Assignment 5: Professional Learning Network

After taking inventory of my PLN my conclusion is that I am in desperate need of expansion. I have some great connections locally, but in terms of branching across the state and even the country, I have some work to do. I think as a part of this class I have already begun to expand my PLN across the state. This has been one of the pieces I have really enjoyed about these AMS classes, the connections state-wide that doesn’t seem to happen in similar programs.

In terms of expanding my PLN across the nation, my steps are going to include more activity on social media and blogging, and looking into different conference opportunities where professional connections could be made. Looking forward, my goal is to check twitter and Feedly daily. This will help me stay in touch not only with what is happening in the world of education but keep me current on new ideas. Secondly, I am looking into professional organizations that would help me network with educational leaders at the state and national levels.

As NETS standard 3 states, we have a duty as educational leaders to then pass on our learning to our staff in a way that empowers them. This could be as simple as sending out a helpful or inspiring article that we came across, or as complex as organizing a professional development session on a new strategy. Other options include providing time at staff meetings for staff to share ideas, or even promoting technological leaders in your building to help staff discover new ways of doing things. Whatever it is we do, we have to, again, ensure that we are empowering educators so that they can enhance student learning.