5 Ways Teachers can Learn from One Another
Teachers are amazing. Period. Here at EdTechTeam our daily work is to inspire and empower educators so that they can continue to do the good work of inspiring and empowering students. In this shout out to our educator community, we’d love to highlight ways teachers can inspire and appreciate one another.
Learn from one another
Don’t wait for someone to come into your room to give you feedback or to see the inspiring work you are doing with students. Invite colleagues to join your classroom for feedback for yourself and ideas that you can share with others. Personalized professional development models like Pineapple PD and #ObserveMe empower teachers to put learning in their own hands. Take a moment to thank a teacher that you learned from.
Get inspired
Find ways to get inspired and learn from other educators by attending regional and national conferences like an EdTechTeam Summit or ISTE. Not only do you come away with a plethora of strategies you can use in your classroom on Monday, you also walk away with a Professional Learning Family for life. On a budget? Look for a free, unconference style EdCamp in your area or start micro-burst professional development series in your school led by your teachers. Or follow Oprah’s lead and start a book club in your school or find one online. Inspiration is just around the corner!
Get virtual
One of the amazing components of technology is the ability to connect with anyone, anytime and any place. Become a part of the educator community online via Twitter, Facebook, Voxer and Instagram to name a few. Get ideas and connect with your peers virtually for in-depth discussions and take new learning back to your classroom. Follow hashtags like #EdTechTeam, #EduGladiators and #TOSAchat to get started. Want to learn at your own pace? Look for online professional development opportunities and learn with a cohort of other educators in the comfort of your jammies.
Get specialized
There are many programs out there where you can continue your professional development, add a badge to your tool kit and feel the love from other educators like yourself. Programs such as the Google Innovator Program, Apple Distinguished Educator and many more provide an instant community and innovative learning you can implement in your classroom and share with your colleagues right away.
Ask and you shall receive
Take a moment to ask your students what they appreciate about you. Students are what we are all here for. Adding their voice to your classroom supports the idea that they are in control of their learning and can empower them. You never know what they might share and what you can do with their feedback.
Bottom line: we appreciate you. Educators are the last ones to appreciate themselves. Continue to work tirelessly for advocating for students and making a difference in their young lives. But, while you are being a superhero, take some time for yourselves and appreciate and learn from one another along the way.
