This course has required me to think (and feel) outside of my comfort zone… way outside of my comfort zone. I’m the guy who despises social media for the negative impact on education and the students we serve… I’m the guy who prints off articles and book chapters because I like hard-copy in my hands… and I highlight (in yellow). I’m the guy who avoids new advancements in technology because the further ahead we get, the further behind we seem to be. I value relationships and face-to-face professional interactions with colleagues. With all of that said, I need to change the way I look at things. Remember the old quote… “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
The experiences and reflections obtained throughout this course have changed my way of thinking… one can still cling to their convictions and moral compass… while at the same time adapting and changing to the world around them. There are obvious benefits to social media. Students today have an unlimited opportunity to access knowledge and information like never before in our history. They can connect across countries and culture, bringing true meaning and value to their experiences. I need to pull my head from the sand and embrace the change… teach responsible stewardship of these platforms and move forward recognizing there will be inherent issues… but progress is generally rooted in problems and solutions.
There are lots and lots of things to do… many of us have reached a professional cliff or breaking point. How many hats can one wear? How many hours can one work? How many times can you disappoint your own children while assisting others? Technology may be the only clear path forward… it provides the tools to make the necessary connections, quickly and succinctly. My name is Shawn… I am a Superintendent… I love the acquisition of new information through innovative and awe-inspiring opportunities… for that is light within us all.
Algoe's Introspections 