Share Your Voice Challenge
The #ShakeUpLearning Share Your Voice Challenge!Today, I am delivering a five-minute Ignite presentation at ISTE. The subject of my Ignite is my reluctant journey into blogging. Below is a summary of my presentation and a challenge for educators. Will you take the challenge?
A Perfectionist with Paralysis: Letting Go and Sharing Your Voice!
I didn’t think my voice mattered. I didn’t think I had anything original to share. Why would anyone listen to me when there were so many other amazing educational bloggers sharing resources online–doing it better than I ever could. Why would I want to leave my perfectly comfortable position as a lurker on the sidelines? What if I fall flat on my face? These were the thoughts that haunted me before I committed to becoming a blogger.
I had started a blog several times with the best of intentions. I spent countless hours researching the best platforms, templates, plugins, hosting options, and developing the perfect title for my blog–never satisfied with the results and never getting my feet off the ground. I would never be good enough. I was a perfectionist with paralysis.
When I was a classroom teacher, my students occasionally blogged. Now, as an instructional leader, I encourage teachers to blog with their students. However, I was not an example for them to follow. I let my excuses get in the way. I let my fear of rejection and failure hold me back. Feelings of inadequacy and rejection had immobilized me.
I wanted to launch my blog not only with the perfect content, but also with perfectly customized images and stellar resources and stand out in the crowd of educational bloggers. I wanted it to be EPIC from day one.
My blog will never be perfect, that was just an excuse. So, I decided to let it go and focus on another skill that I speak on almost daily: risk taking! So in January of 2014 (see my first blog post here), I took a risk and put myself out there, put my blog out there, imperfections and all. I finally decided to go all in. I had to overcome my fear of not being good enough. I no longer let my need for perfection, however unattainable, stand in the way of my contribution to the world.
First, let me tell you that educational bloggers and blog readers are VERY forgiving and supportive. The first time someone pointed to a mistake on my blog, I took it personally and would worry about it for days. But the more content I created, and the more support I felt from the community, the more my insecurities melted away. Yes, I made and still do make a lot of mistakes, but I have learned to let it go. Most of the time, criticism from fellow educators is handed out with a dose of kindness and compliments. We are very lucky to be in a community of educators that offer grace and overwhelming support for one another.
I never expected blogging to flip my career on its head, but it did! Honestly, I never thought about the community that I was joining or creating on my own until it was there. Educators began leaving comments, sharing their ideas and greatly expanding my personal learning network. I have connected with some of the most inspiring teachers in the world! I would not be standing before you today if it weren’t for the support and encouragement of the educators who believed in me, and showed me the value of my authentic voice. My voice does matter! I do have something to contribute to the global educational community…and so do you AND your students!
I am not an expert. I am a learner, a learner first! We are all growing and learning together, and should always be first and foremost learners. And guess what? The best bloggers are learners, not writers. And the moment you begin sharing original thoughts, ideas and content for online, you have become an educational leader and example for your students and peers.
The Share Your Voice Challenge
Are you still sitting on the sidelines? This is my challenge to other educators that are like me: What are you holding back? What risks do you need to take to push yourself further, to push your students further? While I believe there is value in blogging for educators at any level, that may not be your calling. What are your God-given talents? What is your passion? Be yourself and let your personality shine through everything that you do. Every single person in this audience has something unique to share, something that is authentically you, and other educators and students can learn from you.
We live in a connected world, where your voice can be heard if you want it to be. And guess what, the more we model connecting, curating and sharing our own unique passions for our students, he more likely they are to take a risk and share their own voice.
Every voice matters! Don’t be afraid of failure, or let your need for perfection paralyze your contribution to the world. I invite you all to my blog, shakeuplearning.com, to take the challenge to Shake things up and Share YOUR VOICE!
