ask for help, or go through trial and error.

Do you remember the time we went to Snook, Texas and stayed in the country for a week? One of those nights you asked me “Candace what burns your buttons in this’un school system” and you told me I was like a farmer. I may never see all of the seed I plant come to harvest but be comforted in knowing the work is not in vain. I told you that I am most passionate about exposing those cast off to the possibility of reality versus the perpetrated success they see on tv. If I can shift the thought process of one kid in the classroom I would feel like I did something good. I get so frustrated when administration forgets that they were once teachers too. They have a list of unreasonable demands and shove data down our throats like we didn’t see the data for ourselves.

Ladybug you know I stand on the belief that you have to unlearn to relearn. Do not turn your nose up at me like that either. I think that is an issue with education today and it is definitely something world we live in can play a prat in shifting. If we get out of the mindset that everything is fixed we may be able to embrace change better and adopt different thinking patterns like the growth mindset. You know, I also think emerging as an issue is access to technology. How do you reach and empower a student through technology who doesn’t even have access to technology? Why are there not resources at the state and federal level that aid with access to technology? We can get access to cell phones for free. In retrospect, where my school is kids are not concerned with having an ipad or chrome book. They are trying to eat, make sure their clothes are washed, and combat the pushers on the corner. Some are dealing with pregnancy, yes in middle school, and homelessness.

The idea of digital learning and digital leading is awesome however, there are those who are resistant to change and the lack of professional development for those who are eager yet do not know where to begin is astronomical. There are sites like http://www.teachthought.com/literacy/21-literacy-resources-for-the-digital-teacher/ at every turn when you surf the net. The keys is surfing the net. It took me 27 minutes to find this one. I know, you don’t think that’s a long time but in microwave world we live in that is 2 lifetimes in dog years Ladybug.

Seth Godin gave a Tedx Talk in October 2012 where he asked the question “what is the classroom for?” If you were here I would show you this link -  https://youtu.be/sXpbONjV1Jc so we could watch it together and talk about it over cookies and coffee. I enjoyed the way I was forced to think about my classroom and what I use t for. I like to say that it is a basis for sparking intellectual creativity and ensuring students are in collaboration and collusion with one another. They are benefiting each other and growth each other just as they are growing individually.

At the root of all things digital I believe that digital learning must include a renewed mind, personalized learning, and teachers who are not treated as expendable.

Having a renewed mind is essential to any part of growth in life. In regards to the digital life it is a quintessential component. There will be times when you do not know something or have to help a colleague who is significantly new at using tech in the classroom you have to be willing to be innovative and try new things as often and as intentionally as you can in order to reach them and make it stick. You have to be purposeful about shifting from what you currently know – the fixed mindset – and open to seeing your challenges in a new light – growth mindset.

Personalized learning is like the golden rule of education. It is the spoken and unspoken law when it comes to ensuring no child is left behind. You are able to have fun and ensure that each learner is engaged. This opens the door for the learner to take control and lead the way in their advancement.

Teachers are not expendable. They are not easily replaceable. They are not compensated enough to begin with and their healthcare is ludicrous.  Teachers must be seen as the key to changing the world. In every section of the world teachers have their hand in some form of advancement. They are the navigators, empowers, life changers, and motivators behind the greatest mind this world has seen. If you develop them and pour into their well-being the way school districts expect them to pour into students the daily outcome would be different. 

Ladybug I wish you could be here to see the joy I get from sharing everything you taught me. Since you aren't, I plan to keep pushing towards the mark and depositing seeds along the way. My aim is to showing my school, YWSA, that thought change and proper digital adaptation all things are possible. Technology is now and if we as educators do not dive in, learn the rules to break the rules, and share with our kids all hope for a safe tech environment will be lost. It is up to us.

Cheers Ladybug! I miss you. xoxox