In the spirit of social media educator friendships, this summer, it is time to recognise your most supportive colleagues in a simple blog post shout out. Whatever your reason, these five educators should be your five go to people. This may be for challenge, verification and support or simply because you want to celebrate their contribution to your PLN.
Rules
There are only 3 rules.
- You cannot knowingly include someone you work with in real life.
- You cannot list somebody that has already been named if you are already made aware of them being listed on #TwitteratiChallenge. I realise this will get more complex over time.
- You will need to copy and paste the title of this blogpost, the rules and what to do information into your own blog post.
What To Do?
If you would like to nominate your own list of colleagues, here’s how:
Within 7 days of being nominated by somebody else, you need to identify colleagues that you rely on or go to for support and challenge. It might be a good idea to check that they are happy to be challenged so that the #TwitterChallenge chain doesn’t break down.
Record a video announcing your acceptance of the challenge, followed by a pouring of your (chosen) drink over a glass of ice. Then, the drink is to be lifted with a ‘cheers’ before nominating your five educators to participate in the challenge. (This is optional for the technically challenged).
Write your own #TwitteratiChallenge blog post within 7 days nominating your chosen participants who then become part of #TwitteratiChallenge. If you do not have your own blog, try @Staffrm.
The educator that is now newly nominated has 7 days to compose their own #TwitteratiChallenge blog post and identify who their top 5 go to educators are.
It’s optional to make a donation to your chosen charity but if you do you may want to identify one or two charities that may be of interest to others. For example, Debra Kidd’s highlighted the World Wide Education Project as a great charity to support or Nepal needs all the help it can get after the devastating earthquake.
Top 5 Twitterati
In no particular order, these 5 educators below are my first port of call for ideas, support and challenge. There are loads more I could add but rules are rules and five is the maximum.
Northern Soul Food
Click on the picture to link to John’s twitter site and follow him
John Tomsett and Ros McMullen are probably two of the best known people on Twitter. John is head teacher of Huntington School in York and Ros is CEO of LEAF Academy Trust. When I read their blog posts its like food to my soul. I find their blogging values rich, honest, challenging and affirming all in one. They seem to walk in my moccasins, understanding and experiencing the ups and downs of leadership. They are founder members of the HeadsRoundTable Group which I’ve recently been invited to join. I hadn’t realised until recently that I went to school with Ros, different year groups, and we were in Sixth Form together. Don’t bet on the horses until you’ve checked with Ros.
Click on the picture to link to Ros’ twitter site and follow her
The Queen of Dialogue
Jill is a former head teacher turned consultant. I’ve met her a few times and heard her speak on a number of occasions most recently via a video link at #TMLondon. She has a wonderfully calm and assured style and there is a depth of wisdom in what she says.
Click on the picture to link to Jill’s twitter site and follow her
Jill has done more to turn blogging into a dialogue than anyone else I know. Adding comments, reflections and continually tweeting out other people’s posts it’s great to see her first blogs appearing on @Staffrm. She is determined to finish her doctorate … maybe one day Jill.
The People Developers
Click on the picture to link to Chris’ twitter site and follow him
I actually met Chris Holmwood (@LTCSBE) and David Jones (@ewenfields) in person before we met in the twitter bubble. They were both part of the National Teacher Enquiry Network. Chris led one of the NTEN sessions at Shenley Brook End in Milton Keynes. He has a depth of knowledge and a total commitment to the school, staff and children. He’s seen the school grow and helped build it through his superb work on staff development. We’ve visited each others schools and met at a number of courses. I consider him a friend now and a good one at that.
David did our CPD Audit and was absolutely great. Looked for the positive but retained a critical eye to help keep moving us forward. He’s in it for the kids and is a great supporter and developer of staff. When I visited Meols Cop School to complete their peer audit it was obvious the staff and students we met adored David and the work he was doing. He seems to have boundless energy and great passion for his work.
Click on the picture to link to David’s twitter site and follow him
Please use the hashtag #TwitteratiChallenge
To make things easier for nominees you can download a #TwitteratiChallenge Word template to add you five nominations to and then simply cut and paste into your blog:
@LeadingLearner 
Thanks for nominating me, Stephen!
Am planning my own…..
Posted by jillberry102 | May 4, 2015, 4:11 pm