Appreciation for the Edublogger Chalkboard Award

Consider this a mix of acceptance speech and look back on the last 100,000 words.

Awards these days tend to carry with them all the prestige of being the finest ice hockey player in the whole of Ecuador. Blog awards are often frivolous and public education teems with a propensity to trump up the most mundane accomplishments. An education blogging award? It’s almost as if some higher power is purposely playing tricks on us; as the Fark.com headline might read, “Award given for blogging. Award given for education. Award given for education blogging. Hilarity ensues.”

When it comes to determining the real gravity of recognition, we separate the wheat from the chaff by considering the criteria by which one is selected. The values that underly any type of award, large or small, define its significance.

That’s why I’m proud to have been selected by Secondhand Thoughts. I instantly displayed the award in my sidebar and started this response – simply put, the criteria for this award matter.

Readers of this site know that I do things a bit differently around here. I use my real name, you know where I’m from and you can give me a call at will. I tend to write lengthy treatments and spurn short, easily-digested sentences. I place value on accountability and write a fair amount of articles demanding it.

I decided on these things when I originally planned my site. Getting this nod couldn’t have come at a better time; I hit 100,000 words this week and I’m just finishing analysis of the site, which necessitates re-thinking what I do and how I do it – and whether that any of that will change. Being recognized for a commitment to the ideals that I specified at the start of this project is a deliverance from the doubt that can creep in to that first hard look at one’s progress.

The criteria for this award are eerily similar to the pre-site analysis I wrote up – almost a personal constitution – before I launched and these topics have been on my mind as I re-examine everything. I’d like to share some of those thoughts as they relate to the Edublogger Chalkboard award, and for that I’ll steal the structure of the criteria:

Content. If it isn’t worth reading, there’s no point in writing it. I try to offer unique insight [right or wrong, there's often a little of both] that I don’t see elsewhere. If I did see it, I wouldn’t have a reason to post.

I decided to stick to education aside from the occasional meme or photo of my cat. I’m also committed to being largely apolitical. Though my formal studies and much of my ‘hobby’ work has been political, this isn’t the place for it.

And I tend not to use vulgarity. I’ll leave that to Amanda Marcotte and others who are ill-equipped to choose the right word and therefore have to rely solely on the bawdy ones.

Interaction. As General George S. Patton said, “Always do everything you ask of those you command.” This site isn’t an army, but the advice fits. If I expect people to take my contributions to the debate seriously – and if I expect them to join in the discussion – I need to immerse myself in their thoughts, too. They’ve taken the time and effort to lay bare their minds; it’s only courteous to make the most of what they’ve published.

I currently subscribe to 249 blogs – that makes it hard to leave as many comments as I’d like, but I try to make the rounds.

Authority. To be honest, if I couldn’t give what could be considered authoritative input on the education topics we discuss, I wouldn’t have this site. I’d engage in something more fun instead or write on a topic on which I was an authority [I'm sure the world could use another definitive bowling blog?]. As I’ve examined my stats from analytics, I can’t help but be appreciative of the sites and writers that have linked to me. Though the number of links, large or small, is hardly an indication of quality, it’s comforting to know that others in the blogosphere are committed to many of the same pressing issues in education that I am.

Longevity. I’ve tried to churn ~25,000 words per month. September – December should average 30k and, barring unforeseen circumstances, this site will continue.

Eric Turner’s Secondhand Thoughts, not only the creator of this award but also a singularly valuable education blog itself, deserves praise. If one needs evidence that Mr. Turner is well on his way to becoming an effective teacher – truly an ethical, responsible, respectful educator – consider his admirable reaction to a distasteful situation in his class [and his progress resolving it]. That is a seriousness of purpose and a commitment to professionalism – and for all the right reasons.

I also invite you to browse the last ten award-winners, seven of whom are already in my RSS reader and 3 of whom have just been added.

10. Ms. Whatsit
9. It’s a Hardknock Teacher’s Life
8. RepairKit
7. Frumteacher
6. this little light of mine
5. Not Enough Hours…
4. Irrational: A Math Teacher’s Notebook
3. So You Want To Teach?
2. Teach Me, I Dare You!
1. Confessions From The Couch

Many thanks for the kind words and encouragement, Mr. Turner. I look forward to discovering a new blog in next week’s winner.