MAKE LEARNING MAGICAL!
  • HOME
  • SPEAKING
  • RESOURCES
    • Memorable Beginnings >
      • PlayDough
      • Magical Planning Pages
    • Authenticity & Agency
    • Gamified Experiences >
      • Anywhere Learning Plans
      • The Amazing Race Game Plan Resources
      • The Race to the Golden Ticket
      • Ready Player One
      • The Amazing Food Truck Race
      • The Great Interior Design Challenge
      • The Final Table Challenge
      • Challenge Rubrics
      • Challenge Ideas
      • Kitchen Utensil Race & Other Variations
      • Code Names for the Classroom
      • Badges
    • Innovation
    • Creativity, Curiosity, and Collaboration
    • Authentic Audience
    • Legacy
  • ABOUT ME
  • BLOG
  • BOOK
  • PODCAST
  • T-SHIRTS
  • YOUTUBE
  • RECIPES
    • DESSERTS >
      • Mini Apple Clafouti
    • QUICK BREADS >
      • Dutch Babies
    • CAKES >
      • Southern Caramel Cupcakes
      • Chocolate Lava Cake
      • Chocolate Chip Chiffon Cupcakes
      • Hot Milk Sponge Cake with Broiled Coconut Topping
    • PIES & PASTRIES >
      • Eclairs
      • Pies
      • Puff Pastry
    • YEAST BREADS >
      • Bagels
      • Pullman Loaf
      • Cinnamon Rolls
      • Pretzels
      • Pizza
    • PASTA >
      • Macaroni & Cheese
      • Fresh Pasta
      • Italian Spaghetti Sauce
    • CHICKEN >
      • Chicken Satay
      • Chicken Enchiladas
      • BBQ Chicken Pizza
      • Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos
  • Workshop & Session Resources

BLOG

Don't step....LEAP

12/31/2016

4 Comments

 
Picture
This year has been a year of growth and incredible adventure for me.  So many firsts....1st time moderating a Twitter book chat, first time speaking at a conference, 1st time at ISTE, 1st time gamifying all of my culinary classes. If I were to choose one word to describe this past year it would be "LEAP".  I didn't step out of my comfort zone... I leaped.  As I reflect on 2016 all of my leaps have been significant but, two of these leaps have made a profound impact on my journey as an educator.

A year ago I was asked by author of Explore Like a Pirate, Michael Matera, to moderate a Twitter book chat.  My experience of moderating book chats at that time...ZERO.  Not only had I not moderated book chats, but I had not participated regularly in them either.  So here I was deciding to leap big into an unknown world that I knew little about.  I signed up for Tweetdeck for the first time and with encouragement and support from Michael, away I went.  I remember the first few times moderating, I was terrified.  What if my wifi went down, what if I didn't time the questions right?  How would I reply to the guests? So many fears and so many questions yet, I still leaped.  This leap was like jumping on to a pirate ship and sailing into uncharted waters and... what an adventure it has been. The friendships, the confidence, the growth I've gained has been exponential and if it wasn't for that first leap it wouldn't have happened.

Sometime in the early Spring of 2015 I took my second leap; I was asked to facilitate a session at the Southern Oregon Edtech Summit on gamification.  Again, I was approached with a challenge that was beyond my comfort level.  I reluctantly said yes, and then the fear set in.  I felt that my ship was now in turbulent waters and I truly didn't know if I was going to make it to shore. The next few months I was paralyzed with fear.  Why had I agreed to this?  What if I forgot what to say?  What if I stumbled over my words and didn't make sense?  Where would I even start in organizing my presentation?  

This summit happened to be on the craziest day of the school year.  It was our MIlli Vanilli class dance-off competition at our high school and I was the Jr Class Advisor.  If that was not enough, it was my son's 14th birthday.  The days prior felt like impending doom as I was certain I had made a horrible decision.  However, there was no turning back and all I could do was face my fear head on.  I did, and it was a huge success.  Looking back on this day in April, I now realize how pivotal it was for me.  I had navigated successfully through the waters of fear and realized not only could I do it, but I enjoyed it.  Sharing something I was passionate about fueled and energized me and I knew at that moment that the journey was just beginning.

