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:
https://twitter.com/mjfenton/status/620445174125064194
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