A Digital Dad: The Questions that Drive

2/3 of my Digital Children

So first off, let's get things straight. This blog post was inspired by Kevin Honeycutt, a super awesome educational technology guru and inspirational speaker. I had the privilege of watching him speak while attending the Alive Conference at Monte Vista Christian School near Watsonville, California, and his insights on digital fatherhood and the digital playground resonated with me as a teacher and a father. Thus the story begins...

 Leaving A Digital Signature

Uncharted territory lays ahead of us. As parents most times we have more experiences to draw from than our children. We can prepare our kids for life, warning them of the potential pitfalls based on previous experiences. We teach them the basics like to never talk to strangers and to look both ways when crossing the street. We do our best to raise successful people trying to instill morals and values based on our experiences. Fast forward...

Look who is standing on top!!

Now, the game changer -- the Internet -- which opened our world by connecting us in new ways. In 1990, when Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web, I was 8. I experienced the Internet as a child and had limited supervision when I was on the digital playground. I made some poor decisions online, nothing major, but the scope of viralness was severely limited back then. I had a chance to play in the digital sandbox, learning along the way.

Now, excuse the cliche, but times are a-changin; mistakes are broadcast within seconds, and can go viral in minutes. On the other side, children, like EvanTubeHD, make millions on YouTube, while still having time to play!!! Our lives are becoming more and more public and viewable. Our children's pictures are no longer just on the four walls of our house, but shared across screens and devices. Families are connected; people are connected. The internet is a place of great power, which of course can be used for great good or for great evil.

This takes us back to this post's driving questions: who is on digital recess duty and what is our responsibility as digital parents? With this series of blog posts, I hope to explore my journey into digital fatherhood as a father and a teacher. Please add your thoughts and comments below and join me on my journey.

A Lesson in Grit!!

Salinas Police Officer's Association in conjunction
with the Alisal Rotary Club presenting the bikes

On Friday, June 5, 2015, at Tiburcio Vásquez Elementary in Salinas, California, there was a celebration of grit and determination. Sixty-one bikes and sixty-one helmets were given away for reaching perfection,
bringing sixty-one smiles to sixty-one students' faces.

Principal Dr. Roberto Núñez
and Officer Danny Garcia

So how exactly did these students attain perfection? It was not based on grades or merit, but simply showing up: a demonstration of grit. Google defines grit as courage and resolve and strength of character. I think this definition brings to light the characteristics such as resolve and strength of character that the recipients of the bikes demonstrated throughout this school year. Further, Romero and Lee's (2007) article exhibits the importance of attendance on student academic success. Formalities aside, it was a day filled with excitement.

Coach Ben with the Crew

The day started out with a surprise helicopter visit as Officer Todd Brethour flew Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin and landed on Vásquez's sports field. Students watched in amazement as the wind from the rotor blew them back a bit. The Salinas Police Officer's Association came with a full brigade of cars along with their police truck. Alisal Rotary Club members as well as Salinas City Council representative Kimberly Craig joined the Salinas Police in the presentation of bikes.

Principal Dr. Roberto Núñez

As Dr. Roberto Núñez, principal of Vásquez, read each winner's name, the students bounded over to the zoo of bikes looking for the one that called their name. Other students cheered with exuberance with the hopes of attaining perfection the next year. Overall, smiles were seen on the faces of all.

Thanks to all of those who helped make this event possible, especially the Police Officer's Association, the Alisal Rotary Club, and Councilwoman Kimbley Craig.  A huge kudos to our fearless leader and principal Dr. Roberto Núñez who coordinated the whole event. Of course, a huge thanks to the behind-the-scenes crew; there were many hands involved to make this event a success.