What Connected Educators Do Differently by Whitaker Todd; Zoul Jeffrey; Casas Jimmy & Jeffrey Zoul & Jimmy Casas

Author:Whitaker, Todd; Zoul, Jeffrey; Casas, Jimmy & Jeffrey Zoul & Jimmy Casas [Todd Whitaker]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

▶ Seek the Power of a Positive Voice

The truth is we are all powerful people who are blessed with powerful voices. Many connected educators have found that their voice can be a game changer for those with whom they connect, bringing about opportunities and inspiring students and teachers alike to believe they can change the world. They are not afraid to take risks and put themselves “out there,” especially if it leads to deeper and richer opportunities for more students, staff, and the school community as a whole. There are connected educators across the country who believe that if they step up and take action they can transform the educational landscape for a community of educators everywhere. These people are often referred to as change agents. People like Jaime Casap (@jcasap), Google Global Educational Evangelist; Kristen Swanson (@kristenswanson), founder of the Edcamp movement; Tom Whitby (@tomwhitby), founder of #edchat; Scott McCleod (@mcleod), founding director of CASTLE and Director of Innovation for Prairie Lakes AEA; and Jerry Blumengarten (@cybraryman1), creator of one of the most comprehensive educational websites available to educators, are examples of such change agents who have left their imprint on educators everywhere through both their actions and their voices. They are risk-takers, people like you and people like us, separated only by their courage to sit on the front porch rather than leave out the back door. Each of these leaders has a consistent and clear purpose, a vision of the footprint they want to leave on the world in which they live. They are passionate individuals who are determined to use their voice and their connectivity to influence change on a greater scale.

One way connected educators acquire a powerful and positive voice themselves is by seeking out as many positive and powerful voices they can from all walks of life. Such educators stay abreast of trends not only in education, but in all facets of our society by tuning in to what leading experts in a variety of professions are thinking, saying, and doing. An effective and efficient vehicle for keeping our fingers on the pulse of such new ideas is simply by watching TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) Talk videos. TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to what they call “Ideas Worth Spreading” (TED.com, n.d.). TED started as a four-day conference in California almost 30 years ago and has grown to support world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED conferences invite the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak on a diverse mix of topics. Many of these talks are then made available, free, on their website. This is but one example of how using the power of a positive voice can impact educators all across the world. Many of these videos have become staples in staff meetings across the country because of their profound and inspirational messages on a variety of topics. One way educators can connect themselves to ideas and people they would otherwise be unable to and then, in turn, connect what

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