Long time no see my friends! I'm Sarah, a Hybrid/DL teacher in beautiful SD53 (South Okanagan Similkameen). I teach 43 students from K-10 every subject! Fun fact: half of my students live in the Yukon! #bcedchat
Hi. Christine from the Sunshine Coast, BC. Can't wait to co-mod tonight's #bcedchat with @DAliceMarsh on BIG LIFE EVENTS that influenced our teaching practice. Titled TIME SHIFTING. #boom
#bcedchat A1: Students taught me how to teach in my second year of teaching.
Then there have been many other defining moments that made for major changes in my career.
A1 Hubby and I moved to @sd54BV 5 years ago so he could take an admin job. I went back to being a TTOC after 15 years in classrooms. @craig_mcaulay#bcedchat
Howard from California, US. Middle school math and science. Always looking for creative solutions to full inclusion of students with learning differences. #bcedchat
A1 #bcedchat Major change personally is that I moved last weekend. Still unpacking and dealing with renos. Bone tired. 😴 Biggest change professionally was getting my M.Ed. and changing districts.
A1 I’ve understood how much of classroom mgmt is about the complete teacher experience, not just what we do in the classroom. But always in the hallways, the gym, and the cafeteria. #bcedchat
A1 During my time @HDSMSskyhawks as a #BCStuTeach. My world was falling apart, my nephew was gravely ill, my grade 1 daughter was picked up by a stranger from her school & I was commuting to lower mainland from island. Learned about the profession not just the teaching #bcedchat
A1. While I’d like to say that The biggest change is the increasingly cooler shoes over my career, it probably is how much I’m more in love with what I teach. #bcedchat
Hi all!
Lynda, sd43 (Coquitlam) secondary student services and math 9. Looking forward to catching as much of #bcedchat tonight as I can...balancing family, too. :)
A1: I left early childhood and credentialed in special education. Upon graduating I was hired to help start a full inclusion school. I moved up with my 2nd/3rd class & graduated them in 8th. Once in a lifetime experience. #bcedchat
#bcedchat A2: Changed my lenses for viewing education, challenged the culture I was brought up in; began changing my practice for the next 38 years and continue to do this. Reflect, react, reflect, pro-flect
#bcedchat A2: Changed my lenses for viewing education, challenged the culture I was brought up in; began changing my practice for the next 38 years and continue to do this. Reflect, react, reflect, pro-flect
A1. Following the suggestion and support of some T's I really respected, I switched from classroom to learning services and found my calling. #bcedchat
A2. Two feet in! I realized that my basketball coaching and interactions with my sts on the court was just as important for #sel as me teaching a grammar lesson. #bcedchat
A2: #bcedchat at first resistance then embraced it. Social media has its appeal. I decided it would be a good way to promote aspects of the art program. And connect with other teachers.
I think you go into big adventures innocently, which tends to enable you to enjoy the ride. I had no idea when I left England that Education in Canada had provincial regulations. So I am qualified to teach in Ontario and BC. #bcedchat
I love that topics such as how we feed, clothe, and care for ourselves are part of public discourse and how we teach is part of educational discourse #bcedchat
A2. I am dealing with change. Leaving teaching weighed heavy on my heart but completing my research was heartwarming. Now it's the unknowing or not knowing of what's next in my career path. I feel that there are lots of options... and no options. A confusing place. #bcedchat
A2: I had probably the best, most supportive administrator and mentor teacher that exist in BC. They, coupled with my incredible husband, helped me evaluate the long term marathon of teaching, not just the short "Term" sprint. #bcedchat
A2. Not well for #1 and my MET in the beginning. Burnt myself out. For #2 going back with a baby...different lens, eased back in with TTOCing for a couple of months. #bcedchat
Ian - educating in BCs snowy Shuswap - late after a FaceTime birthday call with baba to my soon to be 16 year old son (time goes too fast) but looking forward to catching up to tonight’s #bcedchat
Q2. Started with an "I'm not an expert, but I'm ready to learn" attitude. Still have the attitude. And I've gotten to learn from and with some amazing teachers, parents and kids. #bcedchat
A1 my son being diagnosed with anxiety (and then under autism spectrum) and seeing that not all schools work the same....continues to challenge my paradigm #bcedchat
Q2. Started with an "I'm not an expert, but I'm ready to learn" attitude. Still have the attitude. And I've gotten to learn from and with some amazing teachers, parents and kids. #bcedchat
A1: major change in life (which has impacted my teaching) is having 3 kids in 3.5 years! It’s made me a much better teacher,m for the kids AND my parent group. There are things I ‘get’ now that before kids perplexed me. Also the ‘push/pull’ of work life balance #bcedchat
#bcedchat I too have recently left the classroom for a helping teacher position. Thankful for the support of colleagues. Trying to take it all in and show myself compassion...steep learning curve
Yes. I wouldn’t wish your experience on anyone but I’ve also learned that our struggles and life experiences help us to build empathy and understanding for what my inner city sts live in/through everyday. #bcedchat
Yep when one says “all welcome and will fit here” and another explains “sometimes round pegs won’t fit in square holes” it can lead to some hard thinkings.... #bcedchat
Helping teachers are in such an underappreacited position. You folks provide fuel to educators in your district everyday....often without recognition! @MmeNero#bcedchat
Absolutely. I remember going back to my professors that week and feeling like I had a major (almost religious?) epiphany about teaching children, not content! #bcedchat
Becoming a mama was a seismic life sift.
