#TOSAchat Archive
#TOSAChat is a chat on Twitter every Monday night at 8pm PST for TOSAs (teachers on special assignment), including all edtech and instructional coaches.
Monday October 31, 2016
Happy Halloween everyone. Joe, Math & STEAM Coach from Palo Alto, CA. Watching MNF, passing out candy, & here for
Was going to be a tape dispenser but ran out of time. Wore my stormtrooper jacket today. Want the full getup tho
Hi Kim. Such a great picture. I’m sure they all had fun. Are you still out trick or treating?
thanks! oh, no. The baby went to Papa's house and then to bed, the other 2 went to about 10 houses and are now in bed
Happy Halloween ! 👻 🎃 Amanda, math/tech TOSA gearing up for a scary movie!!
Hi Veronica. Great to see you tonight. Was it a good haul tonight?
Hey Amanda. What are you going to watch?
I had 5 trick or treaters during the 6 o'clock hour but no one since. I average 10 each year. :(
A1: I think I’d go to a coffee shop & try to have a video conference PD session.
Wish the “Beam me up Scottie” was real.
A1 I don't think I'd get in that position. DH would never let me run out of gas.
Good way to get your steps in.
Or what about getting on a payphone to call a friend? What a payphone? What’s that?
A1: depending on distance, try & walk to PD location, or find somewhere w/wifi and do some distance PD
I think my neighbors don’t pass out candy so families don’t like coming to my street.
Yes. Definitely a great way to think flexibly - do distance PD.
Love the different seating choices.
Love ghost stories so I have The Rite queued up...exorcism stuff
Tom from Bassett, Tech TOSA, happy halloween everyone!
Hi Val. Great to have you with us, especially as it’s late in FL. How was Halloween tonight for you?
I hate movies like that. Freaks me out. Still gives me nightmares even now as an adult.
A1: Woo! Just got here. Had to interview someone on Skype this summer because traffic was so bad. Make it work!
A1: No gas and no cell service? I'd probably start walking and crying simultaneously! 😭
Hi Tom. Great to have you here tonight. Hope you’re having a great Halloween.
A1: pull up the jeans and show some leg, hope I get a ride! Or hoof it, our district schools r all close.
Yeah, distance learning & distance connections.
BTW I'm an instructional coach & HS English teacher in the Bay Area. Happy to be here tonight!
Great way to get your steps in. :)
Yep, kiddo is done, getting in bed and allowing me time to get some chatting in!
Now that’s an idea I’d support. Wonder if it can be parent conference day.
Nice Tom! Oo, that makes me think of biking since schools are also close in PAUSD
Nice Tom! Oo, that makes me think of biking since schools are also close in PAUSD
district next to mine has a P/T conf day followed by PD Day, generally scheduled so no Ss on Halloween
Great to have you with us. Bay Area? Want to attend w , me, & others in Feb?
A2: breaking in a new boss. I love new boss, but the vision for the position isn't the same. It's been quite an adjustment period
I’ve only had 5 trick or treaters. It’s a slow year it seems. I still have so much candy.
That’s awesome. Admins are making a great decision. How do Ts feel about this potential change?
A2: Managing math pilot & NGSS rollout has been biggest hurdles. Starting another big project of designing summer school program
Hopefully we’ll get to work together some year.
A2: Trying to navigate the school as the only Instruc Coach. 125 Ts 2000 Ss. 😜 But I ❤️myjob!!
LOL-- I haven't given up hope yet!
A2: teaching 4 different classes & creating curriculum for all 4...and atempting to have a life
Just had 3 kids come to my door. 8 so far tonight. It’s a slow night for trick or treating
What is this life you speak of? ;)
A2: Getting participation & buy-in for instructional coaching from not-so-new teachers
we've had 10? church down the street does a HUGE trunk or treat so everyone goes there
Change can be uncomfortable. Disequilibrium
THIS is definitely when being connected to other coaches can help. https://t.co/fmJsy1PeG2
A2: Trying to navigate the school as the only Instruc Coach. 125 Ts 2000 Ss. 😜 But I ❤️myjob!!
