#vachat Archive
#vachat is a great way for Virginia educators to share teaching strategies, educational resources, and more.
Monday January 18, 2016
8:00 PM EST
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Good evening and welcome to as we discuss the legacy of Martin Luther King and how ti relates to education!
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Please take a moment to introduce yourself and your role in education. We'll follow the typical Q1, Q2, Q3 format.
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Phil, Elementary AP from Williamsburg. Welcome to !
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Here I am and I am a cultivator of genius for an amazing group of 3rdies.
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Rex Gearheart, superintendent in Bristol and champion for social justice and challenged schools.
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John Bennett, Emeritus in Connecticut for a few week!
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Amy, ES librarian Arlington
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Thanks for being with us tonight!
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Denise, ITRC from Shenandoah County, first time joining
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Thanks for joining us; hope you become a regular, joining a great group of dedicated educators
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Welcome, glad to have you!
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Most of tonight's questions will focus on a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. Question 1 coming up
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I think fams are the first place to teach character, but times are changing & that is questionable to me sometimes A1
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A1: I agree wholeheartedly, but the role of public K12 and our T's has changed dramatically since Dr. King's day.
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I teach many things intensively. Many. Like don't yell across the room. Look me in the eyes. Standards. Germs. Life A1
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A1: Wow, I haven't heard that quote before. It sounds like a lovely hopeful outcome.
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Schools are not the only places to teach character outside of the family
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Definitely the case. Schools are being asked to do more and more
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And to prepare Ss for a life of work that is meaningful to them.
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Ai: Everything but 'teach' - we facilitate effective learning, done ineffectively by trying to teach... https://t.co/yxclnknbaF
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Goal is to equip students with skills & experiences to be successful, contributing members of their communities.
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Q2: How can we achieve critical thinking and character education and everything else we hope to accomplish? https://t.co/MzovT37IqU
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A1: Totally agree. The character side of that is one that we focus on a lot and hope to grow over time through every interaction
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But we teach school character all the time. How you act when ur teacher is not there goes to ur character.
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A2: Intelligence and character are taught when we recognize that learning should be a social activity
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I really think the secret is bringing in the parents to the classroom again. Many ways. Beyond the Bake Sale ways. A2
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A2: Character, critical thinking, etc. is the how to the what of academics. Have to model, teach, expect
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A2: I think proscriptive, collaborative projects that involve problem solving of authentic scenarios are effective.
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Social aspect is more important than we may want to acknowledge.
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Model, model, model for our Ss - whether it is instruction, character, etc.
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W/o fam involved, I have nothing. Im just a lone tooting horn. I draw them in, involve them & tell them I need them. A2
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A2: The more we move away from traditional ed model ,the better we'll be able teach all students and the better they'll learn
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A2: By providing student choice and control - with the efforts real world challenging. https://t.co/YvZhF1LsJW
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Q2: How can we achieve critical thinking and character education and everything else we hope to accomplish? https://t.co/MzovT37IqU
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Modeling desires behaviors, methods & results is vital!
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Late to the party. Having a breakfast potluck at school tomorrow. Had to make quiche. Christine. Elementary gifted. Charlottesville.
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Critical thinking starts with a lot more PBL with no right answers for me. It is not easy, its not supposed to be. A2
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Late, but here
Greetings from Southern VA.
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Question 3 coming up in a second
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slowchat Q - Discussing balance: How do you keep Ss needs balanced with your personal/prof needs? https://t.co/soGxWPWGAB
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A1 love this quote. As a dad I am realizing, char is a teachers/schools job. I see other kids as much as my own
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A2: opens door to address our current 9 ratings and how they are determined. We must talk about what a VA diploma represents.
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Definitely. And it pains me when teachers say, my job is to teach the subject or complain about things we can't control
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The lack of equality should be the fight we all take on. It makes a diff and there is no quick fix. A3
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Definitely. Have to practice what we preach, especially for students who may not have learned before
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A3: He'd be disappointed in comparing the list of focus & priority schools w/ the list of Governor's Award schools.
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A3 It's a crime. Look at Flint. How r children supposed to concentrate on learning when they can't even get water.
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Great convo going on tonight on I'm happily lurking and you should too!
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A3: I think he, like many, would be frustrated by the continued lack of financial equality.
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and all So how can we fix this gap?
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and all So how can we fix this gap?
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A3: Could make the argument that schools across US have more resources now than ever. Not about the $, it's all about best teachers
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Interesting point about the $
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Terrible discrepancies remain! Worried that the future may hold an even greater divide & resource gap.
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Did you know there is a $14,000+ difference PER STUDENT in VA? Yes, ZIP Codes matter.
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this is a great quote. Learning is a lifelong endeavor. "School" should teach, demonstrate, model & push this to all.
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How much of this is because higher cost of living/higher salaries...but school funding formula in VA needs fixing
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Have to stand up and fight for equity! Our students, families, schools & communities depend upon our voices.
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Right. : ( The two must be separated.
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Certainly true, but that doesn't justify the resource gap, which can include effective teachers.
