LinkedIn is more than just a place teachers should frequent when job hunting. There are many great features that make LinkedIn the premier network for professionals. But with papers to grade, meetings to attend and classes to teach it is all too easy to focus on the present and lose sight of your future. If your goal is to advance professionally as a master teacher, principal or district leader, then expanding your understanding and use of LinkedIn is essential.  

Here are the top 5 ways LinkedIn supports teachers' professional development:

1. Learn new strategies from teaching experts

There are 1000s of groups where teachers and educators discuss teaching strategies, new tools, policies and much more. Some groups have over 100K education related professionals. Use LinkedIn groups to forge relationships outside of the school bubble by developing a rapport with local, national and international teachers and educators using LinkedIn groups. (Join Alternate Route's Teachers Professional Development Group now)   

2. Strengthen relationships with alumni

LinkedIn makes it easy to build relationships with alumni who are likely open to offering professional advice. The degrees of separation between you, fellow alumni and even past instructors are slim. Like most, you won't be directly connected to every graduate of your teaching program, but don't be discouraged—LinkedIn allows you to connect and directly message people with whom you share connections. (Tip: If you do decide to reach out to alumni, include in your message why their unique professional journey resonates with your professional goals and teaching values.)

3. Seek wisdom from teachers with outsider perspectives

There are times when you want to discuss issues you may be facing with people who can offer unbiased advice. LinkedIn Groups dedicated to teachers are perfect for broadcasting your question with relevant users who can offer valuable advice. By posting a discussion in LinkedIn you can seek the advice of teachers outside of your work environment. Present your challenges or frustrations in one of your favorite LinkedIn groups, and encourage other group members to share how they managed similar experiences.  

4. Expand your circle of influence & grow your reputation

In this day and age, competition is stiff for job-hunters, such that now many hiring choices come down to cultural fit. If you're recommended for hire by someone working directly or closely with a school or organization, then you're at an advantage. That is why you must use channels like LinkedIn & Twitter to keep the attention of your peers. Share new research, reports and articles amongst your LinkedIn network, which if you're building it correctly should include senior leaders within the industry.  

5. Showcase your accomplishments

Whether job hunting or not, it is always smart to establish yourself as a cutting edge teacher. With LinkedIn, your successes and professional activity can be made known to a wide audience of teachers and educators who may need the expertise of someone like you in the future. Keep your profile up to date and always send a LinkedIn request to people you meet at industry events. LinkedIn also makes it easy for past colleagues and supervisors to write recommendations and share them in minutes. In this day and age, recruiters and industry leaders turn to LinkedIn to find the best and brightest. How will you stand out? With a solid account of your experience and other reputable educators vouching for you, you will rise to the top of candidates.    

If you're using LinkedIn correctly great opportunities will come to you without having to devote excessive amounts of time to job hunting. You'll also become more knowledgeable and build higher quality connections in the process.

Kickstart your new and improved professional development efforts on LinkedIn now by joining Rutgers University CESP Alternate Route's Teachers Professional Development LinkedIn Group and Rutgers Graduate School of Education's LinkedIn Page.