Connect and Collaborate!

There was a time when I taught in isolation. I was a singleton educator teaching a subject that I didn't think anyone else could relate to. I mean really? Could anyone relate to a teacher that handed out Chef's knives to her students? So, I went on minding my own business, isolated in my culinary Narnia. 

Enter the Twittersphere. Since I began connecting on Twitter 3 years ago, I have come to realize that I can learn so much from teachers of all subjects and grade levels. I am continually inspired and challenged in my teaching practice, taking ideas from a myriad of subject areas and finding new ways to infuse them into my classroom.  I have learned that expanding my perspective beyond my narrow culinary vision allows me to think differently about content and what is possible. My PLN has become a family that I have turned to time and time again for not only ideas, but inspiration, wisdom, support, and encouragement. It's safe to say that I have grown more as an educator the past 3 years than I have my 17 years of teaching combined. Sound crazy? Yes. Crazy awesome, that is!

So what happens when in this crazy awesome world you find other teachers from across the United States that ARE just like you; teachers that hand out Chef's knives to their students too? Let me tell you, it rocks your world! It's so incredible in fact that I started a Voxer group where we all could connect and idea share to our hearts content! Culinary Powers Activate!  If you aren't following Julie Rice, Kelleigh Ratzlaff, or Karyn McAllister...stop everything and follow them now! They are amazing culinary educators who are continually blowing my mind with their amazing ideas and passion for education!

This past summer, we decided to all collaborate on an idea we had wanted to try, but hadn't... a culinary BreakOutEdu! I had always dreamed of taking this project on, but for some reason the thought of creating a game from scratch paralyzed me.  However, taking on this endeavor as a team felt much less daunting. We all set up a time to meet via Google Hangout to idea share and delegate tasks. We created a Google doc to collaborate, brainstorm and then followed each other's progress on Voxer. {Confession time:  I was a lousy collaborator.  Think of me as the team member that no one wants on their team because they don't pull their weight. Yep. I'm ashamed to say, that was me. I've promised to make it up to them and create the next one for the team} Now that I've got that off my chest, I will tell you that this collaboration process was FANTASTIC!  Kelleigh created a Google Site to house the Digital BreakoutEDU and she, Julie, and Karyn created content, clues, and codes.  It was truly awe-inspiring to watch it all come together.  

We launched the Digital BreakoutEDU's at different times and it was so helpful to all share our reflections of how the game played out.  As everyone shared, we were able to anticipate possible glitches or issues and prepare for them ahead of time.  It was also wonderful to share frustrations and successes with each other as the adventures unfolded. We were able to provide encouragement, support, and suggestions because we all had taken part in the process {okay, me less than the others.}

This collaboration was much more than creating a Digital BreakoutEDU.  It was forming a bond with other educator's that are on a similar adventure as my own.  Was this BreakoutEDU the only thing we discussed throughout the past month? No. We shared other lessons, strategies, documents, and links.  We talked about family, celebrated victories, and frustrations. We were sharing life together and the treasure that is found in being connected. This experience brought me closer to a group of friends that I'm so grateful to be on this educational journey with.  I have a feeling that our adventures are just beginning.

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