#ALedchat is a weekly chat on Twitter about education topics. It is held each Monday from 9-10pmCST. While the discussion on #ALedchat continues on Twitter well beyond our weekly one-hour chat session, this platform affords us the opportunity to extend, expand and share the conversation with an even greater audience. Educators from across the state of Alabama, and the world, can come here to find encouragement, support, resources, professional growth opportunities and advice, while providing the same to their colleagues.
My name is Andrew. My role in education is to be a believer. I believe that the status quo needs our permission and impossible is temporary. I’m tweeting from Tuscaloosa. #aledchat
My name is Andrew. My role in education is to be a believer. I believe that the status quo needs our permission and impossible is temporary. I’m tweeting from Tuscaloosa. #aledchat
My miracle worker was Vanessa Scott, my English teacher. I discovered my love for reading and writing in her class. I credit my becoming an English teacher to her. She always pushed me. Made me want to be better. #aledchat
A1: I had many, but one of my HS coaches, Janet Tate, believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. It's what I strive to pay forward in my career... to lift up & believe in students who don't believe in themselves. #ALedchat
A1: Art Alt, college professor (natural sciences & physics). He was brilliant and highly accommodating. Set a great example as a science teacher. A lot of what I know I can credit to him. #ALedchat
A1: Coach Collier, my High School Freshman English Teacher. Held me to a high standard, and really pushed me to become a better student. Dove deep into texts, and made everything relatable. The discussions we had helped me develop my beliefs and helped me mature. #ALedchat
A1 Jodi Newton from@@SamfordEd was one of many but she was the miracle worker. Took me from a place late in life to a place that I never thought I’d be. She say something that I didn’t. She had vision. Love ❤️ Love Dr. Newton #ALedchat
A1: I had sooo many outstanding teachers @ThomasvilleCS it’s difficult to name just one! I decided I wanted to be a teacher in K b/c of my K teacher. My 3rd & 4th grade teachers taught me compassion and 5th taught leadership! My great experiences continued through HS! #ALedchat
Bethany from Arkansas-What a beautiful topic this evening.
A1: My first grade teacher was my miracle worker. I cried every day the first few weeks. She was patient and loving, but held me to high expectations. I spoke at her retirement a few years ago.
#ALedchat
A1 - I have had several different teachers that have changed my life but I would have to say my mom who was also my 5th grade teacher was my inspiration to get into education! #ALedchat
#ALedchat A1 - Jim from Texas. My miracle worker was my high school Spanish teacher, Mrs Nancy Lopez. I wouldn’t have graduated without her help and patience.
10th and 12th grade ELA teacher - Owen Fine. Would not accept “just ‘cause” as an answer. Taught me to dig into what I was reading, ask questions, think. When I went into teaching, his high standards AND care/compassion was my model. #aledchat
A1: Difficult to choose just one. There were several teachers who brought out the best in me...they saw my potential before I did. All challenged me to tackles fears & refine areas of strength. These teachers were in the classroom, on the soccer field, & at church #ALedchat
Bethany from Arkansas-What a beautiful topic this evening.
A1: My first grade teacher was my miracle worker. I cried every day the first few weeks. She was patient and loving, but held me to high expectations. I spoke at her retirement a few years ago.
#ALedchat
#ALedchat A1 - Jim from Texas. My miracle worker was my high school Spanish teacher, Mrs Nancy Lopez. I wouldn’t have graduated without her help and patience.
