C4T #3 Summary

A geeky mommas blog:   Lee Kolbert is the district manager of the Department of Educational Technology. She’s been an educator in Palm Beach County, FL for 28+ years. She’s been a classroom teacher and district technology program specialist. She also has a segment writing for Huffington POST.

I was fortunate enough this month to read and comment on Ms. Lee Kolbert’s blog, aka, ‘a geeky momma’s blog’ Ms. Kolbert’s most recent blog post was titiled, Is Connected the New Rockstar. In her recent post, she discussed that her notoriety from her writings on teaching have made her a bit of a “rockstar,” locally. She discusses that, potentially, being connected and knowing people is the new version of being a “rockstar” as she didn’t feel like one herself. Additionally, she gives tips to others on how to use the internet to become more connected themselves. Here is my comment:

Hello, Ms. Kolbert, my name is Brantley Spillman. I am a student majoring in Education at the University of South Alabama.  I have several assignments throughout this semester that involve reading/commenting on a variety of different educators’ thoughts/blogs throughout the country.  I must say that your blog has been by far the more exciting blog that I have been required to read.

Is “Connected” the “New Rock star”? Living with the expectations of being a rock star will never be easy.  Luckily, being connected has become relatively easy.  And with the power of technology, being connected with the “right” people has allowed being connected to equate being a rock star. 

I love your advice on getting connected.  By surrounding yourself with professionals in your field and other overall good/influential people, connections can create unique opportunities for your passionate opinions to be heard by more than just your family members.  Your suggestion reminds me of a saying my mother told me, “if you run with dogs, you’re eventually going to get fleas”.  By surrounding yourself with high achieving individuals, you can have the option to influence big achievements. Technology opens the field for one to make high achieving connections outside of just the people in your community, school or hockey game bleachers. I appreciated the encouragement to “tag along” great people in hopes of making great contributions.

Thanks for sharing your ideas.  I look forward to reading your future posts.

My second post on Ms. Kolbert’s blog was in response to her blog titled, What Do Teachers Do When No One Is Looking.  This particular post focused on a website (http://www.columnfivemedia.com/work-items/infographic-working-jams-what-music-to-listen-to-on-the-job) that discusses what type of music you should listen to while on the job. During the profile of a teacher, a stereotype was issued that teachers are immobile and non-creative. She argues that educators are more active and hardworking than the general perception of a non-responsive teacher behind a desk.  Here is my comment:

Despite not being a teacher, (I’m currently an education major) I can appreciate that the job of an educator goes un-noticed by most people.  Regardless of the profession a person chooses, there will always be stereotypes of those professions that are untrue.  Unfortunately, I am sure there are some teachers that do fit this label, which may be the reason for the perpetuation of such a stereotype. I believe that, with time, educators will get the respect they deserve. Hardworking teachers will make a difference in a child’s life and, hopefully, those will be the stereotypes that remain in those children’s minds. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy reading your posts.