When I started teaching in 2006, I put my cell phone in my purse, locked my purse in the cabinet, and taught the entire day without checking my phone or looking at it. During lunch, if I wanted to call Mr. Barnes, I called him with the phone on my desk. 

As the years progressed, my cell phone didn’t stay in my purse all day. I helped document teaching and learning at two schools. Since the modern cell phone, versus the one I had in 2007, has a decent camera, I would sometimes have my cell phone with me to take pictures. 

When I became a literacy coach in 2015, I began carrying my cell phone with me all the time. I’m not going to lie. Having your cell phone, a mini-computer, in your pocket is a distraction. An item I didn’t check at all when I started teaching became an item I was checking multiple times a day. I’m an adult. If I had struggles with technology, what about children?

This is why I am glad Washington Township is having two screenings of the documentary “LIKE: Understanding and Creating Balance in Social Media.” 

This viewing will be offered on:

• Tuesday, February 7, 6:30-8:00 P.M. at Eastwood Middle School 
• Wednesday, February 8, 6:30 -8:00 PM at Westlane Middle School

Doors will open at 6:00 P.M. in the cafetorium the night of the viewing. “Like” addresses why we become captivated by technology and social media and what we can do to gain control and balance.

After the 50-minute documentary, there will be a panel discussion. If your family wants to get a better balance with technology, please consider attending the free event, and caregivers/parents should come with kids especially secondary students who have cell phones.

Register here.