A1 My miracle worker was Coach Bob Finley. He believed in me! Have to mention my 12th grade English teacher Mrs. Wright—she was a STRONG woman & I loved that she had high expectations for me and others! #ALedchat
A1: Wow! I have many! All share the same trait. They instilled confidence and pushed me. My top two miracle workers are Steve Spiller and Kim Williams. #ALedchat
A2: Beautiful quote. You can show a student something and explain it 100 different ways. But if you don’t show your passion for the content or the student, they won’t feel the same desire to learn it. Teach from the heart, and that passion you have will be contagious. #ALedchat
A2. This quote makes me think about the connection that Ts should strive to have with their Ss. Ss have to know that teachers truly care about them; that they truly have their best interest at heart. It has to be real. Ss can tell if it's fake. #aledchat
A2: Great teachers touch the souls of their students. They go the extra mile to love and mold young people. I am inspired daily by the miracle workers at HCS. #aledchat
A2 We know that education is a work of the heart. To do this work, one must be genuinely invested in desiring and facilitating the best possible learning environments for students and determined to spark their growth and positive effect on others #aledchat
A2: Beautiful quote. You can show a student something and explain it 100 different ways. But if you don’t show your passion for the content or the student, they won’t feel the same desire to learn it. Teach from the heart, and that passion you have will be contagious. #ALedchat
A1: My middle school gifted teacher Mrs. Vaughn. She instilled such a love of creativity in me. She always challenged me to keep dreaming, keep innovating, and to move on. Loved her! #aledchat
A1 What impressed me most about these influential people in my life is that they knew it wasn’t about them. It was about others. They sacrificed time, energy, & care to lift us up. Their legacy has lasted and their impact remains in the hearts they’ve touched. #ALedchat
A2: Always remember friends, just because you don’t have the ability to quantify something does not mean it is not real. Just because our world has given itself over to measuring, categorizing and labeling everything does not mean that is the right design of things. #aledchat
A2 We often get too caught up in test scores or frustrations with a choice a kid makes, when our priority should be creating lasting memories on how our belief in them made them feel #aledchat
A2 The very best thing for me about teaching is relationships! Forming lifelong relationships with Ss is something that is so important to me Check our my recent blog post on how to form lifelong relationships https://t.co/4Rzof6jRQk#ALedchat
A2: A relationship is intangible but forms the basis for many great teachers to reach learners; this seems to have been true of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller. #aledchat
A3 - by showing them that they do matter and that you are there for more than a paycheck! Caring for and loving them for who they are! Making them feel as if they are the most important person at the school!#Aledchat
A3. Finding something good in ALL students, which comes from getting to know your Ss. Focus more on the positives than the negatives. Letting Ss know that you believe in them and encouraging them often. #aledchat
A2 students know if u love them or not. Relationships are #1 Content is #2...if they know u love them, they will listen and he willing to learn #Aledchat
A3: One way is to share and then live out the conviction that every human has great worth and great dignity. Treat students that way and you nurture hope and optimism #aledchat
A2: In education the greatest impact is when students know you care and can feel it in their heart. Have to provide those meaningful and lasting experiences. #aledchat#CESLEAD
A3 We have to be purposeful in our instruction to students about celebrating small victories on the road to success. We must emphasize that all instances in our classrooms are learning experiences that inform new lessons learned & provide confidence for next attempts #aledchat
And when our focus is on building relationships and creating memories, the test scores take care of themselves & frustrations are at a minimum!! #ALedchat
A2 We often get too caught up in test scores or frustrations with a choice a kid makes, when our priority should be creating lasting memories on how our belief in them made them feel #aledchat
A3: We instill hope in students when we notice and appreciate what they bring to the table. Their individual strengths, gifts and talents. Might not be the rockstars of the entire school, but they can be your rockstars! #YouMatter#aledchat
A2 Genuine care can be felt without a single word being spoken. The most amazing educators & leaders see others for who they are becoming & invest their hearts and often lives into helping others realize their potential and pursue their purpose. They lift others up. #ALedchat
A3: Building authentic relationships with Ss, so they know that you care about them. Also, holding a persistent belief that your Ss can do this no matter what is going on in their lives. I’ve seen enough miracles in the classroom to know to never give up on kids. #ALedchat
A1: HS English teacher+journalism teacher+newspaper sponsor=FOREVER role model. Words cannot express what an impact @MrsFaraWiles has had on my life. She helped me believe in myself and encouraged me to do things that I once thought impossible. #ALedchat#LoveLiteracyLearning
A3-For me, it always starts with the realization that kids are always watching. And they can see through fake stuff. We have to be warriors of hope, everyday. #ALedchat
A3 We have to be purposeful in our instruction to students about celebrating small victories on the road to success. We must emphasize that all instances in our classrooms are learning experiences that inform new lessons learned & provide confidence for next attempts #aledchat
#ALedchat A3 - Many kids can’t see over the fence. They have no perspective. You just have to pour into them each day. With every hurdle cleared and task completed, optimism grows. Look up story of bamboo. It takes time.
