Saturday January 16th Langley Education hosted a TEDx event at the Chief Sepass Theatre in Fort Langley BC.  Before arriving at the theatre I was thinking about why we do the work that we do.

Job or career.  Which do we do with passion and which do we not.  This came to mind as I was considering going to TEDxLangleyED after a full week of engaging work as a Helping Teacher in SD34.  It was Saturday morning at 6:30am and I was giving up my Saturday for work.  But as a teacher do we ever stop working?  Are we compensated for working all the time?  The answer is “yes” as we are salaried employees of our respective school districts, at least in most of Canada and likely the US.  I’m not arguing the merits of overworking and the potential non-compensation of that overwork.  But what I am saying is that our passion drives us beyond our regular hours and affects are interest in that which is a job and makes for a rich career.  Richness in the activity which occupies our time is important.  My activity is being an educator.  As a teacher I am always thinking about my recent lessons, the plan for the upcoming week and how to get my students to come along a journey with me.  Students in my job are mostly fellow teachers who have requested help with technology in their classroom.  This help ultimately makes a difference in kids lives.  That’s why I work.   Knowing why you are passionate for a job helps you frame the various task needed server your passion.  Is making a difference in kids lives my ultimate purpose?  No, but it is while I’m “at work”.  At work takes the form of going to my office everyday, working through emails and other administrative work, going to schools to increase the digital literacy of teachers and students.

Passion makes us crazy and we are driven to do more than required or at minimum what is required with excellence.

TED Talks are about Ideas worth sharing.  Yesterday I saw many great talk as per the Storify below.  I left inspired to be innovated about how I connect with students. As @hollyclark shared “Stop talking about tech but talk about learning.”  Tech is not the beginning or end of the conversation but a tool we can use to leverage learning.

I trust that the work you are doing is your passion.  If not how can it become your passion?