I have had to work on being more home-focused the 10 months of the year I had previously even whole-hog into school!
That bring said, I think I have become a more empathetic teacher and colleague because of it! #lifebalance#bcedchat
My struggle is I’ve always been “good” for anxious learners - lots of successes over time...but to my son I’m dad - not teacher....so it’s been up to others to share again what I already tried with him! #bcedchat
#bcedchat A3: More student ownership of questions, problem and discovery based themes, tracking Students' ideas with names for future students to build off of. The dynamics kept me excited to explore with passion, added lure of learning for others. . .
To be honest, I’m struggling with tonight’s #bcedchat I know there are huge changes in my life (father died in ‘98, changed many ‘jobs’, districts). But it’s always been around learning from these and making every interaction positive and real. #bcedchat
A3: #bcedchat There was the doubt and fear of online permanence. Of possible problems. And the time spent on it can take away from family. I actually quit for four years while kids were growing up
A3. I've learned a tonne leaving the practice in BC schools and got to be a part of the Math K-9 curriculum development team and become a school trustee. Learned a tonne about BC education as a system... And, I finished my dissertation. #bcedchat
Empathy builds connections. Something I’ve learned this year.... I’ve also learned that empathy can sometimes also be built w/o using many words. #bcedchat
As much as I love you all, I rarely get a Sunday night off (2 jobs #studentloans), so I want to go read to my daughter. We're 4 chapters into Anne of Green Gables, the first time through for either of us. Thanks for modding @ChristineYH@DAliceMarsh#bcedchat
My mantra remains: keep them in and part of a learning community! DL may be part of their learning experience but shouldn’t be where they are sent to, but may be where they choose to
#bcedchathttps://t.co/CHB8AmSBHl
Q2: still navigating the Change- Kiddos are 5/6/8. I’m managing rhenchnage fairly well because i have a wonderful ‘village’ who support and believes in me. They love my kids, they care for me, and are the voice of reason when the balance is gone. #bcedchat
A3. For MET...had to find a balance in screen time/family time. School till 5:30pm. MET till 8pm. Family after. For Baby...feel the guilt for my students, family first, teaching 2nd. #bcedchat
A3 #bcedchat Getting my Masters opened so many doors for me. I got the job of my dreams, have taught courses for @UBCedO & @UNBC , mentored for @SFUteachlearn and am doing consulting for an international #edtech start-up. Rejuvenated my life and my career, for sure!
A3 lots of questions - my oldest girl is a 100% avg kid at school but has called the boy “the smart one” though it’s a challenge to get a report card from him....and my youngest girl is able to help others w anxiety in her class because of her experiences #bcedchat
Oh! To be meeting Anne Shirley for the first time! Wonderful! She is the patron of smart girls with beautiful dreams! #puffsleeves#bosomfriends Enjoy!
#bcedchat
#bcedchat A2 and 3 - Going back to school also was a huge change. Being involved in learning communities re-energized me and helped me to be more reflective and open to ideas
A3: it ‘killed’ my career for a while. I lost momentum (and making connections) and that made me upset. It was hard to do the work/mat-leave ‘flip flop’. It was hard on my ego to be doing two jobs ‘poorly’. BUT once I was back working steadily again, it’s been magical. #bcedchat
Invest in a few. Invest deeply. I heard that from a teacher-coach that mentored me when I was young. I try to bring that to all avenues of my life. #bcedchat
In reply to
@montessorimice, @ChristineYH, @bcedchat
I can agree w this feeling. I feel that if I spend time with my family I short-change my students. But if I spend time on school, I short change my family. And it has been hard getting back in making those connections. #bcedchat
In reply to
@montessorimice, @ChristineYH, @bcedchat
A4. Learning. Understanding more about self. Taking risks. Meeting new people. Finding my alignment. It's been truly rewarding. Doesn't feel that way at first. #bcedchat
#bcedchat A4: I prefer to call them 'defining moments'; they happen at a crux of change. Appelbaum would call them STOP moments, pregnant with possibility. Totally changed my life and thus the lives of so many others since. Ripples in Time/place/space
A4: I met my husband, I have amazing kids and I have come to the conclusion that everything sounds important when said with an English accent! Ha ha ha! #bcedchat
A4. My MET has brought more learning into the class, less of me talking at the students. My baby...to appreciate balance and to keep my priorities in line. #bcedchat
A4. Chance to work with other teachers, have conversations about diversity and inclusion, really know and celebrate that EVERY student is an individual. #bcedchat
A4 #bcedchat Advantages of moving to Kelowna was being closer to family. Advantages of my latest move is a smaller home (less to clean and cheaper to heat) and quiet neighbours.
