DDuring my first course in Digital Learning & Leading one of our discussions was about the importance of networking. It was also an assignment to join in on a few networks and then write about them, thus allowing even further networking among our class. I joined the following networks: Ag Teacher Buddies on Facebook , Ag Education Discussion Lab also on Facebook, VATAT, GroupMe and lastly the Office of Educational Technology. Most of my networks are strictly related to my content because that is mostly what I focus on.
The first two are Facebook pages that have a focus of sharing information for agriculture teachers, everything from lesson plans to complaining about stock show lines... (which I will validate as awful - I spent 7 hours in line and slept in a freezing truck for the San Antonio pig show). There is always a bountiful amount of information available and any possible question you might have can be answered here. The discussion lab helps facilitate discussion about labs and lab activities, and also a sharing of resources among Ag teachers - basically this one's more focused on content specific needs rather than anything and everything. There's also a google drive that correlates to both of these resources and shares tons of information on everything an Ag teacher needs. The next resource is the Vocational Agricultural Teachers Associations of Texas, which is an association for agricultural teachers. This particular resource is something invaluable to us ag teachers. The fee for membership is 100% worth every penny because it covers the cost of the annual conference that offers tons of professional development hours in curriculum, teaching methods and much, much more. The fee also covers legal representation up to a million dollars for any legal trouble as a teacher - basically they’re our union. The website also has plenty of resources available, and the site is where most job opportunities, and internships are posted. GroupMe isn't necessarily a resource but a tool that I use to keep up with my classmates from teaching block. We use this to ask questions and lean on each other as we go through our careers together. Every single time someone is unsure of something there is always one other classmate that knows the answer. I've actually been able to contribute to this resource a lot by answering a multitude of questions from my fellow rookie ag teachers. The other resource is something that I discovered recently and found to be an excellent resource for blogs about technology, and for technology resources, although you have to dig some. These resources are really good for someone that is struggling to implement technology into the classroom, as it has an article about technology infrastructure. I’ve used this resource a lot when it comes to the recent move to online school, and us now having to put hands on curriculum online and still make it engaging and meaningful to our students. I have been a part of the Facebook groups for quite some time now, and I can't give the networks and my newfound network, enough praise. One thing that I learned early on is that the best teacher isn't going to recreate the wheel, but is going to copy someone else's shiny new wheel - otherwise saying that teachers need to steal ideas to prosper. What I truly love about all of the great wealth of information that is available, is that not only can you take ideas, you can also give back, or alter the idea to fit your classroom. I will say with the networks I've joined, I've mostly consumed ideas for lessons, classroom management, and labs, but I haven't contributed really at all. I definitely try, but by the time I've spent time typing a paragraph - a wiser teacher has already summed up, posted, and replied to the original matter. So, as a new teacher I try to sit back and absorb all of the wealth, and find ways to improve it. However, as I move forward it's my goal to share my resources as I create them, so that I'm able to give back a portion of what the networks gave me. |
"Everyone you will ever meet
knows something you don't. " - Bill Nye |