Twitter

This is going to be a shameless plug for joining Twitter.

Readers! I can't explain how this has helped me grow as an educator! I attended a conference a couple of years ago and after yet another amazing session, I spoke with the moderator of that session, Kayla Dornfield. She gently pushed me to join Twitter and follow her for ideas from her session. As I bravely moved forward in this totally new arena, I gained more confidence to share my own ideas and thoughts. I joined “chats” that appealed to me and my teaching. I “followed” people that I felt had similar viewpoints. All I have to say is: “Holy crap!” I can't begin to tell you the opportunities and doors this has opened for me in my professional career!

To start with, I “tagged” my edu-hero, Jim Sporleder, in a tweet about asking my children for his book, “Trauma Informed Schools” for Christmas. Much to my shock and surprise, he sent me a private message, asking me for my address, telling me that he would send me a copy. Friends!! It's autographed!! WHAT?!?!

Next, in a chat I was participating in, Kenny Bosch and Jason Bretzmann were asking for stories to be submitted for a compilation they were looking at publishing. I submitted my story as to why I believe what I do about what educations should look like and why I teach the way I do. Y'all!! It was chosen for the book!! Now I am a published author! Mind blown!

Through Twitter, I have “met” so many amazing, encouraging people that I can only dream to meet in real life! It is my prayer that some day this will come true. Even when I feel I have had my worst day in the classroom, the Twitter chats reinforce the fact that I am doing the right thing and doing the best I can. I have grown as an educator because of all of the wonderful people in my PLN (Personal Learning Network).

If you want to test the Twitter waters, please reach out to me. I have some amazing chats for you to follow. I have reminders plugged into my phone. Do I participate in all of them every week? No. Do I go back, when I have time, and look at responses? Sometimes. If I'm not familiar with the topic for the chat, I might just “lurk,” follow, but not respond, to learn more. It's amazing PD and again, has helped me grow my teaching and my self-confidence to reach out to others with what works for me in my setting. Do it!! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!