Iron Sharpens Iron

As individual educators we know our personal professional development needs. Today we are blessed to have access and exposure to a multitude of professional growth opportunities. Social Media has opened doors for us to learn, share, and grow as educators. We now have immediate access to Best Practices that we can comprehend, dissect, discern, then apply. We have our Professional Learning Networks to “bounce” ideas off of, to study alongside, and to cultivate professional friendships.

As a reflective practitioner, I look back on the traditional ways of learning and I see that it was beneficial. I am also reflecting on the way I am acquiring new knowledge today, and I have to admit that I prefer the personalized and immediate format and style of today’s PD.

Just a few ways to sharpen the iron…

EdCamp: The official “Un-Conference, the EdCamp experience will bring hundreds of educators together for a single day event. Where else can you get breakfast, lunch and over a hundred breakout PD sessions in a single day? All for free!

Twitter Chats:  If you have yet to take advantage of the Twitter Chat PD, now is the time to jump in. Chats are informal ways where we can learn and share with like-minded educators. In addition, is it also vital to our learning to dialogue with those who may not hold the same opinion, belief or educational practice.  Here is an extensive chat list compliments of: @Cybraryman1

https://sites.google.com/site/twittereducationchats/education-chat-calendar

Professional Learning Network (PLN):  This network will help expand the breadth and depth of your personalized learning. Join or create a PLN today.

Traditional Conferences: Although some may refute the need for local, state, and national conferences, they (in their own design) can bring a large number of educators together who possess a single focus.   I just returned from attending the Midwest Education Technology Conference (METC). I will be able to take back so much information to my school and district.

Shout Outs are in order for:

·         My Moderating Teams- #MOedchat (ModSquad) and #PTchatModerating team.

·         My Voxer PLNs- MO ModSquad, PTcamp, Leading in the Middle, and PTChat Moderators),   

·         Chats: #MOedchat and #PTchat

·         Midwest Education Technology Conference (METC)  

As “Iron sharpens Iron one man sharpens another” so we must continue to move forward on our journey and continue with the vital responsibility to “sharpen each other”. Make it a great day or not, the choice is up to you!