This is the official Twitter account for #OklaEd, thehashtag that brings OK educators together. #OklaEd is not political & promotes constructive dialogue.
Follow the #oklaed hashtag. It helps a lot to follow the moderator too so you can see the questions.... If you follow me I will retweet them for you. Either way.
The definition of "excite" is to cause strong feelings of enthusiasm and eagerness in. We are going to be discussing what makes public schools exciting. #oklaed
A1: One thing I did that excited my students: I used the rhyme scheme of a battle rap and showed how it was the same rhyme scheme that Samuel Taylor Coleridge used in "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" to show poetry's relevance! #oklaed
A1: I love to turn songs into learning opportunities. I work with 4 year olds and they love to sing and dance so they always get excited this way. It also works with older kids. I teach reading and math retention at a summer camp and the 4th and 5th graders love it too! #oklaed
A1 - I use innovative academic games. I have had my students be travelers along the silk road trying to survive a trip from China to Rome and back, and also had them be Cold War era spies for a week and find out they are counter spies. #oklaed
A1: @TulsaSchools is giving Ss voice through empathy interviews, focus groups, and @deborahgist Supt Student Cabinet around #rethinkHS#OklaEd Proud to be a part of this exciting work!
A1 - I'm senior class sponsor and about 3 years ago I started the tradition of senior walks with our graduating seniors going to our 6 feeder elementary & 2 feeder middle schools! The kids (all of them) love it! They get to see old teachers and inspire future grads! #oklaed
A1: I recently started using "Tynker" which is coding for kids, with 5th graders. They love it, and ask if we can log in every day. I do sign language with kindergarten and first grade, and they look forward to that every week.#oklaed
A1) I can excite my students with field trips. Last spring I did a unit on the OKC Bonbie Memorial and took 165 students to it. This fall I did a unit on Route 66 and took 175 students to the Route 66 Museum. #oklaed
A2: When it comes to giving a voice I love to let the students tell me what good things are going on in their lives by doing a “Tell me Something Good Tuesday”. They love to bring good news to the other kids and to me. #PimpinJoy#oklaed
A1) I tell my students during their orientation that their past won't prevent them from setting goals and achieving them. Our staff is here for them and we will help them succeed. #oklaed
A1: I have been blown away by the engagement and excitement kids have for coding all around the country! #OklaEd is fortunate to be home to the @KissInstitute and @BotballRobotics They are changing #csed around the world! #CSforAll
A1: When we read The Crucible, we acted it out. I have some amazing actors in my Eng 3 classes! Not all were impressed, but many Ss had fun with it! #oklaed
A1: Our district implements Book Buddies, where we pair fourth grade students with first grade students weekly to read together. It encourages a mentor relationship and positive peer models. #oklaed
A1b- One thing we are about to start in my AP Lang classes are online socratic seminars with some partner schools across the country. My students and I are super geeked up about that! #oklaed
A1: I frequently invite people in the community to read to the children in my class. We’ve had people from the mayor to police officers. Nothing is better then excitement for reading! #OklaEd
student voice and choice.... Ss suggest topics they want to learn about/ participate in. We generate a schedule, they sign up, and Ts facilitate #OklaEd
A1) As a parent, I try to get my boys excited about things they may not enjoy doing. Ex - we got a puppy and it’s all on them so they will learn. Instead of just barking orders, I’ve made it boot camp. I have a whistle and they say “Yes drill sergeant. Laughter is key. #oklaed
A2 - Each Tuesday in my AP World class we have a socratic discussion over the reading. I do not come up with the discussion ?'s the Ss have to produce them, so they get to guide that discussion each week. #oklaed
A1: I believe it excites students to have a teacher that truly is interested in them and not just there to “teach” them. They feel valued when a teacher takes interest in their interests! #OklaEd
#oklaed A1- I do a project where students create a trip to Latin America and have to sell it to another class of students in my 6th grade Geography class at Edison. I’m always impressed at how competitive kids can be when they are trying to get other students to like their work.
