#atplc Archive
For over a year, educators have used the #atplc Twitter tag to share resources and ideas about PLCs, connect with others around the world, and inspire each other to never stop learning. Now is your chance to join the conversation! Visit http://www.allthingsplc.info/tools-resources/twitter-chat for more info.
Thursday June 16, 2016
Welcome to this evening's chat. TY for joining me. My name is Rosa Isiah, Principal in Cali. I'm your guest moderator tonight.
I know that I'm up against a great basketball game tonight. TY for learning with me this evening.
Please introduce yourself.
Good evening. Matt, Elem Asst. Principal, from Kansas City
Carlos Dean of Instruction at a high school in southern Texas
Hello All, Steven a Middle School Assistant Principal from Missouri
Good evening, Melissa administrative intern from VA
Danny Steele ... Principal in B'ham, AL.
Hello and . Megan from CT. Looking forward to the topic.
Basketball?? Much rather chat with Rosa. Jim Smith, Minneapolis, MN Assessment and Data. Our Lynx are lighting up the WBA.
Hello to the amazing ! Paula, Instructional Coach/ PLC Consultant from Houston.
Meredith from Marco Island, FL joining the conversation tonight.
welcome and thanks for joining me
Katherine Goyette, Edtech Integration Consultant, Central California
Tom from Wisconsin. Not sure about the Basketball game, Anchorman 2 is on right. Still, I'd rather chat with
hola, Paula! Thx for being here
WOW! Just check out all of the love these educators have for you!
We have an AWESOME GROUP tonight on chat. Join me!!!
Q1: What is your learning team's "WHY?" ...your purpose?
A1 our purpose is to create opportunities for all Ss to find success & growth
Exactly! I'd love his wisdom and expertise on tonight
Strategies to Help Slow-learning Students!!
A1: We focus on the WHO as our WHY. All about high levels of learning for all!
A1. Purpose developed through group process lead by Ts w/ vision and mission statements followed by SMART goals being set.
you are competing against this view.
A1 To create envir for Ss to grow into curious and confident human beings who positively impact their world
Exactly! https://t.co/JEwV2cNWK0
A1. Purpose developed through group process lead by Ts w/ vision and mission statements followed by SMART goals being set.
A1: Provide options & opportunities for ALL students to succeed, achieve their dreams. (Celebration of variability of learners)
This is a great way to think of it - starts with being learner focused https://t.co/5QVQo86eha
A1: We focus on the WHO as our WHY. All about high levels of learning for all!
We're trying to make a difference for kids so that they can have a brighter future! https://t.co/T7FC4txCXS
Q1: What is your learning team's "WHY?" ...your purpose?
A1: our "Why" should always be about improving student learning and making sure we are preparing them for an ever changing world.
A1:Educating, Engaging, and Empowering ALL Learners at Escalating Levels!
Absolutely! The only option in this day and age are high levels of learning for ALL.
A1: our learning teams why is developed at our initial meetings. Changes with every team!
Absolutely, Steven, Including adults! https://t.co/Yw5cFpR1gJ
A1:Educating, Engaging, and Empowering ALL Learners at Escalating Levels!
thinking of a tattoo on my forehead!!
The needs determine part of the why, yes
noooo. love your passion, paula, but not on the face ;)
Exactly, it might be our why, but it is for everyone, Ts and Admins need to model for our Ss
It is certainly in your heart.
yes! We are learning and learner focused
LeBron can't compete with THIS incredible group tonight!
That is funny... I was going to say Steph Curry :-)
I agree, Danny. No room for mediocrity when we're dealing with students and learning
next questio is coming up...
Q2: What has been your biggest learning community challenge (and challenge = learning) this year?
A1: are we preparing students for their tomorrow or our past? Too often we don't want push ourselves outside of our comfort zones
A1: My PLC/PLN is changing right now. It is anyone with a passion for supporting learning. That is my WHY.