A3: So true! Optimism and confidence can help us to overcome obstacles, buoy us up to do more. If we can promote this notion with our students, it can cause a chain reaction of success. Can help them work, try, practice going beyond the lower limits. #ALedchat
A3: Setting expectations and building confidence in students allows them to know you have faith in them and they will in turn have faith in themselves. No excuses allowed! #ALEDCHAT#CESLEAD
Agree, Russell. The authentic support that we provide to students can serve as the daily catalyst they need to dig in, try new tasks, and engage in relevant learning #aledchat
A3: Providing a wide variety of opportunities for all students. If you expose Ss to a wide assortment of opportunities it helps them find their niche, this instilling optimism, hope, and confidence. #ALedchat#InspirEDMobChat
A2: The relationships that I have created with my Ss across the almost 20 years will forever be a part of me and I will treasure my Ss for a lifetime! They’ve impacted me in ways they’ll never know. #ALedchat#LoveLiteracyLearning
A3: I tell them I'm glad to see them, I tell them I believe in them, I show them that I am happy to see them, I tell them to go for it. Ss shouldn't have to read between the lines. #ALedchat
Yes AND what if we build schools not about ranking & sorting at all? What about a school that values communication as much as ACT scores? Problem-solving as much as athletic prowess? What if (far from participation trophies) we found & nurtured each student’s strength? #aledchat
A3: We instill hope in students when we notice and appreciate what they bring to the table. Their individual strengths, gifts and talents. Might not be the rockstars of the entire school, but they can be your rockstars! #YouMatter#aledchat
A4 - by focusing on the positive things that happen on a daily basis instead of letting the negative out way the positive! No matter how much negativity is happening around you, you can always find a positive to hang your hat on! #aledchat
A4: As a lead learner, sometimes I have to go to he source of negativity and have a conversation. Negativity intoxicates a culture. The hard conversation is worth the discomfort. #ALedchat
A3 See them. Listen often & well. @JonGordon11 says love tough. Moment to moment reminders #YouMatter until it’s imprinted in their minds & etched on hearts so they believe it themselves. Gift them the growth mindset by teaching them skills & tools to persevere w/grit #ALedchat
A4: I keep letters from my former students, where they shared with me the impact that I had on them. When things get hard, I can read them, and it reminds me to never give up because every kid in my class deserves my best. #ALedchat
A3: Exemplifying these traits daily is the best way to instill it within students. Walking the walk so to speak. The teachers who had the biggest impact on me embodied all of these things. #ALedchat
A3: Providing a wide variety of opportunities for all students. If you expose Ss to a wide assortment of opportunities it helps them find their niche, thus instilling optimism, hope, and confidence. #ALedchat#InspirEDMobChat
A4: This is a tough one at this time of year. Someone is unhappy with every decision. I have to remind myself that kids come first and if I am making decisions that are best for kids- I am doing the right thing. Joy stealers are everywhere! #RiseAbove#aledchat
A4-balance is key. If you are always running on fumes, it's not good for anyone. But-it's gonna take overtime sometimes, too. Nothing worthwhile is easy. #ALedchat
A4: Love and respect breeds success. We build a culture of love at my school and everything else falls in place. Teachers and students alike go the extra mile because they know they are loved and respected. A family culture in a professional setting. #ALedchat#CESLEAD
A4: I have been running right after work. I get the frustration off my chest BEFORE I go home, so I am peaceful, have a great night, and start out fresh and happy the next morning! It’s been so helpful! #aledchat
#ALedchat A4 - Many educators look for success to high up and to far away. As a result, they are worn down by the grind. Have to learn to gain energy from the kids by focusing on the relationship. Laugh, smile and enjoy the chaos.
Yes AND what if we build schools not about ranking & sorting at all? What about a school that values communication as much as ACT scores? Problem-solving as much as athletic prowess? What if (far from participation trophies) we found & nurtured each student’s strength? #aledchat
A3: We instill hope in students when we notice and appreciate what they bring to the table. Their individual strengths, gifts and talents. Might not be the rockstars of the entire school, but they can be your rockstars! #YouMatter#aledchat
A4: My relationships with other teachers and students help me keep my optimism. It takes me beyond the grind, keeps me coming back for more. Feeling a part of a community, feeling like a positive influence, seeing their personal growth gives me the optimism I need. #ALedchat
A4: I surround myself with positive people and never forget my why. I avoid negative people and messages. Students and my purpose are too important! #ALedchat
A4. I keep in mind that there are children and teachers depending on me daily. They are depending on me to be their cheerleader, to be a smiling face and a positive spirit. That's what keeps me optimistic. #aledchat
A4 I remain optimistic when I hit my knees first thing in the morning and ask God for help throughout the day. I run into problems when I fly solo #ALedchat
A4 The way I remain optimistic is by staying connected to our students. When I see them demonstrate new learning, utilize new skills, or apply new information, it revitalizes me and provides the energy to continue investing in them to help them reach their potential #aledchat
A5: Try to give them as many opportunities as possible to have choice, creativity, and independence. Students do so much better when they take ownership in what they are learning. #ALedchat
A4 I remain optimistic when I hit my knees first thing in the morning and ask God for help throughout the day. I run into problems when I fly solo #ALedchat
A4: Keep yourself surrounded with people you trust. Remind yourself of your why, especially on tough days. And most importantly, embrace the big rocks in your life.
