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Introduction

Image source: Personal Photos

Hello! My name is Ashley Pesch!

I am a fourth grade teacher in Mannheim District 83 as well as a cheerleading coach at Leyden High School. This is my fifth year teaching and second year coaching. Prior to teaching fourth grade, I taught fifth grade in Berwyn South for four years. During my time in Berwyn South I applied to be a part of a technology cohort called LEADE led by West40. In this cohort I learned about how to utilize technology to strengthen my instruction and student engagement. I worked with instructional coaches to implement new things. While in this cohort, I also shared with staff what I learned and was looked at as someone the staff could go to if they had a question or needed support with something technology related. 

I have grown up with so many different social media platforms! Currently I use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, Snapchat, Pinterest, and Tik Tok. I included the profile pictures of the accounts I use the most. I feel I have a good relationship with social media. As I have gotten older my view on social media has changed. I remember back in middle school and high school I would post on Facebook or Twitter all the time sharing everything I was doing, who I was with and what we were doing. 

I use Facebook to stay connected to family and friends. I have family all over the world. I love staying connected with them, and sharing important things that are going on in my life for them to see on my Facebook. 

I use Instagram both personally and professionally. My personal Instagram is private for my friends and family to only see.. On my personal Instagram I will share pictures and videos of my Fiance and I, my friends, places I’ve vacationed, or just cool things! I have a lot of dogs, fashion, and wedding ideas on my feed. My professional Instagram I started when I graduated college as a way to connect with other new teachers and find ideas. I did post some things on this account early on. I now primarily use this account to see what other teachers share.

I also use Twitter/X. Twitter I have both a personal and professional twitter however I only use my professional Twitter now. I have not logged on my personal Twitter in quite some time. My professional Twitter started when I graduated college and got my first teaching job. It started as a way to connect with my new colleagues and see what my new school was like. It then turned into sharing the current happenings of my classroom and cool things we are up to. I still try to share what is happening in my classroom a few times a month, or I will share things my school and district post. Additionally, I share things my cheerleading team is up to. 

I am guilty of scrolling aimlessly on Tik Tok. This for my own enjoyment. I love watching dog videos, cooking videos, and fashion. However, I do follow several amazing educators and get ideas from them. I also love to use Pinterest. When I was in college Pinterest was used a lot to find lesson ideas. Now I use it to find inspiration for my upcoming wedding.

How has your use of social media changed over time?

I would love to connect with you, follow me on X/Twitter! https://twitter.com/mspesch 


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Comments

  1. Moonlit HazeMarch 12, 2024 at 6:40 PM

    Hey Ashley!
    It's so funny how Facebook has become the place where we tend to connect with family members. I often wonder why that is. Nonetheless, I'm glad that there is a social media platform accessible enough for our older family members whose screen fonts are probably tripled the default size...haha!

    Seeing as you say you share your students' faces on social media; has that ever been brought up as an issue by parents or your admin?

    I also scroll aimlessly on TikTok. Sometimes I feel worse than the younger generations with my phone use. I find myself taking social media breaks to cleanse my brain, and yet, then, I feel more alone than I did when I didn't have social media as a child. It's weird having so much access to what's happening in the world and that it can be removed by just turning off your phone or deleting certain apps!

    Have you heard about how our government wants to ban TikTok? Wild times...

    -Haze

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ashley PeschMarch 13, 2024 at 2:15 PM

      Hi!

      In the districts that I have worked in, families have to sign a photo release consent form. If families don't give consent then I cover the students faces in pictures with emojis. It really hasn't been an issue with parents or admin so far! Admin encourages me to share what is going on in my classroom.

      In regards to you banning Tik-Tok - YES! I have heard about that and that sounds so crazy to me. I hope they don't because I do enjoy watching the videos.

      Delete
  2. NMZumpanoMarch 13, 2024 at 5:59 AM

    Great to meet you, Ashley. I know all of the places you have worked and even graduated (quite some time ago) from East Leyden! Like you, my use of social media has changed as my roles and beliefs have changed. I use different platforms for different purposes and appreciate that I am in control of that. I'm looking forward to learning with you this spring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ashley PeschMarch 13, 2024 at 2:17 PM

      What a small world! I graduated from West Leyden myself!

      I am looking forward to learning with you as well!

      Delete
  3. Mayci EdwardsMarch 13, 2024 at 6:52 PM

    Great post, Ashley! That is awesome that the staff at your school could come to you with any technology questions. It sounds like you are a technology leader and your co-workers trust your suggestions or opinions. I use all of the social media platforms that you use. I love finding educators on TikTok that are inspiring. I also find lots of good recipes on there to try at home. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

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