Professional Development Through Connections (Inquiry Blog #2)
My teacher colleagues and social media apps are where I often get resources, tools, and strategies to improve and develop my profession. What these resources have in common is that they involve connecting with other people. There is no better way to learn about teaching than from other teachers!
Teachers and teacher-librarians at your school are important people to connect with because they cater to the same school community as you and are accessible because they work in the same building. Admittedly, I was nervous to ask for help and intimidated by other teachers because I was a new teacher but during the pandemic, teachers of the same grade level reached out and we all connected and supported each other with online resources and technical challenges. This made me aware of how valuable your teaching community is and that everyone is still learning regardless of experience. I hope that at my next school I will continue to connect with teachers and together we can build engaging and effective learning experiences for our students. Also, the teacher-librarian will be someone who I will try to maintain good relations with because before beginning my Teacher-Librarian Diploma, I was not aware of the skills and resources that they are able to provide.
Social media is often perceived as narcissistic, brain-numbing, and not a very academic past time that is typically used by teenagers. However, searching for the appropriate topics will lead you to a vast amount of valuable resources. There is a community of educators, school districts, and academic resources who use Instagram to inform and engage. I use Instagram because this platform visually demonstrates what teachers across the globe are doing. Some users are not too far like A Pinch of Kinder who is a kindergarten teacher in Ontario.
Many Instagram teachers that I have come across are from the United States who often refer to their Common Core Curriculum. However, strategies for social-emotional learning, inquiry-based learning, hands-on learning, and technology tips are still relevant.
Through LIBE 477, I was continued to be encouraged to use social media to be aware of and develop my Personal Learning Network (PLN). Many educators and school districts use Twitter to post their student learning. A simple search in the search bar opened up the learning possibilities to a global scale.
During one of my professional development sessions, our district librarian came in to inform us of the resources that are available online through the school district. This was an optional Pro-D session but those who joined included not only newer teachers like me but teachers with many years of experience too. We were all learning about resources like Discovery Education and Tig Tag that can help with inquiry-based learning as well as gave us other resources related to the curriculum. This made me realize that reaching out to district librarians could open up to so many ideas as well!
As well, I have noticed that public libraries are excellent resources too. The Richmond Public library had kits on certain topics that you can take out. https://www.yourlibrary.ca/library-collection-for-kids/
Image courtesy of Pixabay
I am also able to connect with a group of friends who are teachers as well. We all teach different grade levels at different districts so sometimes it can be difficult getting ideas because we have different curriculum goals and student abilities. However, we would support each other in ways like professional development opportunity recommendations, assistance with technology, discussions of ethics and issues, as well as some resources for all ages. For example, my friend found UBC NutriKids, a local nutritional program that can be used across grades. https://ubcnutrikids.wixsite.com/home
Lastly, I think through blogging platforms like this would help me maintain connections with other teachers and teacher-librarians to gather more ideas and strategies to develop my knowledge and experience. I am able to see the perspectives of my fellow learners as well as reflect on my process as well.
References
KinsFarmMarket. (2013, February 5). Interview with the UBC Nutrikids. [Video]. Youtube. https://youtu.be/vMbiWTjjilo
Richmond Public Library. (n.d.). Library Collection for Kids. https://www.yourlibrary.ca/library-collection-for-kids/
Sloane, Y. [@apinchofkinder]. (2020, February 29). Bulletin boards are our jam We love displaying student voice and planning our our bulletin boards helps us to be [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/B9K_tPhg5b3/
UBC NurtiKids. (n.d.). Who We Are. https://ubcnutrikids.wixsite.com/home
Isn’t it amazing that sometimes it takes something like a pandemic to bring people closer together?! I noticed this both professionally and personally throughout this experience. I hope that you are able to build those networks at your new school and I think the Teacher Librarian would be a great person to get you started!
Hi Carmen,
I think you did a wonderful job covering all of the multi-media sources that you use to communicate and learn from peers. I appreciated your ideas regarding the library Pro-D that you attended. I will look up to see what a Tig Tag is! I like the idea that you use Twitter and find it a sound source for ideas.
Sincerely,
Lindsey
I find it so interesting how when we are new teachers we can be so nervous to ask for help (I was the same) since we seem to think we need to have all the answers. I did end up having a number of teachers offering to help even without having to ask. I have found that as teachers we love to see others succeed so there will always be someone who will offer to help (though sometimes we do have to ask to get specific help).
Instagram is what I use for connecting with others but I didn’t think of using it for resources too, great idea! I will have to look into more educators on there!
You have outlined a variety of good tools and strategies for continuing to grow your ICT skills. I have used Instagram in my personal life but am just starting to explore using it professionally. I do love the visual aspect of it and am starting to learn how powerful this tool can be in terms of continuing to build my PLN.