Why I do it...

This was my view tonight, sitting at a red light with my two daughters quietly sitting in the back seat, listening to Disney songs on the way home from my day at school and picking them up from the sitter.

My thoughts weren't on "Be Prepared", even though it is one of my favorites from The Lion King. My thoughts were simple: Why do I do it? I looked at the car next to me and I couldn't tell if the lady driving it was bobbing her head to the music or trying to stay awake. I shared the feeling with her- like I was mindlessly heading home almost as though it is programmed into my very nature. It was about quarter til six and already dark, and my thoughts weren't sunny, either.

So why do I go to work. Why do I labor until 5, when school is out before 3? Why do I stay after to participate in a webinar for the DOE? Does it even matter? I mean who really cares about my Twitter presence or how I use it to grow my PLN, other than those twenty or so people who listened to the webinar? Most people don't.

After a nice dinner with a friend and her new baby, I check said Twitter feed and see another teacher sharing similar thoughts. You can read his here. My thoughts turn to something I read from a student a couple weeks back. For conferences each year, students select a piece of work from each subject area to share with their parents. They attach the sheet you see below to the work and explain why they chose it. Here is what one of my students wrote:

This is why I do it. This is why I have worked so hard this year to leave the "sage on the stage" role and become the "guide on the side." I have spent hours and hours creating my curriculum on My Big Campus so I can spend class time working with students. I want to teach them, not lecture them. I want them to embrace learning by fixing mistakes. This note was exactly what I needed today. No matter how I might question myself at times, I know that I'm teaching students how to learn and to enjoy the process.

That, my friends, is why I do it. And it is kids like this one who care that I do.

DVR: Who's in control???

A couple months ago we gave up cable TV and our (gasp!) DVR. Since then, I've learned that the TV had been controlling me, and it may be controlling you, too.



ESPN, you wonderful home to everything sports. How could I ever live without you??? Every guy that I have spoken to about this asks me something along this line; I asked it of myself when starting to consider this plan. After finally going through with ditching cable I have come to realize that I don't miss it nearly as much as I thought, and I'm certain my family doesn't.

Before, in the days of DVR and cable, I would pretty much sit down and watch football all day on Saturday, all day on Sunday, and stay up late on Monday nights. I watched many games (particularly football) and shows that I didn't care at all about; I just love football.

I love my family more.

My football sweetheart is first and foremost the Indianapolis Colts. I'm a season ticket holder, own more than enough Colts clothing, and even have a Colts-themed basement. I can still watch every Colts game- FREE! It just so happens that TV stations still broadcast over the good 'ol antenna. Plus, it's in hi-def. (FYI- Thursday Night games are broadcast on the local markets' local station in addition to the NFL Network, so I could watch those games.)

What I've lost:

• Sitting in my recliner all day on the weekends.
• Staying up much too late on Monday nights.
• My cable bill.

The biggest lesson I have learned through getting rid of TV is that I don't actually miss it at all. I still have ways to watch a show if I really want to, but I find myself enjoying much more meaningful entertainment like my daughters' giggles. 

Cable companies sell you on the control you get to "enjoy" with DVR, but TV may actually be controlling you. Get off the couch and enjoy yourself!