That may sound strange, considering the following:

• I generally hate social media.
• I joined that Facebook thing all you kids talk about all the time, then decided it was a waste and deleted my account.
• When I first heard about Twitter, I thought, “Who cares what Bieber had for breakfast?!”
• I didn’t start texting until 2009. When I was 27. I know, I know! Crazy, right?
• I like complete sentences, decent grammar, and punctuation.

But literally, Twitter changed my life.

Somewhere around the beginning of 2013, I started using Twitter to connect with other math teachers. I ended up in this crazy-wonderful community that calls itself the mathtwitterblogosphere (MTBoS, for short). I’ve always had amazing colleagues at my small school, but usually on the order or one or (if I was lucky) two other math teachers across the entire JH and HS staff.

When I hopped on Twitter, I suddenly found myself in a community of dozens (rather, hundreds) of folks who were as nerdy and weird and interested in getting better at this teaching thing as I was. I loved it. I still do.

In fact, I’m pretty well convinced that jumping into this community (whether by starting a blog, getting more active on Twitter, or both) is among the best ways to supercharge your teaching, whether we’re talking skills or passion or enjoyment.

Anyway, that’s my rambling attempt to convince you that you should consider jumping into this mix of mathy folks.

And thanks to some amazing MTBoS folks, there’s a pretty sweet guide to getting started right here:

https://exploremtbos.wordpress.com/2015/10/18/a-new-exploration/

So whether you’re brand new to the MTBoS, a dabbler who wants to dive a bit deeper, or a grizzled veteran looking to help others with their first steps, give that link a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Hey #MTBoS, can you give me 140 characters on how Twitter impacts your teaching life? Gathering responses to share with teachers tomorrow.

— Michael Fenton (@mjfenton) July 13, 2015

I found the responses both inspiring, and a refreshing reminder of why I love spending time in this space. I thought I’d share the responses here, either to encourage you with a reminder of why you spend time here as well, or in an effort to draw you into the fun.

Enjoy:

@mjfenton makes me feel like I’m not alone in the frustrating times. Allows me to share success in the good times. Always someone to help me

— casey (@cmmteach) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton When you can’t get that satisfying collaborative/supportive vibe from your face-to-face colleagues, then #MTBoS.

— Chris Robinson (@absvalteaching) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton gives me new ideas and connects me with other great educators

— Mike Bosma (@mbosma8) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton The #MTBoS community is great way to find resources & activities as well as positive, creative, engaged & reflective teachers 1/2

— Ann Arden (@annarden) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton In addition, the cross-jurisdictional conversations can be eye-opening, inspiring and affirming. 2/2

— Ann Arden (@annarden) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton from blog posts to new resources to shoulders to lean on, the #MTBoS has done more for my career than any course, PD, or training.

— John Stevens (@Jstevens009) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton reminds me the humanity we all have and allows us to connect thru shared experiences

— Megan Schmidt (@Veganmathbeagle) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton I hear about new practices before they become “research-based best practices.” #MTBoS

— Lane Walker (@LaneWalker2) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton I can always find someone who has the same questions (and possibly answers) that I do! #mtbos

— Jessica Borah (@JessicaBorah) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton collaboration w/ people in same mind set, ideas for enhancing current teaching, suggestions for taking teaching to the next level

— Katie Reneau (@klreneau) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton Creates a community which is not only professional & encourages best practice but is inclusive, warm, & welcoming. Keeps me sane.

— Wendy Menard (@wmukluk) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton nothing has accelerated my teaching faster than finding a group of people dedicated to the cause of math classes that don’t suck

— Jonathan (@rawrdimus) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton I can come to the #MTBoS any time that works for me, & I’ll find provocative questions & ideas about teaching, great puzzles, fun.

— Julie Wright (@msjwright2) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton Twitter serves as a source of ideas, encouragement, and feedback on teaching that spans virtually every time zone. #MTBoS

— Evan Weinberg (@emwdx) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton keeps me connected to current lessons, websites, activities, pd, books, blogs, learning opportunities

— Jennifer Fairbanks (@HHSmath) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton Twitter teachers give me ideas or flesh out my own that make my classes amazing. Most enjoy diving into a question.

— Megan Hayes-Golding (@mgolding) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton Lesson/activity ideas. PLN beyond my school. Discussion & conversation. Questions & answers. PD. https://t.co/cs2cc8zM1C

— Laura Wheeler (@wheeler_laura) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton helps me realize: it’s OK not to know all the answers, priceless convos, collaboration at its best, challenges me to keep growing

— pam j wilson (@pamjwilson) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton My PLN on Twitter makes me want to be a better teacher. There are resources and support when I need them and the best people.

