This past week in, in Portland, Oregon, I began my journey with Session 1 of Learning Forward’s Academy. This is a 2.5 year program (I will graduate in 2020) that supports educators to develop and tackle a problem of practice related to professional learning in their context, whether that be a school or district or other setting. This, combined with the fact that I just spent four days with some of my best friends who left me with a truly happy heart, has got me thinking about tribe and how to cultivate mine better.

For me a tribe is that group of people who fill my bucket. They are people who validate, who inspire and who push me to be a better version of myself and to whom I offer the same. I am in my truest form with these people, and it’s okay. Currently, me tribe is mighty, but it is small. Normally, this would be okay, however, in my case, except for my husband, my tribe is spread across the US – and I live in Colombia. I value my time with them and work hard to make time to connect online monthly, as well as a few times in person each year. I am right on the line between introvert and extrovert. I love my alone time, to process, to reflect, to plan, to rest and recharge. I can also be recharged by time with others, but not just any other. I’m not into crowds, wild parties, or lots of attention on me. I’m into deep and honest conversations and quality time with a select group of people who enjoy the same.

As I begin to embark on this new professional experience with Learning Forward, I have already noticed a few times where I have felt this tribal energy or spark. I have had conversations that I did not want to end. These are the types of conversations that make my head spin and that do not let me sleep at night, because I have so many ideas about next steps for saving the world…or at least my little part of it. I want to have more of these conversations about the work I am doing but have done a terrible job creating my tribe for this part of my life.  I am going to commit to building this tribe this school year.  Here are my initial thoughts:

1. Team T-Rx. Learning Forward does a great job of connecting people. Already, as a part of the Academy I have been placed into a team with 6 others working on professional learning. We have shared our initial problems of practice and have worked together to refine and tweak. I will have these folks to check in with and lean on over the next two and a half years and I am thrilled. I am going to work hard on developing relationships with each person and making sure that I offer help as much as I ask for it.
2. Mentors. As a participant in the Academy, I also receive a mentor.  This is awesome. As a scholarship recipient, I receive a second mentor. Double the awesomeness. I have already been amazed at how much I have learned about myself, my way of thinking and really gotten clarity on my problem of practice through conversations with my two mentors. But what’s the rule on this? Do mentors count as part of a tribe? I know that I love to help others and I get a lot out of mentoring, but is this a mutually beneficial relationship?
3. Networking. Networking gets a bad rap, or perhaps I give it a bad name. It can sometimes feel forced. But I am learning that if you go into it with the best of intentions, show real interest in other people, there always exists the opportunity to learn from another person and make a genuine connection. So, I’m going to take the time to reach out to people, ask questions, make myself available, and see what happens. This is not easy for me and needs to be both international and local.
4. Exploring the local context. I think I’ve been in a bit of a bubble. I attend lots of trainings and conferences in the U.S. and I think, wow, this would be great for Bogotá, for Colombia. And then a sit on it. I do nothing. I have been living in Colombia for 7 years, but still often feel like an outsider. But this is my home, I need to own it. So, in addition to networking with people in the States, I am also going to begin doing some more research about education in Colombia (particularly public education) and professional learning of teachers. It certainly can’t hurt, and hopefully, I run into some others along the way that have a shared interest.

What ways do you build your tribe?

Is it possible to have a career focused tribe? 

Can tribes be virtual or is the face-to-face interaction a must?

Are you also interested in education and teacher professional learning? Want to connect? Email me!