What Color Is Your Tutu?

Last week during our Martin Luther King Jr. assembly, I wore a tutu. I talked about Identity Day.

While I prefer to let my students be the stars of our assemblies, I pushed to bring Identity Day to our school. I needed to share my vision with our students and staff. On the morning of the assembly, Sarah (not her real name) asked me to wear her tutu during the assembly. It wasn't exactly a dare...instead, she skillfully argued that I needed to connect with the audience and make my presentation personal (something I often tell them)...I agreed.

So there I stood, in the middle of the gym with 600+ students and staff, wearing Sarah's designer tutu while talking about my project (a trip to the Berlin Wall) along with five amazing students all dressed for their Identity Day presentation (ballet, soccer, golf, Irish dancing, and Call of Duty - Black Ops). Together we lit a fire in our audience. We gave them a glimpse into our lives and let them hear us talk about our passion. It was a big moment in our school.

A year ago I don't think I could have pulled it off. I wouldn't have believed that it was in anyone's best interest. Now, I don't take myself so serious. I work in a middle school where emotions run the gamut and body language speaks volumes. So if wearing a tutu somehow brings out a smile in a student, demonstrates my humility, or sparks humility in others* I say "bring it on." My only question is, what color is your tutu?

*a few days later another staff member, who students often say is "scary", wore the same tutu during class and posted a picture of himself wearing the tutu as his Facebook status.

Coming Up for Air

I've been busy lately. Oh, I've had time-consuming stretches like this before when I coached football & basketball. This is different. I team with a passionate group of colleagues (two math, a science, and a social studies colleague) and we are in the midst of a renaissance in our building. Sadly, we are far from done. The heavy lifting lies ahead as we prepare to challenge traditional thinking in our building. Before we do, I need some air. The countless hours spent debating our educational beliefs and developing core values has been challenging but has come at a price. I've neglected my PLN. I haven't blogged or enjoyed an #edchat or #mathchat in months. My Twitter time is minimal. That's why I'm here. I need to re-engage my PLN. One semester into the school year I've realized a renaissance of my own. Educationally, things are beginning to crystallize and I need to start making noise.

My plan is to blog more frequently as moments of inspiration move me to action or give me a reason to reflect. The reason is as simple as this...I used to work hard to inspire my students, instead the students and colleagues in my school inspire me to be a better educator, father, husband, and person. Stay tuned...