What is a Rockstar Educator?

I am not a rockstar - I am an educator just like you!

It is an honor to be called a rockstar educator, it truly is. Here is the thing I don't believe I deserve it. What makes me any different from all the amazing educators working long hours with our students every day? What makes me more qualified for the title than the ABA teacher and paras down the hall from me that just got their student who is severely autistic to look people in the eyes when they talk to them?  That is never going to show up in some standardized test score or in an evaluation, but it is an invaluable life skill that will help that child for the rest of their life.  To me, that teacher and paras are the real rockstars but they will never get the recognition they deserve because they don't have as many Twitter followers as I do.

What is the definition of a rock star educator? Is it Twitter followers, Blog posts written, Facebook followers, Books written, Awards won, podcasts appeared in, conferences spoken at? There are so many amazing educators out there who don't get that recognition, but that does not make them any better than me because I do.

We teach our students that everyone is special in their own ways. We  teach them that we should not compare ourselves to others, but when you call an educator a rockstar you are doing just that. I am lucky enough to know and be friends with, a lot of the rockstar educators and they really are no different than you.

Next time you want to put a label on me call me a Teacher Librarian, or a 21st Century Educator. Or a work in progress, because that is what I am. Thank you for calling me a rockstar but I really think it is time to rethink the label.

Thoughts? I would love to know yours.

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