You Made Me Better

Eric and I on the set of #Satchat at the NASSP Ignite Conference. Circa 2013.

From one bald-headed person to another bald-headed person, thanks for making me a better educator. It was back in the Fall of 2011 when I was first exposed to your thinking and innovative ways of how school should be. You spoke to the importance of leveraging the power of social media and technology as a way to promote and inform. The ideas you shared, transformed the way I conducted myself as a school leader from that day forward. As a result, I live by the mantra "status quo is never an option." 

Darin Jolly, Eric, and I on the set of #Satchat at the NASSP Conference. Circa 2014.

Thank you for taking me under your wing these past few years. I can remember receiving a Skype call one afternoon out of the blue where you provided me with feedback on my blog post. On numerous occasions I would send you an email or text message asking for advice and/or resources. Each time you came through and as a direct result made me a better professional and impacted the success of my entire school community. I know for a fact you did this for others as well and it is greatly appreciated.

Earlier this year we traveled together to the NASSP Ignite Conference in Dallas, Texas. You let me pick your brain and meet various people in your circles. And for that I thank you. We were suppose to present together last December at Learning Forward, but the snow thwarted our plans. For giving me that great opportunity, I thank you. Each year at the Edscape Conference you support the live #Satchat session. This means so much to the entire connected educator community. The conference itself has transformed my thinking and put me in contact with so many great minds.

I could go on for pages and pages about the impact you had on myself and others. From grading policies to technology integration to autonomous learning environments, you paved the way for educators to take risks and do what's best for kids. I wish you nothing but the best as you look to tackle bigger and better things out there in the world of education. Know that we will all miss you here in the great state of New Jersey. Your tweets, posts, blogs, articles, and books have and always will be an important part of my growth. My only hope is that you continue to push forward and impact the entire world of education in ways once thought unimaginable.

As this Ode to Eric Sheninger concludes, I am left pondering one pressing question. What will be your new Twitter handle come September 4? Be well my friend and keep fighting the good fight!