A1- Two successful parent conferences this afternoon; important data collection completed; smiling students. A jam-packed, tiring, yet productive day. #bmoreedchat
A1- Two successful parent conferences this afternoon; important data collection completed; smiling students. A jam-packed, tiring, yet productive day. #bmoreedchat
#BmoreEdchat A1 Through a grant from TBR, our parent organization, we are able to hire #ELL students to be student ambassadors to the community. One of my students will be our Arabic language ambassador. A student I had last year will do Spanish. So excited!
A1: Our school is currently have issues with discipline and using restorative practices. We’re trying to find a balance between appropriate disciplinary action but also building good relationships. #BmoreEdchat
Q1a Not today, but a student vandalized some things and I reason with him about why that may not have been a good idea. No feathers ruffled until admin got involved. Flipped it on me. 🤔 #BMoreEdChat
#BmoreEdchat A1 Through a grant from TBR, our parent organization, we are able to hire #ELL students to be student ambassadors to the community. One of my students will be our Arabic language ambassador. A student I had last year will do Spanish. So excited!
Balance can be difficult. The questions do follow RJ as we go along. It's the same set to discuss how your actions affected you and others involved. #BmoreEdchat
Thank you! Conferences can be so rewarding because you can learn so much more about the individual S, and work towards goal-setting and achievement. #bmoreedchat
A1cont: In terms of Restorative Justice I have really spent time focusing on affective statements and mindfulness in terms of how I respond to conflict & stress. #BmoreEdchat
A1) Had 2 back to back trainings for new teachers. Both career changes and both entering in the middle of the year. Yet they were both smart, not jaded, and excited And they have no idea what they are about to face and the good they can and will hopefully do. #BmoreEdchat
A2- I just completed the last of the many items on the to-do list today prior to joining in the #bmoreedchat conversation, so I can say that I was thrilled to be done and to be able to kick back and relax.
A2: I believe that good relationships between teachers and students isn’t solely enough to create a totally safe environment in school. Students need to know the boundaries by appropriate discipline as well as restorative practices. #BmoreEdchat
A1: S were actively engaged in small groups during guided reading today. S self monitored noise level and gave one another points during groups using @ClassDojo#BMoreEdChat
love using dojo points with kids in charge. especially as a way to give admiration and inspire our entire to work together and grind in small group rotations. #BmoreEdchat
A2: was thinking how S enjoy responsibility and it helps with self worth. Reflected on small group instruction as well, what can I improve on? How can incorporate tech in small groups more? #BMoreEdChat
Always a balance. I like to phrase our classroom boundaries as expectations as we expect them to be the core to our year. Restorative practices can be used proactively to model these and re-actively to solve conflict #BmoreEdchat
A2) I was thinking that career change is hard. But that having knowledge in another area can make your classroom interesting. Also, there are some things we can’t teach teachers. Being understanding and caring can not be taught. #BmoreEdchat
#BmoreEdchat But it can be valued and encouraged. Sometimes between learning to use the copier and grading a million papers, it's easy to forget. But we remind each other.
A2: As I was sitting observing three groups of students all engaged on targeted activities, I realized and confirmed that true engagement includes noise and this hum like noise which gives all teachers goosebumps. #BmoreEdchat
#BmoreEdchat A3 If my students witnessed the negative event, and it's appropriate, I try to talk through it, first with myself, as a model, and then with them. I can name my feelings, reflect on the situations, and brainstorm solutions and alternatives.
