E D U C A T O R
S P O T L I G H T
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J O N A T H A N
N A L D E R
THE POWER OF A PLN GLOBAL GEG FOUNDERS
I asked the GLOBAL GEG Founders to share
others feel supported in growing local GEGs and
their story of how they came together as a
not have the same struggles. Global GEG may
group to provide powerful, global Professional
have started as a way to support others in starting
Learning in such a short amount of time. They
GEGs but it has become so much more. After all,
have had thousands of Youtube views on their
once groups are established, what can they do?
videos, and constantly create engaging and
We decided we wanted to help support others in
beneficial content. I hope that by reading their
professional
story, you too will be able to see the immense
presenting, and growing leadership. We are still
benefit of connections and community within
amazed at the power of this group. We have
our STEM community - enjoy!
hosted more than 500 sessions, have over 70
GlobalGEG is much more than an Innovator project. It grew out of a true need.
learning,
obtaining
certifications,
leaders, have created series that have been pushed out by Google, and have worked with
Six Google Certified Innovators from four different 2019 cohorts started connecting on
educators all over the world who all want to help others grow.
social media and learned that we each wanted
But, how did we get here? How did it work out
to start our own local Google Educator Groups.
that six Certified Innovators launched a group
Many of us learned about Google Educator
that has had millions of views and connections
Groups
online? One of the reasons that this is even
while
Academies
and
we
were
came
at
to
Innovator homes
possible is the power of the PLN. We see ourselves
wanting to support the same learning and
as a Professional Learning Network, or as some
growth we experienced. As we each tried to
like to refer to us, a PLF (Professional Learning
start our local groups, we all had difficulty with
Family).
the process. We shared our struggles with one
struggles and cared to work together to make an
another and realized we were not alone. After
impact and resolve them not only for ourselves
helping each other through the process of
but for others. We decided to fall in love with our
launching our local groups, we wanted to help
problem and use it to help us focus. By having a
STEM|ED MAGAZINE
back
our
our
We
connected
as
people,
over
real
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