Social media is a virtually inescapable part of our society. Social media’s impact on teaching has been complicated, and has, in some ways, led us away from conversations about best practices. In this episode, we unpack the role of social media and best practices in teaching, and discuss why best practice is never a dirty word.
There are three primary take-aways from this episode:
Equity isn’t just about race.
Equity in education covers so many facets of our learners and our educational system. Everyone has a niche – something that they’re passionate about within their role as an educator. Every niche has issues of equity that must be address. Start there. Live there. Be passionate about equity within your niche.
Critical conversations about pedagogy are NOT about teacher-shaming.
Our practice as teachers is the centerpiece of our life’s work; we’re passionate about what we do and why. But we must – MUST – be willing to have conversations about what’s best for students and be willing to be reflective about our wants versus students’ learning needs. Conversations about best practices have to be an integral part of our spaces.
You are who you follow on social media.
Whether we like it or not, most of us are influenced by what we consume on social media. If, in your education spaces, you are following only accounts that show you the beautifully curated “window-dressing” of teaching you run the risk of burning yourself out trying to achieve it and watering down your practice in the process. We owe it to ourselves to cultivate a well-balanced diet on social media: following those that are where we are, being a model – and a hand – to those that want to be where we are, and following those that inspire us and reinvigorate our practice. Following a diet of “candy bar” window-dressing will leave us filling full for a moment, but empty over time.
What have you found helpful as a teacher on social media?
Share your thoughts in the comments! As always, thank you for listening and don’t forget to subscribe and rate our podcast if you enjoyed listening!
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