While attending ISTE this week, my new EdTech-y friend, Eduardo Rivera, asked me why I write this blog for educators. As I shared my answers with him, I realized that this might be an important blog post to share. Often times, I think people wonder about the “why” of what you do. What are the intentions for what you do? What is the motive behind it?
I Heart EDU is my passion project. It’s one of my favorite things I have done in education. And this…this is why I do it:
Reason #1: Share free resources.
My first reason for starting I Heart EDU was simple – I just wanted to share free resources with other teachers. I felt like I had created some quality lessons, activities, projects and games that other teachers might find valuable. I felt like I had something to share.
So I did.
Over the years, I have published 177 blog posts. The majority of these posts contain resources that teachers can easily and quickly make a copy – then use it in their own classroom! Everything that I share is free. I do not make any money on this blog – the resources aren’t for sale and I don’t have ads on my site.
Truthfully, my number one reason for this blog is to help other educators by sharing my resources. I want to help other educators grow and show them the power of what they can create too.
Reason #2: Reflect on my educational practices.
As educators, it is critical that we reflect on our educational practices – regardless of our role in education. Whether you are a teacher, administrator, or instructional coach, we can all grow through self-reflection.
I’ve written several blog posts over the years where I discuss a lesson, activity or project that I have done in my classroom AND share what worked, what didn’t work and how it could be improved for the next time. In addition to this, I have also taken the time to reflect on my pedagogy and classroom management. It’s important to take a hard look at who we are as educators and how we can improve for our students.
Reason #3: Creating an open and transparent dialogue.
Honestly, I think that this reason is one of my favorite reasons for why I blog. Sometimes I worry that education is not very transparent. I worry that everyone is trying to show how they are the perfect educator and that they rarely encounter struggles.
Simply put, this not true.
Every educator struggles with the day-to-day job of being in this field. It’s a wonderful profession but it is not easy. It’s vital that we take the time to share these struggles with each other in order to open dialogue. Without open dialogue among educators, it’s difficult to grow as an educator and improve our practices.
I’ve had so many conversations where teachers assume that I never encounter struggles in my classroom or my educational practice. The moment I share my struggles…other teachers are immediately put at ease. They realize there are others like them and they feel comforted.
Be open. Be transparent. Share your story – the good and the bad.
Finally, I want to address one other question I was asked multiple times while I attended ISTE.
Will you keep blogging while you are an administrator?
Of course. My role change does not change my desire to share resources, reflect on my educational practices or to create an open dialogue. I understand things will change. Life may get busier. However, if you know me, then you know that I have an insane amount of passion and discipline when it comes to any task or goal that I assign myself.
I will still continue to share and create resources for teachers. I will continue to reflect on my educational practices – just with a slight tweak with an administrative point of view. And, more importantly, I promise that I will continue to write with openness and transparency that will show educators that there are others that struggle with the same things that they do.
I Heart EDU is my passion project – and it’s here to stay.
Do you blog? If so, share the motive and intention behind your blog in the comments below!
