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As educators, we often start our careers in a classroom setting where it’s easy to find “our people”—colleagues from our grade-level teams, subject-area departments, or even just hallway neighbors. Early in my career, I was a floater teacher, moving between multiple classrooms, and I was fortunate to be “adopted” by teachers across different departments. At that time, before the rise of social media, I relied heavily on in-person colleagues to help me learn and grow as an educator.
However, as I became more interested in integrating technology into my teaching, I realized there weren’t many others on my campus who shared my excitement. That’s when I discovered the #MTBoS (Math Twitter Blog-o-Sphere)—an online community of educators eager to share ideas, resources, and support. This community expanded my thinking, helped me grow, and connected me with collaborators far beyond my campus.
In an ever-evolving educational landscape, finding your people through a professional learning network (PLN) is not just helpful—it’s essential for growth, collaboration, and improving student outcomes. Whether through online platforms or face-to-face communities, PLNs provide the connections, ideas, and support needed for continuous improvement throughout every stage of an educator’s journey.
The Importance of a Community
A Professional/Personal Learning Network (PLN) is a group of educators who intentionally connect, collaborate and share knowledge to improve their professional practice continuously. Learning Forward underscores the significance of PLNs in their Culture of Collaborative Inquiry standard. “When educators at every role, grade level, and content area collaborate for continuous improvement and support their colleagues’ ongoing learning and development, they increase learning opportunities for each student.”
I experienced firsthand the power of a PLN through # MTBoS. I witnessed how teachers would post an S.O.S.—“Help, I’m teaching [this topic] for the first time and need resources!”—and within an hour, multiple educators would respond with ideas, links, and follow-up questions. This spontaneous, collaborative support created a ripple effect in classrooms across the world. Even without meeting face-to-face, teachers were learning, improving, and impacting students together.
While platforms and tools have evolved, the essence of community-building remains the same. In the past, PLNs were often formed in person—whether in the break room, at conferences, or during workshops. Today, virtual PLNs have expanded the possibilities, allowing educators to connect across time zones, regions, and even continents. Both in-person and online networks offer unique benefits, and educators can find valuable opportunities to learn, share, and grow—whether they’re meeting face-to-face or engaging in a virtual community. The goal remains the same: to build connections that foster continuous improvement.
Reflections:
Think about your current PLN. What makes it effective? Are there ways you could deepen those connections or invite new voices to the conversation?
If you’re searching for a community, what qualities or values are most important to you in a PLN? Where might you begin looking for a group that aligns with those priorities?
Consider what’s next. Can you take one step this month to strengthen your network, such as attending a meetup, joining an online group, or reconnecting with a colleague you haven’t spoken to in a while?
Finding Your Community
As educators transition into leadership roles or step away from the classroom, it can become more challenging to find “your people.” That’s when PLNs become more essential than ever, offering spaces for connection, support, and shared learning. Whether you’re leading a district, working as a specialist, or exploring new career paths, PLNs provide access to diverse perspectives and resources. They foster the cross-pollination of ideas across disciplines, grade levels, and regions, ensuring that educators—and their students—continue to grow.
Connecting with Role-Alike Communities
Several years ago, my teammates and I led a group of North Texas Instructional Tech Specialists (NTXITS). We met regularly with other area educators to collaborate on digital learning initiatives. To make these meetups more purposeful, we refined our focus and decided that each gathering would center around three goals: problem-solving, learning, and networking—conveniently forming the acronym PLN. (You can read more about choosing these words in my post about The -ING Effect: A Strategy for Purposeful Planning.) These monthly meetups became something we all looked forward to, as they brought us together with our people who shared similar challenges, interests, and areas of expertise.
Later, when colleagues and I had an opportunity to host a Learning Forward North Texas (LFNTX) affiliate meeting, we borrowed the same -ING words from NTXITS to shape the event. Although the audience was slightly different—professional learning designers, instructional coaches, and education leaders—the goals remained the same: problem-solving, learning, and networking. Being around people in similar roles always led to rich conversations and innovative solutions. This was especially valuable for those working as a single-member team on their campus or in their district. Connecting with others in similar situations allowed us to share resources, exchange ideas, and grow together as professionals.
Find an LFTX Community!
If you’re looking for a community of fellow professional learning facilitators, consider joining one of the Learning Forward Texas (LFTX) area affiliates. Each regional group shares a common purpose: working together to tackle problems of practice, expanding your role as a learning leader, and networking with others in similar positions. Explore the affiliate details here:
Reflections:
How often do you connect with others in a similar role? Do you meet on a regular basis, or could you set up a consistent schedule to strengthen your connections?
What has been the impact of those connections on your professional practice? Consider specific examples where collaboration led to new ideas or solutions.
Do you have a well-defined purpose for your community? If not, how might you refine your goals to ensure your group remains focused and impactful?