A2:We had quite a bit of staff turnover, so it will be teaching the newbies about PLC and how a PLC school works
A2 biggest challenge was a divided staff when it came to looking at school processes (TLIM).
A2: Helping people use data as a REFLECTIVE instructional tool and not to sort and label Ss. Data= how may I help you?
Q2: Helping teachers work within the interdisciplinary teams
For what it's worth, this pic hangs in my office. I inserted the caption: "What are YOU rising above? (We're rising above Bron 😊)
You're right. Pushing ourselves out of comfort zone means change. Change is difficult and transformational
A2: Adjusting pedagogy for the integration of technology. Too often we continue to use past practices and just apply them to the tech
Bingo! the primary focus is pedagogy followed by how tech can work to enhance that - not the other way around
True. What can you do to encourage change?
I am trying to respond to this but you said it all. Assessment data turns teacher into reflective learner. https://t.co/iUHwKwWmPD
A2: Helping people use data as a REFLECTIVE instructional tool and not to sort and label Ss. Data= how may I help you?
You'll have some work to do, friend, to bring those teams together.
staff turnover is always challenging.
A1 The kids. Empowering them.
This pic hangs in my office. I inserted the caption: "What are YOU rising above? (We're rising above Bron 😊) https://t.co/xcJjhKU45r
Yep. But the Ts voices were heard and we are not heading that direction. Need to value their thoughts/feelings
A2: it is difficult to help Ss become when Edus have trouble letting go of the past.
A2: Biggest challenge is getting some to realize that feedback is for growth, not a "gotcha" https://t.co/xJt5cdX4iQ
I am noticing a theme tonight - letting go of the past
Absolutely. I prefer data-informed decisions that change instruction vs "data-driven" decisions that sort students
a2. Finding time, free of other worries, to reflect on data
Great thing to be reflecting on this time of year. I'm working on this as well.
A2 coming in to a campus midyear and not being too drastic with our changes.
We have regrouped for next year, rebuilding teams, more PD focused on learning teams.
The PLC is the school. All players are necessary in the LC. Takes a collective commitment from all to work https://t.co/oOhxUkdnuQ
"Principal actions directly affect collaborative teams, teacher actions, & student achievement"
Excellent Point!! Culture is crucial. Building cultures of trust are essential in continuous growth https://t.co/dc2iR2HgK8
A2: Biggest challenge is getting some to realize that feedback is for growth, not a "gotcha" https://t.co/xJt5cdX4iQ
A2: There is a tension between accountability and trust. I need to do a better job of walking that tight rope.
Q3: A learning community supports learning for ALL, including adults. What types of learning opp's did your PLCs engage in this year?
"let it go, let it go (singing)...
Accountability+ Trust= Intrinsic Responsibility
true...nothin' grows there...nada.
A3 training, intense focus on Readers & Writers workshop. All of our early release & dist PD days had Ts examine work & plan
A3: PLCs gave time to attend local EdTech conference on a Saturday.
Jim, when will I get to hear you speak!!??? Brilliant.
A3: Trainings, Personalized PD during our school's PD, twitter chats now count as CEUs/PD Hours
a3. Our plc's participated in lesson studies in which they got to observe each other teach the same lesson & then discuss it
A3: Learning from each other was our greatest oppt. The answers were in the room!
A3: our focus was responsive classroom, need to put more focus on adults learning next year.
Assessment Now first week in August, here in Minnesota. Come on over.
don't get me started on culture...its the heart and soul of an organization. Ask all about it.
love that your district recognizes the power of twitter chats. Very forward thinking https://t.co/kae3LJceZk
A3: Trainings, Personalized PD during our school's PD, twitter chats now count as CEUs/PD Hours
A3: Peer observations fuel collaboration/naturally develop leaders according to strengths organically. https://t.co/zPEpO0C9d6
A3. We focused on building a very strong BLT - building leadership team. BLT had representatives leading K-2, 3-4, and 5-6 PLCs.
