Do you ever wish you could have you best teacher friend in your pocket? I know that’s something that, especially as a new teacher, or a teacher moving schools, I often remarked in my writing over the years. I wish there was someone who was always there to remind me of my importance, to walk with me through the struggles, to talk me through my problems, and to help me see the light at the end of some long and dark tunnels. Teaching can be a tough gig and a lonely one too sometimes. That’s where I come in.
Unfortunately, the “shrinking machine” from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids doesn’t really exist (unless they house it at AREA51) but the whole premise of blogging is sort of like being a teacher friend in your pocket- somewhere you can turn after a a bad day (ex. a kid peed on your classroom door (true story) or when you’re up at 1am trying to lesson plan and need some inspiration) or where you can come to relax and enjoy discovering more about teaching and yourself as an educator.
I am tired of looking around and seeing 1-off teacher “communities” that are trying to pass for real, honest, community. You know the ones: GIGANTIC Facebook groups where people post questions and ask for advice and are flooded with information or tips from people they don’t know or may never talk to again. It sounds nice, and sure, it’s HELPFUL if you’re short on time, but it’s like stopping in the middle of a busy street and yelling a question to anyone around you (some may yell back something helpful or…not helpful) instead of getting some friends together and digging into how things are really going.
So I decided to build it. Let me explain the what’s, why’s, and how’s right now.
SheTheTeacher was designed for music educators and non-music educators who need a mixture of authentic community & helpful insight for their day-to-day teaching (and non-teaching) life.
Let me explain.
SheTheTeacher has two primary capacities: to check in and learn both musical and non-musical teaching ideas quickly (for the hectic and busy days) AND to also provide community for those times when you feel like you can slow down a little, enjoy your coffee while it’s still hot, connect with other teachers, and indulge in a little professional (pro-friend-sional– see what I did there?) development or connection with others in similar places as you.
Sound like fun? Great! Let’s be friends!
