Kentucky Connected Educator Brooke Whitlow

Brooke Whitlow Hardin County

In what ways are you a connected educator? 

After attending the AMLE conference in November 2013, I began to connect with educators across the nation through Twitter. I started participating in weekly Twitter chats on #edtechhat and #flipclass. I found #kyedchat in January of 2014 and became an active participant. My professional learning community started with professional connections on Twitter and have grown to become friends. My PLN and I are co-organizing the first EdCampKY and are frequent presenters at conferences around the state. 

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

How does being connected NOT impact my practice in my classroom?Almost every day, every lesson, every question I have in my classroom I refer to a chat, a conversation or a message from my PLN on Twitter or Google Plus.  The innovation and creativity I have brought to my classroom is a direct result of my connectedness. 

How does being connected impact you as a professional?

I have a sounding board, a community of people who understand, and who are willing to give feedback and advice. They have helped stretch me outside of my comfort zone and try new things in my classroom that I never imagined I would or COULD do. 

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

Don't hesitate to get involved. At first it is daunting. Start with a small Twitter chat first to get the feel before jumping into a big one. Don't be afraid to hit the FOLLOW button. Learn from as many people as possible. Reach out to others!! 

Bio: Born and raised in Hodgenville, Kentucky, the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, Brooke has always had a passion for history….especially Abe Lincoln. It was no surprise she started her career in education as an 8th grade American history teacher. She never thought she would find a greater passion than history until she began her graduate work at Western Kentucky University, where she focused on instructional technology.  During her coursework at WKU, she began seeking grant opportunities to provide technology funding for her classroom. After being selected as a model classroom for 1:1 iPad technology in her district, she was asked by administration to write a new curriculum for a Technology Education course at her school, East Hardin Middle. Brooke is passionate about providing a technology rich environment for her students, while focusing on student engagement and authentic learning. She frequently presents at conferences on her passions and is very active with her PLN on #KyEdChat. Recently, she took her passion straight to the White House where she talked with US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden at a round table discussion with 19 other educators from across the nation. Currently, Brooke is enhancing her Technology Ed course with the addition of a career focused Maker Space and establishing herself as a leader in the Tech Ed and Maker Space community through her professional resource site at BrookeWhitlow.com. When she isn’t teaching, planning, talking or thinking about educational technology she enjoys spending time with her husband Joey and two children Grant and Vivian. She enjoys running, reality TV, sushi and knitting.

Kentucky Connected Educator Month Day 5

 

 Nannette Johnston and team

Hardin County Schools

In what way (s) are you a connected educator?

I really view myself more as a life-long learner that uses technology as the means to stay in touch and grow personally and professionally.  I am currently connected through Twitter, Facebook (district only) LinkedIn and other professional onboarding tools. 

 

How does being connected impact your practice?  

Being connected has really become a necessity in keeping up with constant change in education.  I am definitely not a “techy” person but I enjoy learning.  I know that in order to learn I must be entrenched and actively involved in my own learning.  Through reading and research I have learned that the level of implementation in a school and district (especially in the area of technology) depends on the leader.  The best way to raise the “technology leadership lid” of our administrators is to use technology as a tool in our work.  I believe technology should not be a stand-alone novelty.  It should be a natural part of “how” we do our work.  It is important for me to model this belief through my work with the administrators in our district. 

Last year, we embraced this philosophy beginning with paperless meetings.  We have a Wikispace that we use for all of our administrative leadership meetings.  We house all notes and support articles on this site for use during our meetings.  Throughout the meeting we also use Today’s Meet so our administrators can comment and ask questions.  Each month we have a section on our agenda called “techy tips”.  One of our principals that has attended several technology trainings shares various apps that are useful.  She also shares ways to use technology as a means of organizational efficiency and personal learning.  Last year, one of our “techy tips” was on how to set up a Twitter page.  At follow-up meetings, our administrators share examples of how they have used the tip from the prior month.  This year, we have added a hash tag (#hcsisd) site to share pictures and ideas that are occurring in classrooms across our district.  Our “techy tip” during the month of March and April last year was an introduction to Lync. We used March to introduce this tool and April to practice the implementation with hands-on opportunities.  Our May administrative meeting was held remotely with each person remaining in their school and work station throughout the district.  Our last meeting this year will be another Lync meeting.  We are also beginning to have “mini meetings” throughout the district via Lync.  In addition, many of my staff messages are recorded and then video-streamed to our staff. 

How does being connected impact you as a professional?

Being connected has helped me to continue to grow as a professional but modeling the act of continuous learning through technology has helped others grow as well.  As the district leader, it is rewarding to see what is modeled in our monthly meetings being replicated at the school level with principals and teachers.  Now, several of our principals rely on a Wikispace within their school as a way to organize, connect and share with their staff.  As far as my personal professional growth, I have moved from the stage of exploration to a stage of exploring and sharing.  I have set a personal goal to share what I have read or ideas I’ve seen in the classroom through Twitter.  I enjoy this mode of learning because I can access information it in small chunks.  My time is very limited; therefore, when I do have a free moment, I feel like I must manage the down time.  Being connected has helped me make the most of every single minute by being a continuous learner anytime and anywhere.  

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

Start with exploring.  Set up a Twitter account, connect to people that will help you grow and set a goal to read the posts several times a week.  Move from reading to re-tweeting articles and ideas of professional interest.  The ultimate goal is to increase the depth of use by creating and sharing with others.  As you become connected on Twitter, you will naturally grow and increase the number of professional connections.   

 Nannette Johnston is the superintendent of Hardin County Schools.