Find Your Folks: Connecting During COVID-19

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Who do you call when you have news to share? Your parents? Spouse? Friends? Often, when something ‘big’ happens we have a core group to turn to for support. This is incredibly important during these uncertain times with the COVID-19 outbreak. While we no doubt are talking to those close to us (probably more than we should be) there are times when we need to talk to others who understand us in a different context. Educators around the world have been catapulted into online learning. Some are prepared and welcoming the opportunity while others are going in kicking and screaming. Although I am no longer school-based I am in the “thick of things” just like educators- only in my role, I’m supporting multiple counties, districts, and coaches. Who do I turn to for support? The following is a list of groups I’ve leaned on during these chaotic times. All are free and welcoming of new arrivals. Perhaps they will work for you too.


Social Media

Facebook Groups

Online Learning Collective- (a group of higher education professionals sharing and planning together) https://www.facebook.com/groups/onlinelearningcollective/?fref=nf


The Ultimate E-Learning Support Group- (educators that have come together to support one another) https://www.facebook.com/groups/542780459688616/


Educator Temporary School Closure for Online Learning- (this started as a group for international educators who were quarantined but has become a much larger group of stakeholders that are affected by Coronavirus) https://www.facebook.com/groups/Temporaryschoolclosuresupport/

Twitter- https://twitter.com My general Twitter feed is chock-full of educators sharing struggles and success stories


Colleagues

The Daily Connect with Lucy Gray (educators from around the world have the opportunity to jump on a Zoom call daily to connect and share information. Planning doc (schedule included): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_QgUZ-Cti7bnvusHVMi7YXczs8x7NDC1MHt1Umj3vD8/edit?usp=sharing


LTC “Office Hours”- we are holding open Zoom meetings daily as an opportunity for educators to connect and share. View the schedule here: https://ltcillinois.org/event/edtechofficehours-2020-03-27-2/


“Women Leader Exchange”- a colleague started a “chain mail” opportunity in which we have the chance to send an uplifting quote or email to a female colleague we admire. I was grateful to be added to the list.


How are you connecting with supports to get through COVID-19? Let me know on Twitter so we can support each other. http://twitter.com/nmzumpano

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