Join me every week for #ECSchat, the education case study chat. Over the course of an hour, I will post 6 case study situations that are applicable and relevant across grade levels and subject areas. Participants identify one potential issue and propose a solution. Because the chat is an hour long, there is ample time to respond to other members of your PLN, making the chat interactive and engaging - especially because no two responses are ever the same!
A1: Despite attendance issues, the concern in this conversation (usually) is that there is nothing they can do about the fail. I've found these conversations take a productive turn if we focus on how to resolve the need for progress in order to earn the desired grade. #ECSchat
Good evening y’all. Elyse checking in from North Texas. I’m a special educator and severe behavior teacher. Favorite caffeinated drink-iced latte or Diet something. #ECSchat
A1: what are the other contributing factors? Determine whether parent is on it with other classes. Is everything ok at home? Are Maslow needs taken care of?
#todo - check with other Ts, admin
What are some ways we can steer this conversation in a positive direction (i.e. I am not choosing to fail your child and I need your help to get her back on track)? #ECSchat
A1: Despite attendance issues, the concern in this conversation (usually) is that there is nothing they can do about the fail. I've found these conversations take a productive turn if we focus on how to resolve the need for progress in order to earn the desired grade. #ECSchat
Checking in with other teachers is an important step. As a parent, it can be hard to hear that your child is failing. Any ideas for how to get the parent to help out? #ECSchat
A1: what are the other contributing factors? Determine whether parent is on it with other classes. Is everything ok at home? Are Maslow needs taken care of?
#todo - check with other Ts, admin
Focusing on development (she needs to know more about inheritance), rather than tasks (she didn't turn in this worksheet) highlights the value of what we're asking. It also keeps doors open to make the intervention actually fit their situation. You have ideas? #ECSchat
Given the contention, I’d want more data team at school before proceeding any further. I’d ask parent what they believe the issue is in my particular class. Ask for specifics. Repeat back to let them know they’ve been heard and let them know you need to do more digging #ecschat
It's always a hard conversation when the parent thinks you are choosing to fail the child. One potential issue is not having established a rapport with the family earlier. Not good if the first time they hear from us is when things are already dire #ECSchat
Assuring them that they've been heard is important too - they should always feel like they're being heard and hopefully this is not the first time we're speaking with this parent! #ECSchat
That’s tough. My heart tells me to stop and address bullying. Figure out a way to teach without the copies. “The needs of one outweigh the needs of many” #ecschat
A1: She is passing her other classes. Before calling the parent, I would have consulted her other teachers to see how she is doing. If she just missing my class, I would have talked to the student expressing concern and offering help. #ECSchat
I rarely validate comments like 'only failing this one' when they are made. Is there a benefit to be had by directly comparing classes within a school? If there is, what is it? To my thinking, it could produce some dangerous zero-sum debates regarding value. #ECSchat
That’s tough. My heart tells me to stop and address bullying. Figure out a way to teach without the copies. “The needs of one outweigh the needs of many” #ecschat
One potential concern would be... is the student only skipping your class? Is the student absent 6 times a month and still getting 90s in the other classes? #ECSchat
I've had something very similar to this actually happen. I'm on the bullying situation. Until it's done. I'd use my cell phone to call the office for emergency coverage on my students, or the nearest classroom phone if I don't have it. DO. NOT. OVERLOOK. THIS. Not ever. #ECSchat
A2: Intervention takes precedent over my copies. I would immediately go to diffuse the situation. If necessary, have someone watch my class while I see what further action needs to be taken. #ecschat
Well, if it is true, and my class is the only one the S is failing, majorly because of attendance, either my colleagues aren’t holding the same level of accountability (which id want to factor) or because there is something in my class #ecschat
This has worked well for me for 12th graders - address the issue with the student before it becomes dire and see if there is anything I can do to help before calling home. Perhaps different for the lower grades. #ECSchat
A1: She is passing her other classes. Before calling the parent, I would have consulted her other teachers to see how she is doing. If she just missing my class, I would have talked to the student expressing concern and offering help. #ECSchat
Many times parents will say “this is the only class” when reality is they are failing all of them. There could be some communication pieces with other Ts that may exacerbate the problem #ecschat
I've had something very similar to this actually happen. I'm on the bullying situation. Until it's done. I'd use my cell phone to call the office for emergency coverage on my students, or the nearest classroom phone if I don't have it. DO. NOT. OVERLOOK. THIS. Not ever. #ECSchat
What's more, I had a REALLY valuable teaching moment when I did return to class. My students understood who I was and what I expected from them as people. We do the right thing. We help others. Always.
