When Pigs Fly. The Time is Now! - March 31, 2020

When Pigs Fly. The Time is Now!

By, Michael Earnshaw

March 31, 2020

@EduChefEarnshaw

I think it’s safe to say that the World has been thrown out of their comfort zone. It’s been weeks now where what we considered our “daily lives” is long gone, and there doesn’t seem to be any light at the end of the graffiti decorated tunnel. Many are working from home. Those that are still working have extremely different conditions, or even roles and tasks than what they were expecting when hired on. Schools are closed across our country and teachers, students, and parents and guardians are tasked with delivering instruction and keeping a loving relationship going. Streets are empty, store shelves barren, and many of us have not had any face to face contact with anyone else than those we reside with. Many of us can’t even see the border of our comfort zone anymore.

This blog is not going to focus on the dreary world many of us are now stuck in. Instead, I want us to look at the gift that this pandemic has granted almost all of us with. Yes, you read that right. There is a silver lining in all of this and we have much to be grateful for. Too many times have I heard individuals utter the phrase, “I don’t have the time.” This phrase usually comes after a discussion about taking care of or doing something for ourselves or learning a new skill.

Guess what, we now can no longer say, “I don’t have the time.”

With “Social Distancing” in effect for what seems like an ever moving target, we have more time than ever imaginable. 

Yes, many of us have our own kids at home that we need to assist and guide through “ELearning” or “Remote Learning”. We are holding “Office Hours” while we work from home. Let’s be honest and realistic. Do you still only have the same amount of time for yourself as you did back in February? I’m going to bet that the answer is “No.”

We’re already out of our comfort zone. We now have that time that we always claimed was missing. Now is the perfect time to do those things that you’ve always wanted to do. Those passion projects, the skill, a new habit or hobby, connecting with that loved one you haven’t spoken to in months or years, Hell, putting down the phone and connecting with those in your own home! Now is the time to do what we have not been doing but knew we should be.

Been wanting to get in better shape, be healthier? You’re more than likely cooking at home a lot more than before. Prepare healthy meals for you and the family. Need fresh air after being locked in the home for hours on end? Set aside time to go for a walk every day. Set a time goal, 30 minutes, or a mile goal. You’ve wanted to run that 5K or Half-Marathon? Dust off those running shoes and start training. You don’t need a race scheduled, you’re doing it for yourself anyways! Those dumbbells that are currently used as door stoppers when you open the windows on a beautiful Spring day, take them in the garage and follow one of the FREE workouts being offered by almost every fitness organization out there. Don’t know where to start? Ask me, I’m more than happy to help guide you.

Have some thoughts or ideas you’ve wanted to share with the world? Start blogging, podcasting, vlogging, or all of them! The tools are out there and they cost literally nothing. I have not once paid for any of my blogs to be posted or our podcasts shared. You have the time to learn and guess what, the world, your audience, has the time to read and listen. Speak your mind, share your thoughts. I guarantee that there are others that are thinking it but like you, are afraid to speak it. What is there to lose? Things are different, do something different that you’ve wanted to.

Do you feel your lessons for students have gotten boring and stale, lost their luster? Get connected on social media. There’s Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, where you can see the amazing lessons others around the world have provided for their students. These are the lessons you’ve been dreaming of doing. While you’re checking out their page don’t just take your own notes and assumptions, send them a DM, ask a question. I guarantee they are dying to connect with others and have conversations about their passions and bring a little normalcy to their lives. They would love to reminisce and share the story of how the smiles and laughter their students brought to fill the classroom during that activity you dream of doing with your students.

The time is now. Don’t look at this shelter in place period as a time to seclude yourself off from the world. Better yourself, expand your mind, spirit and soul. Work towards those secret goals you’ve kept putting off but always knew you needed to do. There is literally an app for EVERYTHING! Search what you want, it’s out there. If it isn’t, search a hashtag on social media and you’ll find someone. Ask. Now’s the time to learn, expand, and connect.

Imagine our world, when all of this is lifted, and we return to our “normal” the difference this world will be if we take advantage of this gift of time we’ve been given and improve our lives. Imagine how much better this world will be when we return to it and have bettered ourselves.

It’s only when we take care of ourselves that we’re any benefit to those we serve. The time is now! 

