The Power of Virtual Coworking for Teachers
Feeling disconnected from other educators after leaving the classroom to work flexibly in education? Discover the power of virtual coworking for teachers.
As busy educators you know the importance of collaboration, community, and connection in the workplace. Say for example, you created an incredible activity/project for your students. You gather all the supplies and materials, organize the classroom to allow for student interaction and share your lesson with much excitement…only to find it flops.
You know at its core, the activity had a lot to offer so you share the experience with a colleague to commiserate. After listening to your story, they ask you a few questions that lead you to consider new avenues you could pursue to improve the lesson flow.
By leaning into these, you find several areas you could tweak for better engagement, student comprehension, and clarity that propel student achievement. It's a win-win!
In a brick-and-mortar school setting, it's easier to engage with others both personally and professionally. You can chat with your colleagues in the fleeting quiet moments, brainstorm ideas together in a meeting, or simply overhear a conversation in the hallway that sparks a new thought.
But if you’ve left the classroom for one of many flexible jobs in education, you may be finding collaboration a lot more challenging. In a virtual work environment, it can be difficult to find and maintain those essential connections that lead to better products and professional outcomes.
That's where coworking comes in!
What Is Virtual Coworking?
Coworking in its traditional sense is a shared workspace where people from different backgrounds and industries come together to work independently and collaboratively. How can you take advantage of that while working remotely? Well, that’s what a virtual coworking community is for!
While virtual coworking is a relatively new concept, it's quickly gaining popularity as a way for remote workers to stay connected and productive. It can lend itself to better work-life balance, higher levels of productivity, and improved content and products. When it comes to virtual coworking for teachers, the power of an online community cannot be overstated.
Overall there are three core components of co-working that make it essential in today’s remote work environment. I like to call them the 3 C’s of Coworking. They are: collaboration, community, and connection.
The Benefits of Virtual Coworking for Teachers
Whether you’re currently working remotely (full or part-time) or you’re hoping to someday, here are a few positives that have made coworking an important part of my virtual work week:
Collaboration
Expand your ideas and influence. When you're surrounded by other people who are passionate about their work, or at similar stages in the journey, it's natural to be inspired and challenged. Virtual coworking spaces can provide opportunities to collaborate with people from different backgrounds and subjects, which can lead to new ideas and deepened perspectives. They can also offer a space to build your credibility as an authority in a field.
Gain clarity and focus. Sometimes, all you need is a fresh set of eyes to help you see things more clearly. Virtual coworking sessions provide a supportive environment where you can share your ideas and get feedback from others. This can be especially helpful when you're working on a difficult project or feeling stuck in a rut.
Boost your productivity. Studies have shown that people who co-work tend to be more productive than those who work alone. This is likely due to a number of factors, including the social interaction, the feeling of community, and the increased sense of accountability that comes with working in a shared space.
Community
Finding a sense of belonging and camaraderie. One of the biggest challenges of remote work can be isolation. Virtual coworking spaces provide a sense of belonging and camaraderie that can help you feel more connected to your work and to other people. A 2016 study showed that coworking spaces can be a source of social support for independent professionals while creating a space for concentrated work. The community aspect is especially important when it comes to virtual coworking for teachers, who are used to working in-person as part of a team.
Combat isolation and resist hustle culture. When I first began working remotely, I missed the interactions I had with my teacher colleagues. Those interactions, no matter how brief, reminded me of how connected I was to others. Virtual coworking spaces can help you combat feelings of isolation and resist the hustle culture that can be prevalent in the remote work world. By surrounding yourself with others who are working towards their goals, finding better work-life balance, and living abundantly, you can create a more supportive and motivating work environment for yourself.
Find accountability partners. Accountability is essential for success, especially when you're working remotely. Virtual coworking spaces can help you find accountability partners who can support you on your journey and help you stay on track. Whether you’re creating curriculum, starting your own education business, or planning your exit from the classroom, an accountability partner can help you reach your goals.
Connection
Improve your social fitness and happiness. Social connection is essential for well-being and there’s tons of research that proves this. Virtual coworking platforms provide opportunities to socialize with other people, which can improve your social fitness and happiness.
Have fun and laugh a little bit. Work doesn't have to be all serious. Virtual coworking spaces can also be a place to have fun and even laugh. This can help you reduce stress and boost your overall well-being.
Enjoy an overall boost to your health. Diversity in our social interactions can have a positive impact on both physical and mental health. By joining a virtual coworking space, you can enjoy an overall boost to your health and well-being and still get #allthethings done!
How to Get Started with Virtual Coworking for Teachers
If you're interested in joining a virtual coworking space, there are a few things you can do to get started:
Research Virtual Coworking Platforms
There are many different virtual coworking platforms available, so it's important to do your research and find one that's a good fit for your needs.
Consider factors such as the size of the community, the types of memberships offered, and the features that are important to you.
Looking for a community of educators looking to expand their reach beyond the classroom? Consider joining our virtual coworking sessions through the Educator Forever Network.
Get Involved
Once you join a virtual coworking space, make an effort to get involved. Attend the sessions, participate in online discussions, share your goals and connect with other members. The more involved you are, the more you'll benefit from the experience.
If you work flexibly in education and are looking for a way to boost your sense of community, collaboration, and connection, virtual coworking is a great option to consider. With its many benefits, virtual coworking sessions can help you create a more productive, fulfilling, and enjoyable career experience both in and beyond the classroom.
Find Your Virtual Coworking Community & More
Ready to be part of an online community of former teachers and educators working to make a difference in the lives of students? Want to do it while finding better work-life balance and working flexibly in education?
Join the Educator Forever Network today, where you'll discover all of your career possibilities beyond the classroom. Through the Network, you’ll get access to our signature course, private jobs board, and our supportive community… which has already empowered thousands of educators just like you to transform their careers and lives.
If you’re ready to find a new career path that is flexible, rewarding, and sustainable (and in education!), we’d love to help you navigate your unique path and expand your income and impact in education.
Sign up today to start reimagining your career as an educator. It’s time to get the career (and life!) you deserve.
About the Author
Evonne Hall is the Program Coordinator at Educator Forever. She has spent the majority of her career in the field of education, working in public, private, homeschool, and virtual teaching roles. In 2016, she began teaching ESL online as a side hustle and grew to love the flexibility of teaching online in a variety of teacher marketplaces.
Evonne enrolled in the Beyond the Classroom course and discovered the additional ways educators could use their superhero skills. She began working in the field of curriculum development, working with TPT sellers and online ESL companies to create individualized and group offerings. With the confidence she gained, she honed in on her zone of genius to help teacherpreneurs build and grow their dream businesses. While Program Coordinator is her primary job function by day, Evonne also enjoys gardening, reading good books, and anything organizing-related.