Category: Personal Learning Network

Originally published in August 2010

I arrive at school for a meeting with our CEO. I assume it is a meeting about the upcoming conference that I am holding at his school, ntcamp. I sit down and he begins telling me that our budget is in disarray and that my instructional technology position that I created and began implementing into the school needs to be cut out of the budget. This is sad news, however, I assumed I could still work as an instructional technology coordinator throughout the school while teaching my classes. I had basically assumed the role as ITC for the past year; helping teachers integrate technology with their curriculum. So, I figured I would be teaching the AP English Language and Composition and returning to my regular teaching duties (NOTE: I just returned back from the AP conference in DC. The School paid for the ticket). I created the syllabus and was in the process of submitting it to the College Board for approval and had also set up a summer reading network via a wikispace and blogger. Students were reading, responding to prompts, and then blogging about them. All of the blogs were linked to the wikispace and it was a well-oiled machine.

I ask what classes I will be teaching next year along with the AP courses. He responds with, “We are getting someone else to teach AP.” Wait….WHAT!? Why? This makes no sense. I have the most teaching experience in the English Department and now you are telling me that I can’t teach the course I created? Plus, I can’t teach at all?

In short, the school’s budget did not include the contract I had signed. I leave the office confused, upset, and bewildered. In a few short minutes I went from having two dream teaching positions to having nothing. I could not make sense of this. I told several colleagues that were in school that day teaching and their facial expressions said it all. No one could make sense of it. A few hours later another colleague of mine encountered the same shock and awe conversation. She was the History Department Chair and in my opinion, and most of the students’ opinion, one of the most well-respected and well-liked teachers in our building.

In the span of an hour my school said good-bye to seventeen years of teaching experience. They preferred to have brand new Teach for America teachers replace us. In the sports world this makes sense. You go with youth over experience (Jamie Moyer being the exception), but not in education.

Moving on…

I have started moving on from my former school and am in the process of seeking out the next path. This journey began on Saturday when I hosted and organized my first unconference at the same school that had just let me go. Not only did I speak positively about the school throughout the entire day, but I promoted their efforts and accomplishments. I have nothing bad to say about my school. They provided so many opportunities for me to grow as an educator and I feel I made a valuable contribution to advancing their curriculum and highlighting ways in which students and teachers can integrate technology more efficiently. I did not want to bring this news with me to ntcamp because I wanted ntcamp to shine like no other. I put every ounce of my energy into making ntcamp the best conference for all in attendance and I am already working towards the next version. ntcamp became my only focus and a welcomed distraction from reality.

If you are going to lose your job it helps to have a Personal Learning Network behind you to pick you up and get you back on track. I recognize the fact that many people are struggling with joblessness in our country and this can happen to anyone. The value and support of a PLN will only make this occurrence easier and reinforce that we are never in this business of teaching alone. It also helps to have a conference waiting for you that weekend where the majority of your PLN will be in attendance. I made a lot of great connections at ntcamp and learned a lot throughout the day. I sit back and smile at all the great comments that have been circulating about ntcamp and am truly excited for more unconferences throughout the year. Thank you to everyone who made ntcamp a shining example of how professional development and personal learning networks can create valuable learning for teachers and in turn benefit all of our students.

I’d first like to acknowledge UPS for this great slogan. Secondly, I would like to express my humble thanks to my personal learning network. Last Monday I lost my job due to budget constraints at my former charter school. It was both shocking and humbling. I was going into this school year with more enthusiasm than I can remember. I was going to teach AP English Language and Composition for the first time in my career and had assembled a stellar group of students that were working hard over the summer within the summer reading network I created. I was also assuming the duties of instructional technology coordinator for the school. This position was several years in the making and really came to fruition as a result of my experience working with Joyce Valenza, Ken Rodoff, and developing a blog and a presence on twitter. All of these components, plus the evolution of #edchat and so many great people in my PLN, provided me with the tools and know-how essential to integrating technology into a curriculum in a positive way.

And in the matter of a twelve minute conversation it was gone.

I struggled with breaking the news to anyone on the eve of the conference I was organizing, ntcamp, and wanted to enjoy that event as much as possible. Two days ago I wrote about my situation and put it out there to the world. The results were truly amazing and demonstrated the power and support of a personal learning network.

In the span of one day I received so many kind comments on my blog and via twitter. I also received job offers, and leads to positions. Just this morning I spoke with a principal who is on twitter. We discussed the possibility of me working for his district. This is the power of social media. This is the power of the Personal Learning Network.

We no longer live in a static, closed off society. Many think that engaging in social networks will cut you off from society and some just simply like it the “old fashioned way”. And that is fine, but to dispel the myths and connotations that social media is cutting oneself off from society is just simply ignorant. Social networks are positive environments that promote and provoking thinking about a plethora of subjects. In education, I have found more substantive professional development than I have ever received at any district or school that I have been a part of. I look forward to the day when we can receive credit, as educators, for participating in various twitter chats and forums.

However, I know my students have greatly benefited first hand from my presence on social networks. I have learned about great resources and websites that I can immediately implement into my classroom or can simply ask for an interesting writing prompt from my PLN. Our students drive social media and networks. They are a product of this generation just as much as some of us were a part of the radio generation, the TV generation, and the MTV generation. At one time even the post office was a new concept that connected people and took time, social networks are no different.

I really hope the myths and taboos can be removed from social networking and we can start to value the positive merits it offers. I can honestly say that I have gained so much from my PLN and will continue to grow and evolve with this medium until the next generation comes about.