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I think a lot of it is how willing BoS were willing to make up what was cut by the state.
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revised funding formula has decreased our expected funding by 2 million next year.
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Harder to make up in challenged communities.
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Check out your locality's per pupil $. NOTE: More $ doesn't = results. Some systems are getting it done! https://t.co/EIAVnVy62U
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We support a women's domestic shelter and family homeless shelter through our shine bright at Xmas. A4
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A3 - he would like what he sees at my school, but I realize that my school does not reflect the American schools I see, read about.
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Many. Challenge is putting faces to those they are helping so it's not just an abstract.Real connection.
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We will serve together on a Sat. in March packing food bags for Feed My Starving Children A4
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Agreed, you can have all the resources in the world but you cannot replace a great teacher under the tree!
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We are blessed and we bless as well our adopt a grandma! A4
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Absolutely. Money matters. Property values matter when it comes to education funding.
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A4: New service learning class is gaining momentum. Starting w/ school-based projects & jobs. Hoping for community endeavors soon.
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A4: there are many opportunities for Ss to help, at an appropriate developmental level, but I'm not sure they get "it"
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do many schools do the ???
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Different issues: teacher pay/benefits & resources 4 students. Leadership & autonomy also relevant 4 teacher retention
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we have one project a month; supported local food pantry, needy families at Christmas, Relay for Life, etc
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Interesting. Would love to learn more about this!
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A4: We have some PBLs designed to solve problems in the community, but not necessarily this focus. Something to ponder.
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A4: We have an ongoing program called where student leaders initiate & complete charity projects
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Definitely the same here. Need to create more opportunities for ALL students to do more for others
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Gives our students & schools a chance to give back. Also sets them up for VHCC scholarship w/ qualifying GPA.
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A4: I've seen an increase in random student proposals come up lately, I suspect the years of these charity programs have made impact
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Yes! It's on my list of "to-do's" for next year.
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Getting ready for Question 5
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Sounds like the vision of where we want our service learning class to go. Any write-ups on the program? Love to see em.
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A4: How about starting a class with, Students, what is a community problem you can solve? Go!
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A4 - feel like we need more. The message is clear - more PBL - but the authenticity, no reality, of the projects hasn't hit yet
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Great! Nothing formal, but you've inspired me to start a blog post on it now... We have record of donations, etc.
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I developed monthly service learning projects 20 years ago, but they were my ideas & charities. Students must drive the choice.
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I think that's a great idea. Learning about problem solving needs problems to start with
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That's what we're shooting for. Hoping for collaborative proposals from students. Just getting it off the ground.
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Q5: 2-parter: What problems have we solved recently in education? What are our next problems? https://t.co/xvazdN2U0S
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Seriously, if we make time to be caring & compassionate in our daily routines, our students will notice, learn, & embrace serving.
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Yes! Don't develop a solution for a perceived problem.
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A5: Reduced testing, repealed A-F, acknowledged that it's harder in challenged schools, building CTE opportunities, technology.
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A5: Our biggest open door is we must advocate for what VA's new accountability system should & could be. Don't be idle.
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That's quite a list. Too often we lose track of the progress we've made.
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VA should be proud that we are not letting our school libraries fall by the wayside
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A5: Have to find the means for increasing state funding for programs, resources, staff and pay. Localities can't carry the load.
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A5: Much improved mindset about reaching all students & importance of teacher collaboration
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However we need to remain vigilant-maintain budgets/assistants. Schools w/ libraries do better! : )
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A5: We've not really solved any problems. BUT I think we're getting broader discussion & pocket improvement. https://t.co/wzSyuHcqK3
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Q5: 2-parter: What problems have we solved recently in education? What are our next problems? https://t.co/xvazdN2U0S
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The pendulum is swinging back in the right direction for the first time in a while!
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Agree. Honestly also think Virginia is looking better than a lot of other states
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When discussing solutions, always note when policy & practice align. The VA SOL Innovation Committee is a great model.
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Serving with arms wide open. A6
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A6: What matters to me, I just want my kids & your kids to love school. I did & it changed my life.
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A6: Giving our students a chance to work & live successfully in SWVA, & building a better Bristol via our students & their skills.
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A6: I'm pumped every day to inspire kids to love school & each other! A constant cheerleader for students to do their best.
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I don't like 9 different ratings. They are confusing & based on tests. How about 2 ratings? Accr. or Not.
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A6: I want every student to want to come to school and have opportunities to be successful
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A6 My dream is to match each student with a GREAT book for them. Books can change/save lives. Really. ; )
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for my Ss to have a love of learning and to feel successful
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A6: That ALL students develop the skills of Effective Learning while in formal education- sooner the better! https://t.co/0NiumU2VZO
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A6: My Kids and Staff matter to Me. Developing thoughtful, caring, & passionate learners matters to me.
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A6 - that students like being in my school/classroom - first Jedi mind trick we must perfect - then we can take next steps
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Thanks everyone for joining us tonight. Be sure to follow those who participated and expand your PLN. Hope to see you next week!
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Have to move beyond test scores for accreditation. Waaaaay beyond test scores.
