Although I have not belonged to a few of these networks for very long, I know that they will have a profound impact on clarifying my “why, what, and how” in my future within the education field.  It is vital that we are able to learn from one another, and have a safe environment to ask questions, and feel less alone in our pursuits. I believe that one of the most important aspects to work toward in our lives are our relationships.  Within our professional relationships, we need to be able to rely on one another and stay focused, motivated, and educated on the latest resources that will help maintain an authentic learning environment. Below is a list of networks that have already begun to transform my pedagogy, so it is my hope that you will find the same inspiration.

https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/  – an online community of teachers supporting each other through discussions ranging from pedagogy, technology integration, and “teacher soul.”

http://www.classroom20.com/ – This is a community with a forum, videos, social media presence, special interest groups, and articles committed to helping educators engage and inspire each other in their classrooms and professional environments.

https://engage2learn.org/ – The resources included in this network include PBL units, collaborative workspace with partner teachers, and coaching in best practices, professional ethics, and helping students “own” their learning. Engage2Learn is helps teachers understand how to give voice and ownership to their students and the learning process.  It also helps me clarify how to best use the COVA approach within my classroom and this program.

https://www.teachingchannel.org/ – I love this particular network because it is a good resource for teacher-created content related to specific questions and answers that teachers may encounter in their classrooms.  They are categorized by subject, topic, and grade level.

https://www.khanacademy.org/  –Khan Academy provides teachers with videos, lesson plans, and online assessments for students to engage in learning digitally.  It creates engaging strategies that my students have enjoyed.

https://www.edutopia.org/ –Edutopia is rich with resources that range from teacher development, technology integration, project based learning, and my personal favorite-social emotional learning.  I have found a vast array of social emotional learning tools to implement into my classroom to then build a safe space for my students to work through the anxiety and mixed emotions that follow trauma.

https://child.tcu.edu/resources/ -Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development provides a variety of resources related to child development, especially within the expertise of dealing with trauma.  When dealing with students who have a history with traumatic experiences, behavior management has to be much more individualized and sensitive.  As a teacher who has not only been able to utilize these resources within a classroom of children who deal with extreme behaviors, these resources encourage a holistic approach, so it is beneficial to all students, not just the students with a history of trauma.  The Institute lists helpful links based on your need such as videos, blogs, classroom management techniques, setting up a trauma informed classroom, social emotional resources, and workshops that teachers can join.  There is also a list of TBRI Practitioners in case a school would like to set up workshops for their teachers, and would like more information on Trauma Based Relational Intervention strategies.  I highly recommend checking out these resources.  Our school would not have survived this long had it not been for the TBRI workshop we attended through this organization.

As I reflect on whether or not I am more of a consumer or a contributor within these networks, I must say that as of now I am more of a consumer.  I tend to quietly navigate and collect my own resources partially due to being an introvert at heart, but know that it is important that I grow toward contributing to my fellow colleagues.  Technology has created a pathway to connect with other professionals that is not limited by geography any longer. I will be able to learn and lead people in other nations. It is exciting to think that I will receive a range of feedback as well as be able to contribute innovative ideas that span beyond what was previously possible.

The most shared resources I tend to provide to my fellow coworkers within my daily work environment relate to trauma based intervention, social emotional learning, behavior management, and how to create the foundation for a safe and significant learning environment.  I recently shared COVA briefly with my school’s administration to hopefully incorporate within the TBRI (Trust Based Relational Intervention) that we already implement within our specialized community. TBRI teaches intervention strategies in a similar way to COVA in which we offer choice and voice when helping a student own and work through their behavior.  

I look forward to contributing and learning within the DLL program as well as within my newfound learning networks.  It is exciting to join a community of innovative like-minded educators in which we will encourage, collaborate, fail-forward together, and provide a foundation for positive feedback.