A Professional Learning Network is an important aspect of keeping motivated and inspired in the classroom. Belonging to a variety of teaching communities helps me learn about new angles on education and problem solving even before I encounter those challenges myself. It helps me recognize my place in the bigger picture and share experiences with people who can understand the pressures and rewards first hand.
I recommend LinkedIn as a starting point. You can see my personal profile, here. I'm a member of the Substitute Teachers Network and the British Study Network on LinkedIn and also follow a number of education-related news groups and associations like the Economist, TedTalks, the Halifax Regional School Board (HRSB) and the South Shore Regional School Board (SSRSB). I have a number of friends in the HRSB and abroad who are veteran teachers (and creative ones) that I consult with about lessons and their viability.
I also recommend a good collaborative umbrella-organization like The History Education Network (THEN/HIER) There is no membership fee, though it takes a week or two for them to review your application. The site is very well designed and there are lots of resources and opportunities for communication.
I'm a member of the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE) and I'm on their Research and Evaluation LISTSERV and International Student Education LISTSERV. They do not charge a membership fee, but will request examples of past research that will be published to your public profile page if accepted. The mailing application is a separate process and gives access to thousands of members simultaneously with a single email. These are Professors, Teachers, and Researchers in all manner of professional engagement in schools and universities all over the world.
I follow a number of relevant Twitter groups for interesting insights, I receive newsletters from the Nova Scotia Social Studies Teachers Association and keep up with mental health news. As a former steering committee member of the Mental Health Coalition of Nova Scotia, their mailings keep me in touch with new developments in that community as well. Each of these pieces is a valuable part of keeping me connected to a rapidly transforming education system. It can be difficult to navigate without connections like these.
I recommend LinkedIn as a starting point. You can see my personal profile, here. I'm a member of the Substitute Teachers Network and the British Study Network on LinkedIn and also follow a number of education-related news groups and associations like the Economist, TedTalks, the Halifax Regional School Board (HRSB) and the South Shore Regional School Board (SSRSB). I have a number of friends in the HRSB and abroad who are veteran teachers (and creative ones) that I consult with about lessons and their viability.
I also recommend a good collaborative umbrella-organization like The History Education Network (THEN/HIER) There is no membership fee, though it takes a week or two for them to review your application. The site is very well designed and there are lots of resources and opportunities for communication.
I'm a member of the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE) and I'm on their Research and Evaluation LISTSERV and International Student Education LISTSERV. They do not charge a membership fee, but will request examples of past research that will be published to your public profile page if accepted. The mailing application is a separate process and gives access to thousands of members simultaneously with a single email. These are Professors, Teachers, and Researchers in all manner of professional engagement in schools and universities all over the world.
I follow a number of relevant Twitter groups for interesting insights, I receive newsletters from the Nova Scotia Social Studies Teachers Association and keep up with mental health news. As a former steering committee member of the Mental Health Coalition of Nova Scotia, their mailings keep me in touch with new developments in that community as well. Each of these pieces is a valuable part of keeping me connected to a rapidly transforming education system. It can be difficult to navigate without connections like these.