Four years ago (on October 22), I clicked publish here for the first time. Encouraged by the brilliant Penny Kittle, during an NCTE Twitter chat, I decided to add my voice to the blogosphere and tell my story. That means most weeks, I've been showing up here and writing for FOUR years. Four years. It's a high school diploma...a college career. Four years and six hundred posts later, here I am. What has blogging taught me?
I've learned and lived the words, "I have a story to tell." When I sit down, the doubt I felt that very first time has dimmed and I believe that my story is valuable and worthy of being shared.
That lesson was learned from the powerful support I receive from my readers. Readers who show up here, read my words, and reply. Readers who hold me up when I need it and who challenge me when I'm not sure. Readers who have become friends.
That lesson was learned from the powerful support I receive from my readers. Readers who show up here, read my words, and reply. Readers who hold me up when I need it and who challenge me when I'm not sure. Readers who have become friends.
The most unexpected thing that's happened since I began blogging are the relationships I've developed. So many of you reading these words met me through my blog, or your blog, or twitter and so many of you have become friends. We meet in real life sometimes, but the encouragement and motivation and support that's provided over the internet has changed me as a teacher, but more importantly, changed me as a person. My life is richer because of you!
Blogging teaches me...
...the value of my story and my responsibility to share it.
...to show up and listen to everyone, especially when their story is different than mine.
...the power of audience.
...that friendships come in all shapes and sizes and can thrive even if the friends live in another part of the world.
...the value of my story and my responsibility to share it.
...to show up and listen to everyone, especially when their story is different than mine.
...the power of audience.
...that friendships come in all shapes and sizes and can thrive even if the friends live in another part of the world.
...writing is powerful.
...writing is necessary.
....writing is hard and sometimes scary.
...writing is always worth it!
To You...
Thank you for showing up and reading.
Thank you for helping me, more than you'll ever know.
Thank you for changing my life.
Thank you for reading!
Hope to catch up with so many of you in November at NCTE in St. Louis!
Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers for this amazing platform to write and share writing! What a wonderful community you've created! I'm honored to be part of it. Join us at Two Writing Teachers.
Thank you for sharing, it must be a wonderful feeling. Blogging has brought me into contact with so many like minded people around the world, It is a wonderful experience. Regards.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Michelle! What a wonderful accomplishment and I'm so glad you celebrated by writing about it. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats, MIchelle!!!!!!! I love milestones (4 yrs!) and numbers (600!!)
ReplyDeleteSo glad I "met" you here and met you in VA! I still so appreciate your openness to allow me to visit. I still remember you writing to me and saying how you used to teach 3rd but moved to MS and it was the best move ever. Your encouragement gave me the courage to make the move and you are SO WISE! I do love it so much!! I'll be in touch - maybe next month we can get together on the weekend and I can toast you in person. Until then, I so appreciate meeting you in this space. I am so glad we are writers in this writing community!
Yes, yes, yes. So many of us have shared these same wonderful discoveries here once we clicked, started writing, and kept writing!
ReplyDeleteWoo Hoo! Bring on the confetti! I love this post and your words about what blogging teaches you . . . it's always worth it. I love that I found so many middle school educators through blogging together. Happy blogiversary, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteSo many milestones, Michelle! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteAnd this is so true . . . "I've learned and lived the words, "I have a story to tell." When I sit down, the doubt I felt that very first time has dimmed and I believe that my story is valuable and worthy of being shared."
<3 See you in St. Louis!
Grateful you took the plunge! Your voice is one that inspires me so often across different platforms. You are a wise friend I have not yet met in person. Xox Erika
ReplyDeleteThis is a fabulous celebration of you and us! Happy Blogiversary! So happy we met here and have become friends.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you pushed "publish" four years ago and became a part of my life. Congratulations, friend!
ReplyDelete