Teacherpreneur       

Not every teacher sees himself or herself as an entrepreneur, but we really do meet the definition of being entrepreneurial. An entrepreneur is one who operates a business or entity taking on risk. Our classrooms are definitely entities and we certainly do take on more risk than most professions in the sheer dynamics of human relations. So why is that most teachers don't recognize their entrepreneurial capacity? I think a shift in influence and impact for the good of our students can be implemented if teachers understood their entrepreneurial advantages. We work collaboratively, design and innovate and influence the next generation. What could possibly be more important? Teachers and friends of teachers, be the entrepreneur you really are! This "tuesdays" will take a look at two ways teachers can benefit from this mindset.

The first area of entrepreneurialism is the business portion. TEACHERS pay TEACHERS is a solid, classy and noteworthy enterprise. It is the largest open marketplace for educators to buy, sell and share their original resources. Bringing educators together in a enterprise system forms a powerful community that raises the bar for all and compensates the best curriculum developers. It's a WIN-WIN for everyone.

The second area of entrepreneurialism is being a teacher leader. The phrase "Teacherpreneurs" was coined by authors Barnett Berry, Ann Byrd and Alan Wieder in their book with the same name. (I just purchased it tonight.) It is the story of eight teachers who have taken the lead on improving education through teacher leaders. Teacherpreneurs demonstrates why and how innovative expert teachers benefit more students. The Center for Teaching Quality is a national non-profit that seeks a high-quality education system for all students, driven by the bold ideas and expert practices of teachers. They have created a video that helps teachers understand how to become an innovative leader without leaving the classroom.

I would like you to join communities of educators on all levels. It's good for your professional growth, it's good for you students and it's good for your whole being. One of the communities is called the Collaboratory, a global community for transforming education. Sponsored by the Center for Teaching Quality, the Collaboratory is an incubator for teachers' bold ideas and innovation solutions. I joined tonight. Their website is high-class and has a unique look and feel. It's worth your investigation. The second community I would like to recommend is the TEACHERS pay TEACHERS community. I love their use of infographics and encouragement to sell creative lessons that are original. I was working with one of my Miami teachers and she paid $10 and downloaded one of the best lessons she ever taught without hours of extra planning on her part. I signed up the same day she showed me the site. The third community is for your spiritual side. Around the Word in 180 Days is a community of educators who are reading/listening to the Word of God each school day in community. Even if none of the communities mentioned interest you, please find a community where you can reflect, revise, refresh and invigorate your practice. The students need you!

How can you have a Teacherpreneur mindset? Consider how much time you take to develop a lesson. Most likely you designed a "hook" or anticipatory set to engage the students. You took time to gather resources and give them to your students to explore in multiple ways. Explaining difficult concepts to students with varying needs is definitely a risk and employs a bag of tricks that is unique to the art and science of teaching. Teachers, we are entrepreneurs! Never say, I am just a teacher, but instead consider saying, "I'm a teacherprenuer." Give it some thought, check out the resources and share them with your teacher friends. You may make a difference in the lives of students you'll never meet.

""The idea of entrepreneurship applies as much in politics, religion, society and the arts as it does in business."

Geoff Mulgan

Created on http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

ipadio   

LiveBinders 

Doceri 

NASA's Image Gallery 

Popplet 

Zoey's Room
Finance in the Classroom
Fotopedia 

The Common Good Forecaster  

Google Earth 

UJAM 

Symbaloo.edu 

Google Science Fair 

Stossel in the Classroom
Word Sift 

Lee Kolbert