Facebook: Professional Learning and Emotional Validation

Social media is great. It allows me to connect with friends and family, enjoy digital entertainment, and share pieces of my life. But there's one thing I did not expect it to do: Make me a better teacher. Yet after this year, I have to sing the praises of teacher groups on Facebook. I have learned so much from other music teachers who have been kind enough to share their lessons and insights. It has helped me find repertoire, come up with new lesson ideas, and obtain new classroom management strategies. Connecting with other teachers has been emotionally validating too. Some educators will ask for help dealing with tough situations or vent about what's frustrating them, and it makes me feel less alone. Being a specialist AND a traveling teacher, it can become easy to feel like you're on your own island. Hearing that other music teachers across the country are feeling the same way as me is such a weight off of my shoulders. As a young teacher, knowing that veteran teachers are having the same problems as me helps me know that the problems in my classroom aren't always my fault. If you are looking for a way to connect with colleagues and share ideas on a larger scale, Facebook is the place for you.

Some of my favorite groups:

I'm a Choir Director

Music Educators Creating Online Learning

I'm a General Music Teacher