A group of dedicated educators gather each week to discuss best practices & designing the school of the future. @yankee_todd is a third year principal of the middle school in San Antonio. #neisdpln is an amazing hour each Monday night at 7:30 central time.
Karen, teacher at the ACTUAL best middle school in Texas: The Design & Technology Academy! 😉 I'm late joining the reading (working on it), but excited to learn from everyone! 😁 #neisdpln
A1: You always need to stay positive yourself. If you are projecting a positive energy then you tend to receive that back. Always have the lines of communication open with those that you work with in order to maintain a positive atmosphere. #neisdpln
A1: hearing each others funny stories and family life is a great way to stay balanced; if I feel negative I know well enough to stay in my room to not suck the energy out of others or at least regain my own focus #neisdpln
A1: You have to remember that you are there for the kids! When you are trying to figure out what is best for the kids, many times all you have to do is listen to them...they have a tendancy to energize and refocus me.#neisdpln
A1: By staying connected via Twitter, studies, professional developments. I also encourage others to get connected to energizers. Surrounding myself with collegial colleagues helps as well #neisdpln
A1 working with the staff I have the privilege to work with makes this an easy task. Seeing the teachers go above and beyond each and every day for the students is super energizing. Love that we have an admin staff that allows Ts to be creative and put Ss first. #neisdpln
A1: I go to “my people” aka my team, former coworkers, and teaching BFFs to keep me energized and focused on what matters most.. our students! #neisdpln
A1: Relationships. Wetmore has put relationships first ever I joined their family in 2010. We laugh and love so hard everyday, we all WANT to be there and that makes a huge difference #wearewetmore#neisdpln
A1: Being new to my campus this year has given me an opportunity to meet and interact with some amazing educators! I try to surround myself with people who have a positive outlook on life and the teaching profession. #neisdpln#weareWetmore#Culturize
A1: I'm blessed to work w/ a team that has so many strengths in so many different areas. From technology to stations, small group ideas to STEM... we bounce ideas off each other constantly and it makes going to work exciting and fun for not only me, but the kids. #neisdPLN
A 1 By interacting with those who remind me why I do what i do. By interacting with the best dean in the district even though she works at bradley! #neisdpln
A1: Stay focused on what needs to be done, keep a good attitude and try not to let the things that are out of my center of control stress me out! Keep a group close to you that understands you and listens. #wearewetmore#neisdpln
Q2: @casas_jimmy says that often times we use the excuse "I just don't have time to . . . " How do you overcome this and help a colleague overcome this? #neisdpln
A1: By staying connected via Twitter, studies, professional developments. I also encourage others to get connected to energizers. Surrounding myself with collegial colleagues helps as well #neisdpln
A 1 By interacting with those who remind me why I do what i do. By interacting with the best dean in the district even though she works at bradley! #neisdpln
Danielle, Librarian @ Wetmore. A1: Have someone who you can vent to that will listen and then spin you to the positive. Also, keeping motivational quotes handy. It helps to read a few and refocus. #neisdpln
A2: Pair up. Divide and conquer. We often times overlook those options for collaboration. We have the tools to work across campuses, the district and even other districts. #neisdpln
Q2: @casas_jimmy says that often times we use the excuse "I just don't have time to . . . " How do you overcome this and help a colleague overcome this? #neisdpln
Q2 I take stock of what’s “on my plate” as the book says and try to reprioritize. I eliminate the least important things to make room for the most important things. #neisdpln
A2: Teamwork. Divide and Conquer. Be a leader and try it first, then show others to make it easier for them to implement whatever the task is #wearewetmore#neisdpln
A2: we make time for what we want to make time for and overcome by being "present" in all we do, help a colleague by holding each other accountable #neisdpln
Q2 By letting them know that the impactful things take time, but anything else takes even longer! Easier to plan for success than to plan for intervention! #neisdpln
I have to say that I think all the #neisdITS have such a warm and welcoming personality online and off! You are all amazing and so helpful! #neisditech#neisdpln
A2: We have to make time for what matters most. Period. Even though it’s hard, we must be/get comfortable with asking for help. We’re all in this together. #weareavillage#neisdpln
A2 we can always come up with 1000 reasons why we can’t but if you stay student focused it is easy to remember the 1 reason we can. Put students first in all you do and help your colleagues remember this as well #KidsDeserveIt#neisdpln
Q2: @casas_jimmy says that often times we use the excuse "I just don't have time to . . . " How do you overcome this and help a colleague overcome this? #neisdpln
Q2 By letting them know that the impactful things take time, but anything else takes even longer! Easier to plan for success than to plan for intervention! #neisdpln
Q2: you have to stretch yourself every day. Sometimes it's one new activity. There is never enough time, but THAT is teaching! Do what's right for your kiddos! #neisdpln#wearewetmore
A2: Start with one moment at a time, not one minute, not one day, one moment! Focusing on that moment and being in that moment helps us to achieve the impossible! #neisdpln
A2: This is a hard one. #adaptability. Before work, during work, after work - it's about placing priorities where they need to be & holding yourself accountable, as well as teammates. Also important to take a step back and see where time can be better spent. #neisdPLN
A2: Acknowledge that "there is never enough time," and get started. Help each other and if you arent able to then, set a time to help. Prioritizing makes life easier and hard tasks doable.
