Good day and welcome to the #nt2t chat! Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this morning and that means an early spring! Can a rodent rule over the calendar? Let's discuss that and more as we chat about growth and change in the theme of #GroundhogDay! Who's with us today?
Good Morning! Excited to try my first tweetchat! Currently, I'm working on my license and Masters in Special Education at Kent State University. #nt2t#Barbersclass
Let's start with an icebreaker! “Groundhog Day” is one of my favorite movies (as you'll probably be able to tell today). Name a favorite movie of yours that takes place in wintertime. #nt2t
We had some temperatures in the negative teens with the wind chill here. This weekend is supposed to get back up into the 60s! I'm dreading the cold I'm going to get! #nt2t
You know how this works, right? I'll post each question with a Q1, Q2, etc., and you answer each question with an A1, A2, etc. And don't forget the hashtag #nt2t on ALL your tweets!
TIME for Question 1!
Q1) Punxsutawney Phil has seen numbingly cold low temperatures and wild weather swings. In the face of day-to-day ups and downs, how do you measure the overall climate of where you work or your professional life? #nt2t
Good morning, everyone! I'm currently a Family and Consumer Sciences student teacher in Colorado! I have not done a Twitter chat in almost a year, so I'm excited to get back into it! #nt2t
Hm, will it be same Q over & over until we find 'right' answer? :) I'm Brian. I teach MS students English in CO where it feels like I rarely experience same day twice & happily never the result of some fatal misstep a la Groundhog Day, Edge of Tomorrow, Source Codem etc. #nt2t
TIME for Question 1!
Q1) Punxsutawney Phil has seen numbingly cold low temperatures and wild weather swings. In the face of day-to-day ups and downs, how do you measure the overall climate of where you work or your professional life? #nt2t
TIME for Question 1!
Q1) Punxsutawney Phil has seen numbingly cold low temperatures and wild weather swings. In the face of day-to-day ups and downs, how do you measure the overall climate of where you work or your professional life? #nt2t
A1 - A lot of my day-to-day is in a corporate setting currently, as I'm transitioning to education. I measure my ups and down on how well I am able to manage my work load and how well I can assist others. Things I want to take into teaching! #nt2t
#nt2t Good Morning from CT! I have been measuring everything by what I think works best for #students. I have moved from #teaching full time into creating units of study. Doing what I do best helps #students and #teachers, even if it is from my laptop.
TIME for Question 1!
Q1) Punxsutawney Phil has seen numbingly cold low temperatures and wild weather swings. In the face of day-to-day ups and downs, how do you measure the overall climate of where you work or your professional life? #nt2t
A2 It's always important to learn from our past and reflect on how we conducted ourselves in different situations. With how fluid the classroom has become, I think it's important to reflect daily and learn to change things up as you go to ensure max success for the students #nt2t
A1: to measure the climate is to have a feeling fur communication. Our all team members communicate in an open way, try to work together and solve problems collaboratively - then you have an excellent workplace climate. #nt2t
A1: I judge my school climate by the morale of the teachers and the vibe, however my district sends out a school climate survey to teachers, parents and 5th/6th students to assess climate of school #nt2t
#nt2t A.2 I reflect daily on my what I have accomplished in classroom or in personal life. Looking to improve what I believe needs improvement and reflecting on what I could have said, done, implemented that would result in a better outcome.
A1: The demands of teaching can definitely put a strain on your entire life, it's important to take time for yourself so you can be ready for the grind of a school day and be at your absolute best! #nt2t
A2: a look back is always an investment in the future. Without reflecting the past, conflicts, problems and their solutions you aren't prepared for upcoming challenges. #nt2t
A2: I still remember the impact of my teachers and their lessons. Some of them went out of their way to guide students in the right path.
Reflecting on that now, I think those early days played a huge part in who I am and how I see education. #nt2t
A2 I use reflection to determine what my strengths are an #educator, and then I use them. #nt2t I am passionate about developing #lessons that are meaningful to #students, and that's how I spend my time. You must find a place where you can use your gifts.
