#RuralEdChat Archive
#RuralEdChat is a chat that focuses on the needs of the rural educator. This chat has been revised by Tammy Neil (@MathNeil), John Martin (@edventures) and Natalee Stotz (@nataleestotz).
Tuesday April 12, 2016
Wish all folks could have seen live stream Disruptors: Leading at the Speed of Change yesterday from UVa's Darden school.
Hello Everyone! How in the world are ya'll
Hey , it's John from NH where I spent last Sat hiking in the Ossipee Mountains w/ this view! https://t.co/OZSGdRTuAe
Mark, so great to see you.
. Ooh, that sounds like a good one!
theme was strategic imperative for individuals, organizations to learn better and faster
. Hmm, lessons to be learned for those in academia who languish in lethargy?
#1829 The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. — Mahatma Gandhi
https://t.co/J9P0iGCefi
. It was. I'm so impressed with the Darden faculty. Great teaching, humor, enthusiasm. They like each other, too.
I see & around our campfire already! C'mon y'all!
I was looking for marshmallows, but there weren't any in the cabinet.
. What?! No s'mores?! I haz the sad...
As we get started tonight, don't forget to add to your tweets so we can bask in the warmth of your brilliance.
. it's a biz school where design thinking, innovation are trying to meet demands of changing work world.
Hi Terry here, popping in
Wandering on into . for a bit of campfire lurking
...lessons learned while languishing in lethargy ... LoL..
So tonight's theme was inspired by my hike this past weekend. It brings to mind what happens when we strike our own paths.
. Any links to recordings?
Katie from Southern Indiana, Middle School Pre-AP English
Hey, Terry. So glad to see you here.
. Wow. here at . I refer to her all the time in my biz blog.
Welcome to the campfire is always burning.
First Q coming up on in just a minute. Lace up those boots!
. I'm not sure. It was recorded, but event was invitation-only.
Did you hear the one about the ...? Boo!
thank you, Linda! I lurk at when I can. Always learn from y'all.
. NEVER! Welcome to the campfire!
. If I get access later, I'll let you know if its available.
. GAHHHHH! Don't DO that! ;)
A1: If it's somewhere I want to go, make my own trail :D
Q1 cont'd: What does it take to strike out on your own when it might not fly w/ others in your school/community?
A1: Sometimes I might need someone to go with me to help start the trail
. Shared your ideas for holiday promotions between merchants with hardware store owner here in NY last week
A1: Go anyways. Make sure to enjoy the adventure. Most of the best adventures started without a map.
A1 cont: A huge desire to want to go there
A1: I feel like I am a trailblazer, but at times I get burned...it hurts for a while, then heals, and I go at it again.
. I can't sing and hike at the same time.
. Great point! Winter hikes require taking turns breaking trail w/ snowshoes in order to keep going w/out tiring.
so I've heard. Don't know about snowshoes. No need in FL ;) lol
. What makes the difference to you? What is the compelling reason to go on?
A1: Takes some knowledge of your surroundings, and a good navigation system--often embodied by a great mentor
A1b: Just one person saying I can do it.
. Come on up to my neck of the woods! Although I guess the same could be said for cutting thru kudzu!
A1. I'll offer my outside opinion: Take a friend, and take small steps first. Don't try to go the whole way alone.
Here we might need someone with a machete to cut the palmettos out of the way.
A1 I tend to go it alone if necessary. That takes confidence/arrogance/stupidity.
Courage to try, courage to "fail," courage to admit "failure," & courage to turn "failures" into something great.
Now Palmettos we understand! :-D
. While I love solo hikes, the journey just seems richer when you have someone to share it with!
and sometimes that's rolled up all into one successful journey! :-D
. Or a burning desire that demands your attention! D. All of the above! :)
. We're on daylight savings time. Discussions of snow are forbidden.
Yes, w/someone who WANTS to b w/u instead of HAS to b w/u
snow and DST don't happen at the same time?
. Tell that to Mother Nature, she's fallen off the wagon up this way!
And sometimes it's rolled into one unsuccessful journey!
. Oh the lessons we learn from those! My hiking buddy and I live for *epic* tales of (mis)adventure!
Getting to the edge of a cliff and realizing you took a wrong turn shouldn't stop you from changing direction & keeping going.
I am pushed forward by purpose--I have a REASON to be here, & passion for it pushes me. It's often refueled by inspiring Sts
There's a book in there somewhere...
Every once in a while we think we've made it, only to look up & see the rest of the journey far ahead of us. That's our next Q.
. The reason we start DST so early is to prevent snow. Great idea, but like so many, doesn't work too well.
. AMEN! Sometimes the best lessons are learned as a result of happenstance rather than intention.
Q2: You've traveled so far when you realize you still have a long way to go. How do you adapt? https://t.co/bTxDbr1VZq
Those can be the best opportunities. Seeing the next goal is important.
OR far below us--I am always finding my next rabbit hole to adventure!
A2: Simply use it as a learning experience.
I've been thinking a lot about how we help rural people be more open to new ideas.
. misadventures make the best stories and often the best learning
A2: Look back to see how far you've come. Enjoy that success then keep moving.