It was an important piece of building the school culture. #ECSchat
Sometimes the parent isn’t fully aware. Looping them in and taking a team (more Ts) approach can be helpful. Likewise, when it was just my class, it might be my style and I need to adapt. Especially if it is attendance related #ecschat
#ecschat It does not take long into the year for my Ss to know that class starts when they walk in the door. I don't have to be there for them to start helping each other on the homework. Handling a situation in the hallway is a top priority....no brainer.
And chronic absences often need to be reported - authorities will intervene if a child is just not showing up to school. Counselors can help you figure out how to approach this. #ECSchat
Especially in the later grades. This may be the beginning of the oncoming storm for the parent. Likely there are other stressors at home, especially if this was a shift #ECSchat
#ecschat A3: How about letting go? Let's look at the results. Is this new T getting the job done? Am I? Let different experiences happen as long as S learning is not jeopardized. Micro-managing is only going to frustrate two professionals AND their Ss. Be humble.
A3: actually have dealt with this exact situation. Communication is key. Revisit communication expectations with partner, ask for assistance if you can’t collaborate. Setting expectations in the middle can help #ecschat
A3: Whew, that's a tough one. I'd probably seek mediation from a neutral party (resource or instructional coach) with support from administration. We'd establish very clear norms for operation, and probably seek a different teaching arrangement the following year... #ECSchat
#ecschat A3: How about letting go? Let's look at the results. Is this new T getting the job done? Am I? Let different experiences happen as long as S learning is not jeopardized. Micro-managing is only going to frustrate two professionals AND their Ss. Be humble.
A3b: If the person won’t change, I’ll talk to the assistant principal. First address the issue with the teacher. In the end, I’ve just had to adjust myself to the difficult situation and win the person over by being very accommodating. #ECSchat
I strive to make #ECSchat tough 😜 I have been in this situation and I gave it a little time. I've seen colleagues have successful mediation. I've also seen colleagues have fights in front of their students. Not good.
The situation I dealt with, both Ts were struggling with feelings of inadequacy, and were coping in different ways. Finding that common ground was helpful #ecschat
It’s a tough one. Been in this situation far too many times. I think it is extremely important for admin to look at the two teachers and explain to both the expectations. Relationships have to be cultivated and that takes time. #ECSchat
I had one co-teacher whose lessons were brilliant works of art so I was cool with the last-minute planning as long as I didn't have to write the actual LP (I hate paperwork). Other times, I had to take on the role of coach and help the other teacher work more efficiently #ecschat
I have found that helping your partner teacher goes a long way to building the relationship. It doesn’t work to make demands. Show the person you are there to help and support them not just the students. #ECSchat
It does stink that system is designed you have to sacrifice time with family in order to do the job you are paid to. I’d prefer work/life balance if we can. #ecschat
Can also be a teachable moment - let students see that collaborating is challenging at times but we are all working toward the same goal and will keep trying #ECSchat
And perhaps we can consider this a lesson for ourselves - collaborating is tough sometimes. Maybe we should keep this in mind when students struggle to collaborate. #ECSchat
#ecschat It's ok to throw on the brakes. Where did you leave off yesterday? Ask Ss to write or talk about how they are feeling in the class. Ask them to give you feedback about how you're doing...what should continue? What would they change?
#ecschat It's ok to throw on the brakes. Where did you leave off yesterday? Ask Ss to write or talk about how they are feeling in the class. Ask them to give you feedback about how you're doing...what should continue? What would they change?
