collaborate

Feeling overwhelmed by multiple preps, as the only high school science teacher, was a reason I left the classroom initially. Driving forty-five minutes one way for 11 years is a lot of time alone with your thoughts. 

Through the eMINTS affiliate trainer program, I found other like-minds that accepted my less traditional approach and encouraged me to seek out opportunities to collaborate with others.

I started engaging in Professional Learning Networks (PLN) that I had avoided for years. I rejoined Twitter/X, Instagram, Threads, and even TikTok with the new professional handle of @linkemints.

This growth in confidence to share despite imperfection is to be a part of the growth of others. I started using my @linkemints handle to start producing personal Shorts that added humor and humility to the conversation about educational research and outreach.

Beyond  that online presence, I began to reach out myself to teachers that had worked on eMINTS grants. In Design though Inquiry we created a map linking the schools across Missouri and Kansas with each other. See the additional artifacts below.

To gain a better understanding of the emints National Center network, Doug Caldwell and I developed the eMINTS Spotlight articles and a podcast telling their stories and the emints impact on their school.