A2: We are still struggling with giving student voice, but have made some progress in giving voice. Simple things like including them on committees and school decisions and giving then feedback tools. #oklaed
A2. I go back to my A1 answer - #studentedcamp. I am trying to do some different stuff in my classroom as well. Ss portfolios, using Star Wars to teach Biomes, etc... #OklaEd
A2 I ask my kids to assess themselves and the class—and I take their feedback into account as I plan. They know I respect them because I listen...and that goes a long way to engaging and learning. #oklaed
A2: Students get to personalize their literature selections. I have found that when students choose what they read, they are more engaged, which enhances their learning. #oklaed
A2: My Ss have more choice in their research topics than before - baby steps here... it is getting close to PBL, but I have to have goals and rubrics for my National Board stuff... #oklaed
A2: My Ss earn points, I let them decide how we party when we earn enough points. My classroom is a democracy so we vote on a lot of things. I think it's important to start voting early. #oklaed
A2: I know my kindergarten loves her “Tiger Talk” every morning in her class. It allows them to share what’s on their mind about school and makes her feel like she’s apart! #OklaEd
A1: Another thing that excites the students is just being excited yourself. As the teacher, if you come in with an excited and eager to learn attitude it will overflow to your students. Set the standard. #oklaed
A2. I am really trying to incorporate more "design thinking" into what I do. I'm asking a lot of "why" on projects/units -- change of paradigm, and Ss really respond #OklaEd
Hi Sarah, doing sign language with K and 1st grade is such a valuable skill! It also promotes acceptance and understanding of all students. Great idea. #oklaed
#OklaEd A2: Almost always, students are assigned to groups with about 1/3 of each student’s final grade associated with her/his contribution to their group’s student-controlled efforts.
A3: All of the professional development that I have had the privilege to take part in have been AWESOME! They all contribute to my preparation for my future classrooms! I highly encourage that educators get the word out to future teacher candidates! #NSUEngEd#oklaed
A2) Parenting with love and logic taught me that it’s all about choices for kids. Letting them have input will excite them and prevent pushback. #oklaed
A1B: I have noticed that students love it when you ask them things that relate to their lives. They get excited over things they are passionate about even if it does not relate to content. #oklaed
"The secret to success is good leadership, and good leadership is all about making the lives of your team members or workers better." Tony Dungy #oklaed
A2: I try to give students a voice by simply giving them time to share with me. Sometimes it is happy news they are just excited to share. Unfortunately, sometimes it is a hardship they are dealing with. #oklaed
A2: This week (Feb 7) our State Student Advisory Council meets at the Capitol to talk #OklaEd policy w/our @oksde team & meet their legislators. 100+ inspiring students from all across the state.
#StudentVoices
A1: My former students still talk about when we read Stone Fox by Gardner in class. Several have read it to their own kids. #oklaed Same with Pink and Say by Pollaco.
A3: I attended a Social Studies workshop on how to implement writing into SS and I LOVED it! but I LOVE teaching Social Studies/Geography. Probably bc I LOVE traveling so much! I travel to share my experiences w/my Ss. #oklaed
Each person holds so much power within themselves that needs to be let out. Sometimes they just need a little nudge, a little direction, a little support, a little coaching, and the greatest things can happen. Pete Carroll #oklaed
A3 National Board Certification has had the most impact on my practice. For social studies folks—-Gilder Lehrman and Goethe Institut trios have been amazing! #oklaed
A3 - An @NEHgov Summer Fellowship at University of Illinois Chicago last summer. The format and the participants were just amazing. Also #oklaed every Sunday night at 8:00 pm is pretty great!!