Q2) Reflection has been a large part of why I am here. I quit my full time job to go back to school after 14 years in management 3 months ago. It wasn't my passion. Reflecting on what makes me happy and feel fulfilled led me to SPED ED. Happy with my choice #nt2t#barbersclass
A1: Dealing with the difficult parts of what makes teaching rewarding when I see a student succeed. Reflecting on the parts of the day that don't go as planned help for a better tomorrow. #nt2t
A2 I worked in the corporate world for 10 yrs and I wanted something more fulfilling where I could make an impact that I was proud of. I am now a preschool teacher and working towards my early childhood ed license. That reflection of myself is guiding my future in education #nt2t
It is important to reflect after every lesson. I like to receive feedback from my students on what they liked or did not like about lessons to help my future planning. Their engagement is key. #nt2t
A2: Reflection is one of the most important jobs (in my opinion) of a teacher! Reflection, for me, occurs on a daily basis! As a special education reading teacher, data... data... data is crucial. We use our DATA to INFORM our instruction the following day, every day. #nt2t
#nt2t A2 I try being positive and honest. That urges others to be honest too, thus creating an atmosphere of reflection, where mistakes or wrong directions can easily be discussed about and corrected.
Q3) In the movie “Groundhog Day,” weatherman Phil Connors lives the same day over and over. How do you ensure your routine doesn’t become... routine? #nt2t
A2: You truly must reflect daily on lessons. What I use one year, does not always work for my students this year. Reflecting and modifying is so important #nt2t
A1: I have my off days and great days! I love how my content area of Family and Consumer Sciences has a unique curriculum that keeps what I teach interesting! My self-care routine is consistent to get me through the week of topic transitions, students' moods, and CO weather!#nt2t
A2: It is important to check in on yourself to make sure you are doing the absolute best for your students! Making minor tweaks along the way can make a huge difference in your delivery of lessons, and also how students will ultimately respond. #nt2t
That's it. A good teacher realises that how students feel about a lesson is critical to their growth as well as the teacher's future lesson planning. #nt2t
Self-reflection is important because it’s a process that makes you collect, record, and analyze everything that happened in the lesson so you can make improvements in your teaching strategies. #nt2t
A2: I find myself reflecting after my lessons and thinking about what worked and what didn’t work and I TRY to jot down notes next to my plans. Feedback from your students is the best! Asking them what they liked/didn’t like is important to guide instruction. #nt2t
A1: It is important to understand that every day and every period throughout the day is a fresh start;therefore, you have to have an open mind and look at things in pieces rather than a whole #nt2t
A3 I think some of it has to be going with the flow of the day and how your students are interacting with the curriculum. Certain activities may not work on back to back days and having ways to shake it up help break up the monotony in the classroom. #nt2t
A2: I try to reflect on a lesson or project as it is winding up and make changes for the next time I use it. I sometimes ask my students to reflect on their work in a similar way and this can give me some additional insight. #nt2t
A1: It is important to understand that every day and every period throughout the day is a fresh start;therefore, you have to have an open mind and look at things in pieces rather than a whole #nt2t
A2: Reflection is what makes future teaching successful. Keeping notes on lesson plans to look back on the following year makes it easier and helps refresh my memory about the students' mindset #nt2t
Question from a future teacher - when you all reflect on your lessons of the day, are there any methods or tools that you use to judge how a lesson came across and whether it was useful to the students? #nt2t
A2: I reflect after every lesson! It is important to understand that there aren't two classes that run exactly the same so you must know your kids and implement activities that meet individualized learning needs #nt2t
#nt2t A3 When i have to do the same thing over and over again i tend to look for a new task and just not do the old ones. thats why i am always late with correcting exams. So i may not be able to give good advice regarding this question :-)
A2: I use reflection regularly to improve how I teach. Especially as a student teacher, I am always learning new ways I could improve as well as what my current strengths. My cooperating teacher and I check in regularly to discuss how I feel each lesson I've taught has been!#nt2t
A3: routine can be a relief - it sometimes makes acting easy because there is no need to discuss, to think about decisions - you can follow routine.
On the other hand you mustn't follow routine without questioning: inecessary, even effective? Could be that change is needed. #nt2t
Question from a future teacher - when you all reflect on your lessons of the day, are there any methods or tools that you use to judge how a lesson came across and whether it was useful to the students? #nt2t
A3: It's important to remember that we all—teachers and students—learn new things every day. The way we learn should also change accordingly.
