Ch...ch...change!!!

Wow! What a year 2020 was, and 2021 is shaping up to be an interesting year of change.  Of course, COVID brought so many changes to us, and to educators for so many reasons.  One of the coolest things that I have seen is the way teachers have stepped up to the plate and have accepted the changes with such grace.  I am sometimes amazed at how the general public can criticize teachers for "not wanting to go to work" or for "not doing their job", when these same people may not even have kids of their own or know anything about what it is like to be in the field of education.  It raises my hackles, I'll admit, as it simply shows ignorance.  "Do you have any idea what teachers are having to do in this virtual 'baptism by fire' time??", I want to yell.  But, in truth, it wouldn't do any good, as I won't convince people who don't know the truth.  And, instead, why don't I spend my efforts helping educators do what they do best?  It is such a pleasure to work with teachers on getting more comfortable with online learning.  We spend time exploring digital tools, talking about the challenges and solutions, and discussing how these changes have likely altered the landscape of education forever.  I feel so grateful to be a part of that world, working with several universities and teaching workshops all over the country as well.  
      Now, our own big change is a move to Texas.  We have lived in Tucson for the last 8 years, and we had truly begun putting down roots here, including Dave's retirement (a.k.a. known as "golfing"), a wonderful church community, volunteering, fostering for a Labrador Retriever rescue organization, and so much more.  While we have loved it so very much, we felt like it would be a great time for a change.  I'm hopefully going to be teaching a bit more at Trinity University (my alma mater for my Bachelor's degree), in addition to continuing to mentor doctoral students, teaching at online universities, and teaching virtual workshops on increasing student engagement, etc.  Dave and I bought a piece of land in the hill country of Texas about 14 years ago, and we always said we would build on it "one day".  Apparently, that "one day" has come and we are going to build a home on that land.  While we are super excited, we also know that change is going to be hard.  It will be made a bit easier living in close proximity to my aging dad, my (almost 3 year old) niece and her whole family, and my best friend from high school, among many other friends and family.  And Dave will surely find a golf course or two on which he can play several days a week, while our own two Labs will enjoy being able to spread out on some acreage around our new home.
​          What does change mean to you?  How do you adapt to it?  I am looking forward to hearing your responses!
Happy Communicating!!
Shelly

---