— Mary Bourassa (@MaryBourassa) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton Via Twitter I can connect w/ other like-minded teachers, teachers who teach the same subject, find resources, & collab to improve.

— Lisa Henry (@lmhenry9) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton Inspiration, Resources, Support, Collaboration.

— Jami D Packer (@JamiDanielle) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton It’s personalized professional development. Helps me grow almost daily, into a better instructor.

— Jackie Stone (@MathEdJax) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton Twitter connects me w/ passionate educators that want to share, collaborate & celebrate. It keeps me updated & gives me new ideas.

— Annie Forest (@mrsforest) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton best PLC, amazing resources, partners in crime, people who love learning and teaching, … <3 #MTBoS

— John Golden (@mathhombre) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton Like a hallway with many doors to reflective blogs by great maths educators who will engage with, encourage, extend your thinking.

— Simon Gregg (@Simon_Gregg) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton as a new T it allows me to access brilliant minds and vet Ts for advice and ideas

— Kristen Dodson (@mathwithmrsd) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton It’s the place for connections, rich discussion & exchange of ideas. People here support, question, and challenge me to be better.

— Anna Blinstein (@Borschtwithanna) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton it gives me a supportive environment of like minded educators – think I’d be lost w/o it at this point

— Kathy Henderson (@kathyhenderson) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton So many professional colleagues! They are my math ed personal trainers: sharing expertise, making me work harder & stretching me!

— peg cagle (@pegcagle) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton My weekly #elemmathchat is the best PLC ever! Connections, ideas, inspiration & validation are priceless! Math nerds rock!

— Melynee Naegele (@buffalogal03) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton The MTBoS challenges me to continuously strive to be a better teacher, offers resources, and reassures me when I am feeling low.

— Sheri Walker (@SheriWalker72) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton twitter connects educators around my state and the US; it is a primary source for news, trends, and practices in enacting CCSSM

— Abe Wallin (@id_rms1) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton I don’t need to specialize in everything, just know who to connect to. Awesome group to keep learning from. #MTBoS

— Jedidiah (@MathButler) July 13, 2015

@mjfenton Not only as a teacher but as a math coach! I need information, I only need to ask & someone tweets back Or I start reading blogs

— Chris Harris (@CHarrisMath) July 14, 2015

@mjfenton @jreulbach Almost immediate help/advice/wisdom at my fingertips. Amazing sense of giving at all times

— Jim Doherty (@mrdardy) July 15, 2015

@mjfenton @jreulbach I use twitter/MTBoS as a “idea well” to draw refreshing ideas from.

— Eric Fleming (@dailyvalueomath) July 15, 2015

@mjfenton Late to this, but I’ll put in my 140 anyway. Twitter lets me know I’m not alone — in my success and in my struggle.

— Fawn Nguyen (@fawnpnguyen) July 15, 2015

@mjfenton A PLC like no other. Imm access to resources and so impt discussion of how they are used in so many diff ways in real classrooms

— Nicole Paris (@solvingforx) July 15, 2015

@mjfenton @jreulbach constant learning. Joy in the struggle to keep getting better and in the process.

— Matt Leiss (@MrLeiss) July 15, 2015

@mjfenton it’s an inspiration for a new a better way of teaching. It has completely altered my educational philosophy more than any PD.

— Jennifer Thien (@mathchick75) July 15, 2015

A little background… My mom teachers middle school math, just a few miles from where I do. When I started out teaching, she was my go-to resource for teaching questions (especially classroom management). I’ve often been a resource for her regarding conceptual development or activity ideas for a current or upcoming topic.

Here’s what she sent me last night at the end of an email:

Lacking any particular inspiration, I directed her to Robert Kaplinsky’s PrBL Search Engine, and then hopped on Twitter:

Hey #MTBoS, what are your favorite lessons on area and circumference? #msmathchat

— Michael Fenton (@mjfenton) December 10, 2014

The response? Pam Wilson to the rescue!

In particular, this seemed like a really cool idea:

So what happened the next morning? This!

Now that’s a pretty cool Professional Learning Community/Family.

P.S. Here’s a glimpse at the handout my mom created.

P.P.S. And her thoughts on the lesson, including what she’ll tweak for next year: