I know I am supposed to use this blog to discuss the wonderful things I have learned about educational technology, educational policy, STEM, and all that good stuff through the Kenan Fellows Program (And I have learned more than I can ever imagine).

However, This experience has been more one of personal growth.  I came into this program having a grasp of the educational and outreach potential.  What I never imagined was meeting so many wonderful people I no longer call “Fellows;”  instead, you are my friends.  In the words of Anne Shirley, you are my “Kindred Spirits.”

The past three years have been ones that have challenged my confidence in many areas – I will not bored you with this -, but the biggest challenges have been ones of the soul.  My Fellow Friends have helped me recognize that I have value as an educator and a human being.  You have challenged me to learn more about my craft and myself.  You have challenged me to come out of my safe corner and take risks in the great big world.  For that, I am eternally grateful.

Late Blog – Sorry!  I wish I could say I was distracted by social media, but that applies to my students!  They often view social media as a means to tap into someone else’s reality, a chance to escape their own, a chance to create their own…often to their detriment.

My daughter’s negative experience with Facebook left a bad taste in my mouth concerning social media.  In September 2010, I left my mother’s death bed, frantically wanting to get home to tell my children that their “Grandma Jane” had died.  Imagine the tongue lashing I got when my daughter called me to tell me that my step-brother’s wife had posted her passing on Facebook. “Mom, how dare you not tell me!?”  As a result, I saw no value – social or educational – in social networking.  Instead, I saw a violation of the privacy and feelings of others.

My school system will not allow teachers, administrators, and students to converse via social media.  That rule was just another reason to keep my opinions of Facebook.  However, a friend of mine who teaches at East Duplin High School introduced me to Edmodo, and I began to reconsider my position.

As I made more and more assignments via Edmodo, I witnessed a wonderful dialogue among my students.  Yes, some asked, “Hey, do you want to play FIFA later?”  However, many began to discuss questions and concerns about assignments.  While some students expressed that I selected the most boring stuff ever written for them to read, others stepped in to offer support and explanation of those selections.

However, I’m still not sure – I would much rather create a social network in my classroom, one of respect, kindness and enlightenment.  Until I feel that we as educators do that, I don’t know if social networking will be successful.