Teaching is learning.
Whenever I try something new or make changes in classroom, I often refer to where the idea came from. This is especially true if I read/heard about it from another teacher. For example, in the past week I incorporated two new ideas that I discovered from other teachers: #booksnaps from Tara Martin and conferencing from John Spencer. When I introduced them to the students, I made sure to explain that I had discovered this while embarking on professional develop or teacher blogs that I had stumbled upon. It is very important that students know that teachers are constantly trying to grow and become better teachers.
Learning is a journey and it doesn’t end with school.
Pixabay
In order for students to foster a sense of innovation, they need to see the process of others’ innovation. As an educator, I want students to know that learning doesn’t just happen because they are in school. Learning is a part of life. In order for them to understand that, it should be modeled for them.
Relationships and education cannot thrive without the other. In order for education to make a lasting impact, relationships are a crucial component.
One of my 8th grade students just wrote an insightful news article on the importance of relationships.
Sometimes you just have to take the trek alone.
After my first year teaching abroad and working in a 1-1 environment, I began the professional development course(s), COETAIL, online. These courses had a lasting impact on my teaching. It was one of the best professional developments I had ever participated in. It allowed me to take chances, reflect on my teaching, and acquire new skills as well as how I thought about education. I had a Twitter account prior to this but didn’t really do much with it. COETAIL forced me to join Twitter in a larger capacity. It gave me an immediate PLN with other COETAILers. From there I gained valuable insight to having the twittersphere at my finger tips. From that point I dove right in! I would highly recommend it to any teacher!
Pixabay
After I became more comfortable with Twitter, I was able to expand my PLN. A.J. Julliani was the first person that inspired me to give my students time for passion. I devoured his posts about 20% TIME. After about 5 weeks of research, I began to implement it in my classroom. Once I got started, I still had tons of questions about it. Joy Kirr then became my go-to person to ask questions. She shared resources as well as Genius Hours sites that was home to a multitude of resources and examples.
All of the people I have mentioned have been inspiring because of their passion! The people I have “met” and learned from during this #IMMOOC course have also made a lasting impact. It is like they continue to give me permission to keep taking risks and challenge me to become a better educator. Tara Martin as well as Alice Keeler have inspired me to begin to share my own units and work that I do as an educator. Vulnerability is NOT a strong trait of mine. I don’t show it nearly enough in life. But the two of them have shown me that someone out there may also be inspired by my work. Even if that never happens, it will produce professional growth to share what I am doing. I often share out ideas and such but have never attempted to share an entire unit with others.
As George and AJ both have said that educators have to move beyond gathering knowledge from others to being a part of the community by also contributing.
Pixabay
Now it is my turn to truly be a part of the PLN community by being vulnerable and SHARING my own work!
Ms. Marcum's Mission 
Terea, I LOVE that you’re contributing to our PLN – even through this blog post! Many people do not share entire units online, as they’ve worked hard (many hours, sometimes!) to create something, and it’s difficult to give that away for free. Just the fact that you blog about your ideas and share resources that way is something that many teachers still don’t do. You ARE being vulnerable, and teachers are already benefitting from it. THANK YOU! Keep it up! We’ve all been there!
LikeLike
Joy,
Thank you so much for your inspiring words and thoughtfulness. I am venturing into the unknown on this one. But I know the value of having a resource from another teacher. I cannot thank you enough for the times I used the resources that you gave me nor the wonderful words of encouragement. Educators, such as yourself, have been a positive component in my professional development. Thank you for all that you do for the profession and other educators!
LikeLike