Kilroy wrote his last post today. I wasn’t expecting it, but I’m not surprised. I’m sad, for many reasons. I will still talk to the man behind Kilroy. Perhaps one day we can go fishing at his paradise in really slower lower. But dammit, Kilroy filled me in on so much with Delaware education before I took a crack at blogging. He lent me his blog for about a month and a half three years ago so I could tell a story about my son. We talked a lot over the past few years. Over time, he became a friend. Not a friend I talk to every day or even see. But a friend nonetheless.
Some of the commenters over at Kilroy’s Delaware pissed me off to no end. That is no secret, especially that one guy. But I loved the discussion even if I didn’t agree with the point of view. Things got nasty between myself and a few of the commenters from time to time. But Kilroy loved it. He loved his virtual kitchen table. He was the godfather of Delaware education blogs and paved the way for the rest of us fighting the good fight.
Transparent Christina, Kavips, and now Kilroy’s Delaware. We still have other education blogs, but they are either mixed in with political blogs (Delaware Liberal and Blue Delaware) or the other blogs really don’t post that often. They were the big three. I get it. Life moves on. Blogs are not a forever thing. I’m very surprised mine has lasted as long as it has. I feel this insurmountable task of carrying the torch for the giants that came before me. Someday, another irate or concerned parent will take up the mantle. Perhaps a teacher. Blogging is not dead.
I often consider hanging it up though. Is Delaware education blogging needed anymore? Things have calmed down since Governor Markell left his throne. But there are still considerable dangers and concerns going on with education. Perhaps bigger than all that came before. The biggest concerns I have are vouchers, personalized learning, competency-based education, funding, digital technology, and student data privacy. And hovering above all those issues is how students with disabilities will fit in with this new world. I’ve seen the end goals, and any legislator, teacher, or educator can tell me that will never happen. But they aren’t in the corporate world. Not knee-deep in it. That’s where Rodel comes in. They are the middle man between the corporations and the education stakeholders, whether it is the Governor, the Delaware Dept. of Education, schools, teachers, and even parents at times. As long as they are peddling their wares, I will try my best to stick around.
There will never be another Kilroy. He had such a unique identity and style to his writing. Even the best imitator couldn’t come close. I’ll miss his cryptic hints and his crazy codes he would drop. He had a mission, and he accomplished it. I remember taping the Senate session when they passed his digital recording bill (finally) and sent him a copy. I was proud of him because I knew great things don’t always come easy. But with sweat and perseverance, change can come.
Best of luck Kilroy. I will forever be grateful for you taking a chance on an odd parent from Kent County and getting me going in this very surreal blogging world. Because of you, my life was forever changed. Sometimes it wasn’t always good change, but it hasn’t been bad. You were the gateway to my meeting a ton of people (including yourself) who have left a mark on my life, often at times I needed it more than ever. At the end of the day, it is about friendship and trying to help people. Even when you don’t get anything for yourself out of it. You taught me that Kilroy, along with Kavips and Transparent Christina.
Should they ever make a movie about Kilroy’s Delaware, I want Robert DeNiro to play him!
The Season Of Myths 