As a special education teacher, I am always seeking inspiration.

I have been a longtime consumer of ideas and resources that other educators share online, and I am always amazed by what I find when I go searching. The more I read, the more I recognize the importance of being connected outside of the school community, for both teachers and students, as we move deeper into the 21st century.

This year, I tried something new. I set up blogs for my students, intending to give them a platform for creating, connecting, and sharing, but some were hesitant. It finally dawned on me that to help my students I also needed to step outside my classroom and become more connected myself. As I ventured out, I discovered Twitter and Personal Learning Networks, and I became intrigued by the possibilities. My latest step is the creation of this blog.

I envision this as a place to reflect on the mountain of information, initiatives, and change in education that just keeps growing: Common Core…Educator Evaluation…Universal Design for Learning…Educational Technology…Personalized Learning…Understanding By Design…Data and Assessment…Differentiated Instruction…Response To Intervention…Executive Functioning, and more. Add these to supporting Inclusion and I am usually so focused on climbing up the mountain that I forget to stop and glance back.

Teaching academic concepts and skills to middle school students with varied abilities is part of my job. Of course my students are empowered by knowledge, however I believe that if I can empower them in other ways too, then their progress and their success in the future will be even greater.

My goal is for my students to be confident, independent, critical thinkers. I want them to have resources and strategies at their disposal to help them succeed at whatever they choose to do. I want them to become informed, to practice self-advocacy, and to be proactive. Despite their struggles, my students are a collection of wonderful collaborators, gifted speakers, and technology wizards; they are inquisitive, creative, and reflective. I want them to believe in themselves, to have a growth mindset, and to persevere. I teach with the belief that this is possible for all learners.

Of course, my opinions here are my own…and they are subject to change at any time. I hope that, as I continue to learn, I will change my practice when it is the right thing to do. I also hope to keep in step with my students. Teaching and learning is a journey, and we are on this road together.