A3) I participated in Measured Progress this summer and helped in setting cut scores. It was hard, but the amount of info I learned was tremendous. #oklaed
A3: OAFI was incredible, the APSIs are always insightful and invigorating, and it's a pleasure to be treated like a grown-up at OCET2! There's great stuff out there! #oklaed
A3: My favorite PD is listening to Becky Bailey teach on Conscious Discipline. She has so many great ideas on how to make the children feel validated and help keep your classroom under control in a loving way! #oklaed
A3 - Every summer I get to hear @PrincipalKafele at the HSTW conference - seriously this always fires me up to be the best me I can be! "Is my school a better place because I'm there?" #theteacher50#oklaed
A2: Providing grand conversation opportunities for young children to express their ideas is extremely important. This can be done anytime throughout the day. It is equally important for teachers to listen as it is for the child to have a voice. #OklaEd
Q3: Most recent was #okelem chat last Thursday night! We can learn so much from each other! Join @room20awesome the first Thursday of each month for an hour of connecting, sharing, Learning, growing #oklaed
A3: I am looking forward to the PD my leadership team will have in the morning that will give them a look into the Google Classroom and how we will use it at Emerson. #oklaed
A3: I am participating in the 3-part PD through ABLE Tech to learn how to more effectively implement AT. We are given homework and are encouraged to use resources from ABLE Tech. It has been extremely valuable training. #oklaed
A4: My administrator allowed me to teach a class by myself when my Clinical Faculty had to go to the hospital. He trusted me THAT much to lead and inspire the students. I also received a school shirt from them a well:)
#oklaed
#Oklaed A3: Proposal for federal funding development by exciting and diverse group; because it really enabled quality education discussion for each of us, often too limited but oh so valuable! (Funding cut without any winning proposals ...)
I’m happy for you but sad for the rest of the state! I have attended several of your trainings, you are a wealth of knowledge on EL and SpEd... Good Luck with your new position! #oklaed
A3: Our district's end of summer PD is all in house. Any teacher can create a workshop for others to attend. Creates new generation of leaders. #oklaed
A3: When Rick Wormeli came to OASCD PD this fall, he shared his philosophy and practices for grading his students' work. It made so much sense, and I saw so much light sparking around the room! #oklaed
#oklaed a1 I gave out Happy Rocks. No, really. Usually after school or maybe in class after the first concert of the the beginning orchestra.
https://t.co/Ygq1S0DWp3
Does the State Student Advisory Council have student voices from Alternative Education? If not I would invite you to Emerson Alternative High School in @OKCPS to hear from our students. They have insight on educational issues. #oklaed
Q5: Every Friday, the church across the school serves lunch for a cheap price. I always go there to show my support for the community. I intend on taking part in the Parent/Teacher conferences when the time comes. #oklaed
A4 - Best thing my administrator does is allow teacher's a seat at the table and values our input! We have been able to implement some amazing things because he allows us all to create a vision for the school. #oklaed
A4: They encourage me to try new things and grow as an educator - even when it challenges our school norms...! #oklaed For instance, I'm going to add #observeme to my TLE professional growth category... We'll see how it goes!
A4. The ability to excel and seek other opportunities. It showed me that he’s willing to let me pursue my goals. I have enjoyed my district and the support from my supt. #oklaed
A4: Hired me. I can't express how happy I was to get hired on by Norman public schools. Then, great evaluations... It's always great to hear positive feedback, and know you're doing what you're supposed to be doing. #oklaed Positive affirmation is good for the soul!
Our English department has weekly PLC meetings in which we share ideas and provide feedback. Our curriculum dir @OB1_Knabe and tech integrator @vperezy also join us and provide information. #oklaed#cpsreds
A4 our administration implemented a great mental health initiative that they’re hoping to expand next year—it’s exciting to see us really taking care of our kids! #oklaed
Hey Hey! 🙌🏻 sorry for late arrival #oklaed I will catch up ASAP & super excited to join in tonight!! I am April, I am a school climate specialist in OKC!!
A4) my administration believes in me. I’m told by them that I’m effective, that I bring my A game, and that I’m dependable. I have the privilege of being an employee in Clinton schools; they rehire me each year. #oklaed
A4 My administration has set a goal of every student feeling like they are a champion. Even graduates as long as 50 years ago know "Once a Warrior, always a Warrior" They proudly wear those t-shirts #oklaed
A4) I am not an educator but as a parent, nothing excites me more than when admin speak up about the injustices within #oklaed and fights to make it better at the state level.
Honestly though the best thing Admin can do for me is LOVE and interact with my students. Know their names. Know their story. Please, get to know my students. #oklaed So when i come to you for help, assistance, etc you know the family dynamic.
#oklaed a2 You have to look for opportunities - We had students pick the color and style of our orchestra jackets and help design them. Once a year we had students pick small groups and pick ensembles out of a book to learn. Low pressure performance in class end of unit.