Q3a Personally, I’ve thought about the big picture: don’t squash the awesome vibe that has permeated our school recently. The best thing about a bad today is a new tomorrow! #BMoreEdChat
A2: I was thinking about how quiet and focused the boys were while completing their wheels. I was surprised. I also loved how they talked while constructing. Sharing, laughing, and connecting. #bmoreedchat
A3: Even when/if I have a moment where I “lose my cool,” I take the time after to self reflect and apologize to my students. Modeling coping skills and expressing emotions, showing we all make mistakes. Reminding myself to take deep breaths when frustrated! #BmoreEdchat
A3: This book has changed my life as an educator. When I feel an emotion, I lean into it and truly think about how it feels while I deep breathe. I think about my thinking as the emotion passes through my body. https://t.co/XAIYElB0Y5#BmoreEdchat
A3: For every negative moment there is a challenging moment to create a positive outcome. Those moments are the most important in making your mind to think positive more often. #bmoreedchat
I wonder about that. As Ts, we model for our Ss how to be understanding and caring, which helps them to develop these traits, so I think it can be taught. That said, a T that is not understanding or doesn’t care shouldn’t be teaching. #bmoreedchat
A3: I pause and reflect on Adler’s view of misbehavior, being that there’s always a purpose to it: revenge, avoidance, power, or attention. I then try to respond appropriately to the cause. Often not about me. #bmoreedchat
A3) Interesting. I told the teacher today that the students need to like you and respect you in order to be open to learning. That said, there have to be boundaries and they must respect you. After I said it, I realized that is a very difficult balance #BmoreEdchat
A3. I work as dir of School engagement @ a nonprofit. We work in 10 schools, county & city. There r nonprofits eager to help schools & bring resources #BmoreEdchat
A3- Reliance on my faith. Knowing that the call is greater than the issue. Setbacks are temporary. Keeps me smiling, and focused on the mission w/ the Ss. #bmoreedchat
A3: Redirecting my not so positive thoughts by realizing that these are just kids and their circumstances might far outweigh them coming to school. However, school could be the one structured positive point of their day also. #bmoreedchat
Part of that respect process comes from authenticity. Children recognize REAL and FAKE faster than adults. They know when the care is genuine. When they know, they will rise to and exceed your expectations. #bmoreedchat
#BmoreEdchat A4 I teach the stuff I would talk about all day for free to people who are genuinely interested in learning it, and who bring and share their own interesting experiences. How's that not awesome? #ESOL#ESL#ELL
Q4a My actions helped me, as @justincholbrooksaid, “Think about [my] thinking.” Powerful moment when you have to be introspective to assess your own attitude about something. #BMoreEdChat
A4: Because my students deserve nothing less than my "A" game every single day. They know when you are phoning it in. Would you want your biological child's teacher phoning it in? #bmoreedchat
100% my students AND for myself. Seeing my students succeed and have fun/be kids is what it’s all about. Their self worth becomes your own self worth in that room. It all comes full circle for me, happy kids = happy teacher, happy teacher = happy kids. #BMoreEdChat
A4: Because my students deserve nothing less than my "A" game every single day. They know when you are phoning it in. Would you want your biological child's teacher phoning it in? #bmoreedchat
Loving this convo on restorative justice. In my classroom, we are focusing on the virtues. We do a virtue board every week. We change the virtue and discuss it in our community circles. We give each other shout outs when we see others demonstrating that virtue! #BmoreEdchat
A4: My Ss are directly affected by my decisions and my attitude. Most haven’t enjoyed school, and it’s a huge opportunity for me to try and impact and change that. Even for just one year. #bmoreedchat
A4) I promised these teachers a lot of things. Books, resources, some introductions, emails, etc. I thought to myself all day that I can’t drop the ball on anything I said I would do if I expect them to come through for the kids - I need to come through for them #bmoreedchat
During uncomfortable means you are challenging yourself. Modeling that you are still learning and are engaged in learning is not lost on the students. My Ss always know when I EdCamp and all what I learned! #bmoreedchat
A4: What you value drives how you interact with others whether that includes adults or students. Values can connect us and push us apart. I teach to be a lead learner & understand the connections we form together as a class so we become a family forever #BmoreEdchat
A4: Ss see how you act, talk, and at interact with each other. Showing that you care will open more doors for change. It is those opportunities that will lead Ss to be more successful. #bmoreedchat
A4: Students and Teachers are affected by my actions. My decisions and actions both positive and negative can determine how a someone's day progresses. I continue to try my best to show students how to overcome obstacles. #bmoreedchat
A5- Honesty is a part of authenticity. If I make a mistake, I have to own up to it. Helps build genuine rapport w/ Ss. They know that just like them, I can make mistakes to and can learn from them. #bmoreedchat
#BmoreEdchat A5 Sometimes in my class I make mistakes on purpose. Sometimes by accident. But students get extra credit when they help me find and correct my mistakes. I value correction that helps me improve, and they can too.
