I started this blog weeks ago, and then I got busy…  I find this happens to me a lot and so my new goal for the next school year is to blog more regularly.  I have even put it as a weekly reminder on my phone.  Why? Because I think blogging (sharing with others, joining the conversation about education, reflecting on my practice, etc) is a really important part of who I am as a teacher and my professional growth.  So I pledge to do more of it over the summer and for the next school year. 

Side note: If you don’t have a professional blog yet, I highly recommend you start one.  It really is a wonderful way to reflect upon your teaching!

So, how does this tie into the blog I started earlier?  It does…I started writing about how I was lucky enough to have been invited to a professional development day called “Movers and Shakers” a little while back.  The guest speaker was George Couros and at one point during the day, he asked us a really great question:

“How do we foster innovation in our schools?”

He gave us a few minutes to chat at our table groups about this, and so I started asking everyone at my table, “Well, what is the most innovative/best thing you did in your classroom this year?”  I asked this because I believe that that is how we can foster and spread innovation of best teaching practice; share!    

This is nothing new, really.  We all know the benefit of and like to take a few minutes to chat in the hallway with our colleagues and share, but what has made my past year so amazing is that I no longer just share with people at my school, because I am on twitter.  Now, the world is my hallway!  It has made me a much better teacher!  I am trying things that I would not have even heard of before, if it weren’t for twitter. 

Which brings me to my list of the best things I did this year (inspired by George Couros' question & what this blog is really supposed to be about):

1. Genius Hour (click here to read more about that)  Passion Based Learning has changed how I look at education and is LOVED by all of my students.

2. Blogging with my students (click here to read more about that) and also starting and maintaining my own blog.

3. Joining twitter, building my PLN and meeting amazing educators who inspire me everyday.

So, chances are if you are reading this than you are probably already on twitter (I am assuming that is how you found this) but if you aren’t you have to sign up.  And then sign up 2 other teachers at your school.  Share the learning…because it really is a wonderful place for us all to encourage each other to be more innovative and share best teaching practice. 

So, that is what I leave you with—a mission—to get two new people on twitter, help them get set up and following some great educators!

#sherpapower, right George?