Networking by the Dozen

Photo courtesy of Kevin Jarrett Photography.

Another summer means another opportunity to attend EdCamp Leadership. This year it's being held at the University of Pennsylvania. Close to three hundred educators from all walks of life will come together to share best practices through conversations and networking. That's right I said networking. Typically not something you hear about in the field of education. But it's now a reality and here to stay. And quite frankly it's a breathe of fresh air. The evolution of social media has flattened the educational world and has transformed the way people connect at conferences and EdCamps. Here are dozen ways networking can benefit you as an educator......

1. Networking provides you with a chance to connect with some of the best minds in the business.

2. Networking provides you an opportunity to steal ideas from others.

3. Networking provides you with a chance to learn from others outside of the conference setting i.e. Twitter, Voxer, Google Hangouts etc....

4. Networking leads to true friendships that could ultimately last a lifetime.

5. Networking makes your school better.

6. Networking provies you an opportunity to reflect and improve.

7. Networking exposing you to perspectives that you wouldn't of considered otherwise.

8. Networking makes you look good and bolsters your confidence level.

9. Networking improves your people skills.

10. Networking puts you in touch with resources that could impact your student's success.

11. Networking can lead to great things like helping organize an EdCamp or presenting at a conference.

12. Networking with the right people keeps you in a positive frame of mind and helps keep focus on your number one priority: promoting the success of all students.

So what do you say? Make those important connections in both the physical and virtual world. Pick people's brains and let them pick your brain as well. I know I can't wait for EdCamp Leadership to take place this week. Why? Simply put, it gives me another opportunity to expand my network and make myself a better educator.

P.S. ~ Enjoy the pics from the inaugural EdCamp Leadership in 2012. I can't believe how many people were there that I did not know then but know now. That's the amazing part of expanding your network. Thanks to the amazing Kevin Jarrett for taking the pics.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Jarrett Photography.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Jarrett Photography.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Jarrett Photography.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Jarrett Photography.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Jarrett Photography.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Jarrett Photography.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Jarrett Photography.

Brad Currie is the author of All Hands on Deck: Tools for Connecting Educators, Parents, and Communities. He is one of the founding partners of Evolving Educators LLC. Brad is a 2014 ASCD Emerging Leader and Bammy Award Finalist. He currently serves as a K-8 Supervisor of Instruction and Middle School Vice Principal for the Chester School District in Chester, NJ. Learn more about Brad by following him on Twitter @bradmcurrie or visiting his website at www.bradcurrie.net.