A chat that offers middle school teachers a chance to have a collaborative discussion about a different topic each week. Our topics change from week to week, ranging from Common Core State Standards to Character Education. During the chat, participants exchanges ideas and resources. The chat group ranges in size each week from 10 to 50+ participants. Discussion can be general talking about instructional style or process to specific. Recently members of the chat group help each other create lessons.
Welcome to #MEMSPAchat & #mschat - COMBINING forces tonight.
Please tweet to BOTH chats!
Tonight @blocht574 and @MrDomagalski will lead the chat about "Building Leaders & Collaboration Capacity"
Hi, everyone! I'm Melissa from Atchison, KS. I teach 6-8 Soc Studies (WH, Geography/KS, & US History). I took a break last wk as I got over the flu and am glad to join you all again! #masterychat#mschat
A1: Principals build leaders by letting go and trusting their Teacher Leaders ... Allow them to drive the ship for a bit and see where it goes! #mschat and #memspachat
A1: We need to empower our teachers! Let them lead staff meetings, Give them choice in their PD, Encourage Risk Taking in the Classrooms! #MEMSPAchat#MSchat
A1: We build leaders by creating and framing opportunities for leadership within the building and by recognizing leadership and choice everyday for our Ts. Then we must support both and have conversation around it.
#MEMSPAchat#mschat
A1: Relationships matter. Have to know the passions/interests of those you work w/ and give them the opportunity to lead in those areas. Get them to stretch beyond where they are comfortable. #memspachat#mschat
A1 Establish great relationships. Provide multiple opportunities, support, encourage, empower and coach. Create a growth mindset culture where risk taking is valued.
#MEMSPAchat#mschat
A1: Give our teachers the opportunities to lead at staff meetings and in committees. Encourage their risk taking and go to them seeking help. Build their confidence. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A1- Principals can build leaders in their buildings by allowing teachers to be innovative and try new things! Less micro-managing! #mschat#MSPAchat#biogiraffe
A1 we need to delegate find out what strengths others have and utilize them. Give them opportunities to lead, encourage a culture of leadership and ownership #MEMSPSchat#MSchat
A1b: Took me a long time to realize that I may be smart, but I don't have all the answers. Pressure's off--we don't even need to have all the answers. There are experts all around us in our building. Let them share the leadership. Ask, don't tell. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A1 By making opportunities for teachers to share the awesome work they’re already doing in their classrooms with their peers - and so validating and encouraging those teachers in their leadership potential #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A1: Principals build leaders in their building by empowering and encouraging students and teachers to showcase their strengths in various ways. #memspachat#mschat
A1: I honestly didn’t used to think of myself as a leader, even though I held leadership roles. I thought I was “just a teacher.” But principals tagging me in for opportunities showed me I was worth their effort. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A1: Leaders are built by modeling the behaviors that are desired and then reinforcing them when seen: Trust and transparency are a key! #mschat and #memspachat
A1 Principals build leaders by modeling but also by giving up some of the reigns and being supportive--allow others to shine and show what they can excel at. #mschat
Yes! Trust staff and show them you trust them by allowing them (within limits!) to fail and allowing them to do things differently (and even not as well) to you #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A2: Great question. The time needs to be focused on specific goals and around student success. Students should always be at the center. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A1: ALL time in schools the STUDENTS need to be the focus! HOW do they learn? WHAT are they learning? WHAT do we do if they don't? What do we do when they do? #mschat and #memspachat
A2: With students at the forefront, a current vision, or a vision down the road, the time given for PD has to be intentional and worth every minute. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A2: Definitely Student Focused. I put out a Google Doc to find topics Teachers are interested in learning about & discussing (and facilitating) #MEMSPAchat#MSchat
A2: Collaboration time is very limited, so we have clear agendas and get right to work. But there’s always digital connection & hallway conversations when things pop up! #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A2) Mission/Vision, using our SIP plans, Title Plans, to guide our goals, looking at our SEL/PBIS needs, focus needs to be on the students and their needs...what we work on needs to have an aim and focus.
#MEMSPAchat#mschat
A2: Time is the most valuable for us all...the time has to impact my students, grow my teachers, impact culture, and/or challenge me to be a better leader. If it does fall in this FOCUS, I have to re-evaluate the time.
#MEMSPAchat#mschat
A2 Set a clear objective and goal so it doesn't turn into a complaining session. Focus on what works and improve on it, not what is broken. #mschat#MEMSPAchat
a2: we have collab time on Friday - 6th grade sci was able to coordinate a multi-discipline project & invite parents in to see. powerful when Ts can talk! #MEMSPAchat#mschat
Absolutely! I also think it's really important to share our own failed attempts and reflection on those attempts. Learning and leading are messy, evolving processes. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
isn't the purpose student learning? #mschat#memspachat Learning how to learn, learning content, learning how to grow socially, emotionally, academically and physically...
