TABOO

It's a relatively new phenomenon: educators sharing their successes on social media. For some this is a major breach of the humility many educators feel is required of those in the profession. But a new generation of educators is pushing back on this notion and using PR and marketing strategies to brand their schools and tell their stories. We invited five educators on the leading edge of this issue to talk with uncommon candor about the culture clash between traditional educator values and those of the social media culture. Follow: @tomwhitby, @NMHS_principal, @Joe_Mazza, @TonySinanis, @Joesanfelippofc @bodymindchild @bamradionetwork Rae Pica is an education consultant, author and host of Teachers Aid. Tom Whitby is contributing Editor at SmartBrief and founder of #Edchat. Eric Sheninger is an award-winning Principal at New Milford High School in NJ. Tony Sinanis, is lead Learner of Cantiague Elementary- Jericho, NY. Dr. Joe Mazza serves as K-12 Director of Connected Teaching, Learning & Leadership in Pennsylvania. Dr. Joe Sanfelippo is the Superintendent of the Fall Creek School District in Wisconsin.

Even the best teachers feel disillusioned about teaching at times. However, some are brokenhearted and dispirited about what teaching has become, yet continue teaching because they have limited alternatives. Is there a solution? Follow:@blairteach, @JessedHagopian @coolcatteacher, @bamradionetwork Jesse Hagopian teaches history at Garfield High School, the site of the historic boycott of the MAP test in 2013; Vicki Davis is a classroom technology teacher and author of Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds; David Smith taught for 20 years in both public and parochial schools in Southeastern Pennsylvania; and Nancy Blair is a school improvement consultant and former administrator.

It is a generally accepted belief that teachers should love working with all of their kids. Fact is, sometimes teachers don't like some of the kids in a classroom and sometimes teachers may even dislike an entire class, but are hesitant to admit this. This often creates deep feelings of shame, dissonance and doubts about being fit to teach. Our panel talks openly about this dilemma. Follow:@blairteach, @wmchamberlain @flourishingkids @bodymindchild@BloomfieldDavid @bamradionetwork Rae Pica, education consultant, author and host of Teachers Aid, joins William Chamberlain, a junior high social studies teacher; Dr. David Bloomfield Professor of Education Leadership, Law, and Policy at Brooklyn College; Nancy Blair, a professional development consultant, former teacher and school administrator; and Joan Young a 4th-grade teacher & therapist, social worker before teaching.

Welcome to Taboo, a thought-provoking and insightful new series. In this premier segment, six courageous education thought leaders explain why they chose to co-host a show discussing the issues we often avoid. Follow:@blairteach, @MarilynRhames @coolcatteacher @flourishingkids @bodymindchild @edrethink @bamradionetwork Rae Pica, education consultant, author and host of Teachers Aid, joins co-hosts Marilyn Anderson Rhames, a Chicago science teacher and Edweek blogger; Vicki Davis, a classroom technology teacher and author of Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds; Nancy Blair, a school improvement consultant and former administrator; Joan Young, a 4th-grade teacher & aclinical psychologist; and John Spencer, a 6th-grade ELL teacher in Phoenix, Arizona.

In a climate that many believe is openly hostile to teachers, there's a widespread sentiment that educators should put a positive face on the profession no matter what. But others feel that unwavering positive spin in the face of obvious wrongdoings is hurting the teaching profession. What's your take? Follow:@blairteach, @tomwhitby @MarilynRhames @mbteach @bodymindchild @bamradionetwork Mary Beth Hertz is a K-8 technology teacher and technology integration specialist in Philadelphia, PA; Marilyn Anderson Rhames is a science teacher in Chicago who writes a weekly blog for Education Week Teacher; Tom Whitby is contributing Editor at SmartBrief and co-founder of #Edchat; Nancy Blair, a school improvement consultant who frequently worked with the High Schools That Work; Rae Pica is an author and host of Teachers Aid.