The Breakfast Club – #BFC530 – is a 15 minute, 1 question Twitter chat every weekday. We chat in 4 timezones Mon-Fri – 5:30am Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Times. The mission of BFC is to empower participants to make a difference in education by engaging in consistent reflective practice in a supportive community that inspires and challenges one another.
What are your thoughts on "edustars" who have left the classroom and now publish, lecture, & are thought of as educational experts?
@gilkatgil#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
Double edged sword. I feel bad for the students they will miss out on, but I feel good for the educators that they will transform. I also worry about them losing their mojo after a few years of being out of the trenches. #bfc530
What are your thoughts on "edustars" who have left the classroom and now publish, lecture, & are thought of as educational experts?
@gilkatgil#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
Interesting Q. Some have remained relevant. Others have seen their relevancy morph.
The bigger challenge, I think, isn't the person; it's what their peddling. Is it sound, sustainable practice or an #edufad? That means more to me.
#BFC530
I'm okay with edustars, as long as they don't change their message to appease the hands that pay them, instead of advocating for what life is really like in a classroom. Stay gold, pony boy... #bfc530
What are your thoughts on "edustars" who have left the classroom and now publish, lecture, & are thought of as educational experts?
@gilkatgil#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
I would much rather get advice and ideas from an "edustar" who is still in the classroom spending time on students instead of book tours and speaking engagements. We have schools full of amazing educators. #bfc530
What are your thoughts on "edustars" who have left the classroom and now publish, lecture, & are thought of as educational experts?
@gilkatgil#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
I appreciate their contributions, but for me those with the most expertise on education are the people who spend every day working in an actual school with students. Teachers speak to the issues we face with the most authority, driven by current and ongoing experience. #bfc530
What are your thoughts on "edustars" who have left the classroom and now publish, lecture, & are thought of as educational experts?
@gilkatgil#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
I find it interesting that we push this idea that no one is smarter than the room, but yet we have created an environment where we have elevated a group to the status of EduProphet and take their word as Edugospel #bfc530
I am aware of the criticisms, but why shouldn’t wisdom, based upon previous experience, be shared? I have worked “in the trenches” (currently) and on the ‘outside’ and I believe we all have much to learn from each other! #bfc530
What are your thoughts on "edustars" who have left the classroom and now publish, lecture, & are thought of as educational experts?
@gilkatgil#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
Depends. Most are great willing to discuss & humble. I have accidentally poked a hornet's nest by contradicting an edustars tweet by explaining why something works in my clssrm & they take it too personally as an attack on their brand #bfc530
What are your thoughts on "edustars" who have left the classroom and now publish, lecture, & are thought of as educational experts?
@gilkatgil#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
Sometimes I’m skeptical of these edustars. But as a single mom who doesn’t know how she’ll buy that new car, this teaching salary alone isn’t cutting it. So if it pays the bills, then good for them. #BFC530
What are your thoughts on "edustars" who have left the classroom and now publish, lecture, & are thought of as educational experts?
@gilkatgil#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
Good morning- I can learn something from everyone, whether still teaching or not. I shy away from prescriptive talk, however, as one-size-fits-all doesn’t work for kids or teachers. #bfc530
What are your thoughts on "edustars" who have left the classroom and now publish, lecture, & are thought of as educational experts?
@gilkatgil#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
When following edustars on Twitter, I will look at follower to following ratio. If 20K followers 100 following I will tend not to follow. Kind of sums up what they think about learning from others. #bfc530
Though certainly no edustar, I can say that I had to drag myself out of the classroom to present on cbe and returned because I missed Ss and needed to be connected. Doing both simultaneously, though, has proved harder. I would rather have a presenter who actually taught. #bfc530
It’s important to keep learning, but I find myself resenting those who left and then earn a living telling those of us who stayed how to do the job they don’t want to do anymore. Their influence should be limited. I hate when we give them “guru” status. #bfc530
True, but I’m more interested in learning from their experience versus investing in products. If I buy a book, from an EduStar, to learn from some of that experience, it is my choice. #bfc530
I love that we can all benefit from their experiences & love hearing them talk about education. What I love more is when they are still involved in their schools & continue to be a direct influence on the kids. That is true edustardom. #BFC530
A: They might be “eduatars” but educators in the school house are “eduHEROES”. If you feel it is your time to leave the classroom or principal’s office to make an impact on a larger group of educators, then so be it. #bfc530
What are your thoughts on "edustars" who have left the classroom and now publish, lecture, & are thought of as educational experts?
@gilkatgil#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
I ageee with Karl, depends on their message and if they have stayed relevant and informed about what 'real' classrooms are like. You could almost compare them to some admins... #bfc530
I’ve been teaching for 13 years, didn’t really “get it” until a few years ago and I’m still no expert. I have trouble buying in to edustars who only spent a few years in the classroom. Also, if you’ve been out for 5+ years is really hard to know what’s up in real time in schools.
So many have positively influenced, impacted or changed the way that I lead.
New ideas are catalysts for iterations of my current practice.
These people become a part of my "room." And what a joy it is to finally meet them F2F!!!