A2: We find our weakpoints in how we are addressing our student needs in our classes. We use those early-out collab times to enhance the product that we are offering. #mschat
A2 I look for ways to embed collaboration within all our of leadership meetings. (Slightly different context than an established PLC structure.)The overarching purpose is to create relationships which engender professional sharing and learning. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A3: Leaders need to be collaborative: Figure out how to work with a team of teachers to help with instructional goals! Be part of a teaching team, cover classes etc #mschat#memspachat
Of course, it is about students. Sometimes, it is about teachers. The point is that whatever collaboration is about, it should be necessity-driven, not just the time to be filled. #mschat#MEMSPAchat
isn't the purpose student learning? #mschat#memspachat Learning how to learn, learning content, learning how to grow socially, emotionally, academically and physically...
A2: All mtgs (Bldg, Grade, PLC, PD) benefit from agenda, goals, & action plan. These items should determine purpose. This takes time and practice to master. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A3: I try to facilitate discussions & hear the voices of others, not provide "sit & gets". We need to learn from our colleagues, teachers, students & families! #MEMSPAchat#MSchat
A3) Admin visibility is so important, we need to be present, physically and mentally. Either we are in it or not...we model by going knee to knee and are all in, hands dirty...warts and all! #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A3: These chats are a great example, Ts see me learning. Participate in T pd. Our T are working on micro-credentials this year and I joined as a participant to learn with them. #memspachat#mschat
A3: Be visible and don't ask anyone to do something you won't do. Take risks in meetings, be reflective, ensure the voice of everyone is heard. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A3: Be open and transparent when getting feedback in making decisions; let Ts know they are part of the process and you value their input #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A2: Purpose changes depending on immediate needs. May be dismal results on recent assessment, so Ts collaborate on ideas for reteaching. It may be a serious behavior problem, so Ts problem-solve. Strong culture & consistent vision help every convo be collab. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
Collaboration implies equality in decision-making and responsibility. A principal should model this by being one of the team and letting others make decisions in their spheres of expertise. A3 #memspachat#mschat
A3: Shared decision making. We have voluntary meetings (which I have started to call solution sessions) to work through issues and ideas. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
Agreed! Teachers need to see how ADMIN work and grow so they are motivated to work and grow too #mschat and #memspachat Often admin jobs are invisible except in times of need or concern
@Mcoaty just wanted to thank you for being a great person to follow and for sharing your experiences and questions with other educators. #mschat#edchat
A3: Being a skillful group member and modeling the expectations for collaboration shows staff that you're part of the team and that you are contributing to the work along with them. #memspachat#mschat
A3: Live to the same standards that teachers are held! Be clear and timely with communications. Give time and listen to hear not to respond! #mschat and #memspachat
A3: Principals need to collaborate in exact same way we expect Ts too. Ask questions, brainstorm, begin with the end in mind, keep needs of Ss at forefront, be selfless, don't crawl up on the table with your idea, talk it out, be kind
#MEMSPAchat#mschat
A3: Shared decision making. We have voluntary meetings (which I have started to call solution sessions) to work through issues and ideas. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A3: My district rocks this. Big decisions are made committee-style, principals collaborate w/ each other, and the districts in the county collaborate together. And my principal is a true servant-leader. #MEMSPAchat
A3) By meeting with teams; by sharing their own learning and collaborating; by dedicating time to collaborate; by sharing blog posts and what they’re currently reading. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A4 Team Time, Dept Mtgs, Faculty Mts and Staff Days. Unfortunately I don't think my district uses time to the max benefit. We get talked AT a lot and don't get to talk TO each other. #mschat#MEMSPAchat
A4: Goal? Shared grade level planning every day.
Reality? Shared grade level planning as much as possible, minimally every week.
Fingers-crossed for more next year! #constantlyimproving#MEMSPAchat#mschat
A4: We are fortunate to have common planning time for our grade levels at K-3. Shared building meeting time with teams for collaboration. Release for new & mentor teachers to work together too. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A4: We have 18 early release times during the year for PLCs to meet and collaborate. #mschat and #memspachat some levels have common planning times for more regular collaboration
A4: My grade level teachers have 65 minutes of common planning time a day. We are also committed to a 45 minute specific collaboration time every three weeks. This is new this year for us. Keeping this time specifically for student achievement. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A4: After school meetings consist of building PLC; department, grade-level teams, grade-level partners . Implementation of Teacher Learning Walks and release time for department work in math and science. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
I love collaboration that's positive and production. With the RIGHT players, it's wonderful, with too many and the wrong ones, nothing will get done. #MSChat | Quality over quantity.
