MN teachers, looking for a summer PD to earn CEUs? #TIW18 is for you! This is a 4-day workshop to enhance your curriculum by integrating 21st century technology skills. Early Bird registration is due April 27th! https://t.co/I5qEHQO8ng#mnlead#edtech#futureready#edchat
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Welcome all you people who grow, not only on the company dime, but also on your own. Introduce yourself and tell us who you picked to win the masters! #mnlead
I only turn on golf to take a Saturday nap, but I always watch the Masters. This year I picked Rory to win but I sure enjoyed watching Spieth play one heck of a round today! #mnlead
Q1: Support! I think we want to provide them with as much support as possible to make sure that they have everything they need to be successful. It’s not an easy job, so being there to answers questions and share ideas is important. #mnlead
A1: All of my 18 years have been in urban education here in Dayton, OH and I have to say that classroom management and student engagement are key to a teacher's long term success. #mnlead#eda655
A1. That they should do everything in their power to build relationships and get the lay of the land. What’s the school culture. Who will be my go to peeps. Who might be the folks you may want to avoid. #MNLead
What is #mnlead take on closing the achievement gap? Do you take professional development to learn new strategies or understand the new students' experiences?
A1: My many years coaching data and assessment leads me to believe that new teachers need a trusted colleague with an ear to listen, and one who can find their strengths from which to build. #mnlead
A1. Support and regular check ins. New teachers want to know they aren’t alone. It’s good to encourage them and let them know they’re going to make mistakes. Be there to answer questions. #mnlead
A1: Teaching can be a lonely profession. As an administrator, I find myself having to tell new staff over and over again that I am here to support you with anything. Sometimes people might feel it is a burden to ask for help. #mnlead
A1: Teaching can be a lonely profession. As an administrator, I find myself having to tell new staff over and over again that I am here to support you with anything. Sometimes people might feel it is a burden to ask for help. #mnlead
The silo process used to start the day a new teacher arrived in the building. This change to a culture of mentoring has been one of the best improvements that has been made in school culture. #mnlead
A1: Teaching can be a lonely profession. As an administrator, I find myself having to tell new staff over and over again that I am here to support you with anything. Sometimes people might feel it is a burden to ask for help. #mnlead
We don’t have a formal mentor program. We do have peer leaders through our QComp program. Sometimes a teacher on their team will be asked to help them get settled in. #mnlead
Q2: our district has a few ways to support new teachers. 1. There’s a district new teacher group that meets regularly. 2. They have have building mentors. Also, teachers work within their PLCs. I think this system works, once teachers know who these people are. #mnlead
A2: Each new teacher has a year long mentor to handle the nuts and bolts of the building/district. In addition each teacher has a daily 90 minute prep/team planning with colleagues to collaborate. "Built in mentoring." #mnlead
While we are learning "the way we do things around here", we have to be careful on how we approach things. Must be mindful that with new people comes change and might have to adapt #mnlead
A1: 14 years later & I still clearly remember my mentor teacher & my amazing team. A very intentional mentor got me started on the right foot as a new teacher & still impacts me today. #mnlead
That's the fine line when you're a new to building teacher. If I express my vulnerabilities, will that expose me later in an eval. That's the trust building that needs to be there if an admin serves as a mentor. Admins have to create a safe space. #mnlead
Great idea. I am pretty sure all of us have stories we are embarrassed to share. There is nothing more difficult than starting down the teaching path and leadership with empathy is most important. #mnlead
We do PLCs as well. I like the idea of having a new teacher group that meets regularly. It’s always good to collaborate with others in a similar situation. #mnlead
A2: Our district assigns mentors - a challenge when the mentor has not been in the building to which they have been assigned as a teacher before - can be a disconnect #mnlead#eda655
Agreed. If you have an viable strategic plan that lives and breaths every day then it is important for all people to commit to it. Culture transcends people
#mnlead
While we are learning "the way we do things around here", we have to be careful on how we approach things. Must be mindful that with new people comes change and might have to adapt #mnlead
A2: Our district assigns mentors - a challenge when the mentor has not been in the building to which they have been assigned as a teacher before - can be a disconnect #mnlead#eda655
Q3: Many districts set aside 10 days a year for PD, with 2 of those counting for comp time for conferences. How should the other days be used and how should be responsible for planning them? #mnlead
