#FLedchat is a virtual meeting place using Twitter. Educators across the state of Florida come together on Wednesdays at 8pm EST to discuss the topics of the week.
Welcome to #FLEdChat As you gather, ponder what this statement means "Celebrate Diversity and Build Community." Please introduce yourself and tell us your take on what this statement means! Happy that you are here.
Hello all, I am serving as your moderator this evening. It is quite a busy time of year and so much going on. I am a teacher in Orlando currently 13 years in and still excited as ever. #FLEdChat Welcome aboard!
Morning assemblies are vital starts to the day in TZ. They set the right things in motion. If you can, give an example of an essential question that could be asked to foster student discussion, celebrate diversity and build community. #FLEdChat
Tammy, Middle School Computer Science teacher from Suwannee County, FL. To me it means get to know what makes you unique helps to build the relationships that bind us together. #FLedChat
A1: This summer I visited the home improvement stores, a LOT. The thing that struck me is how in the middle of a project everyone has the same worried look on their faces, just like my students when I give them the opportunity to decide for themselves. #FLedChat
I dig this idea and I'm going to take that advice and start with this essential question. Shows you are interested in them as well as allows for students to come together and learn about each other. #FLedChat BOOM!
Exactly! Most younger students aren't given freedom to decide how to show their learning. When they reach someone that expects THEM to decide, it's like me trying to do a Pinterest project. (At least at first.)
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A1: one place that I visited in Dubai a couple of years ago was the global village. I truly loved visiting major attractions and artifacts from different countries around the world in one place. #fledchat
Q2: Having had the great opportunity to experience a different education system and culture this summer, I feel like a better version of myself. What is something you have learned from experiencing a different culture and/or educational climate? #FLEdChat
A2: That I still have so much to learn. I love that at 50 years old, there are still new cultures and ideas to discover. No way to learn it all, but I want to try. #FLedChat
I think we value more when we have less. #fledchat I always tell my students how lucky they are to go to school for free as many kids in the world don't have access to such resources.
A2. Just in talking with other teachers around the world, I realize in some ways how good we have it here, but in other ways we have work to do. #fledchat
A3: I have many thoughts that I give no value because they are fleeting and don't change anything. My most valuable thoughts/ideas/experiences are ones that are challenged by situations and ultimately change me one way or another. #FLedChat
These realizations of our experiences within a diverse culture are so important I think in order to foster diverse experiences for our students. #FLedChat
Q2: I taught history in the US Virgin Islands for two years and loved it! I learned so much about their history and culture. Bonus: Met my wife there as well. #CultureisGREAT#FLEdChat
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A3: In my opinion, every thought, perspective and idea leads to a learning experience. I value experiences that make me struggle a little because they help me practice patience, creativity and logical thinking.
Q2: I taught history in the US Virgin Islands for two years and loved it! I learned so much about their history and culture. Bonus: Met my wife there as well. #CultureisGREAT#FLEdChat
Dene, your questions always make me think. When you make a person think, you change them ever so slightly. Thank you for being a change maker! #FLedChat
That validates "the struggle is real" a little bit huh? :) As much as I see things as challenges, they do push me to be a better me, if I let it... #FLedChat
Dene, your questions always make me think. When you make a person think, you change them ever so slightly. Thank you for being a change maker! #FLedChat
A4: There are many communities that think they understand diversity. When we actively teach it, then we help others realize there's so much more to it than just a one and done conversation. #FLedChat
A4: I believe it has lasting impacts on the present and future of our society when they can see it and learn about it in a space of cultivation. #FLedChat
#FLedChat A4 Empowerment! Students that are shown that their diversity/culture is important feel empowered. Also helps to learn things outside of ourselves.
Good point, it may help to refine out view of the term and be able to meet our students in a place where they can grow and develop into model individuals #FLedChat
Q5: Life is a journey full of diverse experiences. If every experience was the same, it may limit our potential for growth. In what ways have grown personally or professionally? #theYinYou#FLEdChat .
