Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Slice of Life - #nctechat

  I love participating in Slice of Life, started by Two Writing Teachers and writing a story, reflection, or musing at least once a week.


 
     On Sunday night, I co-hosted the #nctechat with Nicholas Provenzano (@thenerdyteacher) about summertime professional learning.  It was a whirlwind of a chat, just like most Twitter chats I've been a part of, but it was the first time for me to host one.  I was nervous, but Nick reassured me, and we prepared together.  He recommended Tweetdeck, which is DEFINITELY the way to go!  It makes participating in a chat a hundred times easier!  I'll write more about that in Sunday's Digilit post.  For now, I want to write about all the teachers across the country who continue to learn throughout the summer.
 
View image on Twitter
Tweeted by @EduNut
 
     Our first question was "Why would you choose to give up parts of your summer for professional learning?"  Answers started pouring in.   Here were some of my favorites:
- For me, I never look at it as "giving up" something.  I'm actually gaining something wonderful wit summer PD. - @thenerdyteacher
-  The learning never stops for me.  Learning=playing, in my world. - @ShawnaCoppola
- As a professed lifelong learner, I don't view it as "giving up" time; I love teaching and want to be the best I can for my kids. - @dashthebook
- If you're a teacher and not passionate about learning, then I worry you might not be in the right career path. - @BethShaum
- Teaching is a year round job.  Summer pd is a chance for me to better myself and my classroom practices. - @my4ccoa
- I can choose what inspires me.  Last summer, paid own way for a 3day Kelly Gallagher writing wkshp.  Best PD I've ever attended! - @sandyrotto
- It's the best time for me to pick an area to focus on to become my very best. - @ACommaQueen
 
     There are many, many more, and we went on to ask how teachers prioritize personal and professional learning, their  favorite PD opportunities. plans this summer, favorite PD books, and how they will implement their learning in the fall with students.  There were SO many passionate teachers sharing ideas and thoughts.  It was inspiring, and made me proud to be a teacher.  I hear sometimes that young people are being talked out of becoming teachers because of the "state of education today."  That breaks my heart.   When you join Twitter chats, attend conferences, read blogs, and books and meet all the amazing educators out there, you get a different understanding of the"state of education."  It is definitely something I want to be a part of, and I hope that anyone with a desire to teach is not talked out of doing so! 
 
     Thank you, Beth Shaum (@BethShaum) , for asking me to co-host this amazing chat, and thank you, Nick, for c0-hosting with me!  If you would like to go back and read the archive, just click here.
 
Thanks for the #nctechat As usually teachers sharing empowers us all. http://t.co/N7PUJYTVld
Tweeted by @DUBIOSEDUCATOR
 
@Teachr4 my room is being used for a writing camp so I brought home a bunch of my PD books. #nctechat http://t.co/g5GkuCxl59
PD books:  Tweeted by @CHERYLTEACHES
 
 
 
 
 
 

18 comments:

  1. I love the positive energy of Twitter chats about education. Nice work hosting!

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  2. I was sad to only catch the last few minutes of the chat. I so enjoy them! On vacation so have to do a little of everything :) Sounds like I missed a good one but I went back and reviewed what I missed. I did like that great quote! I'll have to check out tweet deck, I've seen a few people mention it now. I'll check out your post on Sunday :)

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    Replies
    1. Don't you love archives of chats? You can go and read them all at your leisure. :-) Glad to have you join us, even if it was only for a few minutes. :-)

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  3. Aren't twitter chats and online communities the best? I love continuing to learn and gain momentum as the year gets closer. I look forward to the change of pace when saying goodbye to students and being able to pick and choose what opportunities I feel I can connect to.

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  4. I just love summer for catching up on my own learning! Thank you for sharing the thoughts from your Twitter chat. Teachers are amazing!

    Jennifer
    Sweet Writing Life
    Mrs. Laffin's Laughings

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  5. Sorry I missed it, Holly, too much company around here! (Guess I shouldn't gripe, though.) It sounds like an amazing and inspiring chat. You're right, tweet deck is so good to use! Thanks for sharing some of your first chat-more coming?

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    Replies
    1. That's okay! Take a look at the archive. It was lots of fun.

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  6. This sounded terrific! I was tied up with some family stuff and was sad not to be able to participate, but I will definitely go back and read the transcript. Thanks for hosting this!

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome! Have fun reading the transcript. :-)

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  7. That was my first #NCTEchat. Thanks so much, and glad you like my "Longest Prep Period" cartoon!

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    1. Loved it!! Thanks for including it in the chat. :-)

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  8. Awesome first time experience for me. I'm looking for more opportunities.

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    Replies
    1. Be sure to join in on #titletalk with Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp on the last Sunday of every month at 8:00 EST. It's awesome! And of course, all the #nctechats. :-)

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