So, why do we need a voice anyway?
Consume
When we first start connecting with other professionals, we are mostly consumers. We find ideas and inspiration, then seek to make those come to life in our own classrooms. All good things! Getting out there and looking for people and resources is an important part of our professional growth. It gives us lots of viewpoints – some good, some not so good – to use as we make our own way.
Curate
There's a lot of stuff out there! Once we find ourselves culling the herd of ideas, we need to start making decisions. It's time to curate. As yourself – What ideas fit into my teaching style and philosophy? Which ideas are best for kids and their learning? What culture am I trying to create in my classroom? Everyone has their own litmus test for determining the value of new resources.
Diversify your resources – Find people to follow on Twitter, blogs to read, websites to bookmark, podcasts to listen to, books to chat about, conferences to attend, colleagues to talk with, and many more. And don't underestimate that spontaneous conversation in the hallway with another teacher. Those informal talks can really put a spring in your step!
How will you organize your thoughts and resources? How will you synthesize all of these ideas so they can grow into your own thought and practice? This is where I should insert the perfect suggestion on how to best organize your thoughts, but I don't have one. Perhaps that's a blog for another day!
Create
Although you may be too humble to admit it, at some point, you're ready to give back. You've consumed, curated, and have emerged as someone who can pass along inspiration and ideas to others.
Consume
When we first start connecting with other professionals, we are mostly consumers. We find ideas and inspiration, then seek to make those come to life in our own classrooms. All good things! Getting out there and looking for people and resources is an important part of our professional growth. It gives us lots of viewpoints – some good, some not so good – to use as we make our own way.
Curate
There's a lot of stuff out there! Once we find ourselves culling the herd of ideas, we need to start making decisions. It's time to curate. As yourself – What ideas fit into my teaching style and philosophy? Which ideas are best for kids and their learning? What culture am I trying to create in my classroom? Everyone has their own litmus test for determining the value of new resources.
Diversify your resources – Find people to follow on Twitter, blogs to read, websites to bookmark, podcasts to listen to, books to chat about, conferences to attend, colleagues to talk with, and many more. And don't underestimate that spontaneous conversation in the hallway with another teacher. Those informal talks can really put a spring in your step!
How will you organize your thoughts and resources? How will you synthesize all of these ideas so they can grow into your own thought and practice? This is where I should insert the perfect suggestion on how to best organize your thoughts, but I don't have one. Perhaps that's a blog for another day!
Create
Although you may be too humble to admit it, at some point, you're ready to give back. You've consumed, curated, and have emerged as someone who can pass along inspiration and ideas to others.
- Share your classroom activities on Twitter. Pictures are worth a thousand words.
- Participate in a Twitter chat - not just as a lurker!
- Write a blog, and tell people about it.
- Create a website to share resources. Don't worry if they're not perfect.
- Present at a conference.
When creating, the most important things is that you find your voice - What are you passionate about? Sharing your passion allows you transform from being inspired to being inspirational. You don't always have to be epic to get people's wheels turning. Somebody out there wants to hear just what you have to say.
I personally have had a difficult time following my own advice. I do feel like I have something to say, but haven't taken the time to say it. Have a buddy. Encourage and challenge each other. Thanks to Melissa Voss and Kristen Bennett for being my buddies!
Take a chance. You can find your voice, too!
Take a chance. You can find your voice, too!
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