A2:I think my big hurdle is on its way-- imagine our math pilot is going to be a challenge for me! https://t.co/R5T6rfSCWm
Liza science and STEM TOSA from Seattle jumping in late
Yeah, but unfortunately we get a lot of it in our profession, esp. in my district. Just a fact of life, roll with it!
Yeah, trying to have a life is definitely a challenge we all share
A2: I want to do sooo much but I have to pace myself
whats the date? I can plan a "visit" to my parents ;-)
Yeah, that’s definitely a challenge. Our TOSA team has been studying cognitive coaching for Ts at every level.
Yay!! Would love to see you there, Kim!!
Our topic next week is on cognitive coaching.
That’s very true. Each year bring changes. The challenges & the beauty of our profession
I've had the doorbell ring only 2x tonight. Guess I live in a quiet neighborhood, that's ok, I'm watching 🎃
That’s interesting. Great to give Ts choice though.
We’ve currently set it for 2/11. Going to start planning soon
WHAT?!?! Halloween as a PD day? What about the Halloween parade at school? It doesn’t happen?
Q3: Ha, yes!! So far, keep inviting. Put lots of positive energy into willing participants; make successes public.
A3: I use the Ss, I do it in my class then they start asking, "can we use X instead?" they ask enough T will eventually come to me
Nice way to spend Halloween evening. Monday Night Football for me.
A3: With reluctant Ts it all starts with forming relationships. Build rapport. Connect in another way you can
Eureka Math is one of the curricula we’re piloting. Bridges is the other
awesome! 3 day weekend is perfect for trip to Grandma & Grandpa's house
A3: I'm building trust slooooowly! Reassuring Ts that I'm there to support not eval. How about you guys?? Advice appreciated!
A3cont: Listen to their interests & needs, provide articles, videos, … & of course connect on personal level
A3... https://t.co/IoOFF8OgKk
Q3: Ha, yes!! So far, keep inviting. Put lots of positive energy into willing participants; make successes public.
Just had a knock on my door but it was my neighbor saying he hasn’t had anyone come to his door. Trick or treating w each other
A3: start with friendly faces. The word will spread and the Ts will talk. They will come around in time, to be left behind
I am 8 minutes behind, but definitely want to say welcome, Liza. Great to see you again
A3 Ask them to teach you something. Have them share a lesson or strategy with you.
A3: Keep conversations positive. Don't close off conversation. Keep trying, even if they seem reluctant.
Ooh I like this! Turn the tables!
The process does vary. I support 4 schools & the pace is diff at each school
Ohhhhh like a Jedi mind trick! https://t.co/3ZfYqOXbrl
A3: I use the Ss, I do it in my class then they start asking, "can we use X instead?" they ask enough T will eventually come to me
Sounds like you're on the right track!
Great family picture, Karly!
Trying to build camaraderie w Ts by having after school PLC/Learning Lab. Ts get inserv. cred. and stipend🤑.
I also look for Ts willing to let me experiment in their class, teach a lesson, then...
Thanks Joe! Did I miss all of the Joe costume pics????
...ask that T to "write my Yelp review" by telling others if they like what I can offer Helps get foot in door
It’s definitely a great video!
Yes! Just ask them if you can try something out. 👍Modeling failing forward helps too.
I didn’t tweet them out this time. No costume this year too. :( Was going to be a tape dispenser but ran out of time
Great advice! https://t.co/r0BLT03lTX
...ask that T to "write my Yelp review" by telling others if they like what I can offer Helps get foot in door
A4: Ooh that's an awful feeling. I think the key is to keep trying. That seems to be my theme tonight...
A4a:last time that happened, I was on leave for a year. ;( Maybe i shouldn't have been fomenting student rebellion?
A4: Go to the assistant principal. :)
For real: take position presupposition perspective. Admin is busy, has other things on mind
That is hilarious. Good one.
A4: Rely on other instructional coaches; reach out on Twitter; use parents as resources!
A4: Show respect even when they aren't giving you any. Then, when opportunities arise, share your opinion. Choose words wisely.
A4b: this isn't really an issue, Ts will drive the trainings, and they are your target audience. Repair that reltnship over time
A3: Yes! Focus on student work. Ts fear being judged. Focus on Ss & how you want their Ss to improve
A4: keep doing it, go to VP, TOSA, someone else, eventually the message makes its way back up
A4cont: If current message isn’t getting thru to admin, rethink, refine message.
