#TOSAChat is a chat on Twitter every Monday night at 8pm PST for TOSAs (teachers on special assignment), including all edtech and instructional coaches.
Welcome to #TOSAChat. This week we talk about Momentum - getting it, keeping it, and helping others with it.
Please introduce yourself, tell us your role, and share a recent success you had this school year.
Kim from SoCal, Digital Learning Instructional Coach. Rolled out personalized PD in the form of subscription boxes. 58 delivered so far! #PYLlearnshttps://t.co/aBZlXdurQR#TOSAchat
Welcome to #TOSAChat. This week we talk about Momentum - getting it, keeping it, and helping others with it.
Please introduce yourself, tell us your role, and share a recent success you had this school year.
Les Dinerstein Moreno Valley CA. 9th and 10th grade teacher and an Induction Coach this year. I am working with two new teachers. My success this week was one when I help one of my teachers design a great lesson plan. It was fun to co-plan. :) #tosachat
Welcome to #TOSAChat. This week we talk about Momentum - getting it, keeping it, and helping others with it.
Please introduce yourself, tell us your role, and share a recent success you had this school year.
Hi all! Kristin from SoCal...Tech TOSA! A recent success I have had - I get to present at several upcoming conferences...a first for me! I’m nervous but so excited that I get to do it (and present with my bestie!) #tosachat
Bhavini Patel, Tech TOSA from Palm Springs. A recent success was presenting a session for the very first time at #FallCUE this past weekend. I received positive feedback and it was a great learning/growing opportunity for myself. #TOSAchat
Most of them are local CUE affiliate events but I will be presenting at the larger CA STEAM Symposium at the end of the month and then at Spring CUE! #tosachat
The biggest piece I’ve learned about blogging is just to write. Even if you don’t publish, writing your thoughts is powerful. Step 2, hit publish. Don’t worry about how it is. Just hit publish #tosachat
Hi #TOSAchat. Oliver, 3rd grade teacher from CA. It's been a long time. Sorry to be late. A recent success was introducing #GeniusHour in my class and the students getting super excited and inspired.
Hi, #tosachat! Jody, Academic Coach in Ed Tech from La Habra. My favorite recent success has been working with @TheresaHuston4 to incorporate iPad creation stations into her centers. SO EXCITING!!
A1: Sometimes I just get on a roll and the ideas are clicking along. There's usually chart paper and Mr. Sketch markers involved. My fellow TOSAs from different content areas often chime in #TOSAchat
A1: Good question. I think I speed up by connecting with others. I love all the learning I get from my PLN on Twitter. I'm always learning new things to try out with my students. #TOSAchat
Pamela Rabin @SanDiego_CUE, Project Specialist Ed Tech @SanDiegoCOE just jumpin’ in a tiny bit late! Success story? 4 weeks into my new job at the County and learning a lot! #tosachat
A1: When I work with others, I get inspired and that causes me to move forward quickly (but I can also fizzle fast). Standing up at the white board and drawing out my ideas helps my momentum, too. And then getting the ✅to do something ensures it happens! #tosachat
Howard from Silicon Valley. Full Inclusion middle school teacher. Wearer of a few hats. Started new projects in room: Greenhouse, Landscape aquarium, New room setup. Now for another teachers room. #tosachat
A1: When I have little successes, I start feeling like I'm on the right track, and then start taking bigger chances, love it when it starts clicking! #tosachat
Yes, but in this case, it's more of a menu board. Like, here are 5 activities - all curricular but with a creative tech component - that you need to complete this week, and you can choose which one you want to do today (while Theresa works with her small group). #tosachat
That’s true for me too. Love seeing the energy from others. I have the privilege & pleasure of connecting with teachers at my new school now - supporting them and seeing their energy #tosachat
In reply to
@Msbpatel, @TosaChat, @annkozma723, @EdTechAri, @TeachingTechNix, @peerlessgreen, @KarlyMoura, @kmartintahoe, @iluvteaching72, @cogswell_ben, @EdTechEddie, @edtechchamp, @nzefeldt
Oh, that sounds awesome! I had a Makerspace area in my SPED classroom and the kiddos loved it! I can’t wait to see what kind of sessions this year’s symposium has. Really excited! #TOSAChat
Hoping to write my first blog about my experience at #FallCUE . Nervous about blogging but going to start and I have @nick_schumacher as my blogging buddy for support. #TOSAchat
In reply to
@Jyoung1219, @KVoge71, @iluvteaching72, @nick_schumacher
A2: Hmmmm. Which do I start with? I slow down when there are too many hoops to jump through and red tape at the district level. It stinks when I want to try new things and I get denied bc of I.T. #TOSAchat
A2: When I can't articulate my ideas clearly, I tend to slow down...put the item away for a day or 2, then come back to it. Sometimes the problem isn't what we think it is. #TOSAchat
A2: My triggers include teachers who don’t see value in technology use in the classroom. I address that by focusing on the positive and pushing the benefits whenever (and as subtly) as I can. Data also speaks volumes...so I bring that in too. #tosachat
A2cont: I also slow down when there are too many cooks in the kitchen. It's always good to collaborate but when there are too many strong personalities without someone carefully mediating the conversation it's tough. #TOSAchat
A2: Sometimes my tech can slow me down (mostly my phone). I have to put it somewhere not easily accessible and then I can focus. Sometimes I get stuck when I've been working by myself for too long and I need collaboration time. That's when I reach out to my people! #tosachat