#neisdpln
A2: I always try to remember what my purpose is and why I am doing what I do. When we remember the kids, its easy to focus on what is important. #wearewetmore#neisdpln
A2: Prioritize the most important tasks and utilize resources (teammates, district resources, technology) effectively. Work together and divide the tasks to save valuable time #neisdpln#weareWetmore#Culturize
This honestly is tough. It is tough for people to let things go and it is tough to take on more. But we do it. Teachers just do it. We help each other, jump in, make decisions without any hesitation. #wearewetmore#neisdpln
A2: I always try to remember what my purpose is and why I am doing what I do. When we remember the kids, its easy to focus on what is important. #wearewetmore#neisdpln
A2-Time is a hard one but if it matters I'll make the time. A lot of days it's taking a breath and refocusing so the important stuff stays at the top of the list! #neisdpln
A2: This honestly is tough. It is tough for people to let things go and it is tough to take on more. But we do it. Teachers just do it. We help each other, jump in, make decisions without any hesitation. #wearewetmore#neisdpln
Q3 Set high expectations and monitor the outcomes. The awefulizers need the heat turned up so that they either grow or whither. Difficult task for a leader, but we need to confront and not ignore. #neisdpln
A3: combat by standing 4what you believe (which should be the kids regardless) don't get sucked in, even participating in the negative can awfulize one, while no one is perfect we can try &make each day better ¬ get bogged down by what has happened, future is focus #neisdpln
A1: Seek out those with positive energy and share yours. I try to stop myself when I am dwelling in the negative. The positive is so much more energizing! #neisdpln
A3: Focus on something good! If you choose to look at the awful stuff, that is all you will see. Choose to see the positive...EVERYDAY! Getting to wake up each day and go to work is nice! #blessed#neisdpln
A3: The Awesomizers bring up the Awfulizers...Don't let the low pull down the high. Keep up the positive to drown out the negative so the Awfulizer has no choice but to turn into an Awesomizer! #wearewetmore#neisdpln
A3: Analyzing every event, either awful or awesome, helps to understand the learning involved in each situation. Growth mindset is vital to get through life and through our profession! #neisdpln
A3: Don't let anyone get in the way of your and your students. They are your first priority. They are the reason why you are there everyday! Challenge the awfulizers! What will help them to be awesomnizers? #neisdpln
A3: be aware of mental illness and don’t judge right away. We never know what someone is going through. Be a positive light and offer your help. A simple smile, hug or high five can change awful to awesome real fast. #neisdpln
A3: It's all about communication. Encourage and engage in communication with the Awesomizer. Don't engage with the Awfulizer. Model that positivity and what's best for students is what warrants your time and attention. #neisdpln
Q3: negatively is everyehere & unfortunately in a lot of our little ones lives. We HAVE to be positive, we HAVE to LOVE them and LOVE our amazing jobs! #neisdpln#wearewetmore
A3: be aware of mental illness and don’t judge right away. We never know what someone is going through. Be a positive light and offer your help. A simple smile, hug or high five can change awful to awesome real fast. #neisdpln
A3 What's the payoff? Behaviors have payoffs, it's why people continue them. Does our school culture promote awesomizers by celebrating and acknowledging what they do for the kids and culture overall? #neisdpln
A3: Don't be afraid to point out the great things going on...it will dim the Awefulizer lantern! Awesomizers can refuse to fuel their negativism. #neisdpln
A3: be aware of mental illness and don’t judge right away. We never know what someone is going through. Be a positive light and offer your help. A simple smile, hug or high five can change awful to awesome real fast. #neisdpln
A3 during PD today talked about the fact that 31% of your staff is usually highly engaged, 51% is neutral and 17% is actively disengaged. Need to work with the 51% to move them up and find a way to move the 17% out. Don’t let them drag the others down. #neisdpln
