“I’m not a Rock. I’m not an Island.”

Are you a rock-solid teacher?

Are you the type of person that can go into any teaching situation–no matter how challenging–and bring about positive change on your own? 

Not me. I thrive with a strong network.

The Value of a Strong Network

As I reflect on my successes, they’re all built on the work of others. I learned how to steadily teach students to acquire new vocabulary by watching an excellent Spanish language teacher do this. I learned appropriate ways of negotiating authority in Albania from Brunilda Kondi, a former Lincoln teacher and administrator. A major breakthrough in my attempt to foster critical thinking occurred after reading Dwight Atkinson’s articles on the subject.

Though Simon and Garfunkel’s 1966 hit “I am a Rock” makes for great music, it’s a lousy slogan for English language teachers. Learning to be connected with others is an important lesson for teachers. But it’s only one step in the right direction. What’s the next?

Using Your Network

Azeem Azhar, CEO of Peer Index asserts that what’s important is not how large your network is. Rather, what matters is what you do with it. You’ve got 1,000 friends on Facebook and 200 connection on LinkedIn, but what do you do with your network?

When’s the last time you solved a problem with a student using your network? When’s the last time you sat down with another teacher and said, “Look, something happened in class today, and I wasn’t sure how to respond.”

 Practical Tips

1. Sign up for a LinkedIn account. Then, add all the teachers and contacts you have to your network. 
2. Ask for help. I’ve been amazed at how many times friends in marketing, real estate and other non-profits have helped me solve issues that teachers face.
3. Start a blog. The best learning takes place when you try to teach someone else.

Are you a rock? An island? If not, what’s the best lesson you’ve learned from your network?

See you back next Monday!