Networking in Education: Building Professional Learning Networks as an Educator

Why Is Networking Important in Education?

No matter your role—classroom teacher, instructional specialist, or school leader—the demands of education can feel overwhelming. As formats for teaching shift and career paths diversify, professional networking has become essential for growth and support.

Educators benefit from having trusted peers to exchange ideas, brainstorm solutions, and navigate challenges. A strong network enhances your professional development and can serve as a source of encouragement, especially in a field where work-life balance can be difficult to maintain.

What Are the Specific Ways Educators Can Network?

Build a Professional Learning Network (PLN)

A Professional Learning Network (PLN) is a group of educators and professionals you connect with—formally or informally—to share resources, insights, and support. Unlike a Professional Learning Community (PLC), which typically involves colleagues in the same school, a PLN crosses geographic and institutional boundaries.

Why a PLN Matters:

• Supplements the support of a PLC by introducing diverse perspectives
• Encourages innovation by exposing educators to different approaches
• Helps educators personalize their professional development
  

How to Get Involved: 

• Start with social media. Follow hashtags like #EdChat, #K12Leadership, or state-specific ones tied to your standards (e.g., #TEKS for Texas educators).
• Participate in webinars. Join sessions hosted by trusted education partners like Progress Learning, which focus on topics like data-driven intervention and progress monitoring.
• Contribute to conversations. Post, comment, and engage in educator forums or subject-specific groups.
  

Attend Conferences and Summits

State and national conferences are a reliable way to build connections and discover practical resources. Events hosted by organizations like NASSP, ISTE, and ASCD offer sessions tailored for school leaders, instructional coaches, and classroom educators alike.

Don’t just attend – get involved:

• Join breakout sessions, roundtables, or panels
• Connect with speakers and fellow attendees on LinkedIn
• Bring back strategies to share with your school or district
  

Join Online Groups and Communities

Active educator groups on Facebook, Reddit, and Slack offer access to subject-specific discussions, implementation strategies, and resource swaps. For Progress Learning customers, our Facebook group is a great space to connect with other users focused on standards mastery, remediation strategies, and maximizing tools like Liftoff and Custom Assessments.

Tips for Building and Sustaining Professional Relationships

• Provide value. Share your experiences, offer resources, and be generous with your insights.
• Ask thoughtful questions. In forums or DMs, genuine curiosity builds relationships.
• Keep it professional. Especially in cross-role or out-of-state connections, staying focused on instructional goals keeps conversations productive.
• Maintain contact. Check in periodically—comment on posts, share resources, or invite colleagues to join webinars or collaborative projects.
  

How Can Non-Teaching Staff Network Effectively?

While networking strategies often focus on classroom educators, every role in a school ecosystem benefits from intentional connection-building.

For Administrators:

• Join leadership networks like NASSP’s to exchange strategies for school-wide improvement.
• Learn from other districts using tools like Progress Learning to implement data-driven intervention and remediation at scale.
  

For Instructional Specialists:

• Collaborate with peers on intervention strategies and standards-aligned remediation.
• Join national organizations or subject-specific groups (e.g., National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, ILA).
• Use reporting tools from Progress Learning to focus discussions on data and outcomes.
  

For Instructional Technology Leaders:

• Collaborate with peers on integrating platforms like Progress Learning with existing district systems, including NWEA MAP.
• Lead or attend webinars that address adaptive intervention and tech-enhanced learning paths.
  

In education, connection is everything. Whether you’re working to close learning gaps, launch a new intervention program, or simply stay energized in your role, a strong network can make the difference. By building a PLN, attending events, and engaging with professional communities, you’re setting yourself—and your students—up for success.

Progress Learning is proud to support educators not just through our platform, but through the connections and collaboration that fuel lasting growth. We’re here to help you master your standards and meet others doing the same.

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