Meme: What NOT to blog (Part 1) - NeverEndingSearch

NeverEndingSearch

Blog

NeverEndingSearch

« italki: language learning 2.0... | Main | What not to blog--Part 2 (from... »

Link This | Email this | Blog This | Comments (7)

Joyce Valenza

Meme: What NOT to blog (Part 1)
May 8, 2008

For three years or so I've been blogging and NOT blogging.

Often it's hard to not blog. My blogging absences and omissions generally center around the important events or encounters at school or at home that impact me the most.

At these times, a little blog switch in my head turns to off. It prevents me from sharing my thoughts. In most cases I am most grateful I have that off switch. It keeps me out of trouble.

Nevertheless, I often feel that a braver, a hardier blogger would address those things I switch off.

Among my issues:

I represent others. I play with others and want to keep playing with them. Some bloggers I know are independent. They do not have institutions behind them or professional partners to court.
I need the continued respect and support of my fine school district. To some degree, I also want SLJ to support my efforts, though I don't mind disagreeing from time to time.
By nature, I am so darn polite. I like to make and keep friends. My mother told me, if you can't say anything nice . . .

So my off switch goes on before I comment negatively. I hold back my blogging energy when I feel hurt, or angry, or vindictive.

My switch does not necessarily go off when it comes to having a little fun.

Though I received almost universally positive comments concerning my little bit of whimsy about curly hair, and the video highlights of our Not-Ready-for Newbery book review committee presentation posted on our Ning and our conference wiki. Unfortunately, there were one or two individuals who expressed, in direct email, disappointment in my lack of professionalism. A lack of professionalism they claimed tended to demean and diminish our profession in the eyes of others.

To those individuals, I offer these observations.

Professionalism is not defined by lack of humor, nor is it threatened by an occasional flight of fancy. Playing with one's colleagues often becomes the inspiration for creative ideas. And while I confess that I don't hold much stock in the inspirational quality of my pseudo-documentary, it was my hope that my colleagues would enjoy a bit of diversion from some of the more serious issues we discuss on a regular basis. I enjoy meeting with my colleagues. I enjoy laughter. I enjoy bringing laughter to others.

I make no apologies to anyone if this indicates a lack of professionalism.

A further observation. As a teacher-librarian in a high school, I want my students to know that while I can direct them in their intellectual pursuits, I also know how to make that process engaging and fun. And isn't that the point?

I signed up for a profession that celebrated storytelling, creative dramatics, and puppetry.

Perhaps what our profession needs is a bit more fun to shake off a common perception of us as old-fashioned, dowdy, humorless, and drab. I will keep the switch on for occasional flights of whimsy.

Oh my, this post is too long to include the what-not-to-blog contributions from my esteemed colleagues. Tune in for What-not-to-blog Part 2!

And feel free to meme away. When do you turn on your own off switch?

(Image source)

Posted by Joyce Valenza on May 8, 2008 | Comments (7)

May 10, 2008
In response to: Meme: What NOT to blog (Part 1)
Diane Cordell commented:

Joyce, I find that my colleagues - and students - value my quirkiness, that bit of playfulness and "interesting" behavior that plays counter to the stereotype of the stern, disapproving librarian. Things that trigger my "off switch"? Family references that reveal too much personal information and comments on education that might be interpreted as criticisms of the district where I work. It goes without saying that I never name my students, although I sometimes quote them indirectly. Fun, discretion, safety awareness: my guiding trinity!

May 10, 2008
In response to: Meme: What NOT to blog (Part 1)
mrsdurff commented:

I liked that curly hair video so much! It was so creative!

May 10, 2008
In response to: Meme: What NOT to blog (Part 1)
Linda commented:

I agree with you 100%. We need to get rid of the shushing image and replace it with smart, informed and funny.

May 11, 2008
In response to: Meme: What NOT to blog (Part 1)
missi baker commented:

Hi, Joyce, yes, occasionally we librarians can become too self-important (hence, the sometimes negative stereotype of us!). I love that you sometimes veer from the straight and narrow of your profession (and the tedium of the perfectly catalogued book, too, I hope.) I loved the 'hair piece'--pun intended...and your more serious posts, as well.

May 11, 2008
In response to: Meme: What NOT to blog (Part 1)
Mary Woodard commented:

Who ever said that being professional meant you had to turn off your sense of humor? Humor is the very thing that can diffuse tense situations and make people feel comfortable and at ease. It is a valuable tool to draw on when working with others.

May 12, 2008
In response to: Meme: What NOT to blog (Part 1)
Emily Valenza commented:

" Professionalism is not defined by lack of humor, nor is it threatened by an occasional flight of fancy. Playing with one's colleagues often becomes the inspiration for creative ideas. And while I confess that I don't hold much stock in the inspirational quality of my pseudo-documentary, it was my hope that my colleagues would enjoy a bit of diversion from some of the more serious issues we discuss on a regular basis. I enjoy meeting with my colleagues. I enjoy laughter. I enjoy bringing laughter to others." Exactly. I am so glad you made this point. It is of HUGE importance that we keep our professions FUN and filled with humor. It can be very easy for teachers to experience burn-out, and the emphasis on fun becomes less of a frivolous addition and more about having high quality of life!

May 13, 2008
In response to: Meme: What NOT to blog (Part 1)
Karen commented:

My district has often referred to creativity and play as important aspects citing Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind and the business model of Fish! as examples. Your work is an example of that creativeness and play that is so vital to quality work.