#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 September 8, 2016
Welcome to tonight's chat! Looking forward to another great exchange. Let's start with intros - Tom hosting from Gibsons, BC
Welcome to tonight's chat! Looking forward to another great exchange. Let's start with intros - Tom hosting from Gibsons, BC
Gerry here, from Central Alberta. Hi everyone!
Greg, Asst Supt Chicago suburb
James from Brisbane Australia
Hi. Rosa Isiah, Elem school principal in Cali
Ben - Elementary AP from WI
Glad to join in a great topic w/ ! Lorinda, PLC coach, Warsaw, IN.
Thanks for joining James! So others can see your comments, use the tag.
Jim, Lighthouse Learning Community. Minnesota, Assessment and Data
Cory, Proud lead learner from Monmouth Regional HS, NJ Look forward to learning from everyone at
Great to have colleagues from Canada, the USA, and Australis so far! 1st question coming in one minute...
Always good to "see" you Rosa.
Glad you hopped on - course if you didn't I would have called you out ;) Can't wait for your wisdom.
and I mention the word purpose 99 time in SAM. Q1 Why is this such an important concept in schools today?
Great to see everyone.. I hope all of you have exp
erienced a smooth start to your year!
lol. Noooo calling out! ;). I'm happy to be here
A1 - "Purpose is Everything" - it's the 'Why', the Touchstone, the reason we do...
A1 - It's also the reason why we DON'T do ... if an action doesn't meet my purpose, it makes it easier to kick it off the sled
Without a clear and shared purpose, we as educators wouldn't have something to work towards. It also allows us to measure our impact
Paula from N Houston jumping in late! Sorry board meeting ran over
A1: The "purpose"- high degrees of learning for ALL - is more important than ever. Few options in life for those not successful.
Thanks Gerry. Like to explore the concept of easy/hard as it relates to purpose.
A1: Always need to remember the real motivation behind the movement - that is the fuel. No purpose fuel runs dry really quickly
Being "strong like water" involves having a purpose bigger than you to pursue. A common purpose unites. https://t.co/lfebrxwXKI
A1 purpose in a learning community is about focus & commitments. Everything we do for students must have purpose. If not, why bother?
Thanks James. So does purpose have a longer shelf life than a typical school year?
Good point, Tom. We're real good at Easy, but easy doesn't always answer our Why. Espexially if the Why is BIG, as Cory mentioned!
Dan, business teacher from St. Louis jumping in late.
Yes! Use your purpose as your filter!
A1 our purpose at schools - if it is important you will find a way, if it isn't you will find an excuse
The clear purpose also is how we all move in the same direction - work together to achieve a common goal
Thanks for joining. Hopefully this chat helps clarify PURPOSE.
A higher challenge/calling.
Hi! Sarah Bosch, 6-12 Director of Curriculum & Instruction, WI -- jumping in late.
Yes it does have a long shelf life that evolves as much as the learners that are a part of it.
A1: purpose gives a sense of direction.
A1 our schools are there to ensure high levels of learning for ALL. They do not exist to employ adults
"Keep your purpose front & center."
Good point, James!
If the purpose is Enduring, you're right, it should evolve with us as we grow.
Thanks Lorinda. I find it really does liberate the dialogue away from positional to collective
Welcome Dan! Thanks for joining.
Great to have you jump in. This girl is going to do great things for us. She's worth a follow.
The difference between finding time and making time often resides in purpose
A1) Purpose gives what we do meaning - drives us - connects us all in moving in the same direction w/ agreed upon commitments
- Let's be clear though.. we HAVE the time. It's how we allocate it, our priorities for spending are shaped by our purpose.
Awww! Thanks, for the invite! Excited to join in and learn!
I think in schools we get bogged down in real insignificant things. The purpose constantly reminds us to stay on track.
Q2 Sinek says clarity of purpose can help establish priorities + becomes an important factor in guiding decisions. Your school?
We just defined or collected our purpose by reevaluating our mission, vision, values, and goals for the building
thank you! excited to join in the chat. got me hooked!
Purpose is essential for students, too. We withstand external forces when we have internal drive.
ITA, James; it's easy to get busy playing 'whack-a-mole' with trivial things that seem all-too-important.
Doug from Boston joining late - good evening all.
A2 - We are still working on the collective purpose. Still early on. Many different visions without a real collective commitment
A2: A colleague extended Sinek's work to educators in that we are focused on WHO not just WHY
That's why we love Ben! Some day we're all going to meet....
A2: Purpose should be North Star, guiding light and filter for all u do!
Very good point. Need to cont to bring up what our purpose is put things in perspective.
Sometimes we have systems in place that are inefficient & squander time. Must identify & reengineer.
