I started writing this post quite a while ago, as you can tell by the title. It started something like this "I got really excited today when I looked at the number of tweets I had ..."
Then life happened. I am not sure when I hit that first number or the second number, or the third but life continued and I kept tweeting. I have read tweets, blog posts, Prezis, and several other numerous example of how Twitter has helped a teacher's career and/or life. This could very well end up being one of those posts. It hard not to make it that way though.
I have "met" so many extraordinary people through Twitter, and have even met some of them in person. I have learned with them, shared with them, and laughed with them. I am introvert. I don't do well being around large groups of people, and do not normally express my opinion in those large groups either. I don't feel like what I have to say is anything that anyone wants to hear. When I am Twitter, I don't feel that way at all. My opinion is listened to, encouraged, and cheered. It is such a great feeling to be retweeted or favorited. I have heard it, but never truly believed it, until I got my first favorite.
If there is anything that I need to do more of is use and practice what I learn on Twitter. I learn about some great ideas or suggestions. I even come up with some on my own that I tweet out. These are even favorited or retweeted. Then when it is time to take this learning and excitement back to my class I fall in to the power of fear. I worry about what might fail, how I don't have time for the idea, or it just plain won't work. I need to stop that and plough through. As my #scitlap PLN would say "Sail the rough seas and walk the plank!" Doesn't sound too encouraging as I type this, but I know what they mean. I need to go out and brave the untested waters and do those things that will be most beneficial for my students.
I am not sure if any of this makes sense, but it was nice to reflect on my past two years on Twitter. I am always encouraged by those people I talk to and you all make me keep going. For that I thank you!
As I always try to end my posts. Keep asking lots and lots of questions, but as I think about that I should do that too.