If a Teacher Asks a Question and No One Teaches Their Subject, Does It Make a Noise?

I was super excited to get to teach new material this year.  I was even more excited to get to teach content that I alone taught on my campus.  No schedules to line up with, no assignments to match up, no meetings to attend.

It was going to be great!

And it has been, but what if something comes up that I do not know how to handle?

Who do I ask?

Now, the easy answer for me is to go to other teachers in our district that teach the same classes.  But not everyone has this option.  Not everyone has been to a conference to network, or knows a lot of teacher from all over.  Here are a few suggestions I offer:

1.  Twitter/Social Media:  Educators are using Twitter like crazy.  As I type this, I am about to attend our district's chat- #CSISDchat.  It is a weekly chance for us to share what is going on, victories and losses.  But there are THOUSANDS of chats on at all times.  There might be one for your specific content.  A Google search is good to find lists like the one here:  http://www.teachthought.com/uncategorized/cheat-sheet-twitter-for-teachers/

2.  Talk to Admins:  They can encourage, enlighten or correct.  They can also suggest trainings and courses to attend.  They WANT you to be successful, because it means students are successful.

3.  Talk to the previous educator: Ask the admins for their contact.  They have literally stood where you are standing and might have insight.  Of course, use discretion here, depends on why they left.

4.  Other teachers on campus:  Yep.  It doesn't matter if you teach Psychology (like me) you can get insight from CATE teachers, or Science, or Math, or English.  Sure, they may not know your content, but good teachers know good practices.  Good teachers know students, and if you share a student with a teacher, ask what approaches they use.

Teaching is a team effort.  How you define your team is up to you.