Awesome framing! Bad news happens in schools but it's much less frequent than the good news
Tom from Wisconsin. Sorry joining late. A2: always know your why. Your "why" should guide your vision and thus guide your PLCs
I think the WHO helps to shape our WHY ... but I also think we can get so busy with the WHO we forget to focus on WHY
Welcome friend. Glad to have you on board. Talking purpose which is right up your alley.
the power that emerges when WE own it rather than I (or you) owning it drives the progress of all schools.
A2) And Becky DuFour say "Clarity precedes competence" - We can't be competent w/ prioritizing factors if 'we' don't understand
Welcome, Doug - nice to see you here tonight!
Thanks, Tom. Purpose and passion precede everything. I fear that leaders are too reluctant to be clear about that.
his point was that we are in service of ensuring high levels of learning for students. They are our why.
All systems must align their function to support a culture of learning. Its not just the job of the teacher.
Welcome Tom. We can never have too many of that name on board!
That would be a dream come true! Couldn't imagine the brain power & convos if we all got together
Jim is right on - see new Hvd Bus Review article on systems (something that Michael Fullan and Brian McNulty have said for decades)
Q3 What is the most basic, fundamental purpose of your school?
A2R purpose is high level of learning for all--that is guiding decisions. Opening meeting asked all 2 'assume positive intent
A2R purpose is high level of learning for all--that is guiding decisions. Opening meeting asked all 2 'assume positive intent
agreed, purpose, passion, and action
A3: One of the best I’ve seen: Learn with passion. Act with courage. Change the world.
We need to make sure that we all are on the same page - all agree & are committed to the same purpose
ITA, Paula. There has to be a REASON behind our WHY. Hollow mission/Vision without it!
A3: Schools are there to assist in student learning. Are we preparing our students to be college & career ready?
leaders come in many forms and not just by the title held. Collective means ALL!
Ben no way you're getting all to agree, need to get all to see the value!
As Bob Eaker says, "1,000 conversations are better than 1 presentation."
It is also easier to identify barriers to change and fail to try and address them. Without the collective purpose, failure will occur
A3 the students that come to us each day and ensuring that they learn at high levels
TRUTH! Specific and clearly articulated
It requires being vulnerable. As leaders, we need to model vulnerability.
A3: to be in service of all students learning at high levels.
Very clearly defined and no wiggle room! Purpose has to be the driver free of any "yeah-buts"
Systems thinking cries out for alignment and coherence. Having clarity around that common vision is important.
A3) Basic - teach Ss how to learn, prepare them for future jobs & be contributing citizens
I can look back over 34 years and clearly state than anything "WE" did was superior to anything "I" did
They might not all agree - but need all to agree that when a decision is made that they will all follow through
A3 - Learning for all, of course,but also developing the person. We want to have students that can have a healthy and productive life
A3: Colleagues, these are REALLY GREAT and concise. New rule: every mission statement should fit on a Twitter post.
A3 - To create powerful, adaptive learners who have the courage to set their own directions in a changing world.
Leaders must paint a clear vision of a better place & rally people to move there strategically together. Progress motivates.
A3 our purpose is high levels of academic success for all students
Ben I agree with that. That we come to the direction we all going the same way!
by using research based instructional strategies, clear evidence of learning, strong supportive relationships https://t.co/COInRYyERl
A3: to be in service of all students learning at high levels.
And how do we proceed when all are not committed? https://t.co/xC6oy6WpNl
We need to make sure that we all are on the same page - all agree & are committed to the same purpose
It also requires leaders to stand up for the purpose even when it isn't easiest or it rocks the boat
BAM (channeling my inner ) Let's work towards this and make it so (now channeling my inner Picard)
Right Ben - while we have all endured heavy-handed leaders, I also fear that too many are pleasers, standing for nothing.
Q4 If what your school stands for could be summed up in one declaration, what would it be?
And that isn't always easy & still figuring it out, but there needs to be protocols to ensure that there is follow through
I also think it needs to start with colleagues not allowing it & confronting them & then if need be admin needs to step in
...yet. Belief, efficacy, listen, 1000 conversations, "HEARTS & minds."
it all starts with making the time to gather thoughts. Purpose can't be rushed or it becomes a fair weather construct
I fear a shortage of courageous leadership - who do the right thing as their FIRST choice.
The difference between leading (building collective commitment) and surviving (like the trappings of the job)
A4 we will work as teams and own the learning of all in the building
yes! Teaching in isolation is so 70's/80's/90's...!
Exhibit A in Courageous Leadership is - Superintendent in Baltimore, weathering unfair and vicious criticism on grading.
A4 - I think our leader and some staff share the vision of learning for ALL, but there is work still to be done on the whole staff
A3)To ensure a culture where ALL students are the focus, grow instructionally at high levels, and their needs are met at @
Great! Love "teams" "learning" and "all"
The ALL has to also be the adults. We'll get there.