A6: Take away seat time requirements. Allow Ss the Time/Place/Pace/Path to learn as they need to, learn by what interests them! #personalizedlearning#OklaEd
A4: One thing?! Can't do it. Try multiple things...our $2,000 stipend, the large format color printer, makerspace, technology, curriculum support...I love where I work! #cpsreds#oklaed Thank you @coach57!
A3) I love watching pastor Craig’s leadership podcast. Not 100% is useable in the school setting but a large amount can be used well. Plus it’s free! #oklaed
A6 - The ability to have enough staff to create programs of study that allow students to work across subject areas to solve problems throughout the year. Why do they need to sit in 50 min classes for 7 hours a day? Why can't all content ares work together? #oklaed
A6. not a money issue -- but I would be excited if we completely overhauled how we use our time, and allowed Ss to spend more time on things that actually interested them #oklaed
A6: I would take all the field trips it makes learning more interesting it shows them why we are teaching the things we teach. Making lessons into real life experiences helps reinforce the importance.#oklaed
A6) I would love to take a school group to DC one spring; go to Sleepy Hollow in NY in the fall; go to Santa Fe in the winter. The kids would love it! #oklaed
A6) Knowledgeable and passionate people are the best instructional resources we can buy! I would spend it all on more counselors, more angelic sped teachers, more librarians, more opportunities to build up the professionals already in the classroom. #oklaed
A6: Comfortable seating would be #1. How can my Ss focus when they're in uncomfortable desks that don't have room for a Chromebook and paper!? #oklaedhttps://t.co/u3wgDRFFGF
Definitely Ipads OU gave all the Early Childhood Students one and it has made it so easy to complete assignments. I think it would be great to do group activities in the classroom. #OklaEd
A6 where to start??? 1:1 with WiFi available at home, field trips to major art museums, historians to visit my class, class sets of novels, another teacher so my classes would be smaller and my kids would get more individual attention.... #oklaed
Q6: I firmly believe that the most important resource are the people in the community who choose to fight the good fight everyday! These "marigolds" get me excited every morning when I wake up. Their positivity and energy are inspiring. Shout out to @MrsSearcy112#oklaed
A6: 1:1, STEM LAB, flexible seating in every room, no desks, coffee shop setting, most of what I want doesn’t cost a thing.. I just need people to be open minded. Would be way more casual setting. #oklaed
A6) Putting on my own spin as an advocate... if $ were no object, I would spend my days going district to district getting more parents engaged/aware of state level issues. I would love to do advocacy full time but my kids need food and shelter etc. they’re so needy lol #oklaed
A6. not a money issue -- but I would be excited if we completely overhauled how we use our time, and allowed Ss to spend more time on things that actually interested them #oklaed
#oklaed a3 Our Oklahoma Music Educators Association Winter In-Service and Oklahoma Bandmasters Association summer convention are great PD opportunities. I always felt energized and affirmed afterwards. Make your teachers go...
A6: I would make learning hands on more! Such as going and seeing things we are learning about. For example take a trip to a different state or country would be exciting! #oklaed
A6: If money were no object I would like to see an alternative school with a college type schedule. Not require students to be on campus every day and extend hours into the evening. Reach more students and give more opportunities. #oklaed
A7: We can tell them about how former Ss come back and tell us we helped them. And we can tell them how important our job is - and that it's a noble profession, but that you have to love the job and the students if you want to succeed! #oklaed
A7 - I think the biggest thing we can do is to be sincerely excited & positive about our own jobs. Yes we face a lot of negativity. But I think most of us do this out of a deep desire to make a difference, Lets share this excitement as we talk #oklaed
A7: you get summers off? 😬 I mean honestly there isn’t much going on right now to entice people to become educators in #oklaed but then you get an amazing district like I did and you love your job every single day no matter how bad #okleg is.
