Learning Networks.

Since my husband (former coach) and I have changed schools several times, I’ve built my own little network of teachers from all over the state. We may not share ideas on social media or through networking sites, but we do share through conversations, emails, and planning collaboration. I hope to gain some more “team members” on my network though this DLL program. I am already texting and emailing with new colleagues from the administration classes. I am a member of TCEA and I am constantly either saving their suggestions. I feel that this particular organization provides the information and the how about programs or apps that I need in order to use them in my classroom. 

I also follow many teachers or tech “gurus” as I call them on twitter. I may not be a member of their particular community, but I follow and learn about new programs, apps and approaches from the work they are doing and sharing. This has been beneficial for me when I’m looking for something new or if I’m looking for tips and tricks for when I want something to go better. 

I enjoy following and learning through social media, but the most challenging part for me is time. When I see something new, I can usually come up with the lesson I would love to integrate it with. But I struggle to find the time to learn and become familiar enough with the new technology to use it in my current role at school. At my previous two schools (past 8 years), I was the teacher on campus that lead staff development or that teachers came to when looking for a new idea. I was also the instructional technology team’s guinea pig when they wanted to try out something new. My goal is to get back to this position in my new school district. I feel that just like my own teaching style and classroom, I beg, borrow, and steal from everyone around me, then try to use it in a way that best reaches my students. So I guess you could say that I contribute to my own personal network, but I haven’t contributed outside of my comfort zone through social media or website. As I grow in using technology in my classroom, I hope to put more ideas out there for others to learn from me.

This list will continue to evolve as will my journey in education, so stop back and check up my updated Learning Network's page from time to time. 

I am a member of TCEA https://tcea.org/ and our program's Lamar Facebook Groups. 

I follow these people and groups on social media for Tech Ideas:

Alice Keeler  @alicekeeler

Todd Nesloney  @TechNinjaTodd

Flipgrid @Flipgrid

Deck.Toys @DeckToys

Pear Deck @PearDeck

ISTE @iste

TCEA @tcea

For leadership, growth mindset inspiration, or just good teaching ideas I follow:

Kids Deserve It @KidsDeserveIt

Jon Gordon @JonGordon11

Shelley Burgess @burgess-shelley

Gretchen Bernabie @gretchbernabei  @Trail-of-BCs

Mrs. Stephanie Vanatta @Vanatta_Valley

And I search for:

#edtech

#googleclassroom