Comments on: Reinvention Chapter 2—”I Quit” http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/ The Read/Write Web in the Classroom Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:05:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Mary Miner http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2140 Mary Miner Wed, 15 Feb 2006 13:16:17 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2140 <a></a>Wow, takes guts. Good luck to you. I am behind you by a few years (with blogs, wikis and rss) and am already struggling how to keep up with what I could become very passionate about and juggling the day to day school responsibilities and family. But now that you are no longer dependent on the educational community for a paycheck per se, it will be easier to say what you want to say. One thing that I have not seen mentioned is that someone is going to have to force the "re-tooling" of education. Much like those in industry, who have to learn new skills to stay competitive, so must teachers. The PD hours provided during the regular calendar is not enough. We have to deal with the fact that in today's environment the 6 hour - 9 month calendar does not provide enough opportunity for re-tooling. Perhaps unions are standing in the way of the educational process and only those that dare to go to the "other side" can facilitate change. Wow, takes guts. Good luck to you. I am behind you by a few years (with blogs, wikis and rss) and am already struggling how to keep up with what I could become very passionate about and juggling the day to day school responsibilities and family. But now that you are no longer dependent on the educational community for a paycheck per se, it will be easier to say what you want to say.
One thing that I have not seen mentioned is that someone is going to have to force the “re-tooling” of education. Much like those in industry, who have to learn new skills to stay competitive, so must teachers. The PD hours provided during the regular calendar is not enough. We have to deal with the fact that in today’s environment the 6 hour - 9 month calendar does not provide enough opportunity for re-tooling. Perhaps unions are standing in the way of the educational process and only those that dare to go to the “other side” can facilitate change.

]]> By: Teresa Almeida d'Eca http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2139 Teresa Almeida d'Eca Sun, 12 Feb 2006 18:32:43 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2139 <a></a>Hi, Will! Kudos to you on a fantastic and brave decision! I wish I had the courage to do so. I've been teaching for 30 years in the public school system, but I'm more and more disappointed with the Portuguese education system. What gives me all the energy to keep going is the kids' enthusiasm for English and the integration of new technologies. If you think of creating a virtual school, you can count on my collaboration. I've been saying for quite some time that I'd love to end my career (8-10 more years to go) teaching online. BTW, how did your wife react? ;-) Best to you! Teresa Almeida d'Eca (Lisbon, Portugal) Hi, Will!

Kudos to you on a fantastic and brave decision!

I wish I had the courage to do so. I’ve been teaching for 30 years in the public school system, but I’m more and more disappointed with the Portuguese education system. What gives me all the energy to keep going is the kids’ enthusiasm for English and the integration of new technologies.

If you think of creating a virtual school, you can count on my collaboration. I’ve been saying for quite some time that I’d love to end my career (8-10 more years to go) teaching online.

BTW, how did your wife react? ;-)
Best to you!

Teresa Almeida d’Eca (Lisbon, Portugal)

]]> By: carla arena http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2138 carla arena Sat, 11 Feb 2006 21:36:08 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2138 <a></a>Hi, Will, I got to know about you and your adventure through the "Becomeing a Webhead" group. You know, I think you are doing exactly what many of us, educators, would love to do, but don't have the courage, support, stomach, whatever...I just loved to read your story. "I quit" is the turning point. I've done that many times, although I'm ONLY 34! People thought I was insane, but I always went after my innermost desires, what moved me, what made me a better, happier person. I found that teaching and now teaching using technology. So, I'm really glad you made your move to a life you feel will be more rewarding. The good thing for me is that because of your change, I got to know weblogg-ed, you, your work, and am eager to read more about blogs in education. Carla Arena in Brasilia, Brazil Hi, Will,

I got to know about you and your adventure through the “Becomeing a Webhead” group. You know, I think you are doing exactly what many of us, educators, would love to do, but don’t have the courage, support, stomach, whatever…I just loved to read your story. “I quit” is the turning point. I’ve done that many times, although I’m ONLY 34! People thought I was insane, but I always went after my innermost desires, what moved me, what made me a better, happier person. I found that teaching and now teaching using technology.