A4: I'm always a bit overboard on backup plans. Beyond that, using a few low-tech methods regularly leave you an out when this happens. We do retrieval practice regularly with only blank paper, so it's not weird for the students we pivot to it on my surprise. #ECSchat
#ecschat The more you ask Ss for feedback and the more they see you respond to it, the more they will take the opportunity to give you sincere feedback. It's cyclical. They just want to know you're sincere when you ask.
I’m glad you said this because I tell my Ss that it is not easy to collaborate. I’ll cite examples (without details of course) of when I’ve worked with a difficult teacher. It helps the kids understand we all deal with this. #ECSchat
And perhaps we can consider this a lesson for ourselves - collaborating is tough sometimes. Maybe we should keep this in mind when students struggle to collaborate. #ECSchat
A4: id spend a moment reflecting on the mission/goals of the school. Is there a way to flip the classroom and bring the Ss in to lead? Can we engage students on the curriculum and call an audible on the day to be in line with mission/passion of leadership? #ecschat
I need to get better at having backup plans. Conversation prompts, writing prompts, etc. are always available but I'd be horrified if I got observed in a situation like that. #ECSchat
A4: I openly told my class that my day was terrible. Asked them if they had ever had a bad day. Then I said I didn’t want to take it out on them. Sometimes nothing works according to plan. Why hide it? Kind of surprised the person observing me (in a good way). #ECSchat
One time I had this happen and the principal was like "omg why didn't I know how bad the internet is in this school?" 3 days later we had new internet throughout the building. #ECSchat
#ecschat "That wasn't my experience." And then let them ask.........and tell them about what MY struggles might have been or how I failed....if I had any troubles at all. Turn the situation into T-fail rather than S-fail.
This happened to me once and I said "Do you want to know what he has said about you?" and then walked away while they were begging me to tell them #ECSchat
I think the issue in this prompt is not that a teacher is having problems with a student. Rather, the problem is the teacher/building culture that allows openly negative/hostile conversations about students in non-private settings. That's what needs to be addressed. #ECSchat
A5: I’ve responded by saying, “No. They’ve been fine with him. I actually enjoy this group.” Then, I’ll cite some examples. If the person wants to be negative, they will just find a way to turn the conversation back to a negative place. #ECSchat
A5: I’ve responded by saying, “No. They’ve been fine for me. I actually really like this group.” Then, I’ll cite some examples. If the person wants to be negative, they will just find a way to turn the conversation back to a negative place. #ECSchat
A6: I'd freeze his grade in my class and get in touch with the folks with control over his English progress. Start working with the larger team to get more help to solve his first and biggest problem.
If this doesn't matter while his English is an issue, I believe him. #ECSchat
Or that this teacher clearly doesn't like this student and chances are, this student won't thrive in this class no matter what. Teacher already feels a certain way. Less likely to help him. Less likely to go above and beyond. #ECSchat
Thierry (@edtechThierry) here on behalf of SchoolHack. I will be starting my first year as a teacher this fall at Winooski here in #VTed and I will be co-teaching with an awesome colleague. I loved hearing all your thoughts on this question! #ECSchat
In reply to
@RalphCSTEM, @3_DLeadership, @kerisavoca, @edtechThierry
A6: Something has happened. It is time to sit down and talk with the student to figure out what changed. There are so many things that could have happened. #ECSchat
I've got to duck out to go feed toddlers. Thanks for the challenging questions. The meaningful prompts and rich dialogue (rather than a race to answer) makes this one of my favorite chats. Cheers #ECSchat
A6: Something has happened. It is time to sit down and talk with the student to figure out what changed. There are so many things that could have happened. #ECSchat
A6: Not much I’d add to the answer given here. I’d also see if a local college had a mentoring program pairing college students with Jr/Sr high students to give a role model for success #ecschat
I haven’t always responded this way. Sometimes I have just gotten up and left the table. When people have asked why I’m not eating with everyone else, I’ll say that is because of the negativity in conversation. #ECSchat