This is so huge, we must be thoughtful about the accountability piece. It can stifle great assessment work.
A3. Next year the PLCs at the grade levels will be the focus.
A3 our T Leadership Team "owned" all of the BSIP objectives. Met w/ teams to monitor progress & report out on goals = complete buy in
Been following this site. Love this idea!
A great idea, Meredith. Do you meet regularly with those teacher leaders? https://t.co/4Zao7A3WxP
A3. We focused on building a very strong BLT - building leadership team. BLT had representatives leading K-2, 3-4, and 5-6 PLCs.
They decided to meet every other Thursday w/ admin and SIG representatives. Group decision-making. https://t.co/z9nE7pAfNr
A great idea, Meredith. Do you meet regularly with those teacher leaders? https://t.co/4Zao7A3WxP
A3. We focused on building a very strong BLT - building leadership team. BLT had representatives leading K-2, 3-4, and 5-6 PLCs.
our 4th question is coming right up. I'm still looking for ;)
Q4: Please share 1 way that you can/did take your team's mission statement from paper to purpose and action
A3: We trained all our Ts on the AdvancED observation tool so they were empowered to observe each other. Peer observations rock!
WOW! I'm so thankful you even considered joining tonight! :) Have a GREAT graduation
We have a leadership team with 1 rep from each grade, including sped & specialist. We meet 1x a month https://t.co/DbooiFvyny
A great idea, Meredith. Do you meet regularly with those teacher leaders? https://t.co/4Zao7A3WxP
A3. We focused on building a very strong BLT - building leadership team. BLT had representatives leading K-2, 3-4, and 5-6 PLCs.
A4 mission is is for all students to learn, grow, & exp success. Implemented Ss leadership roles. Saw success in ways never imagined
A4:With Chromebooks, we made sure not to be just substituting worksheets, creats lessons with high levels of DOK, challenged Ts
A4. "We at Frances Willard are leaders and learners." Stated each morning when Ts/Ss meet in the gym/on signature line of emails/LOTS
A4: Great teams develop targeted ACTION steps and measured success continuously
gorgeous. Honored that you've joined us tonight
Paper, purpose, action. Since Im working with assessments at multiple schools this is always where to go. Actionable assessment.
A4: We created a Why WeBo video asking Ss why they love WeBo. We are using it to advertise our school https://t.co/HbLYJfPuNU
We had parents, S's and T's take each sentence of mission and write their role in supporting it. These became vision, values, goals.
A4 The mission has to be actionable and specific, with stepwise goals attached. We did this for mentoring initiative
A4: to help all students learn implemented set intervention blocks for tier 3 interventions. The time was sacred,
Great way to link everyone together https://t.co/Rg9MZKakfg
We had parents, S's and T's take each sentence of mission and write their role in supporting it. These became vision, values, goals.
I LOVE that parents were included in the mission, so many schools forget this invaluable resource
Love that parents are involved too. Sometimes they are left out of the conversation,
A4B:We also did a lot of data tracking and used the data to create interventions/enrichment opportunities for our Ss
Q5 Did ur team achieve its short & long term goals this year?Is there anything you'd change to meet or enhance those goals next year?
YESS! differentiated PD :)
A4: Vision principles were inputted into google form used for walkthroughs to track progress.
so important to focus on ENRICHMENT, agreed.
A5 Our plan for next yr is to learn from successes, and implement them earlier going forward
we have quarterly grade level mtgs we look at our data and build our intervention groups. Has been successful for us
It seems to me Paula that we are certainly on the same page tonight. I guess we are most nights. Keep up the great work.
Hey Rosa! Just a quick jump in. Terrified.
We started a cool tradition where ss nominated parents for recognition and they were honored at an assembly https://t.co/qsly3TSiZN …
A5: revisiting our school plan on the 27th, looking forward to finding the answer!
