Three years ago, I wrote my first blogpost. Like many people, I often use anniversaries to reflect.
Like Twitter, I didn’t see the point in blogging. Probably because ‘blogging’ is such a weird verb. At least it is to me. The fact is, it’s writing. And when writing, one is required to think. That’s the part of writing that I like the best. It makes me think. I can physically feel my brain doing stuff. I hope that’s a good thing. I’ve learned that I really like writing. It’s nice when people read the words, but it is not an expectation. It’s a bonus.
One of my professional goals this year is to model writing to our building leaders. I’m still working on that one. I fully understand how hard it is to find the time to write as a principal. I also know that were I to return to that role, I would find the time. It makes me a better leader, thinker, and learner.
Turns out I’ve written 116 blogposts, including this one. I’m kind of on a once a week schedule now. Earlier, it was far less frequent. That’s something else I’ve learned. I need to exercise discipline to keep myself writing.
My two most read blogposts were about kids being distracted by devices, which was actually a reaction to a great tweet from Eric Sheninger. My second most read blogpost was Ten Tips for New Teachers. One of my favorite teachers, Mr. Jim Taylor, my AP English teacher, told us that the best writing was the result of “a spontaneous overflow of powerful emotion.” I’ve never forgotten that line. It was true in both the cases of the aforementioned blogposts. The words came out quickly, in order, with some sense to them.
My two favorite images with words associated with writing/blogging/twitter are:
and
Each of these images generated a lot of interaction and conversation.
And finally, the entire journey of writing, and twitter for that matter, go back to the learning I’ve experience because of George Couros. His thinking and words relit a fire that I didn’t know was flickering.
I can’t wait to see what the next 3 years bring!
The Lighting of a Fire 