If you are willing to accept the challenge and try something new like blogging to share your own unique voice and passions, leave a comment below and share the risk you plan to take. This risk may be blogging, or anything else you feel led to try. I’ve also created a badge for you to use on your website, blog, or wherever you like. Be sure to use the #shakeuplearning hashtag to share your journey on social media. I can’t wait to see and hear from you!
| every_voice_matters_badge.jpg | |
| File Size: | 118 kb |
| File Type: | jpg |
© Shake Up Learning 2025. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.
I’m pretty new to blogging! I am co-directing the CTWP this summer, and am motivated to do more. I follow you on Twitter, and am planning to use your google resources in my new role as Instructional Coach.
I have a blog all set up and ready to go…for two years. I have a list of topics to blog about, but, like you, I’ve had the same insecurities and have hesitated. I am going to take this opportunity to start my blog…this week. There, I’ve said it out loud, now I have to do it.
That’s awesome, Mandy! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kasey,
I’m so glad you decided to share your voice. You have been a consistent forum for inspiration and knowledge. After 25 years of being in the classroom, I’ve decided to take a leap of faith and become my district’s very first elementary tech coach. I’m terrified! But that’s also the voice I want to share so here goes nothing!
Dianne
Tech Teacher Tidbits
~Formerly known as Hopelessly Devoted~
You’ve inspired me to take the leap of faith and start my first blog! Taking on my the role of tech facilitator and classroom teacher this past school year in my building I’ve realized it’s time to push myself to that next level as a tech facilitator and teacher and get a little uncomfortable. Not sure I know what I’m doing, but I’m always telling my kiddos to take risks. I guess it’s about time I do the same! Thank you for the motivation… here goes nothing. : )
Kasey,
I’m going to share my experiences with the world about art and technology merging together. I’m going to try to write about both points of view going 1:1 in August. Thanks for sharing this challenge and words of encouragement.
I also have three blogs started and abandoned for quit some time. (Edublog, WordPress, and Blogger)
Kasey,
Good luck at ITSE! Your words sound like every good ELA teacher out there who tries to coax students into sharing. The absolute first step is to believe you have something worth sharing. I have dabbled in blogging with my students and in writing trainings, but I’ve never blogged just my words. I’ve used blogs as a collaboration and publication tool, but…I…think…I’ll accept your challenge and set up a personal professional one. Thanks for the nudge.
I love your blog and plan to use your resources as I move into my journey to become a Google Certified Trainer. I have a blog, now I need to build followers and blog more often. I just created a new blog for my class and I am going to have them blog this year. It’s going to be exciting. The challenge will be for me to get the other teachers blogging as well.
Like others I have had a blog started for years, but never really did anything with it out of fear. What if what I had to say was stupid or worthless to others. So I am going to squash that fear and blog this week.
Thanks for being so inspiring Kasey! I have had a blog for several years, but have blogged only a couple of times. I guess I fear that others would think my thoughts silly. I will accept the challenge and blog this week.
I have been officially been pushed by my colleagues and you!! I absolutely will share my thoughts in a blog starting this coming month. Done!
Yeah! I can’t wait to read your new blog! It feels very liberating to type out that initial post and hit publish. Sheila and I will be your biggest fans! 🙂
Yay Dianne! That is awesome! I’m sure you will rock your new job!
Kasey, thanks to you I am recommitting to my blog. I am planning to post once per week, sharing ideas for incorporating iPads for formative assessment as well as using iPads in the Media Center to help students learn how to be more productive when working on projects. Thanks, Kasey! Best of luck at ISTE!
I started a blog a while back too, but then life got VERY busy and I forgot all about it. I use it for nothing else than a spot to reflect for me. I’ve been learning so much, that sometimes my brain feels like it’s on overload and I don’t want to forget all the great things I’ve learned from folks like you and others, so it’s simply a reflection spot for me. Thanks for taking that leap, because you inspire and educate many with your words and encouragement!
Kasey, This is an awesome post. I have started a new blog every year for the past several but always let it fall as I get more insecure. I wasn’t going to do a new one for 2015 until I met you at #GTAATX. You inspired me then and you just lit another fire under me. I am bookmarking this post as a “keeper” so that when I start to question my voice, I can be re-inspired. Thank you!