Using new tools and incorporating gamification are some ways to break routines. #nt2t
A2: I use reflection regularly to improve how I teach. Especially as a student teacher, I am always learning new ways I could improve as well as what my current strengths are. My cooperating teacher and I check in each day to discuss how each lesson I've taught has been! #nt2t
A3: I will get bored if I keep doing the same things while teaching. It is imperative to try new and exciting things that not only will energize you, but also do the same for your students. Change/modification is better hands down rather than being stuck in a routine! #nt2t
I like to think that's why people like us are here. (Depending on how we define "in education.") Student, family, and community voices are essential. #nt2t
A3: Routine and structure are necessary in the primary grades, but the new wave of scripted programs and excessive developmentally inappropriate testing has stifled creativity among teachers and students making it feel like the movie Groundhog Day sometimes #nt2t
A3: In all honesty, my special education students thrive on routine. It helps them to feel successful and know what to expect next. The use of instructional technology definitely helps to keep things interesting. #nt2t
Q4) The longer he stays “stuck,” Phil the weatherman learns to appreciate the people in his orbit and begins to change himself. How do you value tradition while getting “unstuck” in your own growth? #nt2t
Do you think there's a way to break through, as Bill Murray's character does eventually? What strikes me about the movie is HOW MUCH WORK it takes to do well in this world. We have to go through the same nonsense over and over and over to have a chance to get it right. #nt2t
A4: We need all things: traditions, routine, challenges, new ideas and people and connections. The combination is key to a balanced life and job. #nt2t
A3: In my class we have implemented resorative justice circles where all of our students fully express what works in our class and what doesn't. We use their feedback to develop our classroom environment so it can provide all stduents with a positive learning experience #nt2t
A3. My students need constant repetition, I change their reward or task. Yesterday my students completed a worksheet, and every right answer they put their name in a Super Bowl Box for extra credit. Independent practice with a spin. #nt2t
A3: Attending workshops, collaborating with peers, using social media resources (pintrest, blogs, etc. ) to find new and innovative ways to introduce content. #nt2t
A3) #nt2t When creating lesson plans I try to implement different strategies so the students don't get bored. I try to incorporate m learning into do now or in the activity part providing an opportunity to use tech in a positive way being that their phones are glued to them.
A4: I think it's all about making improvements... Take the positive things that came out of a negative experience and use that as you grow and reach new goals #nt2t
Questions like this prove that you, sir, are a Groundhog Day scholar! Your PhD is a doctorate of Phil, as in Punxsatawney, rather than philosophy. #nt2t
Q4) The longer he stays “stuck,” Phil the weatherman learns to appreciate the people in his orbit and begins to change himself. How do you value tradition while getting “unstuck” in your own growth? #nt2t
A3: In my class we have implemented resorative justice circles where all of our students fully express what works in our class and what doesn't. We use their feedback to develop our classroom environment so it can provide all stduents with a positive learning experience #nt2t
A3: Routine and monotony are two different things. Routine creates clear guidelines and goals for a classroom. Spending the time developing and learning routines that work for you and your students is vital for a smooth and productive year #nt2t
A4 It's fun to take traditional values and learn new ways to expand upon them for younger generations. I want my growth to remain what I need it to be, but also I want students to not be afraid to ask questions about traditional items and how they can grow within them! #nt2t
A3: Monotony on the other hand easily translates to learning is boring. Keeping lessons engaging and relevant to your students is vital. I try to think about what the kids think is cool and incorporate it into the content. #nt2t
As a resource room teacher, I break the routine by talking to my students about their interests and personal lives. Sometimes, they just want to be heard #nt2t
A4: Being aware of the traditional methods can help avoid falling into the pitfall of its routine. When my teacher recognises that the example in the book is outdated, and compensates with a more relevant one, my respect for the teacher increases. #nt2t
A3: I have rules for myself about changing things up. I won't use a slideshow more than 2-3 days in a row to explain a concept. To switch up activities, I keep 8 Intelligences in mind and how I could reach each of those learners. With 90-minute block classes, I get creative!#nt2t
A4: We definitely need many things, such as challenges, new and exciting ideas, and great influences/connections that allow us to remain focused for the task at hand! #nt2t
