It is most commonly known that the two things we should not open a discussion on at a friendly dinner party would be religion, or politics. These two topics stir up passions in people that may take some over the bounds set by acceptable civility at such gatherings. I have found myself a victim of this social imperative on a number of occasions. That is the price to be paid for being opinionated, and passionate about things.
Among educators, I would suggest that we add Awards and Lists to Religion and Politics as subjects that strike chords in people who cause them to cross over to the wild side. Whenever annual award presentations appear on the calendar the pro and con discussions begin. The merits and flaws of such ceremonies are debated in blog posts and tweets ad nauseam. Lines are drawn placing people on respective sides of what, at the time, seems like a very important issue. Actually, in the scheme of things that are of real important, it is actually a non-issue.
Often, a well-meaning effort to recognize the accomplishments of the few who stand up and stand out, are criticized or maligned to the point where people are discouraged from even suggesting to do such events. The irony is that those same critics of awards may also loudly complain about the lack of recognition for educators in the national discussion of education. I believe that any positive recognition any educators get, for whatever their accomplishments are, helps all educators. We might consider how that rising tide raises ALL boats here.
No criteria can be fair and all-encompassing for every educator in every category for whatever awards that are to be presented. Some deserving people will always be left off the winners’ list, and maybe not even nominated for a myriad of reasons. It is wrong however, to dismiss those who are nominated just because someone else may have been overlooked. (Interject here, if you will, the baby and the bath water analogy)
Lists of any kind are also big targets for many critics. I really do not like making lists of any kind. Some of this might be a result of the voluminous lists handed to me by my favorite list maker, my wife. Nevertheless, lists of things and people are a fact of life on social media. No matter how inclusive one is about the gathering of the list, someone or something is always left off. That is usually the first thing that critics will point to. Often they will name the very person, or thing left off the list that you are already kicking yourself about for leaving off. (Oh the sting of it)
Since we know lists of “Favorites”, or Top Ten, or “The Best Of” will always be with us, let us try to be less critical of the choices. We need to keep in mind that each person draws from a different pool of sources. Any particular list represents the best selection from that author’s pool of sources. Of course we all have better sources, so our choices would be similar, but different, and, of course in our eyes, much better. Don’t knock someone else’s list; just put out to the public your own list. Other people will judge any list’s value based on their specific needs. I both love, and hate lists.
In full disclosure I should tell you that I, and the entire #Edchat team are being considered for a BAMMY AWARD to be presented in Washington D.C. this weekend. We are being recognized for the impact #Edchat has had as an innovative tool for connected educators. The entire Black Tie, Red Carpet event honoring many, many educators will be live streamed. This is the 2nd annual Award Presentation to recognize Educators on a National stage.
If you are unfamiliar with #Edchat it is a weekly discussion of education topics held on Twitter twice each Tuesday. The #edchat Team of educators who make that happen each week includes: Shelly Terrell Sanchez @ShellTerrell, Steven Anderson, @web20classroom, Kyle Pace, @kylepace, Nancy Blair, @Blairteach, Jerry Blumengarten, @cybraryman1, Jerry Swiatek, @jswiatek, Mary Beth Hertz, @MBTeach, and Berni Wall, @rliberni. I hope I did not leave anyone off the list.
Whether we agree with the choices for the BAMMY AWARDS or not, it is wonderfully refreshing to see educators being held up in high esteem and honored instead of being vilified and torn down as has been the trend of late.
Might I agree to disagree……
Yes, I do believe that we TRULY need to call recognition to “good things” — to “great things” — such as #EDCHAT….what conversations this has opened. What opportunities, what friendships, what learning!!
But an award ceremony — I have problems with that….and have said so, and will continue to say so.
First of all this: http://www.bammyawards.com/index.php/nominee-tools/promoting-your-nomination — it is no longer a recognition for a job well done…it is vote collection. Yes, that bothers me. Popularity trumps purpose perhaps…… sad.
Second of all this: http://www.bammyawards.com/index.php/2013-bammy-award-finalists — so one is better than the rest? Truly? Could we not recognize everyone rather than have ONE “winner?”
Again — I do applaud the celebration and the recognition and being honored for a job well done……
and I firmly believe that an “awards” ceremony isn’t the way to go about it.
HOWEVER, I do wish to thank you and your group for all they have done — both with #edchat and other areas as well. I have learned from you all…and look forward to future learning.
And luckily, I won’t need a gown, a red carpet, or a badge to be able to share with you my thanks.
Jen
I’m with you, Tom. Whenever one of us is recognized, all of us benefit. We are not great at making our good works public and I think that is problematic. It leaves the public very few avenues of learning of our efforts. Full disclosure – I too recently won an award. I am sure I was not the most deserving, but I was secretly nominated and I was selected. It gave me a chance to publicly talk about an issue about which I am passionate – digital equity.
It would be a shame for educators to negatively comment on any opportunity to celebrate in the public recognition of another educator.
I have not, of course, been included on any lists…yet. 🙂
Congratulations to all educators whose passion for learning and sharing is being recognised. Tom, I thoroughly enjoy your posts which provoke deep thinking. Often watch your clip: ‘Schools kill creativity’. Learn something new each time.
Highly motivated by Dr Sugata Mitra.
Thank you Tom for the difference you make to my teaching and learning!!!
As one of those people who undeservedly (in my mind at least) was nominated and somehow became a finalist for a Bammy, as uncomfortable as I am with personal recognition, I am thrilled to see teachers and others in the education world get some recognition.
Yes, i would prefer that all teachers and school workers get recognized and lauded, and that no one deserving would be left out, but as I told my colleagues in the NYC School Library crowd, I represent all of them, the people who taught me my job, nurtured my career, and otherwise set an example of capability and professionalism for me to aspire to.
I will be joining you on that red carpet but I bring a couple of hundred others with me in my tuxedo’s pockets.
That is incredible!! Good luck! #EdChat is wonderful whether I am able to participate or go back and read tweets/discussions later on the trend. Glad to know the full team behind this chat, and I agree; it is very important to recognize people for their work and accomplishments! Congratulations to you all, and thank you for providing a great forum for educators to learn from each other! #GetThatBAMMY 🙂