Non-sequitur: I think some of us on Edutwitter respond with sarcasm and derision not only as a form of disagreement of the content, but the disagreement of the underlying norms and parlance of “professionalism” we’re often asked to represent. On our time, we change norms some.
We shouldn’t confuse professionalism with respect and courtesy. Professionalism is too often code for conforming “others” into the hegemony. To wit, respect and courtesy would outdo professionalism insofar as our individual and collective humanity is concerned.
The power dynamics created on Twitter are such that those with 50K-plus followers (usually achieves through purchase, automation, or “targeted content”) can feel attacked by thoughtful (current!) educators with half that number. That’s wild to me.
I can envision someone who’s created an audience getting harassed on here for any number of things, but the things I’ve seen recently ain’t that. If there’s ever been a mob, it’s the indiscreet network of white ppl (and adjacent) who’ve gotten connections and gigs for mediocrity.
If you’re in a district, for ex, where your sup paid 15K to teach teachers keyboard shortcuts but only $500 to get teachers to build community w/ their kids? Or you pay only 1K for 4 workshops and the “privilege” of doing business with a brand name? That’s real mobbing.
Suffice it to say, we’re gonna crack these jokes. I’ve seen too many edus burnt by a profession that didn’t love them back for us to not look at EduTwitter the same way. You can’t do better by a power structure by replicating the very structure you seek to break. Punto.