A7: Don't tell, but share and inspire them with your own experiences and trial and tribulations as a teacher. Learning about the positive impact that other teachers made got me into this profession to begin with. #oklaed
A7 kids are freaking amazing—you never know what they’ll do or say and just when you think you have them figured out they surprise you with their insight or their kindness or their humor. Every day is different and you won’t go wrong if you keep the kids first. #oklaed
A7- That we will pay teachers more, give them more support in the classroom, and that Oklahoma values teachers. More financial support to get higher education degrees would help too. We want our teachers to be paid well and be the most educated. #oklaed
A1: As a teacher, excitement was a necessity, it is who I am and was! I always wanted to inspire excitement, fun, passion in my Ss and engagement was a given!! I had many classroom pets, Leopard Geckos, a Ferret, Guinea Pigs, fish, & even an ocean touch tank!!#oklaed
A7. tell them that 65% of jobs that Ss will one day have do not exist yet... They have a blank canvas on which to paint to unlock curiosity and creativity #OklaEd
#Oklaed A7: Come join us in changing education emphasis from teaching to learning and assessment from testing to useful application - knowing that there are large, growing numbers of educators to collaborate with you to assist with your developing confidence.
A7: #oklaed Let's tell new teachers this year that we fought the good fight for their future, and RESPECT is being restored. The first sign will be a significant raise!! #goals
A1B:I love excitement & I think a big part of my career out of the classroom has focused on exciting Ts, looking for the "hook",& letting them see how contagious their excitement is to our Ss! I have & will do whatever it takes to keep our Ts & Ss excited to learn & grow! #oklaed
A7: you tell them that sometimes you get to make a huge difference when you take them into your home Bc you’re their safe place. We need more safe places. #oklaed
#oklaed A7 Show our dedication and enthusiasm. Let them know we wouldn’t choose to do anything else. Even with the negative, I would still choose education!
A2 Students come to consensus on overarching themes for events throughout the year then find a strategic plan for implementing them. Currently working on @Stranger_Things blacklight—spirit week will be FREAK WEEK for last HIGH/north 🏀 #oklaed
A8 - We have too many who just need to be voted out. We need to work to educate people on voting for people based on STATE issues and not federal....I think this would help in getting people to vote for who the person is and not their party affiliation #oklaed
A8 I wish I knew. I keep thinking that if we could just get them in our classrooms, talking to kids, talking to teachers, they’d realize how badly they’re hurting our kids and how much good they can do if they would. #oklaed
A8 - invite them into our classes. Engage them positively and not confrontationally. Treat them with respect even if we think they don't deserve it. #oklaed
A8. they need to get in classrooms and see how awesome Ss are firsthand. They need to see how Ts create learning experiences, and not lesson plans. They need to know that education is organic, relational, and adaptive... not standardized #OklaEd
A9: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
For some, the school is the only place where they feel important. I am honored to have the opportunity to show them this
#oklaed
A8. Show them data, personal stories, struggles, and be honest with our needs. It’s hard for them to ignore our passion, sacrifices, and hard work #oklaed
I was @CesarChavezOKC last week and had a 5th grader ask if Webster had a maker space!?@shmcadoo Ss get so excited to DO & I feel like a "maker space" lets the less confident/willing or even wary Ts still give their Ss the experiences in a space separate from their class! #oklaed
A8; Start to get the word out about our successes and our challenges. Invite them to visit our schools, not as a day as but as a legislator. Let them hear and trust they will listen. We need to work together and not keep blaming them. #oklaed
Teacher and admin need to develop relationships with their legislators. I feel if your legislator does not vote for teacher raise every teacher in his/her district needs to call every day #OklaEd
A8) thank them for things they do instead of constantly focusing on problems. Form relationships so you can be part or the convo. Talk about what you know which is kids not policy specifics. Listen to understand not just to reply. #oklaed
A8- Over 75% of our Representatives and Senators between both houses want to give a teacher pay raise and support education. Having 75% voting for one bill in both chambers has been the problem. We can’t let them make excuses anymore though. We need action. #oklaed
Q3 our principal @scottabeck set up a day of Ted Talks for us on different topics with some of the best educators past and present from our staff—sometimes you just need advice from those who are as deep in it as you. #oklaed
A7: Oklahoma needs you now more than ever. There’s no greater calling and no greater impact than teaching. We will fight to keep you in this state— our kids deserve nothing less.
#oklaed
#OklaEd A8: Ask specifically for an answer in writing: Do you or don’t you support funding? If not and would not be open to reasons to reconsider, find a challenger who does and work hard to get her elected. Get public to fight the oil industry, anti-education lobbyists.
