Why Teachers Should Blog

In January, I decided to start blogging. The thought had crossed my mind for years, but fear held me back. What would I write? Who would want to read my blog? With just four years of teaching experience under my belt, I didn't think I had enough street cred to write a blog. But, I have ideas. I think I have a unique vision of education and the role of the teacher in the 21st century. While I am still a blogging newbie, I can already say that I wish I had started sooner. If you have been questioning whether or not to start a blog, I hope this post will convince you to take the plunge.

Students Need You
There are a lot of reasons for teachers to keep their heads low and not draw attention to themselves. We think if we just play it safe long enough, we'll secure tenure and then have a little bit more freedom to be creative. But those early years take their toll. We become complacent with not stepping out of our comfort zones. We don't mind not drawing attention to ourselves. Stop and think about what you want from your students. Would you want them to keep their hands down and not participate? Or do you encourage them to express their unique voice in the classroom. If we expect it from our students, we should expect it of ourselves. We owe it to our students to actively engage in the discussion. Your voice matters more than you know.

Teachers Need You
Teachers are always looking for fresh ideas to implement in the classroom. Your blog might inspire a teacher to try something new. More than that, though, we all need reminders that it's okay to step out of that comfort zone. We need to see others pushing the envelope, not knowing whether they will be failures or successes. Don't worry about all of those fancy blogs out there. Don't worry about being polished. If that's where you want your blog to go, it will get there in time. If you are waiting to "master" blogging, don't. Perfection is the mother of procrastination. What you are doing in the classroom deserves to be seen.

You Need You
The person that will benefit most of all from blogging is you. Blogging gives you the opportunity to sit down and contemplate your own ideas. Even if no one else reads your blog, you are journaling for yourself. The sheer act of taking some quiet time each day to write has benefitted me greatly. It allows me to think thoroughly through ideas. It solidifies my most deepest held beliefs. It confirms why I do what I do each day. I have never been more committed to my craft. Yes, if you've been thinking about blogging, but have been hesitant, do it. You owe it to yourself.

Starting a blog is easier than you think. Start small. 200 words. 500 words. Don't overdo it. Don't think that it needs to be a masterpiece. You'll reread your post a thousand times searching for errors. Still, you'll miss a few. Don't sweat it. Just hit publish. Post it to your social sites. Become part of the conversation. Some might think you're attention-seeking. Some might think you are trying to show off. Some might disagree with what you have to say. It's all good. Because others will find the gold nuggets. They will be inspired. They might try something new.

Enter the arena. Good luck on your new adventure!

One final note: If you decide to take that leap, please leave a comment below or hit me up on twitter. I would love to check out your blog and be part of your community.