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Emily Farrell
Stories (2/0)
Out of the Woodwork
When I first joined social media, over 12 years ago, I was a very different person. I acted differently, I looked different, I even sounded different. But most importantly, I stood for completely different things. So naturally, I acquired a lot of friends and followers early on who thought as I did. Who believed what I did. And as I have grown and learned, I have found myself continually drifting away from those people. We have gone our separate ways and remained civil internet friends, for the most part. But with the way the world is right now, I have a hard time staying silent when I see something posted that is hurtful or misguided. I know where these friends are coming from, I used to be there too, but someone helped me learn and I want to help them. More often than not, however, I am met with contempt. I have been called names, belittled, and insulted. I have been hurt by people I used to call my friends. This week was different. This week I stood up for what I believed in and received an outpouring of love from so many people, including several people I had not seen or spoken to in years. And it made all the difference. It can seem like an impossible task to stand up for what you believe in, especially on Social Media. There is so much misinformation and hate out there that it can just seem overwhelming. But if something is truly important to you, it is absolutely worth it to put yourself out there. I'm not saying it is easy. It is definitely not. But I am saying that it is worth it. You are not going to change every mind. You are not even going to change most minds. Change happens little by little, through hundreds of conversations. It takes time and effort and a willingness to listen and learn on both sides. It is hard work, but you will never regret speaking up, especially when it is as simple as writing a comment on a post. Be aware that not everyone will be ready to have the conversations that need to happen. Know that sometimes you will have to walk away. Not every relationship should be saved. But even if you don't reach that person right away, you could be the catalyst on a long journey of positive change, and that is so very important. This week I am so very grateful to every person who supported me when I spoke up. Who had my back when I was torn down. And who were right there with me when I made the choice to remove people who did not care to listen from my life. Know that you have encouraged me more than words can say. You have given me all the motivation I needed to continue to stand up for what is right whenever I get the chance. And that right there is how we will change the world.
By Emily Farrell4 years ago in Humans
What Distance Learning Has Taught Me
On March 13, 2020, I left school thinking I would be gone for two weeks. We would enjoy a nice little break while the world healed itself and then we would be back and ready to get started again. Now, over 9 months later, I have had to do a lot of reevaluating. I have taught in the same school for about 8 years. I have seen students go from Kindergarten to Middle School, seen whole families pass through, and grown to love my little community. While no school is perfect, I truly love where I work. Not being able to see my students and their families every day has been very challenging. I thrive off of my interactions with students, seeing them get excited about what we are learning, hearing their feedback and ideas when we are creating something together. And while I do get to see my students on the computer screen, there is definitely something that has been lost. The connection feels hollow and I very rarely see excitement. If students show up to my class, only about half of them do regularly, they are just going through the motions. They are sitting at a computer screen all day so nothing seems new and exciting anymore. They view my class as a long, boring, YouTube video that they can't click out of without fear of failing. I try to make it interesting. I ask questions, try to get them talking, create opportunities for them to be the center of attention. But it's not the same. And they know it's not the same. For the first few weeks of Distance Learning, I was breaking my back trying to think of new and interesting ways to get their attention. I was staying up late every night trying to create something that would finally engage students and get them begging to come to my class. Some of these worked, most of them didn't. I will still try every day to create a class worth coming to, one that is led and centered around my students. But the lesson that Distance Learning has taught me, the teacher, is that my job is to create the learning opportunities, but I cannot make them learn. It is my job to provide as many opportunities as possible for students to engage with learning and have fun with it but once it is in their hands it is out of my control. It is not a failing on my part if students do not complete their work if I have truly done everything in my power to reach them. That is definitely something I am still learning, and reminding myself of every day, but it is getting easier. If you are a teacher out there teaching through a computer screen, please know that I am with you. I know how hard you are working. Remember to create as many opportunities for your students to learn as possible and then remember to let it go. "You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make them drink."
By Emily Farrell4 years ago in Education