I was thinking the same thing! professional doppelgängers! Kindred spirits unite!
Nothing at all to be afraid of. Welcome
we too have been immersed with smart, but we add an r for rigor so it's smartr students and teachers develop goals
A5: Sometimes data piled up & teams missed oppts for immediate and specific feedback for Ts and Ss. Needed sense of urgency
final question of the night is coming up...
Welcome! So happy to learn with you!
Q6: Celebration is an important part of learning. How did you celebrate learning this year?
A5: My goal for this year is for all our teachers to get on Twitter. It is an endless source of PD and inspiration. A BIG step!
A6: Student learning is celebrated publicly using social media. This boosts school and community pride.
A6: we start every plc with celebrations!
A6: Relentlessly pursue the positive! Something is ALWAYS going right! Be obnoxiously vocal about it.
A5 Yes we did (short term) BUT it's important to have everyone buy in. Long term still a work in progress. https://t.co/eKniwoGqEO
Q5 Did ur team achieve its short & long term goals this year?Is there anything you'd change to meet or enhance those goals next year?
A6: We start every staff meeting with celebrations, we constantly share celebrations with our Ss and Ps
A6 when tweeting out learning occurring in classrooms, next year will add link with the curriculum standard for Ps to make connection
Yes! So important to tell our story!
A6B:We constantly share on social media, so we can tell our stories, Ps love seeing their children recognized
a6. We celebrated through social media, awards and hugs and high fives
We also have a traveling roadrunner that visits teachers who have gone above and beyond. Ss love seeing where it goes each week
A6. Sending personal congratulations who completed their first year in new positions. Focused on the successes!
Our school jumped in this yr! It;s been awesome. https://t.co/hNjS7TSJzM
A5: My goal for this year is for all our teachers to get on Twitter. It is an endless source of PD and inspiration. A BIG step!
Pure genius. Love this so much. Stealing it, but will totally give you credit!
A6 So many times the celebrations are personal, between two people, based on little successes, which add up to big learning.
A6 have a STAR award where Ps, Ss, or Ts can nominate a teacher & our supt visits each classroom & presents the award during the day
A6 We also share out on FB and Twitter accomplishments of Ts, Ss and families as often as possible. https://t.co/7iOALJzvyG
difficulty will be getting our Ss twitter leaders at the elem level to use the links each time
better late than never :)
It's beautiful when happening between teacher and student... between student and student is MAGICAL!
That fires me up! https://t.co/NkBGZQpU0E
Our school jumped in this yr! It;s been awesome. https://t.co/hNjS7TSJzM
A5: My goal for this year is for all our teachers to get on Twitter. It is an endless source of PD and inspiration. A BIG step!
Always great to be in an environment where celebrations and feedback are part of the learning process.
never to late to share your expertise, Doc.
Absolutely. Thats why learning must be visible to students, and they must understand what success looks like. https://t.co/1DquULhIVE
It's beautiful when happening between teacher and student... between student and student is MAGICAL!
A6 With my Ss we dance & do firework (w/hands) tweeting, dojo messages, Shout outs. https://t.co/hdZaYJlSHG
Q6: Celebration is an important part of learning. How did you celebrate learning this year?
Yes!!! Positive energy is contagious and leads to awesomeness! https://t.co/JEXB0CpfbG
A6: Relentlessly pursue the positive! Something is ALWAYS going right! Be obnoxiously vocal about it.
thanks and everyone else for a wonderful chat
YES, learning TWIN! Success criteria! Clarity precedes competence!
Thanks to all who shared during the conversation this evening! quite the respected leader you are! https://t.co/Rj8a7j8zrh
TY for giving me an opportunity to guest moderate. It's always a wonderful learning experience
TY for giving me an opportunity to guest moderate. It's always a wonderful learning experience
The world awaits! Good Luck! Seriously our Ts & Ss loved it! We have only just begun! U grow so much!
