Welcome to #MTedchat! Our topic tonight is “Welcome Back!! Start of Year Inspirations, Dreams, and Plans!” Please take a moment to introduce yourself: name, role, and location.
Your moderator tonight will be @cristama Be looking for questions coming from her to join the conversation. #MTedchat Please include the question in your tweet to help others who may have missed it!
Crista Anderson, Dixon PK-8th Grade Principal... SO ready for students to come TOMORROW! Everything makes so much more with kids in the equation!! #mtedchat
I was part of the safety and security team checking wristbands during the day and in the stadium at night making sure people were safe (aka: not running) helping people find what they needed. #MTedchat
Q2: Describe your go-to method for getting to know your students during the first week of school OR a technique you might try for the first time? #MTedchat
A2) I get to meet all my students individually for the first three days of school. We have WaKids meetings with SS & their Ps. Part of full K in WA. #MTedchat
A2: I always write I Am Poems on the first day, and a Mountain introduction sheet where they share, and I share our dreams, highlights, lows, and every day things we love to do. #MTedchat!
A favorite go-to method for me was to have parents complete a short "about my child" mini-essay... (less than a page). I learned SO much by asking parents for their hopes and fears for their child. Sought advice early. #mtedchat
That was best part. The year I started that was the most connected I ever felt. The students were able to feel a bit more personalization from me simply because I felt I knew them already...through their parents eyes. Adding their survey info...was really powerful too #mtedchat
A3: My goal for this year is to maintain my communication with staff and be as accessible as possible. I'd like to increase my communication with families and community outreach partners. #mtedchat
Me too... How can we help? I keep thinking that we need to share more student evidence from the classroom here. Can cut off names... But SEEING strategies in action...coaching one another. Would be nice... #mtedchat
Q4: We use Twitter to connect professionally...What is one way you might support your class in making similar meaningful connections for learning? #MTedchat
Q4: We use Twitter to connect professionally...What is one way you might support your class in making similar meaningful connections for learning? #MTedchat
I loved doing side-by-side observation sessions with teachers during coaching cycles. Allowed us to pass a notebook and process strategically when observing. Then we could visit with teacher observed for quick Q&A. Powerful. #mtedchat
Oh my... this week was Ah-MAZING... Being with teachers in the midst of the implementation/dream process... Today was all about classroom/school environ, an how to create flexible spaces for support #mtedchat
A4: I really feel we need to do more to get our kids connected both virtually and in real life. Authentic conversations and opportunities to network less formally than in our classrooms. #mtedchat
Q4: We use Twitter to connect professionally...What is one way you might support your class in making similar meaningful connections for learning? #MTedchat
This makes my edu-heart so happy ;) #MTedchat This is a GREAT way to dip your toes in global connectivity. #globalreadaloud@pernilleripp (Ask if you have Qs or need help..)
I was more invested in connecting my class (and myself) with others a few years ago via SM, blogs, GAFE etc. Another opportunity to reconnect. #mtedchat
A5: My favorite place in the classroom is all the little nooks I've tried to create for the students to work, read, learn. I love watching students use the coffee table or the lay on the rug or under a desk to work. #MTedchat
A5) I am excited to make tech a part of my classroom culture this year. Going to intro it on the 2nd day of school, rather than wait weeks into school year to intro it. #MTedchat
Sweet!!! SO many great options out there now that make bringing tech to students can be so much easier than before... Still a bit stressful at first, but SO worth the effort! #mtedchat
A5 I got rid of my teacher desk, like yesterday. I'll be less tied to the area that seemed to just collect junk. The kids need to see that I prefer flexible learning/teaching spaces too. #mtedchat
Yes! I've tried to create a variety of spaces and nooks, too. I left the counter completely open this year. Ss loved standing at it or pulling up a stool last year. #MTedchat
A5: My favorite place in the classroom is all the little nooks I've tried to create for the students to work, read, learn. I love watching students use the coffee table or the lay on the rug or under a desk to work. #MTedchat
I completely agree... and I have a couple really small, but very curious classrooms that would love to jump in and experiment with you. Are you in??? Can even imagine a road trip or two!! #mtedchat
I experimented at the EOY last year so I am going to start there and go for it! Going to cr8 a responsible use of iPads pact w/ Ss and go from there., #MTedchat
A6: This year, I am trying to not go directly from summer me, to schoolyear me. I can keep some of my healthy activities...running, hiking...time with friends AND balance work. I need to shut down sometimes. I need to remind my colleagues to as well ;) #mtedchat
A6) I am going to take care of me by continuing to go to therapy on a regular basis and use the techniques I've learned over the past year. I will encourage others, to take care of them, too. Esp all the new Ts in our building. #mtedchat
I agree. The self-care I usually start during the summer typically falls quickly off the priority list at the start of the year. Maintenance is key - physically, mentally and spritually. #mtedchat
So glad you have that routine worked into your life. Being able to process and develop skills and techniques to both cope and move forward is huge. So proud of you for that. We need to all talk more about how we make it through the moments and one day to the next #mtedchat
