Sharing Our Stories: The Power of Teacher Experiences in Professional Development
Every teacher has their own story to tell and wisdom to share.
I’m excited to present at an upcoming Common Professional Development Day for our consortium of schools in October. My talk will be about my experience with my Why Edify project and how it relates to teacher personal development, professional development, and well-being.
As teachers, we're often so busy with our daily tasks that we don't take time to think about and share our experiences. This presentation aims to change that by looking at the power of storytelling and why it's important to share our daily experiences as teachers. It's about "showing our work," as Austin Kleon would say, and how this can help our professional and personal growth and well-being.
One of the main reasons I started this project was because I believe we become what we focus on. By writing about and sharing positive experiences, I wanted to stay positive, take care of my mental and physical health, and keep improving both in and out of the classroom. This project has helped me stay excited and happy in my teaching career, even as I get closer to retirement.
This project has also helped me figure out who I am and what I want to be as a teacher. I've developed a manifesto for my approach: Learn, Do, Think, Improve, and Repeat. This simple cycle helps me keep growing and getting better.
An essential part of this project is recognizing that teachers are experts. Every teacher has their own story to tell and wisdom to share. This is the type of wisdom that only teachers can earn. Some of the best lessons I've learned have come from other teachers. By creating a network of teachers who openly share their good and bad experiences, we can make an excellent resource for professional development and support.
Sharing our passions and true selves helps us personally and makes us better teachers. It helps build strong relationships, which is key to creating a positive classroom and school community. In a time when we're so good at taking in information, balancing this with creating something can be rewarding and can guide our lives.
This project has led to unexpected opportunities, like being on podcasts, writing for Edutopia, becoming an ELfluencer, and speaking at a national conference. These experiences have broadened my horizons and connected me with other like-minded teachers across different platforms.
As a result of this journey, I've started to develop a tool called the Strong Teacher or Strong Student Framework. This simple tool encourages people to do small, weekly activities that promote happiness, health, and strength. I've even used this idea in my classes with good results.
As I prepare for the upcoming presentation, I want to create an engaging and worthwhile experience for everyone who attends. I want them to leave feeling inspired and with practical ideas they can use. It's important to balance sharing my experiences and providing valuable insights. I don't want it to come across as self-serving.
I'm excited about this chance to share my journey and maybe inspire others to start similar projects. If you have any ideas or feedback on how to improve this presentation, I'd love to hear them.
What makes a professional development session worthwhile for you?
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