We are gathering voices of our Ss & will begin gathering voices of our Ts, admin, parents, community members. Exciting work going on in @TulsaSchools#OklaEd
A9. I constantly meet with parents and staff to update them on changes, improvements, and success stories. I attend IEP meetings, help out with lunch duty, and volunteer at parent support groups #oklaed
Charter school boards are appointed. Public school boards are elected. In one or two generations, individuals will wonder if school boards are appointed, why can't legislators be appointed? #oklaed@pastors4txkids
A8b: This is the most difficult component in an Alternative Setting. We invite parents to sit on committees and to share in decisions but our staff gets frustrated with the low interest for some of our neediest students. Definitely one of our challenges. #oklaed
A9 We post like crazy about the great things the kids do. We tell our story. We make sure they're a part of #cpsreds story by making them partners from the classroom to district committees. #oklaed
A) I’m challenging their teens. My expectations are high, and finding success is the only option. Parents desire challenges and success; as an educator that’s easy to deliver. This is discussed during P/T conferences, and parents enjoy input. #oklaed
A7: It’s not always what you tell people about Education. It’s the way you talk about teachers currently in the field and the conversations around the teaching profession. I’d like to see less angry Facebook videos and more positive stories. #oklaed
So true. I will say @EmilyVirginOK and @ForrestBennett have been very willing to have conversations and visit my classroom, etc. #oklaed these two care!
A10 - My school is full of first generation high school graduates who are going on to college and will have the ability to change their families for generations! THAT IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT!!! I couldn't be more proud of my students & all they overcome! #oklaed
A9: when your students are excited about their learning, they share with their parents which in turn excites them. What you do really is far reaching #oklaed
A10: One of our boys basketball team members went and sat in the ER all night with a player from another district that had been injured. He was truly concerned for the health of an opponent #oklaed
A10. We are implementing @OTISS_SPDG and seeing significant decreases in behavioral and academic referrals for SPED. I have also started a consortium in our area to better address the needs of rural school districts #oklaed
A10: One of @deborahgist Supt Student Cabinet members recently remarked: "Over time, students have adapted to high school but high schools have not adapted to students". This quote is driving my work. #oklaed#Studentvoice#reimaginehs
A10 we’re in the middle of a district-wide initiative to help fund our backpack for kids program, which provides food for the weekend for our kids with the greatest needs. It’s been around for a while but we’re letting our kids take part in helping each other! #oklaed
A2: I have done various interviews w/Ss(a few videos/posts resulted),held conversations, advocated for Ss involvement in school feedback including behavior!#oklaed I feel like our Ss can give insight into their learning if we👂🏻 even when they do not realize it! #asktheexperts
A10) Clinton is a forerunner in education. To teach in Clinton, teachers have to be at their best, and going to school every day is a positive experience for learning...for students and myself. Teachers in Clinton are meeting the community’s goals and objectives. #oklaed
A7. Unfortunately, It’s a hard sell & the #teachershortage & low enrollment in #OKLAED teacher prep show this. So I acknowledge the hard truth but then thank for already being advocates for the prof by joining it. 💰 is great & required, but affirming & supporting is most needed.
A10) Emerson Alternative High School in @OKCPS gives our at-risk students an opportunity to catch-up or finish their education despite the challenges and difficulties life presents them. They learn from mistakes and improve their future. #oklaed
A10 - One of my former students is doing a senior project and is collecting school supplies to send to students in the Hurricane Harvey affected area. #oklaed
A9) as a parent myself, I have so many ideas on making this happen!! I wish I had the time to implement those ideas!! Maybe some day someone will create a parent engagement specialist and I can apply! That’s the dream! #oklaed
#OklaEd A10: We educators and all those supporting public education ARE FIGHTING FOR A CAUSE THAT IS THE, THE MOST IMPORTANT CAUSE FOR OUR COUNTRY. This truth means that eventually education WILL WIN OUT!!!
Q7 it’s not your parents educational system anymore—technology has created a world of following your interest and the enlightened school districts are playing to that with guided inquiry AND CHOICES #oklaed (successful educators have been doing this for awhile)
A10: a former student, whom I tutored Bc she went on medical leave due to cancer, has returned to school, played sports, and is thriving. A testament to her strength and determination. My 1st year student and now 8th grader. ❤️ #oklaed#Cancersucks