Connecting with Subject-Alike Communities
In addition to role-alike communities, consider joining subject-specific groups that focus on your content area. Many disciplines have regional affiliates or state-level organizations that offer regular meetups or conferences. Staying connected with these groups helps you stay current with trends, research, and practices specific to your field. This opportunity for deeper dives into subject areas also allows you to build discipline-specific expertise, which aligns with the Learning Forward Standard of Professional Expertise. “Educators continually build their discipline-specific expertise to understand the conceptual foundations that undergird their roles and responsibilities, whether they serve at the system, school, or classroom level.” The # MTBoS did exactly that for me, providing a network of passionate educators who helped me build my expertise, expand my knowledge, and refine my teaching practice.
Expanding Beyond Job-Alike Groups
While role-alike and subject-specific communities are invaluable, there is also great power in connecting with people outside your immediate field who share similar passions and a commitment to growth. By broadening your PLN to include diverse perspectives, you open up new ways of thinking and problem-solving, which ultimately enhances your practice. These connections can lead to innovative ideas, collaborative projects, and a richer understanding of educational challenges and solutions.
One way to do this is by participating in MasterMind groups. A MasterMind group brings together a small group of professionals who meet regularly to share goals, challenges, and successes. Each member contributes their insights and experiences, offering feedback, accountability, and support. Forming a MasterMind group with two colleagues was a highlight of my professional journey during the post-pandemic years. We created a culture of collaborative inquiry, thrived on learning together, and built a strong network of support that helped each of us grow personally and professionally. The regular meetings provided a safe space to discuss ideas, reflect on progress, and navigate challenges with the encouragement of trusted peers.
Another example is the CoffeeEDU community—a casual, unconference-style meetup where educators come together to chat, share ideas, and learn from one another. What makes CoffeeEDU special is its informality and inclusivity; it’s open to anyone interested in connecting over shared passions, not just those in similar roles or content areas. Our DFW # CoffeeEDU group embodies this spirit, demonstrating the importance of taking ownership of your own learning. Over time, we’ve evolved into a collaborative, enlivening community where we offer feedback, support, and friendship. These casual gatherings often lead to deep, spontaneous conversations that might not happen in more formal settings, making them a unique space for professional and personal growth.
Both MasterMind and CoffeeEDU communities illustrate how expanding beyond job-alike groups can enrich your PLN. By connecting with people who might not share your exact role but are equally passionate about growth, you gain new insights, broaden your perspective, and cultivate a network that supports continuous learning.
Reflections:
Are there communities outside of your specific role that could help broaden your perspectives and enhance your practice? Consider how different voices might bring new insights to your work.
What steps can you take to build a more diverse and enriching PLN? Can you join an existing group, start a new one, or attend a meetup to explore new connections?
Building Your Network, Expanding Your Impact
Building and nurturing a professional learning network (PLN) goes beyond personal growth; it’s about creating a culture of shared learning and collaboration that benefits everyone around you. From my first online PLN—the # MTBoS—to my current and future communities, I have seen firsthand how learning, growing, and sharing with fellow educators can enrich both my professional and personal life. The connections you cultivate—whether with role-alike peers, subject-specific experts, or diverse groups of passionate educators—become a source of inspiration, innovation, and support. By expanding your network, you amplify your ability to make a positive impact on your colleagues, students, and the broader education community.
Take a moment to reflect on your current network and consider where there might be opportunities to grow. Could you strengthen connections with colleagues in similar roles? Explore a subject-specific group to deepen your expertise? Or step outside your comfort zone to join a new community? Whatever the next step is, make a commitment to expand, connect, and grow your PLN. By doing so, you’ll cultivate a culture of collaboration that drives continuous improvement—both for yourself and those around you.
And stay tuned for the upcoming launch of the LFTX online community—watch this space for more details soon!
PLN Toolkit: Articles to Inspire and Connect
Building Your Professional Learning Network | Edutopia, Rene Dené Poth
5 Tips to Build Your Professional Learning Network | Digital Promise, Victoria Thompson
Why Every Teacher Needs a MasterMind Group, John Spencer
What's CoffeeEDU? Alice Keeler
The Impact of a Tech Community (Flipgrid), Matt Miller
📸 Photos in this post feature the DFW # CoffeeEDU community and were taken by Kathryn Laster. Learn more about this PLN here. All educators are welcome!
Kathryn Laster brings over 30 years of education expertise as a math teacher, instructional coach, and digital learning consultant. Now, as an independent consultant, Kathryn creates and facilitates transformative learning experiences through intentional, human-centered, tech-infused design. She actively engages in PLNs, including her DFW CoffeeEDU community and MasterMind group, which inspire her continuous growth and collaboration. Kathryn is also building the Refined Design learning community—a space for anyone who designs professional learning to connect, share knowledge, and grow together. Learn more and join here! Connect with Kathryn at refinedlearningdesign.com or on Twitter @kklaster.
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