Online Under 39

Week 21: Online Portfolios #SAVMP

Recently George Couros wrote a blog for our School Administrators Virtual Mentors Program (#SAVMP) to consider in this present digital age. The hope of educators gaining a digital portfolio is right on. While I was blogging at my previous school in Shanghai, this blog belonged to the school. This year starting my own blog has been a bit like putting my toes in a very cold Maine pond in May. I appreciate that George has really pushed us (mentors) to blog more and step out virtually. This idea of continuing to write, think and push on has helped me as an educational leader. I have become more self aware and reflected as a writer.

Recently his post on week 21 to start working on a digital portfolio has me perplexed as a leader that is 40+ in age. So much has happened in my 20+ years as a leader and a lot of it is offline. How do I make up for this time? I can start today and try not to feel defeated. As it is I have a hard time keeping up with my weekly blogging. My overall feeling is that I need to get on with it and join the masses.

Yet I hear you, George! You are right. More and more as I interview teachers and other leaders I am looking for visuals, perusing iPads or my iPhone to see photo or vide feed of actual teaching. Why should  I not expect this of myself and truly lead in this way with my faculty.

This week I plan to have this very discussion with the administrators I am mentoring on how they plan to take next steps on their own digital footprint. While I do think this is easier for my colleagues who are younger, I have a chance to take these next steps and push myself.