At elementary, teachers have weekly planning time built in for their grade levels. There are 7 half-days for students in our district annual calendar; tts use the rest of the day for collaborative discussions and work. A4 #MEMSPAchat#MSchat
A4: We have a schedule that allows for common planning times 2-3 days/week, depending on the grade level. Hoping to work more time in for this next year! #memspachat#mschat
A4: district sets mtg schedule and Bldg daily schedule created for common plan at least 1x per week. Ongoing discussion as we try to find times for PLC group time to be most useful #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A4: Try to build it into the prep schedule, but it's tough. We try to provide this at PD times throughout the year, but will move to PLC process next year. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A4: we have team time every day (38 mins) and dept time twice a month. The collaboration is so beneficial and I am thankful that we have it! #mschat#MEMSPAchat
A4 our core teachers get time to collaborate with a common plan, we have early release on Wednesday afternoons where we collaborate and learn as a group. #mschat
A5: Great leaders in the words of my colleague Bill Schmidt are “respectfully relentless”! Singular focused and always striving towards excellence in the name of students. @Woodridge68#mschat#memspachat
A4 Collaboration time happens as part of our weekly staff meetings...but, thinking about your question, it doesn’t happen often enough! #MEMSPAchat#mschat
One risk I took was to implement Genius Hour with my 6th graders this year. I wasn't sure how it would turn out and my principal really encouraged me to go for it. So far it's working great and other teachers are incorporating it in their classes as well #mschat
A5: I think actions & characteristics are very different. Actions speak louder than words. I may have the best of intentions but if my actions don't match characteristics then am I leading at all? #MEMSPAchat#mschat
Q5: @AllysonApsey For example: What are the differences in the characteristics between a K-5 building leader as opposed to a 6-8 building leader..?? Are there differences?
#MEMSPAchat#mschat
I feel that elementary principals are more hands-on and connected with their teachers and students. Partly, it has to do with the size of a school and the length of time kids spend there. Elementary p. is everywhere. At MS level, there is more delgation A5 #MSchat#memspachat
A5: K-5 vs 6-8: Well leadership is leadership: Model, see needs and find ways to help develop and get needs filled. Raise others up! Are schools different yes but all school are different ... leadership adapts #MEMSPAchat#MSchat
A.4 we have time set aside each week for PLC time. My 6th grade team meets every Tuesday morning to collaborate and look at data. We also meet monthly to do vertical alignment #mschat
A1) I spent a lot of time in MS which is usually considered a wasteland for #empathy but I saw a lot of beautiful moments. One that stands out was on field day a group of S's asked ahead of time if they could make sure the events were accessible to our adaptive athletes #gtchat
A6: They pass around leadership roles - BLT, curriculum, social justice. I encourage colleagues to be part of something meaningful to them. This way they are excited about leading. Celebrate achievements! #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A6: Reaching out asking for help. Provide opportunity to observe in each others classrooms not just in our home building but across the district. Find others areas of expertise and share, share, share. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
Essential to hire staff on all levels that support and communicate. Though the Ss crosses to the next level, they're still in the community. #MSChat | Middle School Chat
A6: Popping in for the last bit! A lot of this has to do with the responsibilities granted to individual Ts by admin. If Ts have a passion for leadership, there are usually roles available in some capacity. #mschat#memspachat
I feel similar. Much more delegation at the MS level. Can't be everywhere and in the know of as much like I could at the elem level. Lots of delegation and empowering #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A5: Been both secondary & elem principal. Get lots more hugs as an elem principal! There are differences in what Ss need at varying grade levels & staff drawn to secondary are different than staff drawn to elem. But, ppl are ppl & relationships=most important #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A6: Right now I don't think we have a good system of collaboration between teachers: New evaluation laws have hindered here, too competitive #MEMSPAchat#MSchat
A5: I work PK-12 in a small district. You deal with behavior differently,but very powerful when Ts can collaborate together about instruction. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A5: The scope of the issues that are dealt with - as well as the numbers! - are so, so different. Leadership needs to collaborate with each other on a different level. #mschat#MEMSPAchat
A6: We work to encourage teachers to lead by empowering them, providing opportunities to observe and learn, supporting collaboration/learning time, and recognizing their strengths and expertise. We must provide time. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
Teachers are motivated to lead when they feel secure in the relationships with their colleagues. Principals need to cultivate these relationships. @jon_wennstrom and I wrote a piece for @ACSD about it. https://t.co/QXIHYl1U5y#MSchat#memspachat
A5) In my experience, the elementary leadership has been more present and visible around the school. I collaborated daily with leadership. In the MS setting, there are days where I only get a greeting in. #mschat#MEMSPAchat
A6 Proud of our teachers (over 300) who have collaborated around K-12 curriculum design and the 52 who lead PD for the entire district in August 17 #MEMSPAchat#MSchat
