By Sean Gaillard
Reposted from March 2015
It all started with a tweet.
For the last several months, I have pushed myself outside the comfort zone in order to make connections with other educators on Twitter. Developing a Professional Learning Network (also known as a PLN) has been energizing and worthwhile at the same time. Virtually meeting like-minded educators from New Zealand to my own North Carolina backyard has been such an enlightening experience.
I wanted other colleagues to share in my joy of professional growth so I started a school-based Twitter Chat known as #Wileychat. That chat has evolved beyond the walls of our school and other teachers and administrators have joined in the conversation on our educational craft in the schoolhouse.
This Twitter World is still a new journey for me and I am enjoying meeting new colleagues. Having professional development at one’s fingertips and being able to connect with others within the hectic pace of our noble profession as educators is an rewarding experience. There are many heroic educators willing to share, connect and grow.
The universal pull for connections within Twitter is best illustrated in a recent event I experienced while checking my Twitter Feed before another dreaded trip to the supermarket. A simple question has brought four educators together on a quest to re-ignite the unabashed joy for reading.
A couple of days ago, I came across a Tweet from Jennifer Williams, an educator from Florida and new friend in my PLN. She simply asked a general question for non-academic book recommendations. The former English Teacher embedded within me suddenly kicked into book geek overdrive and I responded with a few suggestions.
This conversation led to Connie Rockow, another a new friend in my PLN to share a few book suggestions. Lena Marie Rockwood followed suit and joined in as well with suggestions. It was like we were all having a virtual cup of coffee together in a faculty lounge. The more we shared, the more I felt I had been working with these folks for years.
The spark was ignited and we were sharing excited tweets and messages regarding our love of books and desire to get back to our roots of reading for fun. There was true synergy and we happened upon an idea to share the seemingly outdated concept of reading for pleasure with other educators.
Our conversation then evolved into a Direct Message Group and the four of us continued to feed the spark through a creative and free exchange of ideas for how to include others. We were comfortable to share ideas and tap into our own collective gifts to start a new Twitter Chat now known as #Read4Fun.
#Read4Fun was born out of simple, sincere question. There is always a risk in asking a question and I am grateful for the invitation to connect, share and innovate with other educators. Twitter can be overwhelming and alienating at times. My three new comrades-in-reading have proven that all it takes is one question to spark a meaningful conversation and connection.
Our vision for #Read4Fun is for others to share the love of reading. The hashtag captures the essence of what we wish to accomplish for others. I am hoping you will be able to join us for the inaugural #Read4Fun Sparkchat on March 1 at 7:00 p.m. EST. There are many sparks awaiting your vision, belief and action. Join the conversation!
Reposted from March 2015
It all started with a tweet.
For the last several months, I have pushed myself outside the comfort zone in order to make connections with other educators on Twitter. Developing a Professional Learning Network (also known as a PLN) has been energizing and worthwhile at the same time. Virtually meeting like-minded educators from New Zealand to my own North Carolina backyard has been such an enlightening experience.
I wanted other colleagues to share in my joy of professional growth so I started a school-based Twitter Chat known as #Wileychat. That chat has evolved beyond the walls of our school and other teachers and administrators have joined in the conversation on our educational craft in the schoolhouse.
This Twitter World is still a new journey for me and I am enjoying meeting new colleagues. Having professional development at one’s fingertips and being able to connect with others within the hectic pace of our noble profession as educators is an rewarding experience. There are many heroic educators willing to share, connect and grow.
The universal pull for connections within Twitter is best illustrated in a recent event I experienced while checking my Twitter Feed before another dreaded trip to the supermarket. A simple question has brought four educators together on a quest to re-ignite the unabashed joy for reading.
A couple of days ago, I came across a Tweet from Jennifer Williams, an educator from Florida and new friend in my PLN. She simply asked a general question for non-academic book recommendations. The former English Teacher embedded within me suddenly kicked into book geek overdrive and I responded with a few suggestions.
This conversation led to Connie Rockow, another a new friend in my PLN to share a few book suggestions. Lena Marie Rockwood followed suit and joined in as well with suggestions. It was like we were all having a virtual cup of coffee together in a faculty lounge. The more we shared, the more I felt I had been working with these folks for years.
The spark was ignited and we were sharing excited tweets and messages regarding our love of books and desire to get back to our roots of reading for fun. There was true synergy and we happened upon an idea to share the seemingly outdated concept of reading for pleasure with other educators.
Our conversation then evolved into a Direct Message Group and the four of us continued to feed the spark through a creative and free exchange of ideas for how to include others. We were comfortable to share ideas and tap into our own collective gifts to start a new Twitter Chat now known as #Read4Fun.
#Read4Fun was born out of simple, sincere question. There is always a risk in asking a question and I am grateful for the invitation to connect, share and innovate with other educators. Twitter can be overwhelming and alienating at times. My three new comrades-in-reading have proven that all it takes is one question to spark a meaningful conversation and connection.
Our vision for #Read4Fun is for others to share the love of reading. The hashtag captures the essence of what we wish to accomplish for others. I am hoping you will be able to join us for the inaugural #Read4Fun Sparkchat on March 1 at 7:00 p.m. EST. There are many sparks awaiting your vision, belief and action. Join the conversation!