It should be no surprise to anyone that it has taken me so long to write this post. With the whirlwind of activity in my life, I feel lucky that I have finally had a chance to sit in a Starbucks and write (my favorite place for blogging).
Beyond the external chaos, however, I have been working to define for myself exactly how to approach writing here. This is a personal blog. My bosses know that I write here, and I invite anyone to read it, however, this is not an official outlet of the Diocese or the Schools Office, nor do I want it to be. On the other hand, the reality is that I am Superintendent 24/7, and I need to be sensitive to that reality anytime I write or speak publicly.
On the surface this doesn’t seem like a huge problem. Those who have read my blogs, Twitter posts, or (very rare) Facebook updates know that my writing is oriented toward teaching, greeting friends, and joking with colleagues. There is noting in my posts that I would mind seeing on the jumbotron at Angel Stadium (though fans might find this confusing!).
However, I do express beliefs and concerns about the current state and future of the educational system that are sometimes revolutionary and challenging (and to be honest sometimes ill-considered and wrong headed). I do not want readers to interpret from this that my decisions for schools will necessarily be rushing in these directions, or to think that I am expressing policy or any opinions beyond my own.
So as I start writing under a new hat I will be more careful to separate speculation from fact, opinion from decisions. I want to continue to envision new vistas in educational technology, but this is only one aspect of my professional persona.
I know other superintendents blog on educational topics, and I would love to hear your comments, and everyone else’s thoughts on this situation.
One must be so careful these days.
DWEM