Social media has always been a fun "hobby" for me, but until recent years, I never realized how it could help me as an educator. I found it silly to follow people that I don't know on Twitter, until I really started expanding my knowledge about education and technology in education. My Twitter SN is @mscstephens . A few years ago I did an online book study on Classroom Management in the Digital Age and started following the authors, Heather Dowd and Patrick Green as a requirement of the study. I was amazed when I "fell down the rabbit hole" so to speak by looking at who they follow, who they were retweeting, etc. Not only was I learning things and reading articles about education and child development, but I could feel my spirits being lifted with encouraging words from people who had been through things that I was going through. I now follow many people that I don't know on twitter who have all helped me to think in new ways and continue to learn in areas that I was previously satisfied in my knowledge. On Twitter, some accounts that I love are We Are Teachers, Edutopia, TedTalks, Fixing Education, Danny Steele, Todd Whitaker, Dave Burgess, George Couros, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Yes, I know he's not an educator per say, but I teach theatre and he has some very inspiring things to say!
On Facebook, I have joined several groups that are specific to my educational niche including UIL One Act Play Directors, Texas Thespian Directors, Texas Theatre Exchange, TX UIL Speech & Debate Judges and Coaches, 4N6 Fanatics, TETA Elementary, and more. I have recently joined Technology Ideas for Teachers, Instructional Technology for Teachers, and Teacher Technology Tips and Tricks. I am open to suggestions on any other groups that you all are a part of that connect to technology in the classroom, as this PLN area is new to me.
When it comes to networks in my content areas, I love sharing ideas on class projects, play selection, prompt interpretation, UIL rule interpretations, and more. I try to steer clear of the complaining posts except to encourage them. I learned a long time ago that sometimes people just need to vent, and that's okay, but I can't let it ruin my day. These PLNs have also been a great place to figure out how to communicate things to administration in a way that will be understood.
One of my favorite groups is one that includes the 12 students who graduated from undergrad with me who were theatre educators. Of the 12 of us, 7 are still theatre teachers and we are all doing great things! I also have groups of former students who share about what they are doing now and reach out with questions or asking for references or if we know anyone looking for a (fill in the blank). My current middle school students have told me, however, that "Facebook is for old people" so I hope they change their minds when they graduate so that I can create a group for this group of students as well.
Professional Learning Networks are essential for today's educator. In an era where we can communicate with fellow educators across the world, why are there not more people doing just that? Ask for help! Mentor others! Discuss policy! The power of the PLN goes beyond lesson plan sharing assignments. It is how the face of education will change in the near future.
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