It doesn't seem possible that I have only been connected, via twitter and blogging, to a PLN for just over a year. One year ago, March 2013, I posted my first tweet. From there, I expanded my use of twitter and began following people I sincerely admired in the field of education. In just one year, the use of twitter (and my PLN) has allowed me so many opportunities. Here are some of the highlights of this past year:
1) Bringing @PeterMDeWitt to my school to speak on creating a more inclusive environment for students. It was an amazing presentation that I believe impacted thinking in my district. (Even if he did call me out for being a twitter stalker in front of the entire faculty...it was worth it.)
2) Presenting at a statewide conference for the first time and meeting many members of my PLN. This includes @VictoriaL_Day!
3) Facilitating three online book study sessions for Mindset with Dr. Shawn Hunziker. Each time we host a session, we learn just as much (maybe even more) as the participants do. In March, @Shawn4236 and I were also invited to present a keynote (our very first!) on the topic and how the work can relate to Special Education Administrators. That's where I met @CHutchinsCheryl for the first time.
4) Another event in March, had me in Syracuse, NY, to attend the Digital Leadership Conference hosted by @SAANYS. This was inspiring PD and provided the opportunity to meet even more members of my PLN including @TonySinanis, @ChristinaMLuce, @OVSuptHughes, and THE @NMHS_Principal (Eric Sheninger). Remembering dinner together that night, all around the hibachi table, still brings smiles to my face.
5) And still another big deal, for me, in March was a guest blog for @PeterMDeWitt's blog, Finding Common Ground. Through discussions with him, I have grown more confident and inspired. Being given the opportunity to write about my own experience was a selfless act of support from Peter. He's the one that inspired me to start my own blog and to use it to find my own voice as leader. He likely has no idea the impact he has had on me as a leader and a mother.
6) Hosting a Skype call with Rick Wormeli and my school's Shared Decision Making Team. Some members of my staff still mention the call and take aways from our conversations with him. His time with us helped us reshape our homework policy and planted seeds around assessment moving forward into next year. I mean, who gets to talk to Mr. Wormeli on the phone? WE DID!
There are certainly more highlights from this year and many more not connected to twitter use. But, I am certain that I would not have had the opportunities presented to me this year if I had not become a connected leader.
Further, I am quite sure I would not have found my voice and those of others that have served as my weekly inspiration! Through my almost weekly participation in #satchat and my consistent reading of inspiring blogs, like @Jonharper70bd's, my skills as a leader have been enhanced.
I would be nowhere near the leader I am today without these connections. What a difference a year makes.
1) Bringing @PeterMDeWitt to my school to speak on creating a more inclusive environment for students. It was an amazing presentation that I believe impacted thinking in my district. (Even if he did call me out for being a twitter stalker in front of the entire faculty...it was worth it.)
2) Presenting at a statewide conference for the first time and meeting many members of my PLN. This includes @VictoriaL_Day!
3) Facilitating three online book study sessions for Mindset with Dr. Shawn Hunziker. Each time we host a session, we learn just as much (maybe even more) as the participants do. In March, @Shawn4236 and I were also invited to present a keynote (our very first!) on the topic and how the work can relate to Special Education Administrators. That's where I met @CHutchinsCheryl for the first time.
4) Another event in March, had me in Syracuse, NY, to attend the Digital Leadership Conference hosted by @SAANYS. This was inspiring PD and provided the opportunity to meet even more members of my PLN including @TonySinanis, @ChristinaMLuce, @OVSuptHughes, and THE @NMHS_Principal (Eric Sheninger). Remembering dinner together that night, all around the hibachi table, still brings smiles to my face.
5) And still another big deal, for me, in March was a guest blog for @PeterMDeWitt's blog, Finding Common Ground. Through discussions with him, I have grown more confident and inspired. Being given the opportunity to write about my own experience was a selfless act of support from Peter. He's the one that inspired me to start my own blog and to use it to find my own voice as leader. He likely has no idea the impact he has had on me as a leader and a mother.
6) Hosting a Skype call with Rick Wormeli and my school's Shared Decision Making Team. Some members of my staff still mention the call and take aways from our conversations with him. His time with us helped us reshape our homework policy and planted seeds around assessment moving forward into next year. I mean, who gets to talk to Mr. Wormeli on the phone? WE DID!
There are certainly more highlights from this year and many more not connected to twitter use. But, I am certain that I would not have had the opportunities presented to me this year if I had not become a connected leader.
Further, I am quite sure I would not have found my voice and those of others that have served as my weekly inspiration! Through my almost weekly participation in #satchat and my consistent reading of inspiring blogs, like @Jonharper70bd's, my skills as a leader have been enhanced.
I would be nowhere near the leader I am today without these connections. What a difference a year makes.
wow Lisa... love reading about all these highlights!
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