#vachat Archive
#vachat is a great way for Virginia educators to share teaching strategies, educational resources, and more.
Monday May 9, 2016
8:00 PM EDT
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Good evening ers! Tell us who you are and what you do! being May, with so many busy nights, remind/invite a friend..
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Phil, your moderator for the night. Currently in Williamsburg, but relocating July 1 to Rockbridge county!
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Christine. Elementary gifted specialist. Charlottesville.
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I'm Rashida - Division Level Instructional Coach in Fairfax, VA ! Happy to join for the first time tonight 🎉
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So you're just relaxing through the end of the year, right?
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Just arrived home in Long Island from Virginia visiting my daughter's new house in Reston, Phil. VA-beautiful state.
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I have a special love for Charlottesville!
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Ha, two schools... moving, and testing... just coasting!
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I'm heading up to LI on Friday, for a quick trip!
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John Bennett, Emeritus building a new home in Midlothian, VA.
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Glad to have you as we discuss CHange!
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I started my Career in Loudoun, just down the street from Reston. I loved the area. My next place... very rural!
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Jerod, Dean of Students at a grades 7 & 8 building, tweeting from Magnolia, DE
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Good evening. Reed, HS AP from Charlottesville and co-moderator of
Busy time of yr, thanks everyone for joining
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Long time, not here. What are we discussing tonight?
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Hi everyone! Missie, French teacher in Falls Church, VA
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Q1 in 1 minute... going with an intrinsic first Q!
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Talking Change... wide ranging questions!
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Change is the topic of tonight
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Q1: What change scares you the most and why? Doesn't have to be school related...
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I know you will be happy to have it done!
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Very peaceful! I can't wait to return.
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A1: Change with lack of transparency and trust is super scary. Relationships and honesty makes smoother transitions
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A1: I have a hard time with big (future) unknowns esp. if I am fine with the the current situation.
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A1: For me it is change in family/family dynamics. I am moving and my family is staying where we are for the next year.
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A1 Change with little info around it - it disorients. With info it's less scary & easier to reorient
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I agree with ! Not knowing the agenda behind change is terrifying.
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A1: change where there are others could feel pain or insecurity; I always want those around me to feel safe
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Relocating always brings up what ifs and whys. A1
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A1: Last year I've have said changing jobs. It made for a terrifying summer and one of my best years ever.
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Margo Isabel Lower School Head joining tonight
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I think that is a common doubt. A1
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It is very exciting though... change can be quite stressful, even when it is positive!
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understanding the big picture and the plan helps to navigate the change
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A1: I'm with you. New school this yr (that didn't scare me) but relocating away from family (divorced) did/still does
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When we accept the future willingly fears are put to rest. A1
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I think that describes my current fears quite well!
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A1: Change that happens among a group living by 'we've always done it our way'. https://t.co/QBEDxz3oXw
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Q1: What change scares you the most and why? Doesn't have to be school related...
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I do hate it when things are up in the air... I still don't have a house to relocate too... I'll feel better once that is settled.
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A1: Sometimes we are expected to trust what we can't see. The question is - why should we?Change needs to be strategic & thoughtful
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How did that go for you this year?
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A1 Fear of change itself is what is so unsettling to me. Moving people beyond the fear is tough
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I think I also fear a change that would cause so much fear one becomes paralyzed with no idea of even who to go to for help.
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The change has been a good/great one although the family dynamic has been tougher
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Q2: after a heart attack 25% of men (women 14%) make NO changes to their habits/lifestyle. Why is change so hard?
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Yes & I think helping them not to express their fear in destructive ways is critical
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...it reminds us that change takes time - even with a new structure in place (in this case, moving)
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Good point. & that is another tough thing about change, dealing with the naysayers
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I'm the new Principal of Natural Bridge Elem. in Rockbridge County. New job, new title, new place...
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A2 Learned behaviours, neural pathways, habits. Change requires intent over time. It's hard (& easy to give up)
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A2: Those are scary numbers - but to really change your actions, your beliefs and values have to change. This is key
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A2: Because you know the consequences of what you're currently doing. Change...who knows?
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But if those habits are actually KILLING you... why not change?
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A2: People get stuck in their ways of doing things and ways of life. Old patterns feel comforting even if unhealthy or unproductive.
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Change is hard because it is a leap of faith in the dark. A2
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A2: Change is messy because it's not easy and errors are bound to happen.
People need to be shown how to change..
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A2 Change requires commitment and patience, these are 2 things that folks find very hard
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A2: Too many people honestly believe 'change' is a four-letter word!!!! https://t.co/Cqc8p1MgNG
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Q2: after a heart attack 25% of men (women 14%) make NO changes to their habits/lifestyle. Why is change so hard?
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I love being strategic - to me it means knowing the how and the why. It means thinking through situations & the impact
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only 1 out of 3 recommended changes is something like 68%
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Some of it may be related to addiction which adds an extra dimension of hard
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Ed ex: We can ask a teacher/student to change but we can't expect it to just happen. Have to show them the way and be patient
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I'm going with a three letter word... change or die!