A3: We have to remember the why and remember to always find the good in people, in situations, in everything. I know when I call a parent about something not so pleasant, I start with 5 positives for that one negative and end the conversation with 5 more positives! #neisdpln
A3: Be the change and help highlight the great things others are doing around you. We often times don't realize the amazing things happening next door to us. Build a positive and constructive rapport with your peers. #neisdpln
A3: Continue to encourage those on the awesome train! Be the positive force that will inspire change in others, offer a helping hand when you see someone struggling. #neisdpln#weareWetmore#Culturize
A3: Give the Awesomizers a microphone, so they can be louder than the Awfulizers. Give those who see the awesome the opportunity to lead. Usually their attitudes will bring others along. The positive energy can be contagious. #neisdpln
Q4: I use the doctor analogy for this one. Do you want a doctor who is up to date on recent medicines to work on you and your child, or are you ok with leeches and bloodletting? #ChangeWithTheTimes#LookForward#neisdpln
A4: Change can be an amazing thing! Even keeping your morning routine the same all year is boring. You need to change somethings in order to keep everyone focused! Your students will tell you if they like it or not. Change for the adults is always good as well! #neisdpln
A4. I find not changing to be boring - for me and the students. But we should never change just for the sake of change. It should be with the desire to improve #neisdpln
A2 I’m going to quote @ManuelScott on this one because remembering that “Even on Your Worst Day, You Can Be a Student's Best Hope” makes you understand you have to make the time for that which you deem important.
#neisdpln
Agree that not changing is scary- but I do find some types of change difficult or maybe inconvenient is the better word #SendPrinting2CopyMachine . #neisdpln
A2 I’m going to quote @ManuelScott on this one because remembering that “Even on Your Worst Day, You Can Be a Student's Best Hope” makes you understand you have to make the time for that which you deem important.
#neisdpln
A4: Change is necessary. We expect our kids to "change" and grow in many ways. How can we not expect the same for ourselves? It can be scary, at first. But the more you do grow and change, the easier it is to adapt and welcome change in your life #wearewetmore#neisdpln
A4: Ten years ago who would have thought we would all be here tweeting from our living rooms answering questions asked by @yankee_todd. Change is growth. #neisdpln
A4. #growthmindset you should always be working to become a better version of yourself. You should work to be better tomorrow than you were today. If your not doing this the. What are you doing? #neisdpln
A4- Our Ss and their lives are changing. Our world is in constant flux. If everything around you is growing and changing, shouldn’t you take on that challenge, too? Rise to the challenge! #neisdpln
A4: There is a Spanish saying - "La Vida es Movimiento!" Life is movement! It is constantly moving and our ability to adapt helps us to live to our fullest! #neisdpln
A4: Those little conversations with kiddos that may seem unimportant are sometimes the most valuable to them...often when we don't realize it! Take time to reflect on how you can continue to teach them that learning, or bettering yourself, never stops! #neisdpln
Q4: I can't believe I've been teaching 24 years...the idea of remaining who I was 24 years ago scares me to death. I HAVE to learn & GROW, so THEY can!#neisdpln#wearewetmore
A4: We have so many expectations for our kids that requires them to change, shouldn't we be just as willing? Change may bring the biggest blessing to you and your kids, team, school. #wearewetmore#neisdpln
A4: Sometimes the hardest thing to change is our mindset. Being open-minded breeds innovation and excitement in the classroom! #neisdpln#weareWetmore#Culturize
A4: Insert hyperlink to the Innovator's Mindset by @gcouros . Sometimes those small changes can lead to great successes in our classrooms. We have to be able to take those calculated risks. #neisdpln
A4: We can't do this job & not be willing and open to change! The root of change though, lies in self-reflection. As educators, we owe it to our people to reflect on what we do and how we do it. Are we effective?? Have we met our mission? #neisdPLN
A4: Sometimes the hardest thing to change is our mindset. Being open-minded breeds innovation and excitement in the classroom! #neisdpln#weareWetmore#Culturize
