Super Education

Response to Educational Leadership article “Lessons from Networking”  September 2007, p. 48-52.

The article explains that the responsibilities and duties of a teacher are “complex”.  Every teacher will agree that teaching is a difficult profession because of the demands and the concerns teachers have about expressing their thoughts of school reform but are not able to put these thoughts into action.  As the article states, the beginning for this sharing of ideas is through a network process because  “the collaboration and professional dialogue that most teachers experience is confined to their own schools, limited by their local context, and controlled by decision makers higher in the chain of command.” (p. 49)  The article continues to mention the power of networking with others in a state, region, or nation.  This truly is a method to transform educational concepts.  It is necessary to establish systems for exchanging ideas, a place were people have the opportunity to share experiences, ask questions, or develop theories.  Unfortunately, the Teacher Leaders Network is comprised of  members by invitation, thus acting as the gatekeeper of information.  A role teachers are trying to shed.