So, I’m really glad you made your move to a life you feel will be more rewarding.

The good thing for me is that because of your change, I got to know weblogg-ed, you, your work, and am eager to read more about blogs in education.

Carla Arena in Brasilia, Brazil

]]> By: Will Richardson http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2137 Will Richardson Thu, 09 Feb 2006 09:16:00 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2137 <a></a>I'm overwhelmed. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to comment. It's humbling. And it's heady. And Gardner, how cool it is to think of it that way, all of us building a real school together. Hmmm... I’m overwhelmed. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to comment. It’s humbling. And it’s heady.

And Gardner, how cool it is to think of it that way, all of us building a real school together. Hmmm…

]]> By: Steve Dembo http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2136 Steve Dembo Thu, 09 Feb 2006 01:20:54 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2136 <a></a>This can only lead to bigger and better things for you and I can't wait to see where the road winds up. Congrats to you, and your family as well. And I think we're all going to be reaping the benefits of this change for years to come! This can only lead to bigger and better things for you and I can’t wait to see where the road winds up. Congrats to you, and your family as well. And I think we’re all going to be reaping the benefits of this change for years to come!

]]> By: Carol Cooper http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2135 Carol Cooper Thu, 09 Feb 2006 00:35:26 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2135 <a></a>Hi Will I will continue to read your blog with renewed interest - to see how it all pans out for you in the future. I hope to meet you in person one day, until then, I wish you the best of luck. Carol Hi Will

I will continue to read your blog with renewed interest - to see how it all pans out for you in the future. I hope to meet you in person one day, until then, I wish you the best of luck.

Carol

]]> By: qdsouza http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2134 qdsouza Wed, 08 Feb 2006 22:36:43 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2134 <a></a>Good luck to you Will! I am really looking forward to reading more of your posts. I hope that you will be able to make it to Canada for a few workshops :-) Take Care Quentin Good luck to you Will!

I am really looking forward to reading more of your posts. I hope that you will be able to make it to Canada for a few workshops :-)
Take Care

Quentin

]]> By: Jeff Utecht http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2133 Jeff Utecht Wed, 08 Feb 2006 21:32:52 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2133 <a></a>Congrats Will! I feel as though I could have written that post. I'm not to that point yet, but getting there faster by the day. Blame it on youth at this point. I'm excited for you and your new adventure. I raise a glass to you and your future. Jeff Congrats Will! I feel as though I could have written that post. I’m not to that point yet, but getting there faster by the day. Blame it on youth at this point. I’m excited for you and your new adventure. I raise a glass to you and your future.

Jeff

]]> By: Gardner Campbell http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2132 Gardner Campbell Wed, 08 Feb 2006 16:33:32 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2132 <a></a>Wow. Hey, Will: let's build real school together. Actually, that's not quite it either. Take two: Hey, Will: thanks for the breathtaking commitment to building real school together. My only concern is that taking oneself out of the day-to-day can make it harder to keep that "practitioner's feel." Someone with your imagination and passion, though, isn't likely to lose that feel, ever. Excelsior! Wow.

Hey, Will: let’s build real school together.

Actually, that’s not quite it either. Take two:

Hey, Will: thanks for the breathtaking commitment to building real school together.

My only concern is that taking oneself out of the day-to-day can make it harder to keep that “practitioner’s feel.” Someone with your imagination and passion, though, isn’t likely to lose that feel, ever.

Excelsior!