I'll be honest. I taught for a year, over committed to many things, failed and quit for 8 years before coming back to teaching. I completely agree with your tweet. #mnlead
Q3: Many districts set aside 10 days a year for PD, with 2 of those counting for comp time for conferences. How should the other days be used and how should be responsible for planning them? #mnlead
That is true. So imperative that their building administrator set them up their first years to be successful. Let's not give our new staff the toughest assignment. I wouldn't want that from my doctor. #mnlead
A3. I think your PD should be data informed, and designed around what your school is showing a need in. I believe the most successful PD days are the ones that are planned and facilitated by teachers. I do believe admin has to be apart of the planning. #mnlead
We did some speed learning sessions, but quickly learned that either all need to be tied to teacher re-licensure or none of them should be. #imbalance#mnlead
Q3: Many districts set aside 10 days a year for PD, with 2 of those counting for comp time for conferences. How should the other days be used and how should be responsible for planning them? #mnlead
Q3: This is a tricky one. There’s power in district wide professional development and there’s power in buildings dictating PD, depending on needs. I think it’s important to let staff feedback guide these decisions to ensure that you are providing meaningful opportunities. #mnlead
Q3: Many districts set aside 10 days a year for PD, with 2 of those counting for comp time for conferences. How should the other days be used and how should be responsible for planning them? #mnlead
A3 Often it is decided by T/L depts due to system changes(tech, curriculum, grading, etc). If teachers could chose, I know it would get them more excited about the work at times. #mnlead
When I think of PLC I think of the overall response to the learning progress of students and improving this process. A PLC is the entire learning community, the work is done by teams within the PLC. This collaborative work is where the understanding of culture happens. #mnlead
Yes. New teachers often not only get tougher assignments, but often have extra work of new teacher portfolios and meetings and such. They should be supported, not burdened. #mnlead
When I think of PLC I think of the overall response to the learning progress of students and improving this process. A PLC is the entire learning community, the work is done by teams within the PLC. This collaborative work is where the understanding of culture happens. #mnlead
Q4: What are creative/innovative ways you or your district have approached professional development for teachers? How have you give more freedom?
#mnlead
It depends on the situation. I volunteered for every opportunity out of eagerness. I wanted to change the world. My P told me not to do so much but I thought I could handle it. Life lessons for me for sure. #mnlead
So true. I think sometimes we wear ourselves out trying to be as involved as possible, and contribute to the overall school community. It’s important to remind teachers, staff and even admin that balance is important. #mnlead
Q4: We currently allow our teachers to "trade" 2 days of staff development so that they can pursue learning that impacts their own growth the most. They share with colleagues and it is built around trust. #mnlead
A4: We currently allow our teachers to "trade" 2 days of staff development so that they can pursue learning that impacts their own growth the most. They share with colleagues and it is built around trust. #mnlead
And to take this a step further - lets generate data after the PD to measure the degree of implementation of something new and create small scale formative assessments to measure learning impact. #mnlead
Trust comes in proof. I had a new teacher who bombed a lesson but she pushed through because I was there. Afterward we talked about what she would do differently. I told her we would have a do over. Changed every conversation from there! The teacher was hired for a reason.#mnlead
That seems to be part of the problem. It ought to be organic, desired and requested by staff.
I've never been able to cook a meal for 100 people where everyone was excited! #mnlead
While I agree with this in a traditional method, we all know that education is non-traditional in means of students and staff. Each district/institution would have different measures and constantly changing #mnlead#ED782
Completely agree. The follow through is everything, and how do we know if the implantation is going well if we don’t create some sort of formative assessment. It’s important to think this through before going through the PD. Keeping the end in mind. #mnlead
I have been in the middle of district leaders who hire me with one set of beliefs and teachers I am working with that have another, Always interesting. #mnlead
A5 For me it has been all about literacy. Getting to teach and observe has been instrumental in conversations with others. I understand what works well and what challenges are out there.
#mnlead
Thank you @chris_bussmann for taking the lead on #mnlead tonight. Next week @cook_amy24 gets back in the saddle to lead us. Please be sure to join us next Sunday at 7pm CST.
