Dean Shareski has been someone who has continuously influenced my thinking as I have progressed in my career. Dean is someone who shares a lot about meaningful practice in the classroom, but it is humanistic side and focus on relationships so often in his posts and his tweets that have really pushed me forward. I am honoured to say that over the last little while, I have learned so much from Dean and have become friends with him.
After a fantastic visit with Dean and teachers in the Moose Jaw area, I was extremely sad to see this tweet from him:
Dean’s open sharing and reflection of the loss of another friend really inspired me to share a moment that was tough on me this last September when my own dog had passed away. Although it was an extremely tough day for myself, I look back and I am glad that I took the time to write and have the memory of my last day with my best friend. What I fondly look back at on that time was how SO many people were supportive of me during that time and would send me messages, checking up on me, making sure I was okay. In fact, because of so many “strangers” I was inspired to open my home to a new friend.
We often hear horror stories about the Internet and the negatives that come out of it. I know that if you look hard enough for something, you are bound to find it. What Dean has really inspired me to do, is see those amazing connections that we can create with one another, and see the humanity in other people. Previously as a technology integration coordinator, I did a lot of work making “stuff” using technology. Through people like Dean and many others, I have learned to use the medium to make meaningful connections. That has made all of the difference in myself as an educator, but hopefully more as a person.
I was then touched to see another tweet by Dean and how people reached out to his daughter, to comfort her in a tough time.
On a picture she had created based on her memories of her best friend, people reached out and shared kind words with her. It is when we reach out, and care for people across the world in a time of need, that I know the Internet can be so much more than what many see it for. We just need to look.
Thanks to Dean and his family, for reminding me to always try and be better during their tough time. My thoughts are with them.
i hesitated about whether or not to share that. In was thinking about my purpose. Did people really need to know that? Aren't some things meant to be private family moments?
Ultimately I realized that I didn't really have a choice. I've chosen for a long time to share many things from my personal life. Agree or disagree, it's been a conscious choice, something that Bud Hunt calls "purposeful transparency". People know I had dogs, they know about my kids, they know about my wife, they know me as a person, not just an educator. Again, that's my choice. That means I would not be true to that if I did not share that. That's one of the potential hazards for many in being an open book.
Turns out, I really was looking for sympathy, more for my daughter than anything else. I don't mind saying that. I think many almost felt an obligation to show sympathy, and in your case George, empathy. What a gift it was for my daughter and family to have other, strangers and friends, pour out their sympathy.
Many couldn't imagine sharing such things with strangers. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I don't think it's for everyone but I wouldnt have it any other way.
I have only been following and learning from Dean for a couple of months, but I too noticed his willingness to share and reach out in real ways. It is nice to know that people are willing to trust a "community" with some of their most personal stories. It builds the personal side of relationships which in turn helps the professional side of them. Thanks for sharing!
Wow George! What an amazing post! Dean, I'm so glad that you shared this too! When I started using social media, I was determined to just use it for educational purposes, and in many ways I do, but along with my educational tweets are also tweets about "me." I think that there's value in making ourselves transparent and "human," and the connections that I've made as a result, are huge! George, your post reminded me about the importance of these connections!
Dean, my thoughts are with you and your family right now! I've had to experience a similar terrible loss twice now, and I know exactly what your daughter is feeling. I wish that there was something I could do to make this better for you and your family!
Thanks again for the post, George!
Aviva
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Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is wonderful, as well as the content!
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