]]> By: Anne Davis http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2131 Anne Davis Wed, 08 Feb 2006 14:32:20 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2131 <a></a>Will, I think you should apply the great quote you wrote in the previous post to yourself- "think about ways to enhance your unique strengths so you can achieve your individual amazingness." I can only imagine where this will lead but we're all be the better for what you can teach us as you travel and "blog" your journey. I can't help but think the right doors will open for you. Go for it! Best, Anne Will,

I think you should apply the great quote you wrote in the previous post to yourself- “think about ways to enhance your unique strengths so you can achieve your individual amazingness.” I can only imagine where this will lead but we’re all be the better for what you can teach us as you travel and “blog” your journey. I can’t help but think the right doors will open for you. Go for it!

Best,
Anne

]]> By: amy bowllan http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2130 amy bowllan Wed, 08 Feb 2006 12:26:33 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2130 <a></a>What do the kids say? "you da man Will!" Change takes courage. Good luck...I can totally see you as an educational reporter for CNN ;) Best, Amy What do the kids say? “you da man Will!”
Change takes courage. Good luck…I can totally see you as an educational reporter for CNN ;)
Best,
Amy

]]> By: Karen http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2129 Karen Wed, 08 Feb 2006 11:58:35 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2129 <a></a>Will, Congratulations. What an exciting move for you professionally. You have made my trainings more relevant whenever I train a group of teachers as I always recommend they read your site to really challenge their thinking as educators. If we are truly trying to help our students to become lifelong learners, then we must model it ourselves. What a great model you are. Many thanks for all you have taught me (and will teach me) through your postings. Karen Janowski Will,
Congratulations. What an exciting move for you professionally. You have made my trainings more relevant whenever I train a group of teachers as I always recommend they read your site to really challenge their thinking as educators. If we are truly trying to help our students to become lifelong learners, then we must model it ourselves. What a great model you are.

Many thanks for all you have taught me (and will teach me) through your postings.

Karen Janowski

]]> By: John Evans http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2128 John Evans Wed, 08 Feb 2006 08:56:13 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2128 <a></a>Will, I applaud your decision. As many have stated in the other responses, you have had a profound effect on so many people already via the blog and the many many presentations that you have done and will continue to do in the future. As teachers we are givers and far too many times we end up giving away too much of our time for the sake of others and our loved ones get what is left. We will no doubt all be winners with you having more time to focus on all the things you love! Congratulations. John Evans Will, I applaud your decision.

As many have stated in the other responses, you have had a profound effect on so many people already via the blog and the many many presentations that you have done and will continue to do in the future. As teachers we are givers and far too many times we end up giving away too much of our time for the sake of others and our loved ones get what is left. We will no doubt all be winners with you having more time to focus on all the things you love!

Congratulations.

John Evans

]]> By: Robert Paterson http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2127 Robert Paterson Wed, 08 Feb 2006 08:49:02 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2127 <a></a>Hi Will Congratulations - this must have been hard. But having been out there for 10 years now, I could ever go back. You have built such a reputation that I am sure that you will find yourself in great demand. All the very best Rob Hi Will
Congratulations - this must have been hard. But having been out there for 10 years now, I could ever go back. You have built such a reputation that I am sure that you will find yourself in great demand.

All the very best
Rob

]]> By: dave cormier http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2126 dave cormier Wed, 08 Feb 2006 08:39:41 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/reinvention-chapter-2i-quit/#comment-2126 <a></a>woohoo! Open the floodgates, run to the hills... (hm mm... sorry) This is a very nice development. One of the real leaders of the community with the time to put things together... hee hee. watch out. Of course, I do wonder how long it's going to be before Will's phone starts ringing off the hook, who of you wouldn't want him on your team? keep us in the loop Will, we're happy for you, good luck. dave. woohoo!

Open the floodgates, run to the hills… (hm mm… sorry)

This is a very nice development. One of the real leaders of the community with the time to put things together… hee hee. watch out.

Of course, I do wonder how long it’s going to be before Will’s phone starts ringing off the hook, who of you wouldn’t want him on your team?

keep us in the loop Will, we’re happy for you,

good luck. dave.

]]>