It's summer yet! As I walked along the lines of the seashore with the waters waving back and forth, I could feel the gnashing of the sand between my toes and my flip-flops.

Oh yes, flip-flops are the most comfortable footwear especially during the summer with its Y-shaped strap held in place between the first and second toes on flat soles. It then wraps around either side of the feet. You'd love wearing these on a hot summer day!

Let me jump a little bit back into the era of ancient history. "Flip-flop" is simply the modern name for the thong sandals, which have been around some six thousand years already. It dates back to the time of the Egyptians in about 4,000 B.C. I remember when the Israelites marched out of Egypt into the Promise Land. They were wearing flip-flops. It's a wonder to me that they walked long miles with those sandals for forty years!

I knew it! I just thought that the name "flip-flop" was coined from the sound they make. It flips and it flops between your feet and the floor as you walk around. When I had my first pair, I walked around and intentionally made those sounds. It's like music to my ears!

Now, let's fast forward to the 21st century. Have you ever heard of the most amazing story about Madison Robinson? Right! She is the 15-year-old millionaire entrepreneur whose idea was to sell flip-flops that she intricately designed with fish. Her well-designed flip-flops do not have punched-out holes. You don't even have to worry that the straps would pop out of the way. She thought of this brilliant idea when she was eight and started out by selling her products to young people. Her business has become profitable since then.

Born in the technology generation, I believe Madison learned very well as a 21st century student. She is one of those students in this generation that are so engrossed with the use of technology. Hence, they are engaged in technology and are well founded in arduous academic coursework that encourages innovation and creativity.

Madison did not only learn how to read, write, and do the math. But she looked beyond her classroom. She realized that outside the box confined within the four walls of her classroom is something that will bring her a great life story. She thought outside that box and put her creativity to work.

Madison sketches her own designs and picks the color combinations digitally. She used Tweeter as her marketing tool. What a powerful way to make a business as profitable as can be that even a 15-year-old young innovative girl has thought of using to her advantage!

With the fast development of technology that envelopes the minds of the young, educators need to cope with their learning skills. That's just how the minds of the Madisons of the 21st century are conditioned to work. As teachers, we need to start flipping our classrooms. The flipped classroom is now widely used almost in every school. Educational technology is used to provide opportunities for acquiring knowledge through activities that influence the learning environment.

You may encounter a lot of Madisons in your classroom. Let those flips flop out of their young minds. Who knows, it's another amazing story of a flip that flops!