Oh yeah. I’ve used that before. I’ve been using Google Slides for my staff and family newsletters. Format helps reader access previous week’s messages easily. #tosachat
A2: Jumping in a little late but lack of sleep slows me down a bit. The easy way to fix this is more sleep but that does not always work out the way I hope. Exercise helps and prioritizeing helps. #TOSAchat
In reply to
@TosaChat, @annkozma723, @EdTechAri, @TeachingTechNix, @peerlessgreen, @KarlyMoura, @kmartintahoe, @iluvteaching72, @cogswell_ben, @edtechchamp, @nzefeldt, @Jyoung1219
A2: Time is my enemy and I sometimes don’t do well when I’m pressured but talking things out with other TOSAs helps. Luckily we all help each other. #tosachat
I just started using Slides this year for my newsletter for my teachers. I love that I can make it a hyperdoc and teachers can have access to a plethora of information...I’m not limited to a 8.5x11 page. #tosachat
A2) My big picture brain needs structure. When new initiatives are too organic I have difficulty making sense of all the moving parts. That stifles my inclination to see connections between systemic parts, that shuts me down. So I seek frameworks in the chaos. #tosachat
A2: One of the triggers that "slows me down" ais when I feel pulled in all different directions where I feel ineffective so I try to address these by prioritizing items in terms of importance and immediacy. #TOSAchat
In reply to
@TosaChat, @annkozma723, @EdTechAri, @TeachingTechNix, @peerlessgreen, @KarlyMoura, @kmartintahoe, @iluvteaching72, @cogswell_ben, @EdTechEddie, @edtechchamp, @nzefeldt, @Jyoung1219
Crazy long, busy day. Plus have family visiting but jumping in now. Our rocket science project was outstanding! Failing up literally is awesome. Kids had so much to observe. It was super rad! #TOSAchat
A3: It is easy to get wrapped up in one's own little world. TOSA life isn't an easy one. We really need to look out for each other. Advocate for some self care. #TOSAchat
A3: When I lose my momentum, I've learned to reach out to others. I think a way to support others when they lose momentum is to be in tune with what they're going through. And definitely to reach out to them to offer support. #TOSAchat
A3: I can be more mindful by asking people how they are doing but reall listening to their response. It is to easy to just say everything is fine but asking a follow up question can change the dynamic of any conversation. #TOSAchat
A3: Sometimes it's hard to know when someone loses momentum b/c they might not want to show it. We have to stay dialed into one another so we can recognize it, be a listening ear, and offer coaching questions to help figure a way to get back on track. #tosachat
A3: One thing that is helpful to jumpstart folks is to refer to their work positively, but in an indirect way. It's a compliment in action, rather than direct praise. #tosachat
A3) If you don’t know know where you’re going, any road will take you there. Vision and a pathway can help when momentum lags. Clear vision (why it’s important) keeps you heading right and making course corrections when needed. #tosachat.
A3: We all can lose momentum from time to time. I got behind and made an appointment with our PD specialist. We as teachers need to be there if and when someone needs help. A cheerful hello can go a long way. #tosachat
A4: As a classroom teacher, I maintain momentum when I make checkpoints for my projects and share them with others so they can help me stay on track. I think that could be something we all can do for our colleagues. #TOSAchat
A4: I make myself available and accessible. By the time they call or email for tech assistance, they are often past the point of frustration. I try to "make it all better" ...but in a way that supports their understanding, not just doing it for them #belikenordstroms#tosachat
Q4: Sometimes students/teachers need things broken down into smaller parts to keep a momentum. Part of our job is to lighten the load. Finding ways to help them manage the task at hand. #tosachat
A3 I always try to be mindful, present, and really listen. If they're slowing down, what's in their way? Is it a personal issue? My first question needs to be, How can I support you? #TOSAchat
A4: Being positive and providing support. Acknowledging that education is a tough job and letting know that we are all making a difference in our own ways. Finding ways to show them this is good work we're doing. #TOSAchat
In reply to
@TosaChat, @annkozma723, @EdTechAri, @TeachingTechNix, @peerlessgreen, @KarlyMoura, @kmartintahoe, @iluvteaching72, @cogswell_ben, @EdTechEddie, @edtechchamp, @nzefeldt, @Jyoung1219
A4cont: I like how this Q was phrased. Including admins in the Q is important. We often forget that our principals and the district office admins are people who need support too. #TOSAchat
I am learning that too! I am great communicator. The listening is a skill I am always working on! I need to not make connections to everything said #TOSAchat
A4: I like to offer my help in any way, shape or form. Whether that's showing them something that will make their job easier or less complicated. Or just helping them get their tech connected & working! Encouraging my Ss - even through the difficult tasks. #TOSAchat
Hi All! Sorry for the late start, putting 3 kids to bed. 🤷♀️ I'm Steph from Northern California. TOSA, Dept Chair, Teacher. A recent success was having my Admin want to implement a welcome sign idea on every T door I saw in a group. Happy to be supported. #TOSAchat
Welcome to #TOSAChat. This week we talk about Momentum - getting it, keeping it, and helping others with it.
