BIG GUY IN A BOW TIE
  • Home
  • Membership
  • Bow Tie Blog
  • Resources
    • Free Resources
    • Active Presentations
    • Active Workshops
    • Retired Presentations
  • Media
    • YouTube
    • Websites
  • Tynker
    • Why Tynker?
    • Get Tynker Certified
  • Work with Me
    • About the Big Guy
    • Experience
    • Work With David

Find Your Tribe

8/16/2019

4 Comments

 
Picture

      I have meant to write this post for several weeks, but life got in the way. I went through what this post is all about July 14-19, but then I went on vacation, had a few speaking engagements, and I had to play catch up, so it's not coming till now. It might end up perfect, though.   As you start the new school year, make this one about finding your tribe. I know I added to mine July 14-19, and I want to tell you about it.
     Last October, I joined the team at Tynker, and it has been an exciting ride when it comes to finding my tribe. I have been in the EdTech community for several years now, and I have a vast swath of friends and colleagues that I can depend on.  They have been built through years on the conference circuit and participating in things like Twitter. I lacked a tribe, though around what I actually did at Tynker. That all changed in the middle of July.
     I have learned over the years that my favorite PD's are the ones that let me pull out with a group of like-minded people. Spending that quality time allows you to not only work and grow together, but it also allows you to socialize.  It's a time to get close, and I had the privilege of leading something like this in the middle of July thanks to the Infosys Foundation.
One of the Infosys Foundations goals is to enhance computer science education across the country, and one of the ways they do that is through a summer institute called PathFinders that becomes summer camp from teachers. I helped lead a full week of PD for those that signed up for the Tynker track, and I am so happy that I did.
      We repeatedly talked during the week about coming to PathFinders to find your tribe, and I think our group for sure did. Sometimes in schools, that can be incredibly hard. Just because you teach the same thing or the same grade level, does not necessarily mean those folks are your tribe. I know from personal experience I struggled with that because I was the teacher doing video and creation projects. There just weren't many Social Studies teachers that thought the same way I did. I needed to go outside my school to find the group that I could learn and associate with, and finding that tribe is especially essential when you are talking about coding.
     Coding is at a place where so many know it's essential, but there aren't necessarily set standards for it everywhere, and a large swath of teachers don't know how to integrate it. That's why this week was so important. We were able to give almost 40 teachers background and experience with both coding and Tynker, but the best part might have been giving them the group that they can continue to collaborate with and feel community. That's what is going to carry them.
     If your reading this and you feel like you don't have that tribe, start going outside your usual circle. Things like PLC's and grade level committees have their place, but they aren't always the best place to get you where you need to be. An excellent place to start would be to begin participating in Twitter chats. They are discussions on a specific hashtag (# and a keyword) that put like-minded individuals in the same place. You never know who you will find, and they may become a fast tribe member.
     You also can get yourself out there. I started speaking at conferences, and you quickly find like-minded people who are doing the same thing. All it takes is applying. You can also apply to academies like PathFinders, Google Innovator, and Raspberry PiCademy. I have done all three, and they were some of the best PD I have ever had.
      Don't hesitate to find the tribe. Education is one of the most rewarding professions you can be in, but it can also be an incredible drag. You need that group who thinks like you and who can pick you up. It's just a matter of finding them.
4 Comments
Ericka Mabion link
8/16/2019 04:53:54 pm

This is an accurate depiction and explanation of the Pathifinder experience and the importance of a TRIBE. When you find your tribe you can finally exhale.

Reply
Sarah Yost
8/16/2019 06:12:44 pm

David,
Every teacher at the Tynker breakout session would agree with everything you put in this post. We found our tribe. We clarified our goals. We left with a sense of purpose. Thank you for helping us find our tribe!

Reply
Jakara Mahoney
8/17/2019 04:28:15 am

This was definitely a great experience! Although many of us were not CS teachers, we all understood that we are living in a technological world, so we owe it to these kids to learn new strategies to help them to be successful! Thank you again for being a great presenter.

Reply
Get In To PC - Free PC Software Download link
8/21/2019 01:29:30 pm

David,
Every teacher at the Tynker breakout session would agree with everything you put in this post. We found our tribe. We clarified our goals. We left with a sense of purpose. Thank you for helping us find our tribe!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    August 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013

    Categories

    All
    #edchat
    #edreform
    #edtech
    #education
    #iste

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Membership
  • Bow Tie Blog
  • Resources
    • Free Resources
    • Active Presentations
    • Active Workshops
    • Retired Presentations
  • Media
    • YouTube
    • Websites
  • Tynker
    • Why Tynker?
    • Get Tynker Certified
  • Work with Me
    • About the Big Guy
    • Experience
    • Work With David