Okay……I DID start a very private blog once that I couldn’t keep up with. I kept it private for all the reasons you mentioned….FEAR being my number one. Not sure what I’m afraid of, but I’m willing to take this challenge and face that fear!
Thanks for the challenge and opportunity!
That’s great, Michelle! Be sure to come back and post a link and share your work!
Aww, thanks, Dorothy! It is a great reflection tool, and others can learn from you!
You are so sweet, Wanda! You inspire so many teachers! I feel so very lucky to have you in my PLN and as a #gtaatx friend!
Yay! It is scary to put yourself out there, but if you commit there will be so many unexpected benefits and connections.
Kasey thank you for the daily inspiration and motivation. This year my biggest risk was creating a Twitter PLN and discovering how my thoughts and ideas about Ed Tech are very much in-line with the direction education is heading in. Now I intend on sharing my thoughts, ideas, experiences and etc… by blogging. Due to you and all the Ed Tech Gurus in my PLN everyday I’m learning something new! Kudos to all!!!
I very much connect with your feelings and just took the blogging plunge a few weeks ago! It feels good to get started and realize that it’s ok to be nervous and make mistakes! I’ve got some cheerleaders who keep encouraging me and that’s making all the difference in my confidence. On a side note, I enjoyed attending your gamification session at the TLiPad conference last year in Raleigh and hope to inspire others as you’ve done for me! Happy blogging!! 🙂
Thanks, Stephanie! Come back and share a link to your blog so others can learn from you!
https://mrskrismusings.blogspot.com is where my thoughts can be found! Thanks for sharing it!! 🙂
I just started blogging this week. I can totally relate to your “Perfectionist with Paralysis”. I started my blog for a graduate class, but it’s not me to just to take a class for completion sake. I know what I want to share, but I really want to do it right. I have a lot to learn and am willing to take the risk. I appreciate your motivational posts and plan to share your blog with others.
Hi, Kasey! Last year, I started my adventure into blogging here: https://cliffordtechnologycoach.blogspot.com/
I was on a roll for a while, but then found out I was pregnant, had a baby and went on maternity leave, and shortly after began transitioning into the role of Director of Technology for my school district! Needless to say, I have had trouble finding the time to get started with blogging again! I just recently jumped back into blogging with my first post since having a new baby and starting my new position! Here it is: “Full Steam Ahead: A New Journey as Director of Technology!” https://cliffordtechnologycoach.blogspot.com/2015/07/full-steam-ahead-new-journey-as.html
That’s great, Connie! Can’t wait to read your blog! Come back and share the link.
Congrats, Kelly! You’ve had a big year! Thanks for sharing, and keep going! 😎
Thanks Kasey for putting this out there!!!! I am working on putting my own voice out there right now. My goal is to both vlog and blog. I do this because I feel as leaders we need to be able to lead by example and put ourselves out there so we can encourage others to do the same!!! Thanks for shaking up learning!!!!
Totally agree! Thanks for sharing, and keep being awesome!
You are speaking from my soul! Are you in my brain!? I have gone back and forth with blogging. I completely resonate with everything you said! What could I contribute? What is the best platform? The answer is… I still don’t know! So, JUST LAST WEEK, I jumped in and started my blog and site. I really have no idea what I’m doing, but I’ll just roll with the punches!
https://edtechsavvy.wix.com/kirbyfowler
Kirby, you have already done the hardest and most important part–you started! Putting yourself out there is the most difficult thing. The rest will work itself out.
Kasey
I started a blog last week about my return to teaching from college coaching. I will be sharing my reflections of what college coaching taught me about myself as a teacher, the changes I’m experiencing in education reforms and structure upon my return, and my stances and opinions on different aspects of the teaching profession and education. People may never read it, they may not agree with me, they may feel what I write doesn’t help or apply to them…but I am taking the risk that it will help someone on their journey! duncanteach.blogspot.com
Yay! Good luck with your new journey!