When I started blogging back in July 2012, I had no idea how long I could/would keep it up. I was not confident that anyone would be interested in what I had to say. I later heard the phrase "imposter syndrome" and wondered if they were referring to me. After all, I was just a principal of an elementary school; did what I write have any value to the reader?
I'm glad I stuck it out. As I share in this blog post from 2019, I found my voice through blogging. Although it was very challenging - and still is - over time, blogging became a way for me to clarify and share my ideas. At first, my blogs were written for educators, and I shared the link with our staff. After all, the focus of my blog was on our school community and what we believed and were learning about education.
After I retired in 2018, I continued to blog, though not as often. When the pandemic hit in 2020 and schools were forced to close, I shared what we had learned about blended learning and how schools could transition to online learning during those challenging times. I shared about how our school used technology as a tool for learning and as a way for students to demonstrate the 5Cs - collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, and choice. I shared about how we needed to examine our beliefs about education and how this was an opportunity for schools to adjust to the changing times And I shared what worked at our school and concerns I had for the future of education.
But being several years removed from my educational career, I wondered whether my opinions still matter. Should I continue to blog or should I close it down? Is blogging still relevant in this multi-media world with so many different ways we get information? Substack, YouTube, TikTok, podcasts . . . anyone can create and share content today. We rely less on "traditional" media formats like the 6:00 news or the daily newspapers and more on our favorites who often share ideas or opinions we agree with. And with the advancement and availability of Artificial Intelligence, we have instant access to almost any information.
So is blogging still relevant? Or more importantly, is blogging still relevant for me? And the answer is "yes." In our fast-paced world where things happen so quickly and information is available in a snap via AI, blogging is different. Taking the time to stop, think, and personalize my thoughts matters.
Back in 2012, I wondered whether my writing had any value to the reader. Today, I ask a different question. Does my writing have value to me? And the answer is "yes." Blogging makes me think, reflect, wrestle with ideas, and put my ideas into words. And sometimes, the focus of my blog changes through the writing and reflection process.
Our world is changing rapidly. Technology will continue to impact how we get information. There will always be new platforms, new ideas, new tools. But access to information is not the same as reflection. And in this fast-paced world, stopping to reflect is an important skill. Blogging provides me with that opportunity. And that is why I will continue to blog.
