Happy 2016 Teacher Appreciation Week! I wish to share with you one of my favorite annual postings that I dedicate to an amazing world of educators. I hope you find this reflection, one that you will continue to enjoy and share with others! Also, please take a moment to subscribe to this blog by RSS or email and join me on twitter at mjgormans . I have some great posts coming your way involving PBL, STEM, tech integration, and a continuing series on Professional Learning Communities! Most of all, thanks for being one of those over 25,000 visitors a month and over 10,000 subscribers. I would appreciate it if you pass this special post on to others through email or a retweet! Also, remember that I can come to your conference or school district and provide engaging authentic and purposeful professional development . See booking info and please contact me anytime at (mjgormans@gmail.com). Thanks so much. Michael Gorman (21centuryedtech).
Quick Notes – Opportunities you may want to be aware of.
ASCD – To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, ASCD will share several free professional development materials with educators worldwide and provide opportunities for teachers to win valuable resources by engaging on social media. During each day of Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2–6, 2016, educators who follow @ASCD on Twitter and@officialascd on Instagram can enter for chances to win. Educators can find more great resources, including free webinars, podcasts, articles, and infographics by visiting this page.
GoFundMe and National PTA – As part of the #thankateacher initiative with National PTA, GoFundMe is matching $100 in donations to campaigns by or for teachers. Here’s the GoFundMe landing page with some additional details on the promotion.
It’s True… I Teach Because I Can’t Do Anything Else! – Michael Gorman – (21centuryedtech.wordpress.com)
Ok, so it’s true! I have spent nearly thirty-nine years in education because I cannot do anything else! In fact, while I travel around the country providing professional development involving all sorts of exciting educational possibilities I also still work at my school district providing learning experiences for students and educators. The idea of not being able to do anything else actually is something I have recently learned, something I did not know when I presented my very first classroom lesson! I actually began my undergraduate career in the College of Business with an eye on marketing. In the early stages of my teaching career, I became licensed to sell securities with the idea of becoming rich! Little did I know that because I could only teach, I would find richness beyond monetary wealth! I dedicate this list of reasons to all of those great educators who teach because they cannot do anything else! Again please retweet and share with all of our colleagues that really can’t do anything else! Most of all enjoy the week and know that you are appreciated! – Mike
The List
I can’t be a banker or work in the financial business because while I might enjoy counting money and financial growth, I would rather count and measure the success of my students.
I can’t be a doctor or dentist because while I enjoy seeing people smile as they leave and are healed, I get even more satisfaction if I see a smile when they first sit down.
I can’t be a professional athlete because while I do enjoy competition, I get even more satisfaction coaching young people to play each game with honor, integrity, and respect.
I can’t be a computer programmer because while creating new digital applications is exciting, finding ways to integrate technology to inspire real learning is rewarding.
I can’t work in agriculture or landscaping because while supplying food and natural beauty is appreciated by all, I enjoy planting seeds of life-long learning knowing that it will nourish one’s life.
I can’t work as a cook or chef because while I appreciate the art in a great meal, I most enjoy finding just the right ingredients that allow for a child’s success.
I can’t work in sales or marketing because even though I have learned from their great people skills, I would rather sell students on their abilities and possibilities.
I can’t be a pilot even though I appreciate them as I travel to new places, as I would rather facilitate young people as they climb in altitude and arrive at new destinations.
I can’t be an artist despite my appreciation for the beauty they bring, as I have found that my art is the ability to inspire and nurture children as they discover their innate abilities.
I can’t be a scientist or inventor because, while I am aware of the great advances they bring, I wish to create innovative learning experiences that always end in success.
I could go on and on! As you can see, I really do appreciate all of the other professions and realize there are so many I can’t do. After all, as teachers, we really are preparing students for what they will do best in the world. Possibly in the future, those we teach will not be able to do anything else, because we have assisted them in becoming the very best at what they do! As I continue my journey I have expanded my teaching horizon and understand that a genuine educator, whether being a teacher, administrator, or educational leader, continue to teach and inspire others because they really can’t do anything else.
A big shout out to all educators on a very special week! Thanks for joining me on another journey dedicated to learning in the 21st Century! As always I invite you to follow me on Twitter (@mjgormans), I will return the favor and we can teach each other! I also encourage you to sign up for this blog by email or RSS. I invite you to share this posts with others through email or a retweet! Thanks for your visit and know that I will keep sharing, teaching, and facilitating all learners, after all, I can’t do anything else! – Michael Gorman (21centuryedtech)
Booking Info – Check out my Booking Page… Please contact me soon if you have an interest. I am almost booked through August and the schedule is already over half full for fall of 2016 – Mike
21 st Century Educational Technology and Learning 
You said you can’t be an artist – I beg to disagree! I think educators, at least most of them, certainly are artists, shaping not in clay, but in people’s minds. As cheesy as it might sound, I really do believe that.