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Professional Learning Network

Professional Learning Network 

     I have recently been working on building my Professional Learning Network. I quickly learned the importance for teachers to not only have useful resources, but to have their own “network” of fellow educators. It has been amazing to see how much I have learned in the little time I have been networking. It has helped me become a better teacher.

In my previous class I had to create a professional twitter page. After diving deeper into my PLN, I found amazing education accounts to follow, here are some that I am following...





(Image Source: All Personal Photos)


     When I became more proactive with my PLN I realized Twitter is a beneficial resource. All of the organizations I follow post so many research articles and activities. I have read so many insightful articles and I have found many resources that I can use in my classroom. One resource that impacted me was Why Diverse Classroom Libraries Matter. The article begins with the video below of a second grade teacher, Natalya Gibbs reading to her class. She said that at her school, Reach Academy in Oakland California, nearly all students are students of color. She comes up with an important concept titled, "mirrors and windows" to explain why diverse libraries matter. 
(EduTopia Youtube Video)


     Gibbs tries to ensure that her classroom library provides a "mirror" for her students so that they students have the opportunity to have books where they can see characters and themes that reflect their identities and experiences. It is important for students to see themselves in what they read. She then goes on to explain the importance of "windows." She said that once students can see themselves, it is vital that they are then exposed to characters and stories that are different than them. The "windows" into the lives, customs, and beliefs of others so that when they grow up, they are able to understand, work with, and care about all different kinds of people. 
     This year this was something I started to focus on. I wanted to revamp my classroom library to include books that display diversity. Even though I teach Math, I wanted to have a classroom library that my students can enjoy reading from. I started doing my research and bought some books. Below are some of the books I ordered. To my surprise these were the first books off the shelf. Every student picked a book off the shelf that they connected with. It opened my eyes to how important this is! I look forward to building my diverse classroom library. 
(Image Source: Personal Photo)

Twitter Chat
     I first heard of Twitter chats in my previous class, Social Media and Emerging Technologies. My Twitter handle is @AlamoMrs. I participated in many Twitter chats and quickly learned how informative they are. I participated in a Twitter chat Wednesday evening at 6pm titled #edtechmath. Math teachers chat about effective ways of using technology and tools. Here are some screen shots of the chat using Twitter deck. 










(Image Source: All Personal Photos)

     This Twitter chat was different than the previous ones I have participated in because I was the one providing resources. Usually I am the one receiving resources, but this time I was giving advice. It was nice to be on the opposite end of it this time because it helped me realize that I am doing positive things in my classroom. Sometimes as teachers we get caught up in always trying to do better than we never acknowledge the things we are doing well! This chat helped me realize that using google classroom, Prodigy, and Nearpod have been great ways to include tech into math. I also learned about a new website called Sushi Monster to help with math fluency, which is an aspect I want to work on. Twitter chats have always been beneficial to me and my teaching! I think every educator should be a part of one. It has helped me grow my PLN. I will continue to participate in them. 

Here are more resources I found Useful
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