7 to 8 Minutes - September 3, 2019

7 to 8 Minutes  

By, Michael Earnshaw 

September 3, 2019 

@mearnshaw158 

One of the numerous qualities I love about punk rock is that there is always a perfect place and time for a show. Punk rock is about delivering a message, getting everyone involved, and birthing a fun and memorable experience. Some of the greatest shows I've ever been an active participant of were hosted in dusty garages and driveways in desire of a new coat of tar, musty unfinished basements, over sized broom closets named “Off the Alley”, and even a minuscule and cramped bowling alley in Chicago, The Fireside Bowl.  

I’ll never forget the first time I was able to sing along live with one of my favorite hometown bands, 88 Fingers Louie. We were all at the Fireside Bowl, waiting to see the hardcore ska band Link 80 from California’s East Bay. The opening bands had run their sets and we were left waiting shoulder to shoulder in what is basically a long, narrow hallway. At the Fireside Bowl the bowling lanes were still functioning and took up over half of the venue. Time kept ticking away, the aroma of sweat covered punks permeated through the smoke-filled air when eventually someone received a page or message (this was before texting) that Link 80 had gotten lost and were running late. It just so happened that 88 Fingers Louie were all in attendance. Next thing I know is that they take to the small wooden stage and announce, “Alright, we’re Link 88!” Immediately they tear into my favorite tune of theirs, and to this day still one of my favorite songs of all time, “Past Mistakes.”  

“Link 88” only played three tracks that night, but I'll never forget that being my first-time slam dancing to them live, unexpectedly, in my favorite venue. Looking back now there was a lot to learn from this punk rock lesson.  

1. 1. Timing - There’s never a bad time to teach a lesson. As educators, we must take advantage of every moment we’re with kids. This includes before and after school, passing in the halls, the cafeteria, and weekend events. Kids are depending on us. Even if it’s not our “contractual teaching time,” kids need us to take the stage and deliver at any time. It’s these impromptu lessons, the lessons we didn’t plan or prepare for, that are going to have the greatest impact on them. These are the lessons that we will be remembered for, not fractions and context clues, but the time to speak with them when they least expected it. Read more about connecting with kids in a previous blog post, “After the Show.”
2. 
   

2. 2. Equipment – 88 Fingers Louie did not have their equipment with them that night. They were meshed into the crowd of bodies, there as fans, just like the rest of our crew. They could have easily said, “Sorry, I don’t have my drum kit...that’s not my guitar.” Instead, they used what they had in the moment to turn what could have been a bad situation into something memorable. It’s easy for educators to say, “Well yeah, it’d be much easier if our district bought that app!” Or, “That school has more funding than us so what do you expect?” Our kids deserve the best world changing lessons every day. YOU are all students need. Take advantage of what you have, your resources, and make memorable, life changing experiences for them. Stop making excuses or wishing you had the new “it” item in education. I’ll never forget when SmartBoards were first taking up residences in classrooms. My colleague, peer, and friend was an art teacher and created his own interactive white board by using a projector and Nintendo Wii remotes. Help isn’t coming. The funds many think will make their jobs easier are not on the way. We already have everything we need to deliver our message. Read more about adopting a DIY approach to education here. 
3. 
   

3. 3. Passion – When 88 Fingers Louie took the stage the three tracks they ripped through were played with just as much passion as if they were playing a planned show they created a set list, practiced, and prepared for. They knew they had fans depending on them, and while they could have easily gone on stage and just went through the motions to bide time, they knew we were counting on them. They took advantage of a moment and connected with us. I know that this small act, these three songs, helped to make them become one of my favorite bands and enjoy them that much more after this night. This small act proved that they truly loved the punk rock scene and were invested in it, and most importantly, the fans. Teachable moments are all around us, read more about them here and begin taking advantage of these times to make a difference in other’s lives.   
4. 
   

It is crucial that we take advantage of every moment with our students and colleagues. Just because we may be having a bad day does not give us the right to bring others down with us. It’s ok, we all have those days when we can’t check every piece of baggage at the door before we enter school. We must always remember it’s never acceptable to take out what we’re going through on others, especially our kids. We must give them our all every single day. It’s the small acts that we do, the acts that seem meaningless to us, that make a world of difference to others. Taking advantage of these teachable moments is what we will be remembered for and help plant the seed in others to begin working to change the world for the better.