Teachers as Learners

I must admit that at times, almost daily, I struggle with balancing the demands of being a mother of three young children, the work load of being a middle school teacher and the devotion of time required to pursue graduate classes. Time is a precious commodity in my life and I definitely get it when teachers say that there isn't just enough time in the day! Prioritizing the laundry list of obligations is a necessity, but teachers, as professionals, have the responsibility to stay updated on the latest research and its' educational applications in the classroom. Staying abreast of developments can not be something which is neglected due to time constraints. With the advent of Web 2.0 obtaining the valuable insight offered by experts in the field is easier than ever. Blogs by experts in various fields, such as technology and differentiated instruction, are accessible within seconds when utilizing an RSS feed. Websites, such as those hosted by the National Middle School Association, MiddleWeb and Edutopia, place a wealth of invaluable resources at the fingertips of educators. We are constantly challenging our students to make growth. Shouldn't we lead by example? Take the time improve yourself as an educator....today!