The Tweet that Changed Our Dinner Conversation

In science we "close" read an article on "Tracking Turtles" to go with our unit on ecosystems. We also discussed the needs of living things.

— Wanda Ann Smith (@smithstarsgr3) September 23, 2014

I am so thankful that my son's 3rd grade teacher gets it. She understands the power of social media and how it transforms the conversations families have at home about what happened in school on a particular day. The power of a tweet, Facebook post, or Instagram photo can go a long way in promoting the success of all students. It's imperative that teachers are able to tell their classrooms' story through available web tools and mobile devices. I speak to this very topic in my new book All Hands on Deck: Tools for Connecting Educators, Parents, and Communities. As a parent I expect this sort of communication quite frankly. It does not take much to whip out your mobile device snap a picture or post a message and tap send. Each time that I tell my school's story or happen to come across my son's classroom story (see above), I get so pumped up. 

Which is why in this day in age state and local board's of education should develop policies that promote this type of communication. I am truly appreciative that the school district I work for understands social media's impact on a positive culture. Believe me, I know that a few educators over the years have abused their power of social media. Does this mean a broad umbrella policy that prohibits transparency needs to be followed by the many educators who use it appropriately? I think not. I spoke to this very topic in a blog post called Stabbed with a Pencil. I am not aware of one school policy that prohibits the use of pencils. But if you google "pencil stabbings" the search result will show that this sort of inappropriate behavior does occur. Early on in childhood adults must show children how to appropriately hold a pencil in order to write neatly. The same must be done with social media. The more that schools, classrooms, and adults in general model the appropriate use of social media, the safer our students' will be. 

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.