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I agree! So much TLC is needed for those-important. Yet change 'must' happen so quickly sometimes. Aaggh! https://t.co/m9LsOJQw5w
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A1 Fear of change itself is what is so unsettling to me. Moving people beyond the fear is tough
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Hadn't considered that...
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A2: many people need support in order to make change possible.
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A2: Change is hard because it requires people 2get out of their comfort zone. Can't grow if too comfy https://t.co/3BblV4e9ah
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A2 We resist change because it requires leaving comfort zone & jumping into uncomfortable. Naturally, we don't like uncomfortable.
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Can you giver an example?
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I know people that won't go to a new restaurant, even if the quality and service go downhill.
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I think the motivation behind change is also a huge factor in its success.
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leading right into Q3! love it!
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This sounds terrible, but you're not gone yet- it must have been a fluke. It will be better the next time. https://t.co/zEP6ia0Ou3
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But if those habits are actually KILLING you... why not change?
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Yep! Did a drill as basketball coach every day called get out of your comfort zone
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Q3: In your school, what prevents change from taking root and becoming habit or part of the culture?
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Not just a river in Egypt.
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Do you think it might sometimes also sometimes be related to a perceived threat? People then go into fight or flight?
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Great point, reminds me of the Crucial Conversation book, encourage change without Flight/fight
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A3: In a former school: lack of trust, no transparency, ideas and initiatives that changed like the wind.
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Even items we see as easy i.e., let's try Twitter. I'll help you get started https://t.co/bpWfwNNgHA
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Ed ex: We can ask a teacher/student to change but we can't expect it to just happen. Have to show them the way and be patient
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My favorite!!!! I use this all the time.. Just used it in my 1st staff meeting!
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A3 I am at a private school. Folks think our student population has changed & we R changing 4 Them. Reality is SOCIETY has changed
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A3 perhaps maintaining is safer than change if failing is high stakes in change process
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A3 Territorialism -'this is my turf'. Also frequent change. It exhausts people
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A3: For my building, it has been rapid turnover in the principal position. 4 principals in 6 years.
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A3: My experiences the culture of the school is the biggest impediment/proponent to change...Close 2nd: admin
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A3: Is everyone familiar w/Managing Complex Change chart? My 1st time reading about it gave so much clarity https://t.co/z75GSQkWlV
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It is a good one to help staff know that TTWWADI is an inhibiting fear.
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What I find amazing is the way many teachers can help students w/this yet are frozen in their own change https://t.co/PTA1lsdiyI
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A2: Change is hard because it requires people 2get out of their comfort zone. Can't grow if too comfy https://t.co/3BblV4e9ah
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A3: Sometimes...it's the teacher's lounge. It can be a place to close ranks, to talk about the "way we do it."
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A3 "We've always done it that way" can NEVER be an acceptable reason for anything.
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people an excuse to not change though... it has worked in the past.
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A3: For sure, a non-leader or a dominant teacher dedicated to status quo. https://t.co/zlOyAQsglj
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Q3: In your school, what prevents change from taking root and becoming habit or part of the culture?
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exactly! Growth mindset needed
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That phrase needs to be banned!
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Wish I had read it erlier in my career.
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Those informal leaders have a lot of power, especially in a school with a leadership vacuum.
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what do you see as characteristics of a school culture that supports change when it's needed?
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I told my new staff I was going to be asking "Why?" an awful lot... not as an attack, but to make them think "is this best for Ss?"
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A3: Sometimes old habits that have taken root are obstacles to change & newer, better practices. Thinking of test prep mentality.
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A3: had this somewhat w/ different version of labeling items on grade sheet. New made it difficult & lots dropped w/out more effort
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does a great riff on biofilm a "what if rather than yeah but" culture
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People being open to new ideas, listening. Be fearless, try something new https://t.co/DKCo8cEVNl
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what do you see as characteristics of a school culture that supports change when it's needed?
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Q4 2 minutes, get your Q3 answers in!!!
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Focus on what students need now and in future. Growth mindset. Adventurous. Communication. Collaboration
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keep the main thing the main thing - what is best for Ss!
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Perhaps most importantly, admin has confidence in teachers/staff and they know it
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A3, I think is comes back to fear of failure, being a fool or scapegoat
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Yes, and how does this support our vision. https://t.co/vTDChv8cuo
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I told my new staff I was going to be asking "Why?" an awful lot... not as an attack, but to make them think "is this best for Ss?"
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TY 4 conversation. Join in next Mon 4 & >Hacking School Leadership
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Change is hard, but often worth it.
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Agree, trying something new is great...but after doing ones homework/research. Not blindly trying. https://t.co/1DrgHYBSwJ
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People being open to new ideas, listening. Be fearless, try something new https://t.co/DKCo8cEVNl
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what do you see as characteristics of a school culture that supports change when it's needed?
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I've said, always feel free to challenge me/refocus convo with Is this what our students need/deserve?
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Q4: If you had no one opposing you and no limit on funds/time. What change would you make in your classroom/school?
