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Monday, January 18, 2016

How to deal with #GoogleEI rejection.


  • First off - congrats to all that got accepted into #GoogleEI #MTV16. This post is not to take away from your accomplishment!
If you are like me you received a very wonderfully written rejection letter saying you are not accepted into the Mountain View 2016 Google Certified Innovator Academy. If you are also like me you started the five stages of grieving. Now I know they are typically known as Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. That makes it seems so dark and morbid. I'd like to think of my stages more like the emotions of Disney/Pixar's Inside Out. Getting the e-mail (on my day off too) sent me through a roller coaster of Fear, Anger, Disgust, Sadness.... but then somehow... JOY.

So how did I get to JOY? Here are the things I focused on the most.


  • There are AMAZING people out in the world!

  • Rejection does mean I'm not an Innovator it just means there are other fantastic individuals out there that are just as passionate about changing the world of education. This is their turn to rock it out - not mine. My time will come, it just is not today


  • It is not about me 

  • Why should I be down when the outcome is to find innovative ways to connect educators to create better and more meaningful ways influence educator and the students we teach. Just becuase I am not part of the program doesn't mean that change isn't going to happen. 


  • Connect!
  • The first thing I did - after read through the waves of acceptance tweets and retweets - I went back and followed each and every person that applied and got into the program. The purpose of applying to the Google Innovator Program was to connect and work with passionate, driven, and optomistic individuals that wanted to create a better world for education. That can STILL happen! By following these amazing people I believe I have just created a stronger PLN. 


  • There is always next time.

  • This was the first of many Google Certificed Educator Programs. It seems there may even be another opprotunity to apply in March! All that means is to keep working. The program connects people ready to make a difference, not people would just want a pretty badge that says "Innovator." That means I need to keep doing what I'm doing and continue to try to change the world of education for my students. I plan to continue to blog, connect via Twitter chats, and continue presenting at #GAFEsummits and around my district.My husband asked "Are you bummed?"


  • You are allowed to be upset. Just do not let it consume you.

  • My husband asked if I was upset.I replied "Of course I was bummed, this is something I really want." He then smiled and said "I'm just glad that is present tense and you are not giving up. Not getting in this round will make it just that much sweeter when you do."He's right - but do not tell him I said that.... he'll get a big head ;-D

    In the end, so what....it was not my time - and maybe it wasn't yours. It doesn't mean you should stop trying, it means LETS CONNECT! COMMENT ON MY BLOG, FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER and GOOGLE+ even E-MAIL ME.  I want to work with you. Instead of sulking I want to work together we can make a difference! How could that not bring out the JOY in the situation? My journey isn't even close to being over.
    Rejection won't stop me! 
    I hope it doesn't stop you either.

    15 comments:

    1. Nicely said, Melissa. I missed out this time as well and I LOVE your 5 stages! Today is just a moment in time and tomorrow brings new opportunities.

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      1. I agree Melissa (btw - amazing name!! ;-D). You are so right that when one door closes, another one is bound to open! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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    2. I too started following all those accepted and rejected today and am continuing to grow my PLN. Thanks for putting my feelings into eloquent words.

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      1. I'm so glad our PLN's have crossed paths Tracey. I look forward to growing together!

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    3. Melissa, thanks for sharing your honest reflection. I did not apply this past round. I used the excuse that I need to start a blog first. Obviously it was just an excuse. I loved your application you shared with us. It was spectacular! Here's to the next round of applications and I hope I get to congratulate you (and maybe even myself!). Cheers!!!

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      1. Thanks for the optimism Lisa. I loved that you started your blog. As you can see it can be a great outlet and place to share! I hope our paths cross again one day. It was great chatting at the #GAFE summit in Temecula. Till next time!

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    4. Melissa, Very well said! I have been on the rejection side before. I look at it as a keep working at it. For me, putting ourselves out there is good for us. It helps us remember what we ask our students to do all the time. Keep connecting, keep learning, and keep refining. You have a better idea of the process which will be helpful next time. I hope to see that you keep trying and get in! Good luck! Keep fighting for our kids.

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      1. M - I really appreciate you sharing. It is very true that we ask our students to take risks and to be okay with rejection or failure. I shared my journey with them and I think it made our connection stronger. We need to realize we need to model more than standards. :)

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    5. Thanks so much for this post, Melissa! Just what I needed to read to help with my '5 stages!' :)

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      1. Happy to help Kate! I may not always know the right thing to say but at least it helped one person :). I hope you have more JOY in your life.

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    6. Very well said. I didn't get into the program my first try for MTV2015, but a few months later I applied for Austin and got in. I know people that went to Mountain View and I know my cohort from Austin. Everything happens for a reason because I love my cohort and over a year later, we're all still talking on an almost daily basis through Voxer and Hangouts.

      Don't give up. The journey is just part of the learning.

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      1. Cori did you change much about your application the second time you put it in? I'm worried about changing too much and taking away the good bits!

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      2. Thanks Cori. I'm glad that you stayed optimistic and the outcome was what you wanted! I'm hoping one day that I also will be able to make fantastic connection with others. Even if it is just through twitter and a blog I'm just happy to connect and grow with other passionate people. Thanks for including me into your PLN too!

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    7. Thanks for this post. It does feel difficult when you get rejected but it's all part of the challenge right?
      I'd like to know how to improve my application to get a better chance next time.

      Cori did you change much about your application the second time you put it in?

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      1. I agree Sarah. I keep 2nd guessing that there was something wrong with my application. But then again I think it was just there were other people with better ideas than me this time. Our time will come. I think as long as the passion is true and we are willing to try again - we will be contenders! Who knows maybe we will see each other next cohort *crosses fingers*!

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