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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Friends in need are true friends

I must admit I have been rather skeptical about blogging as a communication tool.I have often wondered if anybody actually reads the stuff you ramble on about.I myself do read others blogs as I find this expands my thinking and offers valuable reflection about certain issues but who would take time to read the mumbo jumbo I go on about at times?
Well I have realised that the cyberworld out there is not as cold as it may seem.
I let my true feelings leak out in my last post(a bit red of me) and low & behold several friends of the past have e-mailed/ skyped me to check up on my state of being. Wow - the power of online thinking has shown its value. These wonderful people have not only installed my faith in what matters when it comes to being an educator but also in my own belief that genuine believers in our quest for making a positive difference for kids is so important.A special thanks to those who did make contact for polishing my faith and being there when it really mattered. I feel much stronger for the encouraging words you relayed to me.
I guess this experience has presented me with another valuable realisation. We hear & read so much how our kids are into the online environment (Face book) etc and we elders(so called digital immigrants) have at times questioned the value of this. Well if they can obtain the immediate moral support and thoughtfulness I got then it has to be plus. Who needs to experience total loneliness or despair if you have others on hand at a fingertip. Maybe we are underestimating the value of this environment for future generations?
Anyway my faith in blogging has been boosted and I as a result also my faith in why I need to make sure we are strong in our resolve to bat for the kids. What we may lose today may well be a gain for them tomorrow! Thanks for the tonic my friends....

Monday, August 2, 2010

Trust in change?

I am at home at the moment feeling pretty grotty with a good dose of flu. I have had enough lying down so thought I might try and stir up the brain cells to see if that makes me feel any better.
When you have lots of time to think about the issues that surround you one seems to have more clarity. I guess when you are running on the hoof the other things spring up and cloud the depth of your thoughts.
An issue I am grappling with at the moment is dealing with change and how others react to this. Lately there has been a lot of change, not only in my personal life, but especially in my professional undertakings.
It is very interesting, and sometimes perplexing, to see how people react to change.
From the advent of the National Standards to the changing of expectations of people in contributing to the good will of the school community certain people react in strange ways.
I see some who immediately throw up their hands in horror and seek devious ways to destroy those who are responsible for making the change.
Others huddle in groups of common fear and mutter to each other hoping a ground swell will rise up and wash it all away.
Thankfully those who are reflective and have the best interests of kids learning in-hand, take time to juggle the pros & cons and then come back with possible solutions.
Its all about trust I guess.
When people see their way of life or doing things fade away then it is understandable to think they would put up a fight and that the person who is instrumental in this change is the bad guy.But unfortunately I am seeing in society that the depth in reasoning doesn't go beyond that.It's an 'about me' agenda.
We are going through an era of intense change - if we are not reflective,adaptable or willing to offer positive ideas for the good of all then we are making the fight that much more disagreeable. As it is said 'we can beg to disagree but no need to be disagreeable'
It is great to see in the next generation that will soon be the adults of today they are prepared to look at change and make it work for them. So there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
In the meantime I guess if one wants to keep the ball rolling for the future good of most then one has to expect the odd bounce smacking you in the head!
I guess if you believe you are turning the wheel on the bus in the right direction for the good of most the journey will work out at the last stop. They may be nervous about the trip but if they trust the driver then it will be worthwhile.
Now do I feel any better for writing this?
Ok I guess - as long as I don't end up like the Eskimo fishing?
Of course I do - now what else can I go and think about....