The questions tonight are directly connected to the restorative questions or restorative practices we use to facilitate discussions around conflict daily. A different mindset which is open & grounded in growth. #BmoreEdchat
A5: To make it right is a sense of perspective. It is the communication between the parties involved that will help come up with the appropriate solution to the current issue. #bmoreedchat
A5) sometimes I need to stop and listen. Often students and teachers - just want to be heard. I often have so much to cover, I get my agenda done without asking what my teachers want to know or want to question. I need to be more careful about that #bmoreedchat
A5- Honesty is a part of authenticity. If I make a mistake, I have to own up to it. Helps build genuine rapport w/ Ss. They know that just like them, I can make mistakes to and can learn from them. #bmoreedchat
A5: Whole group, I facilitate/give a brain break. W individuals, I apologize but also ask about what happened & ask the student to point out where I was wrong. Sometimes that power for the student opens him/her up & it’s good learning for me. #bmoreedchat
Love the part about us not falling to pieces. Have said to Ss...do you hear me yelling or saying shut up to the class? They say no. "I say talk to me the way I'm talking to you." Modeling is so important. It can help set the tone. #bmoreedchat
A6: Tougher for me now that I'm in middle school. I did the Bucket Filler theme in elementary where the class earned bucket drops for meeting school expectations. 6 drops = choice time. I want to do something similar in Middle School but not sure. #bmoreedchat
A5: I carry a little token that was given to me by a former student in my pocket everyday. When I get upset or negative, I take the token out and remember why I am here...for my students. #bmoreedchat
#BmoreEdchat A6 I give out a ticket to any student who participates positively in any way. 500 tix= automatic A+ on final. It gives me a chance to reward without interrupting them or myself, everyone sees the reward, and it allows me to circulate through the classroom constantly.
A6: Develop a secret handshake with a student, #GoodNewsCallOfTheDay, spend time one on one with them, extra brain breaks, roles in the classroom, and many others. Key is to ensure the response is individualized and purposeful. #BmoreEdchat
A6: I fear it may sound like not enough, but w my high schoolers I’ve found that heart-felt, sincere compliments mean a lot. I tell them I’m proud of them & add on, “Doesn’t it feel good to be proud of yourself?” #bmoreedchat
I sing directions until they start to follow on occasion, it backfires sometimes when we laugh a little too hard. But laughter is a good sign! #BmoreEdchat
A6: I fully support non food rewards. Teaches kids to associate food with doing something well & that shouldn't be. Have tons of ideas. We talked about this at our School Wellness Committee meetings. #bmoreedchat
A6: Praise in public and criticize in private. I celebrate their successes with a little note of gratitude, a call home, and/or a public "good job". Example: https://t.co/YqGEkoBupH#bmoreedchat
Non Food Ideas...1.) Postcard shout out home 2.) Positive referral or phone call home 3.) Shout out on morning announcements 4.) Bulletin board shoutout 5.) Be the teacher for the class 5.) Sit in teacher's chair 6.) Bring your favorite something to class & share #bmoreedchat
Non Food Ideas...1.) Postcard shout out home 2.) Positive referral or phone call home 3.) Shout out on morning announcements 4.) Bulletin board shoutout 5.) Be the teacher for the class 5.) Sit in teacher's chair 6.) Bring your favorite something to class & share #bmoreedchat
