Kentucky Connected Educator Day 31

Representing the Center for Teaching Quality (CTQ) and serving as Kentucky's first Teacherpreneur...

Ali Wright

Lafayette High School

Fayette County Public Schools

In what ways are you a connected educator?

Being a connected educator to me means that you are "blowing off the doors of your classroom." When I began teaching 13 years ago In Hampton, Virginia, teacher life was pretty isolating. I taught in one of those 70's- era schools with no walls, and even though I thoroughly enjoyed our shared office/workroom because it provided us the opportunity to collaborate on a daily basis, but it was pretty much a solitary gig. I remember looking forward to the annual district event called "Winter Numberland" that for one afternoon, gave me an opportunity to learn from and interact with all of the math teachers in the district, which was amazing! And now, in 2013, I can have daily interactions with teachers from all over the world! Although I just started blogging this year, Twitter is my main source of connected-ness. I love having a Professional Learning Network that challenges my thinking and provides me with new ideas and  instructional materials.  I also enjoy participating regularly in EdWeek's Teaching Ahead: A Roundtable, which is an awesome discussion forum that focuses on a new topic each month.  (Check out the most recent discussion- about online PD- here.)  Most importantly, I love being a part of CTQ's Collaboratory, which is populated by some of the smartest educators from all over the world.  

How does being a connected educator improve your practice?

Anytime I am able to talk "shop" with other teachers, I learn new things. Being a connected educator means that these conversations go beyond the copy room at my school, which as a result means that my practice is constantly evolving and improving. Just the other day, I saw a Tweet from one of my AP Calculus colleagues from another state that I then used as a warm-up for my class.  

How does being a connected educator impact you as a professional?  

I can't even begin to imagine what my professional life would look like right now if I was not a connected educator. Just three days ago, I participated in a webinar about Common Core Math Standards that allowed me to engage with teachers from all over the country.  Opportunities like this are transformative for me because I feel like I am part of an education movement that is so much bigger than my classroom, school, and district. Working with other teachers- whether from my home office in my pajamas or at a conference halfway around the world in Singapore-inspires me professionally.  Knowing that I am connected virtually to other teachers helps me see the big picture, and gives me the courage to speak up for my profession in any way that I can.  For example, last week I testified to a legislative committee about school funding in our state capitol. Knowing that my PLN had my back was the push I needed to work through my personal anxieties and speak from my heart.

What advice or resources do you recommend for teachers becoming connected?  

Start small.  The virtual educator world can be overwhelming! Try a Twitter chat (#kyedchat is a great one!) or simply start following a few supersmart fellow educators.  Some of my favorites to follow are: @notbradclark, @AkaMsCrowley, @SherriRMc, @TeachingChannel, @KatieNovakUDL, @kastidham, and @WorldLillie.

Think about what it is that you are passionate about as an educator (for me, it's all about math content!) and search for those networks first.  If you are looking for a great virtual community that has lots of great discussions and resources, try the Collaboratory.  (We even have our own teacher-only KY space!)    

Read a few  teacher blogs (there are so many great ones!) and then comment to keep the conversations going.  Two of my go-to's are Bill Ferriter and The JLV.  

Ali Wright is a National Board certified math teacher at Lafayette High School in Lexington, KY who is thrilled to be working in a teacher leadership hybrid role this year as a Center for Teaching Quality teacherpreneur.  Ali also enjoys spending time with her husband of 4 months and their dog and 3 cats, reading novels, playing handbells, and watching reality TV.  

Don't stop reading yet!  There's a fun book giveaway...

In her role as teacherpreneur, Ali works to connect teachers to services from CTQ.  One of the CTQ founders wrote the book Teacherpreneur, and Ali is giving away a copy.  

Enter for a chance to win by answering the question:  

What is the best thing you learned during Connected Educator Month?  

Tweet your answer using the hashtag #cemtaughtme

Tweet by midnight EST November 4, 2013
Ali will choose the best response and notify the winner by November 8, 2013

Ali celebrating Pi day with cake