Gianna Sicola

Professor Suk

EDUC-230-02 Education Field Experience

December 2021

The Power of Networking in the Teaching Profession

Who do you consider you current professional learning network?

Although I would consider everyone in my education classes at RVCC part of my current

professional learning network, but specifically I would say that two peers of mine from EDUC-

230-02, Kristin and Isabel, are the ones that can relate to me the most. Out of our entire class, we

are the ones that are doing our field experiences virtually, instead of in-person as other peers of

ours are. This puts us in a unique scenario since we are experiencing our field placements

virtually, therefore, I would say that systematically speaking, we are all very similar and able to

be there for each other in ways that other peers might not understand.

Additionally, throughout my school experiences as I grew older and graduated high

school, I was then able to connect with past teachers via social media platforms and

communicatively. Majority of the teachers I still keep in contact with were teachers form high

school, however there are a few from my lower grade schools that I also keep in contact with.

Most from high school that I still am in contact with today are from the Special Education

department; this includes Mrs. Dina Marron, Mr. Anthony Petraglia, and Mr. Robert Pellechio In

high school I worked closely with these teachers which allowed me to be able to keep in contact

with them after high school. Having these teachers as part of my network is extremely beneficial
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to me because my hopes is to go into the special education field and since all these teachers work

in that field professionally, I have mentors I can look up to and ask questions.

Finally, there are other teachers I have a close connection with; however, I never

personally had these teachers as my own teachers. I work at a dance studio and some of the other

instructors there are also educators (being a dance instructor is their second source of income). I

consider these teachers, Ms. Ashlie Dente and Ms. Gina Quaglia, a part of my professional

learning network as they have been great sources of support and motivation for me as I am

studying the field of education.

What measures could you use to begin to grow your professional learning network?

The obvious answer would be to start a professional social media account that I can use

to professionally grow my network, however, there are other things I would prefer to do first

being creating an account. To me this includes finding a group on Facebook that could support

me as a future educator in general but also an aspiring special education teacher. I think this first

step is something that I would be most confident and comfortable with since I am already a

member on Facebook and I can join into a group of other people in the same boat as me, but we

can share resources, information, or other helpful materials.

Which of these organizations’ mission/purpose appeals to you the most, and why?

To me the National Coalition for Safe Schools appeals to me the most but also is the most

relevant to today especially. This organization advocates for the change in school systems to help

with school violence. Rather than going against laws and wanting change in that way, this

organizations mission is to provide educators and school communities with resources that can
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allow students to receive resources to help prevent violence. Just recently, in Michigan there was

a school shooting, which shows the importance and relevance of this topic. From looking at the

website I was able to see the interviewee, Melissa Morris, holds an executive position. This

organization, in my opinion, is super important for the education field, not only for teachers but

also for the students of the nation; advocating for change for school safety in a way that doesn’t

tear apart our laws, but looks into the root and solving the problem on situational basis’s is super

important for our world today.

What does it mean to you that this educator is so recognized and valued in her field?

Melissa Morris is a prime example of an educator doing the upmost for her profession

and students, not even those she works with directly, but on a global scale too. During her

interview with Dr. Kathy Suk, she had stated that “not every teacher can go from nothing to

glory” (13:58, Morris, 2020). This brief statement not only captures her grown success, but also

emphasizes that not every single teacher will have the opportunity to grow into the biggest and

greatest changemaker. By hearing and reading about Morris’ story and how she got to where she

is today, was truly inspiring and motivational. From her, I was able to see that being an educator

is not just about teaching students, but it’s also about creating programs for students to enjoy and

environments for them to truly grow in. Also, in the interview article from NYU with her, Morris

had said due to the changes brought on by the pandemic, “we elevate and empower our students

by meeting them where they are and understanding what they need” (Morris, 2020). This shows

that not only is she a great and understanding teacher for her students during a tough time, but

she is truly in the profession because of the impact she has on students and the ability she has to

make an impact and change by teaching these students music. By Morris’ ability to establish a
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purpose and value behind her name, provides an example for current educators and aspiring

educators to advocate for the world of their profession and the people affected or influenced by it

as well.

Do you think awards are the types of recognition that would make you feel that you are most

valued in our profession? Why or why not?

Initially, my response to this would be that awards would be the best thing to reinforce

the value I hold, however, after listening to Melissa’s interview, I don’t think this is my true

answer to this question. Though awards are good and can prove that you are one of the best or

hold great value in whatever it is you are doing, I think to me there are smaller, more personal,

things that would make me feel just as valued as an award would. To me, this could include

positive feedback from students or parents. I think this would show me that I am valued and

make me feel good about the job I am doing, because I would know directly how I am helping or

influencing someone; I think being able to hear from someone that I helped them, was a great

influence on someone’s child, or that I somehow made an impact on someone’s live would mean

so much to me. Contrary to popular belief, I think personally getting messages of praise or

impact over receiving an award would provide me with more self-value and appreciation. A

personal attest to this concept relates to me as a dance instructor; being a dance instructor, I not

only am responsible for educating students about dance, but I also have to be a model for my

students athletically. A couple of times I have received emails or verbal messages from parents

about how their child loves coming to my class or looks up to me as a dancer, it makes me feel

like I am succeeding in what I am doing and helps me continue to feel confident being a dance
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instructor; it’s moments like these that I hope I can experience and that I will strive for the most

when I professionally step into the education field.

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References

About us — National Coalition for Safe Schools. (n.d.). National Coalition for Safe

Schools. https://www.notinmyschool.com/about-us

Morris, M. (2020, October 8). The Power of Networking in the Teaching Profession [Video].

Interview by K. Suk. Canvas.

Helping Young People Follow Their Dreams: An interview with Melissa Morris (MA '00). (2020,

October 13). NYU Steinhardt. https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/news/helping-young-people-

follow-their-dreams-interview-music-educator-melissa-morris-ma-00