#RuralEdChat is a chat that focuses on the needs of the rural educator. This chat has been revised by Tammy Neil (@MathNeil), John Martin (@edventures) and Natalee Stotz (@nataleestotz).
#RuralEdChat - We have a whole host of questions available at https://t.co/ZtXp1S7N7F - we won't get to all of them but feel free to add your voice to the ones you would find useful.
#RuralEdChat will get rolling in just a few minutes while we wait for folks to arrive. In the meantime, please introduce yourself and share your favorite #studentvoice moment.
#RuralEdChat The three students in tonight's graphic are @The_Geeky_Girl, @hunterm04070, & Kailey Lohrman - students aiming to change the world in their own way.
Just caught the national news today and saw how bad the weather has been. You all do not need more weather issues after this past year. :( #RuralEdChat
A3: Administrators play a crucial role. School culture is a huge determining factor in trust between teachers and students, and administrators are responsible for helping to establish that #ruraledchat
We're still predicted to get plowable snow, but not as much as last week...I think we're down to 1-3 inches now. I'm hoping it will go out to see and we get nothing. #RuralEdChat
#RuralEdChat A1: Recent events have played a significant role in my personal and professional life in that my son chose to organize and lead a walk-out focused on student awareness and action.
#studentvoice is broad, but concerned with incorporating what students are feeling and thinking into the everyday happenings of the school. That hits instruction, policy, climate and culture, and much more. #ruraledchat
A1: Social media has certainly augmented what's possible in the world of student voice. Suddenly, students in the most remote corners are finding their voices and being inspired by tremendous student leaders like the Parkland kids. #RuralEdChat
#ruraledchat#PSUelemed A1: in my experience student voice is very open in many schools, parts of the day like morning meeting and other sharing points leave a lot of room for students to voice their thoughts and opinions of what is happening in the environment around them
A1: #StudentVoice is changing rapidly, and understandably so. More, now than ever, we need to be listening to what our kids have to say. Every student, rural or urban, deserves a fighting chance and a great education. #ruraledchat
I think that many adults have a hard time with students voicing opinions that are different, yet it's important for them to wrestle with what they believe and to make it their own.
That was a good discussion we had! #RuralEdChat
#ruraledchat#PSUelemed A2: I think schools try their best to let student express themselves and have a voice. But in a lot of cases it is the teacher that may restrict student voice in the classroom. It is a hard question to answer, but in my experience i feel most teachers...
A2: In a great classroom, those two concepts aren't that different. Good learning experiences happen when situated within the context of "the real world." #ruraledchat
A2: Hopefully we as teachers are working to align those two as much as possible. Good classroom experiences are based in "the real world," on students' prior knowledge and cultural backgrounds. #RuralEdChat
#RuralEdChat - Agreed, it is a powerful learning opportunity. What happens when the school is not ready for it? Are there, should there, be consequences?
There are always consequences for speaking truth to power. If we're creating spaces for respectful, meaningful dialogue among students, the critical consciousness being developed is worth the consequences. #ruraledchat
Part of the issue is that social media has changed our lives such that massive, social movements like #NeverAgain aren't just relevant in major urban areas. They're relevant in my tiny rural community too. Consequences or not, the kids know what's happening. #ruraledchat
In my small school, it's difficult to support it. Many students feel they can't voice an opinion that is different from their classmates. We're small, like a family- in all the good and negative ways. #RuralEdChat
A3: A caring, student-centered climate embraces student voice. Hierarchy, tradition, and the "we've always done it this way!" mentality jeopardize it. #ruraledchat
#RuralEdChat - But you are so right - there are far fewer places to hide in rural America and much less anonymity. You either know or related to everyone else.
Our responsibility as educators is to give students the tools they need to think critically. Maintaining an open mind is a great way to prove we have one, after all! #RuralEdChat
#RuralEdChat - And I am finding, in my son's case and in others I've seen, that they are really beginning to own their voice and the power behind it, as voice yields to action.
A4: Make it a priority. Don't pay hollow lip service to #studentvouce. Embed it in your classroom. Offer students a seat at the decision-making table. Let them help set the expectations and let School culture grow from there. #ruraledchat
#RuralEdChat followup question: How do we ensure that all students are able to find their voice regardless of gender, race, socio-economic status, or other challenge?
I think paying careful attention to where voices are censored, checked or diminished is an important place to start. Engaging adults about how, when and why this happens. #ruraledchat
#RuralEdChat followup question: How do we ensure that all students are able to find their voice regardless of gender, race, socio-economic status, or other challenge?
#RuralEdChat followup question: How do we ensure that all students are able to find their voice regardless of gender, race, socio-economic status, or other challenge?
As I wrap up tonight's #RuralEdChat I would like to thank all of you for sharing your voices with us, and wish you the best as you go out and amplify your student's voices. Take care and we will see you next week!
