Teachers are busy. The job requires thought, kindness, responsiveness, patience, and time, all while juggling students’ needs. Every student and often every parent requires some part of you. It can feel overwhelming at times. How can you possibly find time to blog? And, why would you want to add another task to your already full plate?

Blogging is a way for you to reap some personal as well as professional rewards. Even if you’ve never taken the time to blog before, you can begin today with just a few minutes of quiet time dedicated to your profession.

Here are just a few reasons why blogging can benefit you as a person and as a teacher.

Reflection

Rather than just getting through the day and counting down until the weekend, take a little bit of focused time for reflection.  A reflective blog about your teaching will allow you to grow as a professional. You will be able to make sense of your teaching ideas when you see them written on the screen.

When you take the time to reflect on your day, you are taking time for yourself. Blogging allows time to reflect on the lessons you taught and how the students responded. It gives you the opportunity to consider your teaching style, or it may encourage you to consider a new approach. You can review discussions you’ve had with colleagues about challenges in the classroom. Time for reflection makes you an even better teacher. 

Sharing

Take some time to add your voice to the profession. You’ve read about amazing lessons from other teachers and maybe tried some of their suggestions. Now it is time for you to give your own suggestions. Maybe you tried something new with your students or added a twist to a tried and true activity. Teachers are always searching for new ideas, and your blog could lead the way. Along with your own ideas, you can include links to suggestions you’ve found on the internet. You could even rate the suggestions and create different topics for various grade levels and skills.

Build Your Professional Portfolio

You are in the trenches, so you know the real deal about teaching. Your professional portfolio could be filled with blogs about your teaching philosophy or your opinion about the latest educational trend. Is online teaching working? Is your classroom multicultural? Are your students receiving what they need? How can parents really help? This type of blog is filled with your professional and informed opinion. And, if you still like to conduct research, you can use your blog as a way to publish what you’ve discovered.

Be the Example

Your students most likely know what a blog is. When you share with them that you are a blogger, you become more than their teacher. You become an example of lifelong learning. You are the real deal.

Someone who blogs tends to read more. Bloggers look for new material and ideas to write about, and this often includes more reading. You will naturally become more informed about what is happening within your field, and this knowledge will come out when you are teaching. Your students are always watching, so let them see someone who reads, writes, and shares opinions about education with an authentic audience. 

Authentic Audience

Every writer knows that when you write for a real audience, your writing improves. Other educators will read your blogs and receive important information, ideas, and opinions. You will naturally want your writing to be at its best since your colleagues and professionals from all over the world might read your writing. Having others read your blog should not unsettle you; it should excite you. Blogging is an opportunity where you can share your writing with a real audience and receive their feedback.

Do it for You

Even if you don’t care how many people read or don’t read your blog, you should start blogging for you. Getting in the habit of writing down your reflections, opinions, and ideas can feel rejuvenating. It will force you to take a step back and consider the choices you made with your colleagues and students. When you spend some time with your thoughts about your profession, you will achieve a sense of renewal. It may not happen each time you blog, but it will happen.

Blogging is its own professional development. Take advantage of creating your own PD, and you will reap the many benefits. You can choose to write once per week or once per day. It only takes a few focused minutes of your time. After you’ve completed a handful of blogs, go back and reread what you’ve written. You will see a more confident voice emerge with each post.