Despite the fact that my blog post began in the last few moments of our first F2F meeting it’s taken me a week and a half (make that a month and a half)  to work my way back to my site.

I’m an enthusiastic learner, not afraid to take risks or to slide outside of my comfort zone. I believe wholeheartedly in the value of sharing one’s journey in order to more thoughtfully reflect and more collaboratively progress. And yet…I am not particularly fond of the spotlight. To me the spotlight is intimidating and claustrophobic. I am blinded by it rather than buoyed. I’m the kind of gal who would rather a pot luck picnic than a wedding day. The kind of teacher who loves shifting the balance of power from teacher to student.

 

As I mull these feelings over, I’m coming to the realization that being in the spotlight does not need to be about attention grabbing or ego. I’ve been watching the pro’s… the @lesmcbeth who shares her Ss successes and and who sets out the online version of the welcome mat so naturally. The @MrsGanley  who’s #doorswideopen is spreading the potential that opening the door can have in building a collaborative community. The @DerekDoucet1 who reminds me how valuable discomfort can be (“Sitting beside @alainarobcon at #cohort21 chat “that looks terrifying” – it’s important to be comfortable being uncomfortable #gafesummitTO) and the @jmedved and @Think_teach  who herald others in the spotlight in order to share it and spread it.

Our first F2F was exciting and inspiring. I was reminded how easily it is to share enthusiasm, knowledge and community when in a room full of people who love the same things.
Though I’m not quite there ….YET….I’m on my way to shifting my view of blogging from one that leaves me slightly self conscious about my on-line presence,to the view that really we are all simply searching, sharing and highlighting our enthusiasm and all of the amazing work of those who surround us.

As I look up directions and get my travel mug ready for the second Face2Face I feel ready to learn, ready to take risks and ready to chare….fugure I might as well tap that publish button to prove it