A6 I believe in our building our staff feels like a collective group so when there is a good idea or someone takes the lead others are willing to follow. We are partners working to support kids MEMSPAchat #mschat
A.3 I think that just as teachers meet and collaborate, the administrators should too. Our administration meets to team just as our teachers do and I feel it helps to keep our district working together instead of separate buildings #mschat
A5: Agreed! I've never been a MS teacher or principal. I'm sure the actions and characteristics are different but every child deserves our best everyday and establishing a relationship and building trust with students is key at any level! #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A5: Been both secondary & elem principal. Get lots more hugs as an elem principal! There are differences in what Ss need at varying grade levels & staff drawn to secondary are different than staff drawn to elem. But, ppl are ppl & relationships=most important #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A6: #QuincyOn teachers:
-say YES! to each other
-ask for ideas
-share ideas
-celebrate strengths
-are vulnerable w/ each other
-value their differences
#MEMSPAchat#mschat
I love your rounds, so inspiring! You have set the tone for collaboration in your building and you can feel it the minute you walk in the door! #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A6: School family level of support encourages people to take risks...our role is to assist in building the culture for this to exist! And encourage, encourage, encourage! #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A7: An initiative I'd personally like to see at my district is mandatory diversity training for ALL staff, including admin. Difficult to be a good leader if you don't fully understand or embrace the Ss you have in front of you. #mschat#MEMSPAchat
A5: Universal actions and characteristics -- service, authenticity, care, high expectations (academic and behavioral), respect, FOCUS. These may simply manifest themselves a bit differently by level, demographics, bld. culture, staff, parental support, etc..
#MEMSPAchat#mschat
A7: I think we have to be open to feedback, provide opportunities to be a listener and take action on feedback received. Additionally, let go and let others step up! #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A7 We model great leadership and allow others to soar. Encourage risk taking and give people the time and support they need to grow and develop #mschat
A7: Lead by example. Show families ALL students matter and you will do anything for students to feel valued and supported. Teach and encourage people to be reflective and to see the forest and not just the trees. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A5: Different leadership styles and building levels, needs, etc. All leaders should build relationships, stay positive, and effectively communicate! #MemspaChat#mschat
A7: Build in a feedback loop for leadership so they can grow. Listen and reflect on feedback know it is to help you grow not end career! #MEMSPAchat#MSchat
A6: Encouragement within and across grade levels throughout the whole building. Celebrating successes and problem solving collaboratively. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
7) We set the tone for collaboration, build relationships and trust, lead from where we stand and recognize those who join us...it's contagious!
#MEMSPAchat#mschat
Q8: What is one take away from this chat you can either build on as a leader of improve upon concerning the collaborate of your colleagues? #MEMSPAchat#MSchat
Q8: What is one take away from this chat you can either build on as a leader of improve upon concerning the collaborate of your colleagues? #MEMSPAchat#MSchat
Middle School is an awkward transition period for families and Ss, stay in touch with home and community to build great kids with self esteem, not seeking approval from the masses. #MSChat | Middle School Chat
Q8: What is one take away from this chat you can either build on as a leader of improve upon concerning the collaborate of your colleagues? #MEMSPAchat#MSchat
A7: Encourage those with leadership skills to take on leadership roles. Be supportive and lead by example. Also encourage continual learning. #mschat#MEMSPAchat
Q8: Since I am from a small district make sure I keep collaborating with #lmchort8 and continue attending my county principal meetings #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A8: This chat has been a great reminder to make sure I'm looking for ways to provide opportunities for all to collaborate and lead and to be an active participant. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
Q8: What is one take away from this chat you can either build on as a leader of improve upon concerning the collaborate of your colleagues? #MEMSPAchat#MSchat
Q8: What is one take away from this chat you can either build on as a leader of improve upon concerning the collaborate of your colleagues? #MEMSPAchat#MSchat
A8: I am taking away the reminder to continue building staff leadership. Sometimes it is easier to do it myself and I must remember to lean on my staff and their expertise. #MEMSPAchat#mschat
We ultimately need to build leaders up from within. Empower those and encourage all collectively through collaboration. Give opportunities for learn success. In the end, we'll succeed together with #PositivityUnknown2Mankind#MEMSPAchat#mschat
A8: Intrigued by @PrincipalFrench’s 75 minutes of collaborative time each morning! Would love that at our district - it would be powerful! #MEMSPAchat#mschat
A7) Continue to develop relationships with all while providing opportunities for Ts to lead in their school. Keep the focus on Ss growth! #mschat#MEMSPAchat
A8: Topic has been on my mind, not only to encourage leadership among staff but to also encourage next round of principals. Need to inspire Ts w/ leadership potential to consider principalship. Just have them watch #PrincipalsPlayhouse and they will be SOLD! #MEMSPAchat#mschat
