Inspired by our Professional Learning Network (PLN)

I expected to just "lurk" in a new Twitter chat for me, #paesspchat, with true leaders in education. However, their stimulating conversation drew me right in!

Imagine if Ts took control of PD for themselves on their own we wouldn't have to sit through irrelevant PD meetings afterschool. #paesspchat
— Dennis Dill (@DennisDill) March 28, 2014

A4 We tell our story by having Ts visit other Ts classrooms and Tweet great things happening. See it at #bhstour #PAESSPCHAT
— David Geurin (@DavidGeurin) March 28, 2014

Schools no longer the gatekeepers to knowledge. Mobile devices and anytime, anywhere access to digital content demands change #PAESSPCHAT
— Rick Burkett (@RickB1) March 28, 2014

A4 Tech can help principals to share their school’s story and to brand their school #paesspchat
— Dr. Bill Ziegler (@DrBillZiegler) March 28, 2014

A6 - If you do not blog you are missing a HUGE opportunity to tell your story and share successes #paesspchat
— Eric Sheninger (@NMHS_Principal) March 28, 2014

I say to put control, choice and learning in the laps and minds of our Ss and empower them! #paesspchat
— Rik Rowe (@WHSRowe) March 28, 2014

Facilitated by Dr. Bill Ziegler, with a Guest Moderator of Eric Sheninger, the conversation of Digital Leadership was intriguing. Most participants in the chat were Principals, Assistant Principals and other schools leaders. It was refreshing to tap in to the minds of these visionary leaders as to the direction of education. The 3-27-14 #paesspchat archive is available. #paesspchat stands for Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals.

Saturday mornings would not be complete without the camaraderie and learning from our moderators Dr. Darin Jolly, David Culberhouse and Shelley Burgess in #satchatwc. The "wc" is for West Coast.

#satchatwc begins now for the next hour. "Motivational Strategies & Reflections for Educators" Please introduce yourselves
— Darin Jolly, Ed.D. (@drjolly) March 29, 2014

A5 No other profession has a greater impact on our future than that of an Educator - Make a Difference be an Educator #satchatwc
— Dr. Bill Ziegler (@DrBillZiegler) March 29, 2014

Yes, Rik. Learners First! @WHSRowe: Let's remember to honor the choices of our Ss while we empower them to make healthy ones! #satchatwc
— Darin Jolly, Ed.D. (@drjolly) March 29, 2014

Reading a lot from @ideo and @kelleybros as well as Pixar, Google, etc. to see how to engage more creativity, innovation. #satchatwc
— David Culberhouse (@DCulberhouse) March 29, 2014

A1 One important way is through connecting with all of you on Twitter. You all inspire & challenge me to be better. #satchatwc
— Travis Phelps (@TravisPhelps80) March 29, 2014

It's about serving…we were not put on this earth to just take, but to give, to give of ourselves and our strengths selflessly. #satchatwc
— David Culberhouse (@DCulberhouse) March 29, 2014

People become educators, not because they couldn't be anything else, but because they didn't want to be anything else. #satchat #satchatwc
— Nicholas A. Ferroni (@NicholasFerroni) March 8, 2014

Leaders sail the 7 C's: Communication Collaboration Critical Thinking Creativity Culture Choice Caring #satchatwc
— Rik Rowe (@WHSRowe) March 8, 2014

Need for educators & students to choose own tech learning adventure. Don't wait for PD to learn how to use hardware & software #satchatwc
— Jerry Blumengarten (@cybraryman1) March 1, 2014

This weekly learning or Professional Development (PD) encourages and empowers me with innovative thoughts and ideas for the week ahead with our inspirational high school students. I equate the time I spent in these valuable Twitter chats as my HW for the week. This weekly PD energizes me to become a better educator each week. Our students deserve our very best!

Finally, speaking of our students, I continue to learn from them each week. Whether it's during a class discussion, an after school face-to-face extra help session with a student or a clarifying question from a student during a written Formative or Summative Assessment, I am better learning how they learn. The more time I spend collaborating and communicating with our students, the better I find I can help to facilitate our learning. Each week, I'm learning alongside our students. This is mostly due to the culture of learning we have fostered built on relationships, trust, respect and a genuine willingness to listen to one another.

I am a very blessed and grateful educator. I dedicate this post to our students and our PLN that inspire me each and every week. Thank you ALL!