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connecting people to create a cultural tipping point means making risk taking safe
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requires buy in! How do we get people to want to Change v being "forced" to
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I'm easy like that! Want to take a chance... go for it! (If it is best for our Ss)
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A4 I'd gather a clever team & start from scratch - redesign school to maximise learning & align with real life
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A4: Multi-age, student-driven, fun but challenging, focus on how to learn, open learning spaces, choices, choices, choices.
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A4: No doubt - get rid of grades and textbooks!!! https://t.co/PnKSzJo6fa
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Q4: If you had no one opposing you and no limit on funds/time. What change would you make in your classroom/school?
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A4: Easy answer: lessen our pre-installed curriculum via the state...it's my next blog.
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I'm not, but I will be joining NAESP this summer. good people there and NASSP!
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Model and let them see you doing the work side by side-buy in at it's finest. https://t.co/QHYcrWawKc
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requires buy in! How do we get people to want to Change v being "forced" to
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A4:Mindset around Twitter - promoting the opportunity for personalized learning, networking, growth
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A4: Redos/retakes...true mastery learning...get rid of grades or at least move to standards-based
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Need has to play a part.. and helping people recognize that need.
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...&even starting from the Ts up v other way around.What change do Ts think is needed
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Live by your covenant "What best for kids". https://t.co/NXg0EgFSL9
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Need has to play a part.. and helping people recognize that need.
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finding that ZPD is important for grownups and kids
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A4: To start smaller classes, pure heterogeneous grouping. More arts, building/making, PE, FL, writing, field trips. PBL & PBA.
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Help focus our teachers too as it gets rid of an excuse/reason why Ss aren't learning.
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A4: Right now, I'm feeling a need for TLC classes about middle school children or the age one teaches. Some forget those details
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Collaboration is seriously underrated
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Q5 in 1 minute LOVE the conversation tonight!
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Learning w whatever is required 2 facilitate that😊So many are disengaged in learning - need 2 rethink how we do school
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A4: I would build a dorm behind our school to provide a safe and stable place for some of our kids to go home to-those that need it.
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Q5: What supports would YOU need to best ensure that something new becomes habit?
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And give students control of their learning!!! https://t.co/4vH13ev0jH
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A4: No doubt - get rid of grades and textbooks!!! https://t.co/PnKSzJo6fa
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Q4: If you had no one opposing you and no limit on funds/time. What change would you make in your classroom/school?
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A5 I would totally open up the schedule. Not so prescriptive No drastic change but leads to bigger changes
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A5: Someone to call me on my backsliding.
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A4 A great deal of thought needs to be given to the foundations of change - without a shared understanding all will fall over
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absolutely, start small... celebrate small victories!
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Great call. I'd love to have a school that can provide wrap-around services for all 24/7 https://t.co/uZTNOok7fo
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A4: I would build a dorm behind our school to provide a safe and stable place for some of our kids to go home to-those that need it.
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A5: I need a long term plan around the change - what are the implications, why, how?
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A5: A group to change with. mentioned a tipping point: Those can be for good or bad. I want to collab & conspire w/good.
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Wow! I love this. easy to stop doing something before it becomes part of you!
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There's an amazing Principal in northern New South Wales (Aus) who does that. Incredible!
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A5 Lots of collaboration and PD time to be able to share and check in with one another
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A5: Time. Feedback. Positivity. Support All contribute to sustaining change
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accountability is key! ...call me out and support me in getting back up, dusting off my shoulders, and trying again.
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A5 space to plan, supportive colleagues & open minds
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A5: Clear communication and a vision of how this will help me, my students, and my school!
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Time too... open minded colleagues.. those willing to grow!
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A5: I started out wanting more from my school, but our county WL is awesome & Twitter=phenomenal w/access 2 US, Canada & France
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A5: The control of pedagogy to enable students to address real-world situations, learning from mistakes. https://t.co/5XIdhFTWxf
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Q5: What supports would YOU need to best ensure that something new becomes habit?
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Q6: Who or what sabotages you from changing?
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A5: Um, ok. I want this too! https://t.co/dexnkbUN0H
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A5 Lots of collaboration and PD time to be able to share and check in with one another
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A5: Positive reinforcement is key. School leaders should consistently reinforce and validate the positive practices of teachers.
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A6: This goes back to trust and relationships. If those two aren't in place it's harder for me to change
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A6: I think I'm the biggest offender there. Whether it's b/c I think "but that's the way..." or it's harder than I thought, etc.
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A6: exhaustion also can be a big inhibitor for me to change.
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A6: For me time/trying to take on too many things at once
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Time is a battle right now. I want more!
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A5 TBH, me! And those who say 'it works for me, so I keep doing it the same way'
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One very important thing leaders can do is help teachers feel secure. Secure teachers innovate because they don't fear failure.
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Not having a vision and focus... bouncing around... yup, I've been there.
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schools have to get focused around what change will be the best bang for the buck v. changing too much
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WOW, what a great chat tonight. Thank you for your insight and willingness to look inside yourself!
