Blogging...

What has blogging done for you?

For me, it has opened so many different worlds. I've grown as a teacher.  I've grown as a person.

There were times over the last year where I wondered if I had a voice in the blogging community.  Did people read?  Did people care what I had to say?  Was I obsessed with how many followers I had? (Ummmm....yes). 

I am not quite into a full year of blogging, but this is why I continue to blog:

#1~I think about how and what I teach in a different way.  Sounds simple enough, right?  If it's not blog-worthy, should I plan it?  ;)
#2~I love to share.  I've always been "that parent" who sent in treats to teachers and kids when my own kids were small.  Almost to the point of hearing at home, "I bet those cookies aren't for us."  I love to share my ideas almost to a fault.  But, really, is there any fault in sharing?  Probably not.
and finally...
#3~I have "met" so many wonderful friends in this community.  Yes, I truly consider my blog buddies my friends.  They listen.  They hear about my ups and downs. I had a ball with Amber and Elisabeth on Friday when they came to stay with me.  I had a great time at the blogger meet up in Columbia.  My buddies Kristen and Tara might be a million miles away, but they are there for me in a skinny minute.  Tara~thanks for listening to me today when I needed it. 

So, do you ever have doubts about blogging?  Stick with it if you do.  There may be ups and downs to blogging and feeling like you aren't being heard.  But, the friends you make online will make it worth it. 

I know it has for me.

34 comments

  1. Forget about a like button we need a love button, sometimes I get talking about what some did on their blog at work, my coworkers laugh because I share posts with them, they know when I am catching up my reading as they get many many emails with great ideas or products .....LOVE IT!

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    1. Thanks everybody! I love this blogging community and I'm very proud to be a part of it!

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  2. ANYTIME my friend:) I couldn't have survived without the bloggy friend support you and all the wonderful, supportive people I have met:)))))
    Hugs!!!

    4th Grade Frolics

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    1. Your words of encouragement helped so much today:) thank you!!

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  3. I totally agree with all three reasons! I love knowing I have people who support me even if I feel alone at home or school. You rock girl!

    Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher

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  4. Love this post! I'm definitely in a blog-post-writing rut, but I'm so happy to be a [small] part of the blogging community! I blog and read blogs for the support. Knowing that I'm not alone & that teachers everywhere are going through the same kinds of things helps me get through a hard day!

    Meg
    Third Grade in the First State

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  5. Agreed! And I'm so jealous I don't live close enough for the Carolina meet-up. Looks like you guys had fun!

    Don't Let The Teacher Stay Up Late

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  6. THANK you!
    I blogged just now because of YOU!
    ~Nataie

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  7. LOL...I spelled my name wrong!
    ~Natalie

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    1. Thanks Meghan, Melissa and Natalie:) We are not alone and this community is a great place to turn in need.

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  8. I second that!!! I learn more from blogging than any PD has taught me
    Rachel

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    1. Amen, sister, Amen! We should totally get recertification credit for this!!

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  9. I agree. I just started blogging in July, but I've been reading forever. I have gotten so many ideas from teacher blogs and so much consolation (ha!). It's so comforting to read about a teacher's bad day or frustrating class-- it makes me feel like I'm not the only one. I can't wait to keep growing my blog..and keep going to blogger meetups!

    Rebecca
    landingink.blogspot.com

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    1. That's one of the things I love the most, too. I love knowing I'm not alone :)

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  10. I could not agree with you more! Blogging has definitely made our great big world a lot smaller. I have "met" the greatest people from all over the world and I simply cannot imagine my life without my blog and blogging buddies. I'm a better teacher because of all of you. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to reflect on just how much blogging has changed me for the better. I've only been at it for 6 months, but, they have been the greatest 6 months, for sure!

    Ѽ Lori
    Teaching With Love and Laughter
    luvyorkies@gmail.com

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    1. I'm right there with you- can't imagine my life without it now!

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  11. I love this and I agree with you 1000%!! I'm very grateful for our friendship, thanks to blogging :) :)

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  12. Me, too, Kristen! Thanks for always listening!!

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  13. Love this post :) :) Thanks for the bloggy pick-me-up!!

    ~Stephanie
    3rd Grade Thoughts

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  14. I feel like you were talking directly to me in this post...or better yet directly from my head and heart!! I got so into this blogging thing over the summer and yours was one of the first blogs I encountered. I loved everything possible with blogging and the doors it opened! I am just starting my blogging world and I know that I am no where near as experienced as people like you but I look forward to the day that people like you follow my blog and are interested in what I have to say. Thanks again for such a wonderful post!

    Lindsay
    -Flipping Over Fourth Grade

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    1. Thank you for the sweet comment, Lindsay. You are going to LOVE this community. Thanks for reading. I can't wait to see and read more of what you have on your blog.

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  15. HI Elizabeth! I can't agree with you more about this post.... Blogging has made me such a better teacher and the amazing ideas I have learned from all of you have been priceless. I love the friendships I have made through blogging. I am the first to admit that I worry if anyone reads my blog posts ,and I've even thought about not blogging anymore a couple of times but then I would get such a sweet comment from someone reading my post or a pick me up from a bloggy friend that I'm inspired to continue.

    Thanks for sharing all of your amazing ideas!

    Krista
    stellar-students

    I LOVE reading your posts and LOVE that you share such amazing ideas! Thank you!

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    1. Thank you, Krista. I love reading your blog, too, and have learned tons from you. Thanks for being such a great blog friend.

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  16. Hi Elizabeth,
    I'm so happy I came across this post and your blog! I agree that the blog world has completely changed how I teach! I'm in my sixth year of teaching and the blog community has kept that new teacher passion alive in me! I often look at some of my coworkers who seem to have lost that spark and I often tell them to check out teacher blogs! Just one quick read of an amazing post and I am 100 percent motivated to be the best teacher I can be! At times though too I also wonder if anyone cares about what I blog! I've only been blogging about a month but so far the benefits are only positive! I'm so happy to be a new follower of your great blog!
    -Marie
    Beach Lovin' Teach

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    1. You are going to be amazed as time goes on how much you grow as a teacher-blogger.

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  17. I just want to thank you so much for this post. I am new to blogging and I feel all those negative feelings you posted. Because I'm not a teacher yet, I feel like my blog isn't as important. And yes, I'm obsessed with having followers! I keep trying to figure out how to get more. I guess because I'm a student, I don't feel as though I have as much to contribute to the teacher blog world. But, your post is very motivational. I'll keep your words in mind as I keep bloggin' along. One day I'll be a teacher (again), and I will be able to contribute more ideas.

    Thanks so much!
    Kandi
    readinginthemiddlerocks.blogspot.com

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    1. There is a whole network of teachers who don't currently teach. There is always an audience. Keep with it...your contribution matters.

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  18. Love this post! After the day I have had, I needed it :) It is nice to know that no matter what there are friends like you who support what you are doing!

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  19. so, so, so, true!! blogging is the BEST professional development you can do for yourself!! I LOVE this post!

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