Kentucky Connected Educator Kip Hottman

Kip Hottman Spanish Teacher Oldham County

In what ways are you a connected educator?

During the 2013-2014 school year I became aware of the importance of being a connected educator in as many ways as possible.  Throughout the first ten years of teaching my only connections were in my department, my school, and networking at an occasional Kentucky World Language Association (KWLA) conference.  Stepping outside of the classroom has truly transformed my philosophy of what it means to be a teacher.  Initially, I became connected by taking a chance and applying for a fellowship with the Hope Street Group (HSG) here in Kentucky.

After becoming a Hope Street Group fellow, I immediately recognized the importance of Twitter.  It was absolutely life changing!  I was introduced to a new and exciting world of which I previously knew nothing about.  I saw the same names connecting daily and I quickly engaged these professionals through daily collaboration.

Through the HSG and Twitter, I learned of important organizations throughout KY that advocate for education.  I was able to connect with the Center for Teaching Quality (CTQ) and become trained as a Virtual Community Organizer (VCO).  This extended my virtual network to two different platforms (HSG Virtual Engagement Platform and CTQ Collaboratory) where I currently meet to discuss deeper issues surrounding policy and other educational issues outside of Twitter.

I joined a committee through The Fund for Transforming Education in KY and helped write a grant in order to host a regional Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teachers and Teaching (ECET2) conference in Louisville.  It was an amazing experience because I was finally able to reach out to all of my connections from Twitter, CTQ, and the HSG and help plan an extremely productive Professional Development.  I reached out to the connections that I had made throughout the school year and invited some fantastic speakers to the ECET2.  Before the 2013-2014 school year I would not have been able to do this which, in my eyes, reinforces the importance of taking a chance and stepping outside of the classroom.

How does being connected impact your practice in schools/classroom?

The main way that being connected impacts my classroom is through the never-ending collaboration in which I am now involved.  After participating in one #kyedchat, I realized that @mrpiercEy (Donnie Piercy) had opened a new world that allowed KY teachers instant Professional Learning from any location.  The old PD of the past was gone, replaced with a new and innovative manner of collaboration.  

How this connection directly impacts my classroom is best explained through one of my lessons this past year.  I was trying a new app with my first block class in March and my lesson “crashed and burned”!  I needed some advice, and immediately reached out to Twitter (#kyedchat) with a question about best practice.  I received three responses within 15 minutes and was able to tweak my lesson for my third block class, so powerful!

I also need to include that as a World Language Teacher, connecting globally is of utmost importance, and our WL department works directly with an impoverished school in San Juan Alotenango in Guatemala.  We have led a fundraiser every year since 2010 helping to fund rent, food, electricity, teacher pay, and various supplies that the students need.  This connection impacts my students by developing their cultural sensitivity and awareness which is often difficult to authentically create in the classroom.

How does being connected impact you as a professional?  

Being connected as a professional allows me to advocate for the teaching profession and search for solutions-focused ways to help elevate teacher voice.  For example, I made my first connection to legislation because of the HSG this past January.  I traveled to the capitol during one of our many snow days with the director of education and mobilization for the HSG and another fellow for a legislative lesson.  Upon arrival, I witnessed Senate Bill 16 (Computer Programming as a World Language) being introduced and saw the lack of teacher voice as the bill passed within 7 minutes.  Because of the HSG, I had been working on forming a Professional Learning Network (PLN) throughout the state, and one of my PLNs was a group of about one hundred World Language Teachers.  I was able to connect within two hours after learning about SB16 and start some conversation around the topic with teacher voice.

Because of becoming a connected educator, I was invited to serve as a member of the Teaching Advisory Council for the Gates Foundation.  The invitation was an honor and it provided me the opportunity of stepping outside of KY to work with a group of Teacher Leaders from around the country face to face twice a year.  Because these teachers are Teacher Leaders, we continue the conversation and connect virtually focusing on educational issues through blogging, edchats, conference calls and webinars.

What advice or resources would you recommend to colleagues interested in becoming connected?

I would recommend first finding your passion.  What is it about education that moves you?  Is it policy, technology, teacher voice, professional learning, etc…?  Once you find your passion, look for as many ways to become connected.  I recommend starting with Twitter and other Virtual Engagement Platforms (i.e., Hope Street Group VEP or CTQ Collaboratory) because you will quickly connect with others who share your same passion.

Learn what organizations exist in your state (and nationally) in which you can become involved to learn more about your passion.  There are fabulous educators at all corners of the state advocating for education and educators.  These groups want to hear your voice and they want you to become involved.

Move up the ladder of engagement and don’t settle for forming a couple of connections.  Reach out and continue the conversation in a deeper more meaningful manner.  Share what you learn and motivate others to believe in their voice.  Persuade them to become involved by sharing your story and your passion.

Finally, believe that becoming connected and using your voice can create positive change directly impacting what you love.  I read the following quote last year and it immediately reinforced why I need to be involved and continue to connect locally, nationally, and globally.  Let me know what you think….

“I always wondered why someone didn’t do something about that.  Then I realized that I am someone.”


Want to participate in Connected Educator Month? Consider: 

• Following our blog daily where we will highlight a different educator each day in October
• Adding tips and resources to a shared Google folder