Oh my gosh. You're making me blush. I truly feel that the essence of who we are is allowed to "be" when we can dig deep. I really appreciate these words. #FLedChat
I want to see my students reach beyond themselves to find value in those around them and realize that we each bring something unique and worthwhile to the table, even when we don't agree on a topic. We should all be able to listen and talk without shutting others out. #FLedChat
A5: If we all had identical experiences then why would we need so many of us in this world. I truly believe that it is the individual experiences that make communities so vibrant and rich. #FLedChat
A4: We live in a connected World and diverse communities these days, so it makes sense and is very important to include unbiased cultural books and traumatic units in our curriculum. #fledchat
Q6: Alfred Mercier said that “what we learn with pleasure, we never forget.” What has been your most memorable and authentically diverse learning experience? #FLEdChat
Yes, I think too, if they are biased that we can help our students to understand that, reason through it and have intelligent conversations about it! #FLedChat
Q5: In my profession, I’ve learned a lot about what real struggle means. I’ve learned how to have more empathy towards others who were less fortunate and still overcame their circumstances towards success #FLEdChat
#FLEdChat A6 Having the opportunity to have Congressman John Lewis share his story about his role in the civil rights movement. Ss were engaged. Can’t get that type of learning from a textbook. It was powerful!
A6: It may sound like a cliche but every year that I've been able to learn about other cultures from my students. I truly love just sitting and having honest conversations about how we do things differently. I once had a detailed lesson about "pink lotion". #FLedChat
I think this is big. I think it is important to know your truth. Knowing your truth (the truth of your experience) opens that door to being able to understand someone else's. I too know struggle plus the extra hard work necessary to succeed in a certain context. #FLedChat
Q5: In my profession, I’ve learned a lot about what real struggle means. I’ve learned how to have more empathy towards others who were less fortunate and still overcame their circumstances towards success #FLEdChat
A5: I used to be very shy and more of a follower. My experiences over time have taught me to be more outgoing and connected with others. Today I led a PD session at my school with another teacher and felt so comfortable doing that in front of the whole faculty. #fledchat
The conversation has stayed with me. I don't know if I had ever thought about how others prepared for the day. It was truly a moment I cherish. #FLedChat
#FLEdChat A6 Also, the opportunity for our students to speak with Mike Eruzione of the 1980 Olympic Hockey Team. Gave our Ss a perspective of the Cold War and how the Hockey Team brought excitement to America at that time.
https://t.co/9jMOLVu7SN
Not cliche at all. I find it valuable as well as important for students to know they have value and that they have purpose and listening to them speaks volumes. #FLedChat
#FLEdChat A6 Having the opportunity to have Congressman John Lewis share his story about his role in the civil rights movement. Ss were engaged. Can’t get that type of learning from a textbook. It was powerful!
Q6: I’ve been working with students at the Native American Reservation and have enjoyed learning about the power of the drum and attending Pow Wows. I’ve also been able to bring my children so that they could learn as well. #FLEdChat
Q7: Thinking about the value diversity and community, what is one idea, activity, lesson, focus or thought process you would consider integrating into your practice this year? #FLEdChat
A7: It is my goal to include some element of diversity and community into lessons or even authentic school events this year. I already have a bulletin board idea. #FLedChat
A7: I will be making sure the items my students type show how diversity and community are vital for the continued growth of humanity. I also want them to learn how to provide and how to take constructive criticism as they learn how to help/support each other. #FLedChat
Q7: We do workshops at my job and I would like to do something similar to @ToddShriver and invite a guest to Google Hangout with the students. Something that I had not considered before but would be valuable. #FLEdChat
A7: I am integrating global goals in my curriculum this year and will connect my students with others around the world using https://t.co/wCuIKynFNr. #fledchat I am so excited already!
I so love this idea! Incredible how technology empowers us to take leaps like this to make better ourselves, our communities and our world! I want to do this too. #FLedChat
Q7: We do workshops at my job and I would like to do something similar to @ToddShriver and invite a guest to Google Hangout with the students. Something that I had not considered before but would be valuable. #FLEdChat
Dene, thank you so much for leading another amazing #FLedChat about Community and Diversity. You always bring the thought provoking questions. I appreciate you so much.
