Samantha FecichProfessional Belonging featuring Dr. Ilene Winokur
Updated: Jun 3, 2022
The Edumagic podcast is back with another episode. Today, Dr. Ilene Winokur discusses connecting as an educator through professional belonging. In this episode, find out what professional belonging is and how to find it in a school or district. As a new teacher, you will also learn about different types of communities.
Dr. Winokur is a professional development specialist supporting teachers globally, including refugee teachers. She has been active in learning innovation for over 25 years. Ilene is passionate about narratives related to belonging. Before retiring in 2019, Ilene was a teacher and administrator at the elementary and pre-college levels for 25 years specializing in teaching English learners.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Professional belonging is a sense of belonging at work that should include feeling valued, accepted, celebrated, comfortable, and trusted. Whenever we walk in the door, we should feel glad to be there.
Establishing a professional family is critical for a new teacher.
Make sure that you feel part of your community. You can do this t through your team, staff/faculty at the school, online, or mentor. Be intentional through your professional connections.
Make connections with other educators through a professional learning network online through Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Connect with other educators through social networks such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Now what?
Get connected on social! For more about this topic, check out these ideas:
Spillin' the tea on Twitter for Teachers Featuring Stephan Hughes
Take a video of yourself teaching.
Observe and observe others in the field
We all have something to share as an educator.
Resources mentioned
Ilene hosts the Journey to Belonging podcast and blogs about her journey to belonging in Buffalo, NY, where she grew up, and Yarmouk, Kuwait, where she has lived since 1984.
Connect with Ilene on Twitter @IleneWinokur
Book: Journey to Belonging: Pathways to Well-Being - Both focus on the importance of feeling a sense of belonging, the subject of her new book.