Earlier this week, as part of a larger workshop on mathematics and technology, I gave an introduction to Twitter as a digital collaboration playground for educators. I wanted to give my “pitch” using more than my own words, so the night before I posted this:

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