#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.
A1: i wish they would spend real time in a classroom. Not just a one day visit with cameras. But truly take some time to build lesson plans, teach lessons, grade papers, etc. #FLedChat
#FLedChat talk to teachers. Especially those of us under the new non tenured law. Our road to retirement is long and lacks security. But I feel our voices are ignored.
And actual educators from across the state, not just the big cities, but also from the rural areas. So many times we smaller districts get overlooked because we just don't have the numbers. Our students matter, too. #FLedChat
A1: i wish they would spend real time in a classroom. Not just a one day visit with cameras. But truly take some time to build lesson plans, teach lessons, grade papers, etc. #FLedChat
A2: I do believe my district administrators do listen to us. They are pretty open with their decision making processes. That's one benefit from being in a small district. We all know each other. #FLedChat
A2: I am actually quite impressed with the admin in our district. Very in touch, and do seem to be in touch with reality. They go to Tallahassee and fight for students and teachers #fledchat
A2. I wish these admin would ask our opinions and truly listen to those of us doing the teaching before implementing policy or making changes. #FLedChat
Q2. Often building leadership has the same set of concerns as faculty. Too little time, too many mandates, too little communication or training to do their jobs successfully. #fledchat
A3: I think they just need to embrace the importance of knowing the reality for kids in their schools/classrooms and make a point to be hands on. #fledchat
A3: It would be cool to have any of them show up to any of the Edcamps throughout the state. Leave their camera crews behind and just be a part of the crowd. It would be so easy for them to get the pulse of educators. #FLedChat
A3. Ask us and really listen. I know they can't do everything we would like--there is even disagreement between Ts on how to get things done--but asking & then finding a middle ground would be nice. #FLedChat
A3. I would encourage policy makers, district and school administrators to listen with the intent of understanding. Rather than listen with the intent of replying. #fledchat
A4: Even though it's unrealistic, i wish it was easier to adapt our facilities. Most of our rooms were built long before any of us were even in kindergarten. Not very flexible. #FLedchat
#FLedChat Talk to teachers. Engage and listen to our words of wisdom. We are in the classroom every day and we know what needs to be done to make every student a successful learner.
What do you need from school administrators to encourage innovation? There are also some teachers not willing to innovate...Any suggestions for this group? #fledchat
If only our policy makers would realize that it isn't easy to "standardize" education. Every child is different. Situations may be similar but not quite the same. #FLedChat
A4. I wish teachers at my school would be given more freedom to get creative and to innovate while teaching the standards. Not totally going rogue, just more room to try new things. #FLedChat
#FLedChat Curriculum-that the units/topics are more relevant and meaningful to our students. That there is more flexibility for teachers to make bigger, more complex connections between concepts.
Why should every teacher be 'innovative"? Student development hasn't changed all that much. Just because a teacher doesn't use the shiny tech doesn't mean they aren't reaching their students. #FLedchat
#FLedChat Discipline- I would love for student-centered, flexible classrooms become more main stream-when students know they have options, mobility and trust the behavior issues will vanish.
Just a thought: innovative teaching doesn't always have to involve tech does it? I know that's what many think of when they think of innovation, but it can mean many things. #FLedChat
A4: As teachers try "new" ideas, I hope they also look to educational history. Many times "new" is more like "evolved". Let's make a better wheel, not reinvent it every few years. #FLedChat
A4 resources must be enhanced, and continually updated for today’s learners. In many places this is still a big obstacle. Thinking of the future #FLedChat
Just a thought: innovative teaching doesn't always have to involve tech does it? I know that's what many think of when they think of innovation, but it can mean many things. #FLedChat
I agree. Unfortunately, this is the world in which we live. Some Ts don't find the value in innovation. Often, these Ts are the ones who say "the kids need to change to learn the way I teach" It is unfortunate for the kids. #fledchat
My wish is that as teachers we do not rely on any one thing: technology or makerspace engineering etc. -but that we use what works in our classroom and that we continue to grow and change with the needs and interests of our students. #FLedChat
A4/2. I think advocating for what we want while also providing solid rationale for it will help. If there's research to back it up, surely it will be taken into consideration. #FLedChat
I think Ts need to see what works, need to remove the fear of the assessments and see that we can move from test prep and have great results. #fledchat
My wish is that as teachers we do not rely on any one thing: technology or makerspace engineering etc. -but that we use what works in our classroom and that we continue to grow and change with the needs and interests of our students. #FLedChat
What works for one population of children does not necessarily work in every school. What works in one class period, may not work in the next- adaptability and flexibility is key #FLedChat
I agree. I just wish modernizing an old strategy wasn't repackaged and sold as a "new" idea. I would love to see real honesty (I know it doesn't sell well, but I am tired of marketing.) #FLedChat (#Grump)
I understand to a point, but in ELA I see Ts clinging to texts instead of welcoming the wonderful new literature into their classroom. I don’t care if you use a padlet or a packet to get student responses if you’re still using a text that is not relevant to your Ss.#FLedChat
Some may need to change, where others may just come alongside new tools to do it. Some of my best practices began almost 20 years ago, but still work so well for all kids. #FLedChat
A5. I wish my babies: everything they need for optimum health, teaching practices that meet them where they are and help them be successful, and for them to become lifelong learners. #FLedChat
Top 3 wishes for my students: 1. What we do in our room will help them for a lifetime. 2. That they continue to love learning. 3. That they feel empowered, enriched, engaged and creative.
#fledchat
Yes. If I offer choice- which I do of technology or hands on even writing or drawing etc. My students usually go old school hands on they love our makerspace
YES! That really frustrates me too. I think that is the reason I feel so isolated sometimes-too many distractions that don’t improve but dilute the field of education
#FLedChat money and time to join and participate in more conferences, journals, prof. Books. I need some @ncte in my life. Hoping to join after I get the stupid best and brightest bonus.
Build my PLN, grow by learning, lead by example. I did 2 things, I asked to go to FETC and I am, then I wrote a @DonorsChoose for ISTE and I am going there too! #fledchat
A6: i want to continue growing professionally. I want to see #FLedChat & #RuralEdChat grow. I also want to help other FL educators to understand the power of connecting with each other. #FLedchat
#FLedChat To be able to teach themselves science, trust themselves as learners and become leaders, as well as inspiring for others to take the lead- growth and self-advocacy
