Authenticity is Key

I'm really enjoying this year's Connected Educator Month, and I must say that I wish as educators we could focus more on developing our skills through each other.  I'm finding that connecting with others in my department and school has really opened up my classroom to innovative ideas, and the students are really enjoying school.  

This past week our campus hosted the first ever Twitter chat for our school district.  We had over 30 educators participate in the inaugural chat, and some lively discussions were held under the "Student Engagement" theme.  It was awesome to hear the thoughts of elementary and middle school teachers, and see the camaraderie amongst the employees of the district.  A group of us even met up with the principal at school to make an event of it, and we left that night with goals that we hope to achieve this school year.  Even better, other schools were asking to host the chat at their campus.  It's so amazing to see everyone working to help each other out!  It's moments like this that I truly appreciate the district that I am lucky to call my home.

So, why even mention this event this week?  It's obvious ... I want to show off a bit, but more importantly, I think that it feeds perfectly into the question for this week's Connected Educator prompt:

How/when does a connection become authentic?

I believe that authenticity relies on the level of commitment a person chooses to display in regards to the issue at hand.  In the case of connectivity, it becomes authentic when an individual decides to make a conscious effort to maintain their level of communication.  It's both the simplest and most difficult thing to do because as teachers, we find it quite difficult to find enough time to keep the juggling act going every single day.  I find that at times I have to remind myself that if I hope to become the best teacher that I know I can be, then I must take the time to reflect on my teaching process and ask for assistance.  

The past couple of months have been somewhat stressful because I have chosen to teach in a completely new format.   By connecting with other teachers around the country, I have made a decision that I think is for the best of my students.  Despite the stress that comes with these changes, I also have a community of people that I can both vent to and to develop solutions.  So, while the stress is always present, it's the type of stress that let's me know that I'm making positive changes.

-A

Making the Connection

This past month has flown by so fast, and I can't believe that it's already October.  It just seemed that yesterday was the start of the Reflective Teacher Blog Challenge ... I've become so used to reflecting on various topics that last night I felt that I was missing out on something.  The great thing is that with the month of October we get to move into Connected Educators Month.  I'm sort of stoked about the ability to develop my PLN and brush up on my communication skills.

So as it turns out, blogging continues this month, but it may not be on a daily basis.  There will be at least one blog per week, because for Connected Educators Month, Thursdays have been designated for a blog reflection.  Yay!  This week's post topic was the following:

What does connected education look like?

When I think of the responses that could be used to address this question, I begin to realize that education is composed of multiple facets that are so interconnected.  The field of education relies on teachers and students connecting on a level that allows both groups to develop their kills and knowledge.  Connected education is based on COMMUNICATION.  Without the ability to communicate with others, we can never truly develop into the individuals we see ourselves as or aspire to be in the future.  Simply put, connected education is understanding that we can all learn from each other: teachers, students, administrators, and all those out in the world.

An education system that is connected with a community and parents allows for students to develop a stronger relationship outside of the classroom, but is still foster a learning community in the school.  Relevance is key in having students "buy into" the idea that their education is valuable and necessary.  I don't know how many times teachers have heard students say, "So, when am I actually going to need this?"  I think that when educators and students can make connections with the outside world, they are showing the value of an education as well as "keeping it real."

Ultimately, connected teaching relies on the teacher being open to the idea that there are others out in the world that may be of some assistance.  For too long have teachers relied solely on their skills as educators to determine the course of the classroom development, and it's about time that we look outside our classroom door for additional resources.  The amount of knowledge that is out there is up for grabs, and it's necessary that teachers begin to take advantage of making valuable connections with their colleagues, students, parents, and community.

-A