A4: teaching in international schools is super intense but in a good way. Even though I've felt overwhelmed at times I feel like I've grown exponentially because of that intensity #bcedchat
I am loving the responses for Q4 on tonight's #bcedchat. Even though change is challenging and sometimes difficult, GOOD THINGS come out of it too. #feelingoptimistic#bcedchat
A4 #bcedchat advantages are feeling like there are like minded people out there and that I can connect fairly effortlessly. Also getting positive feedback on art posts has been rewarding.
It is. Even when you've had those connections for years. You come back feeling you've been left behind in the dust and are trying to play catch-up. #bcedchat
In reply to
@montessorimice, @ChristineYH, @bcedchat
Expectations are high with IB programs on T's and S's. Also parents or companies pay a lot of money so they expect a lot of ASA's. We are a PLC school so a lot of collaboration and planning (all good but intense) #bcedchat
#bcedchat A5: I think it is not understanding there are good stressors & bad stressors. Eco-tones, where 2 different biomes meet, have the most vibrant life from the competition/struggle. Here in the defining moments/big changes, we can have vibrant life too.
A5. It's the fear of the unknown. You don't know what's going to come at you. AND you don't know if the final outcome will be the one you were expecting/hoping. How do you handle that disappointment? #bcedchat
A5. Sometimes it's because everything works perfectly! Had about 8 years with an absolute dream team. Things were never the same - they never are in learning services - but we were SO GOOD together, no desire to move on! #bcedchat
Uff da! No kidding that it doesn’t always feel good at first! But - wowie - looking back, the learning and growth and personal/professional development! #amazing#bcedchat
When we moved to Smithers, that was my only option at time. However over a couple of years and a few temp jobs was able to post into a continuing position and port seniority. Took a while but I think very valuable. #bcedchat
In reply to
@npaklui, @bcedchat, @sd54BV, @craig_mcaulay
A5. Prefer to have things stay the same for a sense of safety. A feeling of safety is always important for professionally development but often rides a fine line between that and complacency. #bcedchat
Yes! All of this. But I got to the realization that to really grow, I would need a change in school (a new community, teammates, students, different perspectives, and so on). #bcedchat
#bcedchat A6: It is okay not to already know the answer to an asked question. Students' questions are likely more relevant to any I can raise. Exploring ideas together is a core competency activity, valuable for a whole lifetime.
A6. That change is good. That we should always take time to approach our lives (personal/prof) from various view points. And to keep your priorities strong. #bcedchat
A6 life if short, you can challenge yourself and become the best that you can be in your life or you can stay at a given level and stay that way #bcedchat
A6 #bcedchat the amount of input I've been able to learn from art teachers all over North America and the world! It's mind boggling. And I've learned so much on many fronts. Twitter #arted hashtag is amazing.
And so has this math/science teacher... learned so much from art teachers (and other curricular areas) We are a fuller body together, learning together in a participatory paradigm! Like we do on #bcedchat
Change is inevitable though. I was part of a team like that in #sd36 but we all moved on to other things. I’ve never found a team like that since. #bcedchat
A6 That I can be comfortable in two cultures but also misunderstood in both. Also that it is ok to not have the same background or cultural heritage as everyone around you. #bcedchat
A7: I'm not sure I would do much differently. I feel like the experiences I've had led me to where I am now. But I have learned to take the time to quiet and listen for awhile when I start somewhere new #bcedchat
A7 Nothing - although there were many struggles (housing) it made us a stronger couple and parents. Professionally - best move ever! @sd54BV@chris24v#bcedchat
#bcedchat A7: This is a usual question but it is hard to answer because these changes/moments are so much of what has made me, the path that I am on...we make our path by walking...foam upon the sea
A9: After 9 years overseas moving back to Canada! I'm not from BC either so that will be different but I think will suit my family better. Also new role and new SD! #bcedchat
A6- how healthy change is, it encouraged me to question and examine my practice and refocus. I have so loved the changes I have made so far- new district, moved, new grade level, daughter now in kindergarten. #bcedchat
A8. I don't know exactly, but it's going to be fun, engaging, and transformational. Likely education related and I am deep into my purpose and passion. #bcedchat
#bcedchat A8: I'm working more with seniors after a lifetime working with youth. Still active with young people but looking forward to sharing/learning in the new circumstances
Please join @jnovakowski38 & @carrieantoniazz our guest co-mods for #bcedchat next week on Sunday, January 28th @7pm PST. They will be discussing Core Competencies EdCamp Reflections.
