A chat that offers middle school teachers a chance to have a collaborative discussion about a different topic each week. Our topics change from week to week, ranging from Common Core State Standards to Character Education. During the chat, participants exchanges ideas and resources. The chat group ranges in size each week from 10 to 50+ participants. Discussion can be general talking about instructional style or process to specific. Recently members of the chat group help each other create lessons.
Good evening! Welcome to #mschat's Countdown to 2018: A Reflection.
Let's kick things off by introducing yourself! Who are you? Where are you? What do you teach?
Good evening, #mschat crew! This is Dru, proud principal of @HeritageMS_WCS in @WCSOH in Ohio. Passionate proponent of the magnificent middle grades! Former ELA, SS, & Reading teacher (and supporter of the Oxford comma!) #WeRHeritage
Good evening! Welcome to #mschat's Countdown to 2018: A Reflection.
Let's kick things off by introducing yourself! Who are you? Where are you? What do you teach?
We will use a Q1/A1 format for each question. But, because tonight is a countdown, we will be going backward - beginning with Q7.
Remember to use the hashtag #mschat in all of your responses.
Good evening, #mschat crew! This is Dru, proud principal of @HeritageMS_WCS in @WCSOH in Ohio. Passionate proponent of the magnificent middle grades! Former ELA, SS, & Reading teacher (and supporter of the Oxford comma!) #WeRHeritage
Good evening! Welcome to #mschat's Countdown to 2018: A Reflection.
Let's kick things off by introducing yourself! Who are you? Where are you? What do you teach?
A7. We just got finished doing Cell Organelle Campaigns. It was so nice for the students to get excited about learning and for administrators to get engaged in the project with the kids. #mschat
A7 when I have the opportunity to give a student a positive referral and they are completely surprised a a young man shed tears of joy in my office last week. Warmed my heart #mschat
A7: Getting to meet the parents of my new school after the first two weeks and hearing, "(Student name here) really loves being in your class. They said it's hard, but they're having fun." Really made my nerves go away. #mschat
A7 first day of school. Added an amazing crop of new teachers with an already great set existing teachers. Unbelievable to get to work w/people that love learning and growing everyday! #mschat
What an amazing experience! I just got to see my first group of 6th graders graduate high school. I can't wait to get the college open house invites. #mschat
A7. So many 2 count! Being back in a school & working w/ a gr8 staff at @HeritageMS_WCS is the overall winner! One of the top interactions w/ kid: saw a student w/ a camera at recess. Asked her, "Why do you have a camera at recess?" She responded, "Um, making memories?" #mschat
A7 When a student told me she’s “obsessed with” writing in direct address because it makes the writing more meaningful, and now she’s going to write that way all the time. #mschat
A6: Adapting to teaching a new curriculum, and introducing more of a standards-based learning mindset in my classroom. Slowly, things are coming into place through conversations with my colleagues and department. #mschat
A6 A challenge for me has been remaining positive for students and staff when we have had tough challenging days. Lots of self talk and reflection has helped #mschat
A6. Lots of missing assignments this year. It's a balance between wanting the kids to complete the assignment and the students learning accountability. #mschat
A6: teaching 6th in an elementary. 1st time fully elementary teaching after YEARS in middle schools. Not losing them in transitions is biggest challenge, and they get loud (& not in the right way). Getting a Yacker Tracker, & turn transitions into games! #mschat
A6 My students are less and less willing to take time to think. Sometimes they say they can’t think of what to write in response to a prompt when they’ve only been thinking about it for 17 seconds! We’re working on that. #mschat
A6: teaching 6th in an elementary. 1st time fully elementary teaching after YEARS in middle schools. Not losing them in transitions is biggest challenge, and they get loud (& not in the right way). Getting a Yacker Tracker, & turn transitions into games! #mschat
Yes!!!!! So many school discipline issues are borne from inappropriate social media use. And that is compounded by young adolescents' natural tendency 2 misread social situations. Must continue 2 teach cyber-wellness in the middle grades #mschat
Those procedural things always take so much time to get into place. Consistency will keep that going in the right direction. Keep up your great work and I know things will be awesome! #mschat
We've been focused on discussions of this nature this year quite a bit - separating what is WITHIN our control and what's BEYOND our control. Together, we address those items we can control. #mschat
A6: I had one class that really challenged my management. Had a few Ss who came in insisting on being disruptive & removed daily. Put a damper on my whole day because I felt like I was failing #mschat
Right on! We have 2 build in time 2 talk through the issues and challenges. When we don't, the job can feel like an island. Others feel the same way. Found that out 2day #mschat
A6 A challenge for me has been remaining positive for students and staff when we have had tough challenging days. Lots of self talk and reflection has helped #mschat
Must get the process out of the way of the learning. If it’s about getting the process done for the students we have some work to do on the why. #mschat
Relationships will help strengthen the management because Ss will see the purpose of why they are there and trust the process. Keep up those relationships. #mschat
I know-- yet we're trying to balance the routines they need for success in HS & college. Alumni always come back and say hardest Ts w/ most HW were well worth it for college prep. #mschat
A6. A challenge has been how to focus on overall school change & staff empowerment while handling daily issues that take every minute of every day. Want/Need 2B visible, but also need 2 resolve disciplinary stuff at same time. How? #mschat
A5: I've begun using @Flipgrid to allow my Ss to ask ?s about content, answer ?s about what we are working with, and reflect on their own learning. #mschat
A5 we have gone google and incorporated chromebooks I.T has created a tremendous amount of momentum and risk taking from our students and staff I.T has rejuvenated our building #mschat
We've carved out time to look at how we're using technology - to enhance learning and meaningful engagement. It's a powerful collaborative process. #mschat
Have you found that Ss catch on quickly to using G-Sites? I wanted to integrate these portfolios into my classroom after the Winter Break, but wasn't sure if it was user friendly for Ss. #mschat
We've carved out time to look at how we're using technology - to enhance learning and meaningful engagement. It's a powerful collaborative process. #mschat
Excellent article. We ran a chat about teacher & student introverts a few weeks back. I am glad you are continuing to shed light on this hidden struggle.