#bfc530
With "edustars" listen, learn, benefit, apply as needed. And find consolation that many "edustars" would like to be in the trenches w Ts today. Enjoy the action. #BFC530
I agree Chris. Someone looking into a system can see things other in it do not. As w/most things, it is all in the presentation, will it be stated from a position of superiority or a position of humble assistance. #BFC530
It is our choice, but is should also be an informed choice ... I shouldn’t go through a whole chat only to realize I was participating in an infomercial for a product they represent. #bfc530
I love twitter bc it is free sharing. That is the teaching from back in day. Everyone shared. Then it wasn’t happening at all bc TS wanted to make $. I get that but I am also that free sharing is back #bfc530
Good morning everyone. The “Edustars” that I know are educators through and through. They may not be in the classroom any longer but they are helping to advance our profession and making it better for kids. If they can make a living while doing it, good for them. #BFC530
I think what makes me bristle is the peddling aspect. Those who actively work with schools and teachers vs. those who just lecture and keynote at conferences to push books, etc. #bfc530
When following edustars on Twitter, I will look at follower to following ratio. If 20K followers 100 following I will tend not to follow. Kind of sums up what they think about learning from others. #bfc530
But still you have learned something! My critical eye might be different from yours, Dennis, and that’s OK. I just disregard the infomercial and take away what I can from all in the chat. 😊 #bfc530
Ive seen someone post @burgessdave twitter page before. Look at Following-Followers section, impressively close to 1:1. I have met him twice (briefly, sure he doesn't remember, thats OK) but I can listen to him all day. Great communicator, great encourager #bfc530
A1: One thing I notice about most edustars (at least on twitter) is that they’re overwhelmingly straight white men (& majority of Ts are women)
Folks that look like me are often elevated to positions of influence and “leadership”. It’s worth examining + dismantling #bfc530
I also look to how they interact ... or do they actually interact with you. Are they part of the collective learning or just dropping “motivational tweets” #bfc530
I was almost one who left- (so glad I didn’t). I would have wanted to create relevant content, or tried to advocate for teachers. Never wanted to push my ways on teachers in the classroom. I experienced that BS at former school. #bfc530
What are your thoughts on "edustars" who have left the classroom and now publish, lecture, & are thought of as educational experts?
@gilkatgil#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
A good educator - #edadmin & #edustar, alike - watches & listens always. They speak to ideas, not products. They speak abt learning & integration of tools. The last 10 yrs of rapid change has provided very few long-lasting fixes.
The best seem to talk eduphilosophies #bfc530
If they show me some info or an idea that I think will fit well with my students, great, bring it on, whoever they are and however long they’ve been out of a class. If they’re out of touch, or just selling their brand, I’m less interested. #bfc530
Off topic, but if you teach in an area affected by rural poverty, the MG novel The Benefits of Being an Octopus is worth a read. I can’t wait to get it into my Ss hands. #bfc530
A1: One thing I notice about most edustars (at least on twitter) is that they’re overwhelmingly straight white men (& majority of Ts are women)
Folks that look like me are often elevated to positions of influence and “leadership”. It’s worth examining + dismantling #bfc530
#bfc530 I think it's human nature to listen to folks doing the same work as you're doing. When I was teaching, I wanted to listen to teachers. As admin, I prefer to listen to fellow admin for advice and support. If it's useful to me, I'll listen to anyone.
What are your thoughts on "edustars" who have left the classroom and now publish, lecture, & are thought of as educational experts?
@gilkatgil#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
Off topic, but if you teach in an area affected by rural poverty, the MG novel The Benefits of Being an Octopus is worth a read. I can’t wait to get it into my Ss hands. #bfc530
A1: One thing I notice about most edustars (at least on twitter) is that they’re overwhelmingly straight white men (& majority of Ts are women)
Folks that look like me are often elevated to positions of influence and “leadership”. It’s worth examining + dismantling #bfc530
Thanks for the shoutout for #ThePepperEffect! I appreciate you reading, Debbi. By the way, I am still in Schoolhouse. Grateful to be connected to you! #bfc530
One thing I think we can do is be intentional about not just “what” we retweet but “who”. Take an account of our own timelines, see who is in our own following list and who we’re most often elevating ourselves. Then use our platform to raise up folks doing great work #bfc530
We were just getting around to that on #bfc530 chatting about “edustars” who’ve left teaching but seek to influence it. Most of them do not reflect teachers demographically- which I’ve been finding problematic.
And it's a complicated problem - the people themselves, the men (mostly white) are likely good, kind men who are nice and well-meaning. So it's not about them, per se. They're just carrying on patterns. #bfc530
I love that you wrote this because I do this too. I wondered how many others consider this. To me, it says that the person is there to teach everyone else and not really learn from others. #bfc530
The same way I feel about administrators and coaches, if they recognize the current challenges, understand our students, and have a quality, applicable message, I am listening.
I would also love for talented teachers to stay in the classroom, but I understand leaving.
#bfc530
I’m think the main thing I’m still learning how to do better is knowing when to speak up and when to shut up.
I think our main work lies in pushing and challenging other white men in our circles and elevating marginalized voices and perspectives. What do you think? #bfc530
I think that’s a start. I think when asked to lead, we have opportunities to promote others who aren’t white men. Collaborate or step aside to give others a voice. “Saying no to something is saying yes to something else.” #bfc530
Also, researching and quoting non-white male work in our presentations could help. How much Audre Lourde, bell hooks, Frederick Douglas, Cornell West or Ta-Nehisi Coates work are we using? #bfc530
I don’t mind following someone who is a so-called “edustar” as long as I feel like I’m truly learning from them and that they are not forming some sort of fan club. #bfc530
I believe it is powerful to be recognized for your efforts as an educator. I haven’t came across an edustar I haven’t learned something from. I do believe if you leave a classroom for longer than 5 years, you’re missing radical change now. Rapid difference. #bfc530
What are your thoughts on "edustars" who have left the classroom and now publish, lecture, & are thought of as educational experts?
@gilkatgil#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC5oIgb
This is great advice! Thank you for putting this out there. I have been reflecting on the content and accounts that I follow and see and THIS matches up well. #bfc530#edchat#miched