As Sinek says, the Leader sets the size of the 'circle of safety' and determines who gets in. After that, it's collective resolve.
Thanks David! Important words there with "ALL" and "high levels"
indeed, active accountability 2the team takes courage and trust. My role is to support & participate in that process
A4) We are refocusing on "All mean ALL" That ALL will learn at high levels. Not lowering the bar to attain that 'all' that we want
Enjoy the night all. I have to go and teach a class now. Thanks and I look forward to reading more later. Thanks Tom
Most, in their heart desire learning for all, but often some noise gets in the way. Building convos the way forward.
Q5 Thinking back to previous 2 Qs, what evidence do you have that supports your answer?
Yes - we are working towards that with our teams - I feel a bit to much reliance on admin to step in
ITA - faced by EVERY leader who strives to change grading/reporting. What marks champions is resolve.
Always learning, growing, and offering more! Thanks for joining James!
The greater purpose sometimes unfortunately is to be "Popular." 🎶 We must all resist this.
experience changes attitudes.
it's easier to depend on admin for a solution to a difficult situation.
Exactly right - behavior precedes belief. Too often leaders sacrifice children’s best interests on the altar of buy-in.
A4) We are intentionally about ALL students success
A5) Sharing common assessments & achievement of essential skills school wide. Transparency of how we are doing in reaching ALL Ss
A5: Evidence is not always quantitative. Can be found in intentional conversations, observations, listening to the qualitative.
Priorities of the Leader are a key, though; sometimes, ladder-climbing becomes an excuse to say 'I'll work on that later'.
says..."Are you a leader or survivor?" https://t.co/n1bjFYEtGC
The greater purpose sometimes unfortunately is to be "Popular." 🎶 We must all resist this.
I love the word "resolve." Are we resolved in our purpose? Or do we cave, bend, forget?
A5: Data! All students at mastery or making tremendous gains in ELTs. Evidence reflective of instructional practice not S ability
Agree - Just need to encourage & support those willing to stick their necks out to stand up for what's best
A5 witness teams wanting more time 2 plan new instruction, adults commenting how RTI has changed learning & teaching, our results
and to blame when it doesn't work out!
- That’s the key - when we say “data” most people mean student test scores. Paula says we measure the adults as well.
True! People have to get a clear picture in their minds of 'what success looks like' before gathering data.
A5 the evidence is evident in student data. Most importantly, it's evident in your schools culture & climate.
It is, but that's not what our purpose is or agreed commitments are - So Ts need to follow through
If you consequence when folks are struggling to learn, they will stop learning.
Yes, becoming solution focused problem solvers - continuum we always have room to grow in.
same as with our students. First step is support!
A5 Team building and class building structures in lessons to avoid hogs and logs in classes, and intentional small group instruction
One of my greatest challenges right now - the description of “culture and climate” by surveys rather than actions.
Truth! You can't intimidate people into higher performance!
Very true, Tom. Always falls on the leaders shoulder.
We tend to put a lot of 'wiggle room' into those surveys, also ...ie: 'mostly' a safe environment.
Q6 What defines your school? Purpose or mission? Explain...
We need to learn and practice how to have those crucial conversations
In the stories being told.
A6 - Your Mission should COME from your purpose; if it doesn't, I must question your alignment.
The convos and observations I referred to are meant to gather evidence for the adult and system function https://t.co/ZwYdDcJQKg
- That’s the key - when we say “data” most people mean student test scores. Paula says we measure the adults as well.
Yes! Celebrate what we want repeated!
Exactly, Jim - you make a really important case for “cause” data - what the adults do - not just “effect” data - scores.
I have to run Thanjs for a great chat!
'Crucial Conversations' are largely a matter of Trust &Truth. If the conditions aren't there, the conventions don't matter.
A6: Great schools keep mission work focused on purpose. Here's our WHY and here are the BEHAVIORS you will see as we make it happen
Where did the hour go? Thanks for joining!
Very clearly defined which makes all the difference!
for your personal and professional life
Very true. I feel too often 'crucial convos' come down to or are view as a you must do it a certain way
Thanks, Tom and colleagues, for a stimulating discussion.
oh boy, me too! It boils down to the day to day work with Students, parents, each other! Surveys are pretty on paper.
We need to have that trust to build shared knowledge that's supported with research not opinions
Yes. Victim or a conqueror?
- chat with us Tuesday. Qs attached. Busy? Tweet your A: anytime to and I will RT during the chat https://t.co/BBgCvssGIB
The time always flies by on Just as you get fired up, it's time to say goodnight. Final thoughts on purpose as our North Star
The time always flies by on Just as you get fired up, it's time to say goodnight. Final thoughts on purpose as our North Star
agreed. best practice must always prevail.
Thanks Tom for the great questions, and thanks everyone for the thoughtful responses.