Re-evaluate. Do I STILL want to be there as bad as I did? If so, keep going. If not. find the next trail
A1. Watch where the goat walks and follow. Learn from those in touch.
A2: I see false summits as a kind of gut check. How bad do I want, or need, the goal I've set for myself or for my team?
Hey there , glad to have you on the trail with us tonight!
A2: Look in surprise at the other mavericks who've forged their own paths, and ended up in the same place! Start w/ that team
. A2 Deep breath. Eat chocolate bar. Start again (perhaps a little more slowly)
A2. False summits need to be reached so yiu recognise the true ones
Hi in Seema and I'm new here... Looking for some questions
. You beat me to it. So glad is here as well. https://t.co/Isr4xRBP98
Hey there , glad to have you on the trail with us tonight!
Good idea! All new trails should start w/chocolate! Yum!
Welcome to . I just retweeted the question from
. I love seeing the pics of the llama farm!
. What sort of ideas are you floating?
Welcome to the family ! Jump on in, we're all friends here!
Thanks guys. Alpacas not llamas. Love gatecrashing. Love the questions
It's important to know that you need to resupply before going on.Stop where you are, get what you need, move on in your time
Tonight's questions from are moving us beyond the classroom. They reach every corner of our lives.
Tonight's questions from are moving us beyond the classroom. They reach every corner of our lives.
. in short 1) draw a crowd, 2) connect your crowd, 3) take small steps. Result=more openness to new ideas.
How do we get rural folks to open up to new ideas? Our friend has some ideas... https://t.co/HA5yka15Wr
. in short 1) draw a crowd, 2) connect your crowd, 3) take small steps. Result=more openness to new ideas.
. I'm struggling with how to get rural folks more open to new ideas, too.
I don't see anyone listing questions what am I doing wrong
. we have new tools available to us, but the revolution doesn't happen until we adopt new behaviors.
Thanks for letting me sit with you a while. Hoping to make Rural Ed my final destination, someday! Good night!
A3. Always plan with a goal in mind.
A3: WHere am I going? What do I need to help get there? What will I do when I DO get there?
A3 So many variables... I say be flexible and open minded and you can always grab more tools along the way.
Look for the hashtag at the start of a tweet. is posting questions tonite
A3: Research. What can I learn about the destination? What do I need to get there? What will I need when I get there.
. I'm an over-planner! But I start with the big, fun, motivating part, before thinking through possible obstacles.
Good point. I need to be mindful of potential obstacles "Just in case"
A3 Goal determines what kinds of planning must occur. Easier to answer in the metaphor than in real life experiences.
. And to critically evaluate whether the obstacles are real or simply perceived...
I have a good friend who thinks he doesn't like planning, but somehow "preparing" for what could happen is ok!
. Ah the joys of reframing! Sometimes we just need to present the idea in the right context!
too often, we hear the voice of the opposition in our head, and decide not to try.
. I don't suppose you'll have plans firmed up by Thurs? I have to talk to local group then about updating.
Q4 cont'd: How do we know when it's ok to pull the plug on a journey?
Jumping back and forth between and and feeling like some of y'all would like to connect across.
A4. Always have an exit strategy and Plan B
A4: I'm learning about those.
I've learn never to tell students to outline. We make plans. They can do plans.
. We're always looking for chat ideas and opportunities to collaborate here at !
A4b when it is doing harm. When the passion is gone. When prorities are elsewhere
Of course. That sounds amazing. Right,
best first step: find tiny actions you can take now, together. Build momentum.
. I don't think there's a wrong time to exit providing you feel confident you've learned something toward next hike
. Do you find people reluctant to take tiny steps? I run into folks who want BIG steps or they feel insulted.
. Great minds think alike Tammy!
This is important - no experience is ever wasted if you've learned something in the process! https://t.co/wVuSr7bRDk
. I don't think there's a wrong time to exit providing you feel confident you've learned something toward next hike
we need more context here, but tiny steps work. Big steps can work when trust and resources are high.
A5: Depends on my role on the team. Sometimes I lead, sometimes I follow, and sometimes I definitely get out of the way.
FYI the Rural arts chat is discussing how to connect with rural health groups at chat Monday 1 pm est
A5 I tend to try to stay out of the way and voices around me rise - unless we get off track or I get impassioned.
. Me too, except that, like Ss who don't check spell check results, I sometimes defiantly get out of the way.
. And that is an interesting balance - helping others find their voice while not losing your own.
I Love it! https://t.co/gXxBQTQal4
. Me too, except that, like Ss who don't check spell check results, I sometimes defiantly get out of the way.
A5: With , I'm happy to lead. I'm not afraid to be the guinea pig, mistake maker or, my favorite, tech encourager!
. Thank you for modeling that, we need more folks brave like you in this world!
Right. If we're kid- and mission-focused, I'm happy. If we get off track or leave something/one out, I speak up.
A5 I change roles according to the other team members' behavior. I prefer to be a follower, lead only when forced.
Thanks for joining tonight's trailblazers! If you have ideas for future chats let or me know! https://t.co/MncWQH2f28
. My pleasure, I love my family!