1. Faith
2. Family
3. Everything Else
#ALedchat
A5 We encourage student responsibility by pouring into their leadership potential - guiding them through decision making, assisting them with setting goals, and helping them plot steps to reach their own vision for themselves helps build their capacity for independence #aledchat
A5: Humans crave autonomy. Even very small humans. Set expectations/goals and allow freedom in the pursuit of them. Responsibly is what I do to maintain the latitude to make my own decisions. Works for kids of all ages. #aledchat
A4-Relentlessly seek out opportunities to invest in/collaborate w/others who uplift you & challenge you to keep striving to better serve & lead in your role. Be brave. Blaze the trail. Find others who are willing to turn from mediocrity & pursue something greater w/you #ALedchat
A4: Walking away from negativity before it sucks me in. Modeling positivity during difficult times. Surrounding myself by like minded people who reinforce the positive things we are doing for kids! #aledchat
A5: We have been working district wide to make our Ss "leaders of their own learning" & these efforts are happening not just through academics with things such as student led conferences, but in day to day activities while teachers serve as facilitators. Ss choice #aledchat
A4: Walking away from negativity before it sucks me in. Modeling positivity during difficult times. Surrounding myself by like minded people who reinforce the positive things we are doing for kids! #aledchat
A5: give them freedom to choose and more autonomy within your class and this newly found voice will turn into a sense responsibility and lead to independent thought and action. #ALedchat
Trust is a relative thing. Trust your vision and trust your inner voice and trust that God will make everything else ok. #ALedchat#LeanNotToYourOwnUnderstanding
A4-Relentlessly seek out opportunities to invest in/collaborate w/others who uplift you & challenge you to keep striving to better serve & lead in your role. Be brave. Blaze the trail. Find others who are willing to turn from mediocrity & pursue something greater w/you #ALedchat
A5: I begin by setting the expectation that they are to be independent & responsible. I give them opportunities to practice it. Then when they fall short (because they’re still young) we discuss what choices or actions they could have chosen. Then we try again. #ALedchat
A6: I can’t expect to be perfect. But, I can place expectations on myself to continue to improve. If I am constantly improving, I will eventually get to the place where I want to be. Self-reflection and looking for opportunities to improve are key. #ALedchat
Trust is a relative thing. Trust your vision and trust your inner voice and trust that God will make everything else ok. #ALedchat#LeanNotToYourOwnUnderstanding
A5 We consistently reflect w/ intentionality using quality tools. Build self-awareness. Explore neuroplasticity w/regard to growth mindset. Not yet becomes a door to open instead of one slammed shut. Grit & perseverance are at the heart of our learning & growing daily. #ALedchat
A6 - if you are not learning and growing in the educational world then you are getting left bensons and not doing what is best for the students! You have to grow to stay up-to-date in today’s society #aledchat
A6: Continuous growth in educators is a model for students, and stagnation begets stagnation. Momentum which aims for growth is more likely meet a changing world’s demands. #aledchat
A6 - if you are not learning and growing in the educational world then you are getting left behind and not doing what is best for the students! You have to grow to stay up-to-date in today’s society #aledchat
A6 Growth and reflection are the 🔑to becoming your very best self! It won’t always be easy, but growing/ failing forward and reflecting will be powerful #champforkids#ALedchat
A6: We are big on celebrating success at CES!!! The great thing is we celebrate and acknowledge the accomplishments for that moment while still working to get better. We are never content with just that happy moment. Always more work to be done. Wheels always turning #aledchat
A6: Patience is hard for me! When we constantly strive to do more and be better, it can be hard to reach contentment. There has to be a balance of drive and appreciation for the process. #aledchat
A6 - if you are not learning and growing in the educational world then you are getting left behind and not doing what is best for the students! You have to grow to stay up-to-date in today’s society #aledchat
A6: we learn from growing. All of the failures, obstacles, struggles as well as the accomplishments, successes and goals met. If we aren’t being challenged, we aren’t growing! #ALedchat#LoveLiteracyLearning
A6 As persons who are members of a profession charged with facilitating the learning of others, we have a paramount responsibility to continue our own learning. This requires intentionality. If we are specific about learning, by default, we can be specific about growth #aledchat
A6: Continuous growth in educators is a model for students, and stagnation begets stagnation. Momentum which aims for growth is more likely to meet a changing world’s demands. #aledchat
A6: When all the world is changing, staying the same=moving backwards. I have no shame for my Yr1 cluelessness. Only shifting into neutral would be shameful.