Excellent distinction, thank you. Useful feedback for the future... I think the question could've asked how you prevent the routine from becoming monotonous. ("Routine" does mean different things depending on context.) #nt2t
A3: Routine and monotony are two different things. Routine creates clear guidelines and goals for a classroom. Spending the time developing and learning routines that work for you and your students is vital for a smooth and productive year #nt2t
A4: You have to find a balance. Traditional methods work for some things and shouldn't be discarded; however, we also should not be afraid to try new techniques #nt2t
Family values come to mind. Everyone has their own set of "traditional" values in the home, but encouraging students to learn about those values and ask questions for growth is a great way to have students feel welcome without feeling like their values are different! #nt2t
A4: In order to be unstuck in my teaching, I am constantly looking for new ways to present information to my students. Taking an educational technology course has been a great way to learn new ways! #nt2t
Q5) Groundhogs mostly stay close to their dens but emerge in early February to search for future mates. Even in limited environments like Phil the groundhog’s and Phil the weatherman’s, how do you find an opportunity to go beyond your comfort zone? #nt2t
Q5) Groundhogs mostly stay close to their dens but emerge in early February to search for future mates. Even in limited environments like Phil the groundhog’s and Phil the weatherman’s, how do you find an opportunity to go beyond your comfort zone? #nt2t
A4. Selectively choosing who I let in my circle. I need people who will support and encourage, push me to be uncomfortable in order to grow, and hold me accountable. I, in return, do the same. #nt2t
A4: It's possible to use a traditional method/resource in a new way. For example, creating a new project around a traditional reading. I had students do creative writing to write an epilogue to a story and it revitalized what might just have been a plain old reading comp. #nt2t
For me, tradition equates to the core values of the teaching profession...those should always remain but can be showcased in new and innovative ways #nt2t
A4: Being new to teaching, I don't have a whole lot of tradition behind me. One of the classes I'm teaching I took in high school and loved it! I'm trying not to repeat everything my own FCS teacher did or what my cooperating teacher does. I need to have new stuff, too! #nt2t
A5: Going to various professional development conferences allow me to grow as an educator. I have done presentations at the local, state and district level and it is a great way to not only give back, but to learn new and exciting things to bring back for my students! #nt2t
A5: I think joining these twitter chats and finding new educational groups to explore and learn from and great ways to go beyond your comfort zone and expand your potential and success in educating #nt2t
A5 I'm in the process of becoming a teacher, but I think even doing things like this are helping me get out of my comfort zone. This is a great field where global collaboration like this really thrives. I've found myself eager to ask more questions and find more solutions. #nt2t
A5: Teaching ELL's I sometimes am intimidated by incorporating language into my math lessons. However, I have found adding a language piece to math has benefitted ALL students. Sometimes you have to go for it! #nt2t
A4: Change is always hard. I have to be mindful that education & kids are always changing so in order to be relevant & up-to-date, change is the key to growth. #nt2t
A4: Learning new ways to create an engaging learning environment takes time and change but worth the results when I see the kids enjoying what they are learning. #nt2t
A5: Integrating new tools in your lessons can push you out of your comfort zone. It is important to trust the process and be comfortable with the uncomfortable. #nt2t
It is crucial that all students in your class succeed. Cultural differences are to be celebrated and not used as an excuse for lowered expectations. I'm "unstuck" by holding high expectations for every student. #nt2t
A5)First and foremost, be willing to feel uncomfortable trying new things. Accept it. Up until 2 weeks ago, I never experienced twitter. I've felt uncomfortable and awkward- unsure of what I'm doing through the process. But, THAT'S GREAT. Means I'm growing. #barbersclass#nt2t
A5: I have learned to be comfortable trying new technology in lessons. Another great way to go beyond my comfort zone is through collaboration with other teachers - they are a great source of ideas I never would have thought of! #nt2t
A5: By searching for it...it's so easy to keep doing the same things year after year, but you'll never grow. Challenge yourself, try new lessons/techniques, take classes, and don't be afraid to make mistakes! #nt2t
This is something I am constantly facing when it comes to content in Family and Consumer Sciences. There is still outdated content about family and societal values out there and I want to make sure FCS is inclusive of all students' values! I try to keep FCS current! #nt2t
A5) #nt2t always looking for new ways to introduce content. A new way to get the students to understand and retain information. How can they relate it to themselves, via current event, web quest, video, ect...