As I look at my calendar for 2017, it is full of new adventures.  The fear is still there as these adventures consist of more "leaps" into uncharted waters.  However, when I reflect back on 2016 I am reminded of my previous leaps and how much I continue to learn and grow from them.  My confidence is so much stronger than it was a year ago.  I am more passionate and excited about education than I have ever been before.  This would not have come without each leap and the support of my family, PLN, and students that continually encourage me and push me into deeper waters.  To the many who have helped me "leap" this year, thank you from the bottom of my heart.



4 Comments
Aubrey
1/1/2017 06:52:01 am

I'm so glad you took the LEAP with the #XPLAP chat...which was my first chat and taste of the power of the world of Twitter! Your encouragement went a long way in helping me learn, grow, and contribute my ideas :-). Pretty cool how one decision can branch out and make an impact on so many other people, and the influence goes on and on...

Reply
Tisha Richmond link
1/1/2017 09:33:42 am

Thank you so much for your kind words. You are such an important part of the #xplap community and your leaps have inspired so many! Your encouragement is just what I need to keep leaping! Thank you!

Reply
CAT link
1/1/2017 07:01:08 am

Tisha!

Another great post and reflection! Well done! It is amazing what happens when we take a risk (or LEAP) and try some things out of our comfort zone! I love Aubrey's Comment about how you have impacted others by taking that LEAP! She is exactly right! Keep being awesome!

Reply
Tisha Richmond link
1/1/2017 09:37:12 am

Thank you so much, Brent! You are such an encouragement and support in my blogging adventures! Your feedback gives me the courage to continue leaping and sharing!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Buy Now
    Picture

    Tisha Richmond

    Student Engagement & PD Specialist in Southern Oregon, Canva Learning Consultant, Canva Education Creator, and author of Make Learning Magical. I'm passionate about finding innovative ways to transform teaching and create unforgettable experiences in the classroom.

    Follow me on Twitter!

    Archives

    December 2022
    October 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • HOME
  • SPEAKING
  • RESOURCES
    • Memorable Beginnings >
      • PlayDough
      • Magical Planning Pages
    • Authenticity & Agency
    • Gamified Experiences >
      • Anywhere Learning Plans
      • The Amazing Race Game Plan Resources
      • The Race to the Golden Ticket
      • Ready Player One
      • The Amazing Food Truck Race
      • The Great Interior Design Challenge
      • The Final Table Challenge
      • Challenge Rubrics
      • Challenge Ideas
      • Kitchen Utensil Race & Other Variations
      • Code Names for the Classroom
      • Badges
    • Innovation
    • Creativity, Curiosity, and Collaboration
    • Authentic Audience
    • Legacy
  • ABOUT ME
  • BLOG
  • BOOK
  • PODCAST
  • T-SHIRTS
  • YOUTUBE
  • RECIPES
    • DESSERTS >
      • Mini Apple Clafouti
    • QUICK BREADS >
      • Dutch Babies
    • CAKES >
      • Southern Caramel Cupcakes
      • Chocolate Lava Cake
      • Chocolate Chip Chiffon Cupcakes
      • Hot Milk Sponge Cake with Broiled Coconut Topping
    • PIES & PASTRIES >
      • Eclairs
      • Pies
      • Puff Pastry
    • YEAST BREADS >
      • Bagels
      • Pullman Loaf
      • Cinnamon Rolls
      • Pretzels
      • Pizza
    • PASTA >
      • Macaroni & Cheese
      • Fresh Pasta
      • Italian Spaghetti Sauce
    • CHICKEN >
      • Chicken Satay
      • Chicken Enchiladas
      • BBQ Chicken Pizza
      • Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos
  • Workshop & Session Resources