I’m very lucky in the sense that I’ve always worked for administrators who encourage risk taking, support me, and are always open to hearing about new things I want to try in the classroom. They open doors for me and try to eliminate barriers that are in my way, and I’m so appreciative. This has not only been hugely beneficial to me in exploring my passions but it has also led to fantastic learning opportunities and growth for my students and I. Seesaw has been a fantastic tool that I’ve been using with my 1st grade students for the past two years, and this year we also started using Twitter together. After wanting to launch one of our big projects to an authentic audience (our 3D community which we showcased at the Celebration of Innovations in Citizenship at our Board Office), we decided to invite our guests, as well as others around the world, to tweet us their questions and comments. This was a fantastic way for my students to share their process and knowledge, and it made them feel pretty famous too! We also used Twitter to connect with other classrooms, which led to several Hangouts. I could go on and on about how I use social media in my classroom, but instead I have a confession to make…

I am so much more comfortable using social media in my classroom than I am with my own family. WHAT?! Let me explain…

Up until about a year ago, you would very seldom find a picture of my boys on social media where you could see their faces. I was conditioned by fear and negativity that surrounds social media, that’s the honest truth. I had heard too many stories about identities being stolen and children being abused and taken advantage of. I was scared and I thought I was doing the right thing and protecting my children. My friends made fun of me. When we had play dates (which was often because it seems I was often on mat leave), my kids could never be facing the camera when moments were being captured in order to later be shared on Instagram and Facebook. When my oldest was born, I had already decided that I wasn’t going to be posting pictures of him on social media, but I still wanted to show him off. So instead, I decided to do something I was more comfortable with; I started to send a monthly e-mail update with pictures to close family and friends (which later turned into a blog, and photo books). Well, about a year ago, my mindset surrounding social media drastically changed. I think it changed around the same time that I read The Innovator’s Mindset, by George Couros, and hopped on Twitter in order to grow professionally (and therefor learned first hand about the amazing possibilities and positives associated with social media).

This morning, I started reading Social LEADia, by Jennifer Casa-Todd, and I was actually so relieved to read that I’m not the only one who made these types of decisions. I think it’s important to remember that when we know better, we do better. I thought I was doing the right thing by sheltering my kids, when in fact, I should be teaching them about digital leadership. I should also be practicing what I preach and although there are most certainly negatives associated with social media, there are far more positives (they’re just harder to hear sometimes). I can’t wait to keep reading Jennifer’s book (not only as an educator, but also as a parent) as I’m sure it will continue to provide amazing insight, push my thinking while also providing answers that are needed in this information-filled and face-paced world of ours! My hope is that this book will forever change the conversations we have around social media, both for teachers and students, but also for parents and their children.