Please introduce yourself, tell us your role, and share a recent success you had this school year.
#TOSAchat A4: I try to always add a "... So what do we do next" after someone complains about something in the school to try and keep things positive and productive.
A4) To keep momentum going I think it’s important to celebrate along the way. Setting mini-goals that lead to that big achievement. Celebrate successes and failures because they both teach you something in the end. #tosachat
A4 October is hard. Not gonna lie. We need breathing breaks. In class that means pausing between units and connecting as people. Same for Ts and Admins. Our District just started really focusing on Wellness. It is so important. #TOSAchat
That's wonderful. I'm glad I work in a district that places value in wellness! The Wellness Coordinator who serves at the school I'm at is wonderful for everyone - students, parents, and staff. #TOSAchat
#TOSAchat A5: Self care? What's that? Help yourself so you can help others? Great advice for someone else I always tell myself. I really need to learn to find something like that soon before my child is born.
A5: Work / life balance is essential to self-care. Weekends and family are sacred. Realizing that IT can wait and will be there tomorrow. Also respecting the fact that ppl don’t read their email 24/7. #tosachat
A5) This is why I swim. Lot's of time to reflect, recharge, relax through exercise. Catching up on a great trade book can help fuel that next burst. #tosachat
A5cont: I've also gotten into mindfulness with my students lately and it's something that I try to practice for myself too. That's great self-care. #TOSAchat
A5 Self Care. A hot uninterrupted shower. Going away for 5 days with my team for PD and really getting to focus. Getting a pedicure. Finding time to cook/bake. Going to the teacher workout at my school. #TOSAchat
A5: My self-care regimen usually involves propping up my feet, binge watching Netflix, drawing on my iPad Pro, hot showers, and getting a pedicure in those big, fancy spa chairs. #tosachat
#Tosachat A5: In an attempt to give myself a break, I left my laptop AT the office this afternoon. I don’t take a ton of breaks, but it was time for one!
A5: Mani/pedi, bath, binge-watching, retail therapy. Hanging out with friends...especially non-teachers...so I can't go back into that teacher talk mode. #TOSAchat
A5: Self care for me currently involves daily walks until I fully recovery from injury so I can run again. My old running partner and I have been walking at 5am, 3 days a week. It's also eating well and drinking plenty of water! Sometimes it means unplugging. #tosachat
A6: I know there was a recent #TOSAchat blogging challenge. I wonder if there could be a system of sharing our projects so we can help each other with the different checkpoints. @Jyoung1219@KarlyMoura ???
I saw it in another chat. Will try to find. Hoping to do a PD session where I help everyone design in Google slides and there are some canned cutouts they can use but they have their picture, name, college, interests, cool stuff about them, their why, classes. #TOSAchat
A6: My PLN keeps me going for sure. I love my Sun, Mon, and Tues chats. It's nice to have multiple perspectives. Having someone outside your situation can really listen and help you get to the heart of the matter #TOSAchat
A6: I really like the encouragement you provide. And I appreciate the thought-provoking questions that help me reflect on my new role. This is one cool tribe. #tosachat
Yep. Lol. My son just asked if we can get one game of Fortnite in before bed... I was gone for #FallCUE so I might have to comply with that request tonight. #TOSAchat
In reply to
@iluvteaching72, @TosaChat, @annkozma723, @EdTechAri, @TeachingTechNix, @peerlessgreen, @KarlyMoura, @kmartintahoe, @cogswell_ben, @edtechchamp, @nzefeldt, @Jyoung1219
A6: I definitely enjoy my weekly Twitter chats with my PLN. Having like-minded individuals to bounce things off of & who can validate my ideas...that's so helpful. I also get inspired & motivated by things they're doing in their own classrooms - which pushes me more. #tosachat
There are so many on my calendar that are repeating events. I used to try and make 2 a day. Now, it's more like 2 a week. No matter how many, it's always good. #TOSAchat
