Welcome!

=Purpose=

This wiki is for teachers to work together. The idea arose from the Coastal Bend Writing Project during Summer 2013. The collaborative learning and idea sharing changed the way everyone in the project approached their classrooms. As with any great experience, we were sad to see it end and wondered if there was a way to help every teacher benefit from the experience and creativity of other local teachers.

Many of us came from CCISD, but we had teachers from Del Mar College, Calallen, and a Montessori school. We wanted an online place where teachers could share ideas about lessons, activities, classroom design, and any element of education they wanted to cover, regardless of what district or school they came from. We'd been using a Wikispaces site for the Writing Project and realized the answer was in front of us the whole time.

We started this wiki, but you keep it going. This site is meant to serve every teacher, no matter what their level of experience. Veteran teachers can create a mini-workshop and pass on the tricks of the trade. New teachers can get real advice from local teachers that want to help.

TeacherNet is yours. You create the site, you benefit from it. Real collaboration, real resources that work.

On this site, we are all equals. There are no principals, assistant principals, or any other title. We are all educators working toward the same goal. We are all equal here because we all have something valuable to share: our unique perspective. Together, we can help all our students.

__** Remember, when you join, spread the word! The more teachers we have, the better. **__ =Site Features=

Here are some of the features of the site that make it an extremely useful resource:


 * A Discussion Forum for asking and answering questions about any and every educational issue in or out of the class. Got a question? Ask it here.


 * Lessons and Activities that other teachers have used. Take a look at examples of activities and lessons other teachers have used. You might find a math lesson that is perfect for teaching English!


 * Book Corner is the place for you to recommend that great resource book you've been using for years. The printed word is alive and well! Share your favorite professional book and inspire others.


 * Teacher Created Workshops give you the chance to teach your fellow teachers what you know. Do you know how to use and create foldables? Or graphic organizers? Do you use technology in an interesting way in your classroom? The best teachers are always looking for new ideas for their classroom. Give them some!


 * Useful Links is a collection of links people have found helpful. The Internet is a big place and looking for resources can be exhausting, not to mention time-consuming. If you've stumbled onto something, share it and get some new ideas while you're at it!


 * Apps for Teachers collects the most useful apps to help you integrate technology in your classroom instruction or just make your life a little easier.


 * Skype with Fellow Teachers gives you the chance to have real-time conversations with local teachers about any education topic.


 * Success Stories is where we get to tell our favorite stories about those kids that touched our hearts and reminded us why we love our jobs. We've all got 'em. Share the inspiration!


 * For New Teachers is a page with resources for helping teachers new to the classroom. If you feel like you've been tossed into a raging sea of a classroom, or know someone who does, we're here for you. Whether it's resources, checklists or sample ideas, the new teacher needs support.


 * The E-Mentor Program is a voluntary program open to any members. You can volunteer to help a new teacher or volunteer to become a technology mentor to a veteran teacher that needs support. Connecting those who want to help and those who want help is technology at its best!


 * Blogs are a great way to keep up with ideas and follow the progress of the year through another teacher's eyes. If you have a blog, share the link with us. Or follow a blog and learn from your colleagues.


 * Wiki Help tries to answer some of the basic questions you might have about how to navigate and use this wiki.


 * You! You're the best feature of the site because you can add to it. What do you think we need? How can we make our site better for all teachers? You're there for your students; TeacherNet is here for you.