Hi Stephanie. Didn’t get to welcome you when you joined the chat
yup, that's how we got people screencasting last year, Sci Dept taught how so others just had to offer it as option
Not a problem, Joe! Thanks for the warm welcome!
Absolutely. Respect goes a long way. Do everything w integrity & you won’t have anything to regret
Exactly! Baby steps. It's the forward movement that's important not the pace 😊
Have fun, Amanda. Enjoy the scary movie. Until next time
Yes! It’s about making positive steps forward & + perspective. Even steps back can be good
Happy Halloween Amanda! Great seeing you this weekend!
A4: I agree to choose words wisely. Build trust 1st then look for an opening! 🙏
Totally missed out Great to see you both through the GHO
Totally missed out Great to see you both through the GHO
Well said. Trusting relationships where there’s respect, identity safety, & openness. https://t.co/Xe0nVMttEX
A4: I agree to choose words wisely. Build trust 1st then look for an opening! 🙏
A5: Thing I dread most probably is to lead an assembly for principal. Or a principal coffee. All w no advance notice or prep
A5: teach the Rock Cycle, seriously, Geology is NOT my thing
A5: Um...dealing with unhappy parents! It's worse than dealing with unhappy students!
You’re amazing at science.
we are Parent/Teacher Conferencing this week
Oh boy. Good luck! Hope it goes well!
A5cont: I remember as classroom T, the worst on 11/1 was the sugar rush from Halloween.
Well said. It’s often the Ps that make my school years crazy. I can work w any S, the Ps are another issue
A5: Ugh... to be the person who has to give bathroom breaks on a testing day. That's the WORST.
Very true. Balance of time is always the challenge for all of us
No way. My boss has made it clear to all admins that TOSAs don’t sub. Very thankful for that
A5: make assessments available in the data system and have it be down. Worst ever
For yourself? Question 6 is right up your alley then. https://t.co/RMSpTDmdkk
I seem to b having that from kit kats!
Oiy! Well do you get short days at least?
Love it! Seems like that always happens!
Yes! Great positive POV. But my gut will hate me afterward :) & :(
I will have to add nonfunctioning technology in my office! Have to email docs to other Ts to print! 😫😫😫😫😫
A5cont: Another rough thing about days after 10/31 is how Ps send kids to school w candy as a treat. KEEP CANDY AT HOME.
Yes! Come on up to the Bay Area
yes, but with our new bell shed that means each period is only 30min :-(
What?!?! Give bathroom breaks?
Bound to lose wireless connection any minute. Rain is INTENSE!!!
Ahhh yes done that before but then again you get to try fun things with the kids!
Yeah, that would really suck
Until then, we can collaborate remotely :)
A6: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, I will eat those until I am sick & I spied 2 in the kids candy bags ;-)
A6: Chocolate. Hands down. 🍫
Someone recently told me to freeze them 1st. Can’t believe I never did that before.
A6: Students saying thank you. Never gets old. Heart exploding. Oh, and dark chocolate!
I always put mine in the fridge, but freezing sounds yummy too
A6 The tiny cadburry eggs. The chocolate ones with the candy shell. I can, and have, eaten an entire bag. https://t.co/EurlVeiJjc
Our other co-creater always says Chocolate is the answer to every question.
… https://t.co/Giw8FilM5z
A6: Chocolate. Hands down. 🍫
LOL raiding rhe kids' candy already, eh?
Love that your first answer is something other than candy. :)
Freezing is the best!!!!!
Me too, me too. I get bags and bags during the Easter season
Nice image to go with your tweet :) !!!!
Best part of being a parent on Halloween!
A6cont: Some more: Kit Kat, Snickers, Twix
My closing w 1st & 2nd graders was always 3 Hs - hug, high five, or handshake
Most of their candy goes to school & becomes prizes, we did this year instead of candy
Thank goodness they are only around during easter!
I’ve donated candy to local dentists before. They send them to the troops overseas.
It’s Reese’s Pieces in the Fall for me, eggs during Easter, & crispy M&Ms at all other times
I’ve saved candy from Halloween to pass out at PD sessions. Ts always love afternoon pick me ups
Do you like Sour Patch Kids?