How cool is it that @casas_jimmy is in our chat! Who would have thought that a few years ago a book study would be on Twitter and the author would just jump in! #neisdpln
A5: In a world where we are seeing more students who have experienced trauma, how do we shift our campus cultures to support them? And support/train our staff who serve them?#neisdpln
Q6: As a building principal, I love how @casas_jimmy wanted to know if adults & students who left his office felt like they were treated fairly and if they felt he cared about them. #neisdpln
A2: This is hard for me. I know I need to ask my hubby for help, but feel bad because I know he’s even busier than I am. I try to help others if I see that are in a time crunch too. #neisdpln
A4: Reminds me of the fear I felt towards the beginning stages of learning twitter. I didn't understand it/see the value in it until one day it just came together. The fear of the unknown is scary but once you cross over that threshold, you're golden! #neisdpln#culturize
A6: "So what are you waiting for? All it takes is one simple interaction at a time to start a ripple effect that can transform someone's life forever." #neisdPLN#weareWetmore
A6: "Your students and colleagues need you to remain invigorated and eager to come to work every day." I read somewhere that, "you may not be able to change the wind, but you can direct the sails." Choose to be present everyday and the kiddos will see it! #neisdpln
A4: Educators want to keep growing & getting better. They just need the support, resources, & TIME to change. As bldg/district leaders, our responsibility is to provide these things for all teachers & staff. #neisdpln#Culturize
Q6:our spoken words and the positive way we conduct ourselves can be the catalysts that can spark change and culture a school community that yields success for all students! #neisdpln#wearewetmore
Q1 Positive attitudes attract positive attitudes. Once people realize that you expect positive proactive attitude at work then others will exhibit a similar behavior of them self and others. Always begin with you. #neisdpln#Culturize
A6: Life-fit addresses not what we feel we should do but what we can actually do and acknowledge that those aren't always the same. #wearewetmore#neisdpln
Leadership is not just about how we behave when we know what to do; rather, it is best seen in the actions we take when we don't know what to do. #neisdpln
Remember, every great school/community partnership started with a personal invitation. #neisdpln Sometimes all we have to do is ask & show how we can support them as well. #partnership
Q6- "the goal should be to empower your students to achieve their peak level of performance-not just in the heat of the moment, but everyday. #neisdpln
Someone once told me “no one likes change except a baby with a dirty diaper and the person making it” I think the fear of the unknown is paralyzing for many. We need to work to help them over come this and support them through the first steps. “Baby steps” #neisdpln
A4: Reminds me of the fear I felt towards the beginning stages of learning twitter. I didn't understand it/see the value in it until one day it just came together. The fear of the unknown is scary but once you cross over that threshold, you're golden! #neisdpln#culturize
A6: If our ultimate desire is to cultivate cultures of excellence where people feel secure in striving for greatness, then we must learn to navigate around the status quo. #neisdpln#weareWetmore#Culturize
As we end our amazing chat tonight, I would like to thank @casas_jimmy for taking time to join us this evening! Please plan on hearing him at Ignite this summer #neisdpln
As we end our amazing chat tonight, I would like to thank @casas_jimmy for taking time to join us this evening! Please plan on hearing him at Ignite this summer #neisdpln
"We serve in a profession where we are blessed every day with the opportunity to help change the course of someone's life with our words, our actions, and our belief in their ability. By changing our perspective, we can change lives."#neisdpln
A6: It doesn't cost a penny to reach out & greet someone with a friendly smile,to strive to lift someone's spirit w/ a sincere compliment, support others with a heartful hug, or jolt those who are in dire straits with a blast of positive energy. #neisdpln#culturize#WeAreWetmore
A6: My favorite quote from @casas_jimmy - period. "Expecting excellence from yourself in a choice. Striving for excellence each day is a lifestyle." Such a great quote! #neisdpln