Learn not for the boss; for the 7th graders that will graduate into a world radically different from today #aledchat
A5: before responsibility & independence, I have to establish a relationship. Then, we can work on building trust so that Ss believe that when I challenge them it’s because I know they can do it. I model for them & provide multiple opportunities #ALedchat#LoveLiteracyLearning
A7: You have to look at more than just the present. You have to have a plan for the future of your students. You have to see what’s in front of you, but also where you’re going. #ALedchat
A7 - being an educator just to be an educator is no reason to be an educator! To be a great educator you have to be student centered and keep the end result in your sight! #aledchat
A3: Believe in your students capabilities. They know when you don’t. Make your classroom a safe place where making mistakes is ok. Teach your students to be brave and to take risks. #ALedchat
A6: Through lense of continual growth we differentiate between perception & reality. We come to understand that we are all unique w/different strengths & needs. We share our strengths to help others improve & seek out those w/strengths we do not have so we can grow too #ALedchat
A7: I. LOVE. THIS! Sight but no vision is where we find ourselves if we are not living out our vision and passion daily. Like saying “We need to do ....” instead of “We are doing...”. #LessTalkMoreAction#aledchat
A7: we must be goal oriented. Live and celebrate today! But, continue to grow your students and colleagues. Be a Leader in every role you play. #ALedchat
A7: Sadly, we can often see what needs fixing without a sense of how to address it; this is indeed devastating. We sometimes only see the results without a clear sense of how to address some of the causes of student struggles. We must have vision to see what matters. #aledchat
The last 15 years in public education have been great for creating practitioners who have sight but no vision. That result was perfectly intentional.
Fellow edleaders: recognize this. We can’t just inspire away almost 2 decades of conditioning. #aledchat
A6: The best leaders are visionary. They have big ideas. They believe big in individuals who sometimes don’t even believe in themselves. They also have the tools to act on it. Sight with no vision is like a car with no gas. Vision propels and ignites. #ALedchat
A7: The best leaders are visionary. They have big ideas. They believe big in individuals who sometimes don’t even believe in themselves. They also have the tools to act on it. Sight with no vision is like a car with no gas. Vision propels and ignites. #ALedchat
A7: The future comes faster than we realize. Our students are the future leaders, teachers, professionals, etc; it will happen. Let’s prepare them for it #ALedchat
FA - when everyone is working with the same goal in sight we can change the world! Teamwork is the dream work! The students deserve the adults in the build to be on the same page! #aledchat
A7-We all want to believe we are an intricate part of something greater. Regardless of role, we have to seize each moment to unleash the potential within those around us. Those we serve must see evidence that we know where we are & where we want to go followed by action #ALedchat
FA: There’s a story where swimmers were in trouble. Others tried to swim out to help but failed. It took all the onlookers holding hands to extend out as a chain to be any help. It takes innovation and team work to pull it off. #ALedchat
FA We must recognize and value the strengths and uniqueness that others bring to this profession and incorporate that into our own craft. We are all so much better together #ALedchat
I’ve been studying systems thinking/planning recently. None of the work that matters can be accomplished alone. But many hands make light work - when all the hands or working together. It’s possible; it might be to only way. #aledchat
FA we have to work together! It shows students that we can cooperatively do things, which is what we try to get them to do daily! We are not created to be alone and this includes our jobs. It is AWESOME to be a part of something larger than yourself! #ALedchat
FA: Working in education is hard. We need all the help that we can get. If we collaborate with people, everyone has a different perspective, so they can see the same thing and think about it differently. We need others to help see the whole picture. #ALedchat
FQ: together we can achieve so much more and the taste of success is so much sweeter when shared with others. Having a #teachertribe holds you accountable, motivates when needed, and celebrates as deserved! So blessed for mine! #Aledchat#LoveLiteracyLearning
Thank you for an awesome chat @Cbice_1! I am blesssed yo have you on my school team and in my life. I would not want to do life without you! Same goes for my PLN! #BetterTogether#aledchat
Watching the Cavs beating the Raptors. Lebron is Awesome, Amazing, The King, maybe the best of All-Time, but, he needs TEAMMATES! In Education, we must always be working as a Team. A Team our STUDENTS are counting on. No one Educates Alone. Collaborate!😀#ALedchat
And we all have the same goal and benefit from successes! When your kids succeed it pays off for everyone and likewise. That's why collaboration and working together are so powerful! #Aledchat
Thank you for an awesome chat @Cbice_1! I am blesssed you have you on my school team and in my life. I would not want to do life without you! Same goes for my PLN! #BetterTogether#aledchat#aledchat