A5: Having others to observe my teaching is outside of my comfort zone in it of itself. But I have found that trying tips and suggestions they have sometimes even in the moment has helped me grow and try new things #nt2t
A5: The goal is constant and never-ending improvement. Such a simple shift in our thinking can make a huge difference in our performance both in and outside the classroom. #nt2t
Q6) Luckily, we’re not stuck in a time loop like “Groundhog Day”! ... riiiiight? What seems to never change in your line of work, and how do you work to change it? #nt2t
It is crucial that all students in your class succeed. Cultural differences are to be celebrated and not used as an excuse for lowered expectations. I'm "unstuck" by holding high expectations for every student. #nt2t
A5: Incorporating new ideas, tools, modalities to the same content helps break the comfort zone. I know the material I am teaching the kids, but creating new ways to teach the material makes it engaging and new to me as well. #nt2t
This is great to hear! I'm sure it's evolving daily, but it's wonderful to see that you're being inclusive of all values. I'm sure it really helps to keep that content current! #nt2t
It's a stress not experienced so directly with most other professions. Interesting chat topic perhaps: Coping with and ways to approach evaluations. #nt2t
A6: You cannot change where the students come from, the experiences they've had (both good & bad) and unfortunatley the heartache they've suffered. Making students feel welcomed and wanted goes a long way, as you don't know what occurs outside of school. #nt2t
A6 I face demands from clients who need changes ASAP. I expect I'll see similar issues with admin. and parents, but keeping an open line of communication and assuring everyone of expectations will help to change it for the better. I'd rather keep everyone stay informed #nt2t
Good point! Just "trying to be cool" reminds me of -- to reference another movie -- a couple of those educators in "Eighth Grade." Just be yourself, but honor and respect what the students value. #nt2t
its not about trying to be cool. its about knowing what students think is cool and showing that youre not a dinosaur. You could say "fortnite is boring and not cool" and just that would spark a conversation and lead to engagement despite youre trying to !not! be cool.
A5 I'm in the process of becoming a teacher, but I think even doing things like this are helping me get out of my comfort zone. This is a great field where global collaboration like this really thrives. I've found myself eager to ask more questions and find more solutions. #nt2t
A6: Teaching the same prep multiple times a day can feel like the movie Groundhog Day! Luckily, the students in each class have different personalities and learning styles, so it doesn't always feel the same. I will sometimes have different small activities for each section!#nt2t
A6: You cannot change where the students come from, the experiences they've had (both good & bad) and unfortunatley the heartache they've suffered. Making students feel welcomed and wanted goes a long way, as you don't know what occurs outside of school. #nt2t
A6 My career has changed drastically, but the one thing that remains constant is my relationship with my colleagues. I love to have close relationships with those that I'm working with. A great way to improve on that is to extend my group of colleagues through twitter #nt2t
A6: There is never enough time! I try to provide differentiated questions and timers but at the end of the day the class can't move on without the students. #nt2t
A6 Grades & their influence are the 'you' in the "I got you, babe" that sounds repeatedly on Bill Murray's alarm clock to start "Groundhog Day." Standards-based efforts aimed at growth are what drive my efforts to change how we relate to these familiar symbols. #nt2t
A6; A great teacher can change a lot. The climate of a classroom. A reading level. Affection for reading. The tendency to think critically and ask tough questions and challenge convention. The confidence level of a student. #nt2t
A6: That students find the content difficult. I try to give them scaffolds, make it into games, connect it to their lives, and stress growth mindset. #nt2t
Challenge: What will you specifically change in YOU—in yourself or your approach to work—to make sure you’re not just doing the same thing every day?
Answer now or anytime over the next week and include the hashtag #nt2t!
A6: Absolutely loving my school and the teachers I work with is a constant joy and never changes...the influx of scripted programs and excessive testing however, has been a constant frustration for more years than I wish to count #nt2t
A6 Grades & their influence are the 'you' in the "I got you, babe" that sounds repeatedly on Bill Murray's alarm clock to start "Groundhog Day." Standards-based efforts aimed at growth are what drive my efforts to change how we relate to these familiar symbols. #nt2t
A6) #nt2t students being very immature. Teachers being very negative. This seems to be constant. I ignore the co workers and keep conversations positive. I repeat to myself this is stage they are in need consistency and patience and firmness.
