This one’s for teachers. And for everyone else who can pass it on to teachers.

We’re a pretty passion-driven lot. We work with children to meet their vast array of needs because we want to make a difference, the biggest difference we can. Ready to face daunting challenges each day (the more we learn the more challenges we’re aware of), we’re fuelled by a desire to do good.

Well, for goodness sake, get connected.

I’ve downloaded a 60-page guide on Project-Based Learning from a tweet. Videos, blogs, articles, websites, people and resources directly valuable in my day-to-day and strategic work are regularly on my feed. I’ve had Twitter chats with teachers from around the world. Tweets sent during conferences include attachments that boost the learning for all exponentially. My experience isn’t special – it lies in wait for any teacher who gets connected and builds a network. No single conference, workshop or book can replace the quantity and breadth of daily learning that comes from a professional learning network on social media.

Teachers around the world have embraced social media, particularly Twitter, like no other profession. While classroom walls and traditional timetables continue to separate us physically, more and more teachers are reaping the benefits of an infinite number of colleagues from whom to learn. Gone are the days when you have to know everything, solve everything and create everything largely yourself.  We have always tried our best. With a much bigger knowledge base and tool kit than traditional professional development can ever provide alone, our best can now be much better.

If you’re a teacher and not yet connected, take the leap. Twitter stands out for efficiency and access to the largest number of educators and content. For the visually-inclined, check out Pinterest. Enjoy selecting the colleagues of most interest and relevance. No need to tweet. No need to post. Just learn.

I wish you a great school year. With a global professional learning network by your side, you’ll be on your way toward your best one yet.

Andrea Fanjoy,
Assistant Head, Academics
You can follow Andrea on Twitter @afanjoy.

Teachers wanting to learn more about Twitter should check out www.edudemic.com and their “Ultimate Twitter Guidebook for Teachers”.