Each morning, I tip toe to the kitchen, make coffee before sunrise, and then take some time before the house wakes up to read. Some of that reading includes catching up on twitter and other social media posts. Maybe it's my age, the time of year, or just my routine that needs spicing up, but I've grown tired of a trend I am seeing online.
Since when did it become okay to belittle someone's opinion because it didn't match yours?
I've learned over the years that #edvoice matters. People tweet their support of others using their voice and expressing an opinion. I don't always agree with everything I've seen written but I appreciate reading respectful, opposing views.
As a member of the New York Educator Voice Fellowship, however, I've witnessed that same courtesy isn't always applied by others. Sometimes, when a new post appears in the Facebook group, harsh comments follow. I've noticed it on twitter too. Some of the comments are on topic with the post but some are not. Some just throw mud at the authors of the posts or other comments.
I think it takes an incredible amount of courage for a teacher or administrator to share THEIR story these days. And when the story has pieces that go against the opinion of others, it's even bolder. If our experiences in schools do not match that does not make either of our experiences any less real or important.
Educators should be able to post and share their words without being chastised for it. Our jobs are difficult enough juggling all of the issues in our school (way outside CCLS and state testing). I am certain that for every topic I believe in, there are many others that do not believe in that same topic in that same way. For me, that's ok! I will continue to learn from my own reflections and the stories of other educators.
But, what I shouldn't do, is post negatively about another educator, his/her work, or opinion.
Since when did it become okay to belittle someone's opinion because it didn't match yours?
I've learned over the years that #edvoice matters. People tweet their support of others using their voice and expressing an opinion. I don't always agree with everything I've seen written but I appreciate reading respectful, opposing views.
As a member of the New York Educator Voice Fellowship, however, I've witnessed that same courtesy isn't always applied by others. Sometimes, when a new post appears in the Facebook group, harsh comments follow. I've noticed it on twitter too. Some of the comments are on topic with the post but some are not. Some just throw mud at the authors of the posts or other comments.
I think it takes an incredible amount of courage for a teacher or administrator to share THEIR story these days. And when the story has pieces that go against the opinion of others, it's even bolder. If our experiences in schools do not match that does not make either of our experiences any less real or important.
Educators should be able to post and share their words without being chastised for it. Our jobs are difficult enough juggling all of the issues in our school (way outside CCLS and state testing). I am certain that for every topic I believe in, there are many others that do not believe in that same topic in that same way. For me, that's ok! I will continue to learn from my own reflections and the stories of other educators.
But, what I shouldn't do, is post negatively about another educator, his/her work, or opinion.
"You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate." -- Rick Warren
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