If everyone is talking, how do you hear the best voice? If everyone is ‘teaching,’ how do the best teachers gain audience?

These are important questions as education moves from leader-led, teacher-centered lectures, to interactivity, democratic engagement, and virtual learning environments. In fact, one of the most frequently asked questions when I talk to people about WeAreTeachers is this: Aren’t you worried that ‘anyone’ can pose as a ‘teacher?’ Aren’t you afraid the best teachers will get drowned out by all the noise from less-able or credible teachers in this network? These questions come most often from adults who are having a tough time grasping the notion of non-traditional, or self-directed learning. And they struggle with the leap from rigor to relevance.

The simple answer to each question is NO. First, connected, virtual communities themselves will decide whose voice will be respected and heard. Poorly written or irrelevant blog posts, or curriculum content, or learning modules just don’t get used or responded to. And great or engaging content spreads like wildfire to hungry learners.

So if YOU are that great teacher, who wants to have voice in the read/write web, and who wants to be known as a great domain expert, here are a few suggestions:

1. Become a LEARNER. Don’t sit still and rest on your current knowledge base. Learn everything you can – about your academic or expertise area, and about how to communicate using new tools. If you don’t currently blog, do so. (You can use our blogging tools in WAT as a starting point). If you’ve never joined a community, do it now.
2. Get ENGAGED. Don’t just join a community. Actively engage with it. Start by inviting colleagues, sending messages, posting blogs and forums, Have an opinion, and share it.
3. Find a CAUSE. This communication medium is as emotional as it is intellectual, and most engagement and energy online is associated with a passion, a cause – something you become known for as an advocate. (Check out the current energy in this presidential election if you have any doubts!) If you teach math, and believe in problem solving or higher order thinking skills — become loud and passionate about that. If you teach Yoga, and are passionate about mind/body connections, let the world know!
4. Show your STUFF. If you want a megaphone you must not be shy. If you want to be known for your expertise, you mustn’t hesitate to showcase your best self. Use the WAT-Video profile tool to create, not just a picture-avatar, but make a video resume, so anyone who visits your page hears your voice, understands your background. Don’t just create content and give it away or sell it, but also include details about your philosophy of teaching, and your life experiences that inform your teaching methodology.
5. Have FUN. One of the BEST things about the Web is that we are finally moving away from the drudgery of lesson plans, lectures, and worksheets. And this positive outcome is for TEACHERS as well as STUDENTS. Teaching can take on new life, as we experiment with meaningful discussion and engagement with the world and with our students. Your enthusiasm will become a magnet for others who want to learn from you and from your content.

Story for this post:

As you either get to know me in person, or through reading these posts, you’ll soon learn that the light of my life are my kids and grandkids. So here is a recent story from one of them, reminding me that great teachers come in all sizes and shapes.

Sally and Susie (ages 9 and 6, respectively), just moved, and changed elementary schools. Sally ended up in a bilingual class, which we thought was super (even though her Spanish is limited to counting to 10!). The other day, she was enthusiastically telling me about her new best friend, Amy. In Sally’s own words, “Nana, Amy and I are best friends. It’s very interesting, because she does not speak English very well, and I don’t speak Spanish very much. But don’t worry. We’ve both decided to be each others teacher, so we’ll be fine.”

Ah, from the mouths of babes. . . This TEACHER of 9 years of age has a voice, is still learning, clearly has a cause, is happy to show off her stuff, and is obviously having fun.