#CSISDchat#txeduchat#mschat
A5. Using video 2 communicate a Principal's message weekly w/ families. Right now, it's one-way communication. Soon, I want 2 start weekly middle school chat 4 @wcsoh that pushes two-way communication w/ Ts & other stakeholders. #mschat
It is an easy tool to use. Just pose a question and let students answer via video... Students love it and get incredible feedback from them. I use as a formative assessment tool weekly #mschat
A5. Using video 2 communicate a Principal's message weekly w/ families. Right now, it's one-way communication. Soon, I want 2 start weekly middle school chat 4 @wcsoh that pushes two-way communication w/ Ts & other stakeholders. #mschat
A5. Using video 2 communicate a Principal's message weekly w/ families. Right now, it's one-way communication. Soon, I want 2 start weekly middle school chat 4 @wcsoh that pushes two-way communication w/ Ts & other stakeholders. #mschat
Yep. In the meantime, really trying 2 use disciplinary conversations as true learning moments, so students can reflect on missteps. Also helps build relationships, so they see how much administrators care, too #mschat
Yep. In the meantime, really trying 2 use disciplinary conversations as true learning moments, so students can reflect on missteps. Also helps build relationships, so they see how much administrators care, too #mschat
Are you familiar with IIRP's work? We use their question cards after any incident. Their framework for understanding human nature has been enlightening and helped name behaviors, and given restorative response. Culture changing. #mschat
A4 Boothbay Literacy Retreat for sure. Love the idea of days of reading and writing as I learn from amazing educators about how to create readers and writers. #mschat
A4. Of course, I'm very partial 2 any @amle conference & workshop because that team rocks! However, I'm also drawn 2 local perspective, connections, so the @Ohio_Middle conference next fall is on my list for 2018. @WCSms4U#mschat
A4 rather than a conf. I would love to visit schools around the nation that are similar in size to ours and see what programs they are using Day in and day out to assist their students #mschat
Are you familiar with IIRP's work? We use their question cards after any incident. Their framework for understanding human nature has been enlightening and helped name behaviors, and given restorative response. Culture changing. #mschat
A3 I struggle with this tremendously and fail to achieve that balance. Leading a school has become my passion but It often seems to become my primary focus even when trying to relax #mschat
My former school had the opportunity to go to various schools around the state as part of the Schools to Watch process. It's an amazing opportunity.
Where there's a will, there's a way. #mschat
A4 rather than a conf. I would love to visit schools around the nation that are similar in size to ours and see what programs they are using Day in and day out to assist their students #mschat
A3: I've set a goal (that I told to my Ss for accountability) to run 1000 miles in 2018. Need to get myself back into the runner's mentality after a LONG break away from it. #mschat
A3. Write again. Need to get back in2 exercise routine so I can unwind & feel sense of accomplishment. But getting up at 4:30am 2 make that happen is challenging. Spend more quality time w/ family--can always improve in that department #mschat
The balance is probably most difficult as a school leader. I hope you find a way to create more balance in 2018. Your #mschat PLN is here to support you in any way they can!
A2 I want to continue to build a culture of respect and kindness among our students and staff, find personal and professional balance, expand the growth mindset in our building and build more student choice and personalized learning #mschat
Q2. Realizing that I can't do everything. Taking a step back and letting other people take on the tasks, so I can be a better teacher and PhD student. #mschat
One thing I've started sketching out that I'd like to finish is a letter. A letter written from me to our students 13 years from now. About "our school" and what they can expect of the experience there. I hope to complete writing that letter by the end of this summer. #mschat
A2: To return to writing at https://t.co/UGYS8xqPz2. I got away from writing to spend time preparing for my new teaching position. Now that I'm in the swing of things, I need to get back to that. #mschat
A2 I want to continue to build a culture of respect and kindness among our students and staff, find personal and professional balance, expand the growth mindset in our building and build more student choice and personalized learning #mschat
A2 I want to continue to build a culture of respect and kindness among our students and staff, find personal and professional balance, expand the growth mindset in our building and build more student choice and personalized learning #mschat
Writing is one of the most difficult thing to find (make) the time for, that is also something that can be so personally rewarding. We don't "have to" write. We "get to" write. #mschat
A2. I resolve 2 keep bringing the energy & enthusiasm while helping students, teachers, & staff 2 build a culture of kindness, excellence & respect. I resolve 2 be present emotionally 4 every interaction #mschat
What a great night of reflection and planning for the rest of the school year!
I look forward to growing with all of you in 2018!
Don't forget to grow your PLN by following those who joined us tonight! #mschat
