Hey!! Merry Christmas to YOU! Parties and Polar Express pajama day tomorrow... I've got my Bluetooth karaoke microphone ready for some fun 🤓😁 #TXed Are you ready for tomorrow?? Ready for tomorrow at 5pm?! Lol
A1: I find my tribe of innovators and risk takers to take my first step forward. Even if I'm all alone, I know I can turn to my #PLN or #TwitterTribe if needed. #txed
That may be the right play some time, but I also think there are times when maybe going it alone may be better. I can then evaluate and see if it's worth bringing others along. #txed
A2- I was told I would not be able to get a Ss at my my new school to wear uniforms and get to class on time but I knew resolve and time would fix it #txed
A2: It seems like this happens often with my current job. We are the ones who are trying out new things. I have many T friends with the "it ain't broke, don't fix it" mindset yet. #txed
A2: I remember telling my team I was going to have Ss create a weekly video podcast on what we were learning - they thought it was a huge waste of time and Ss wouldn’t learn - Ss loved class and scores showed they learned the content! #txed
A2 I feel like I take risks all the time. New tech, new ideas, new lessons, etc. It usually ends up fine or awesome! You cannot be afraid to fail. #txed
A2: There are so many times! It's hard to pick one. I find that I tell MYSELF I shouldn't risk going above and beyond for kids sometimes. But every time I do I feel so glad I did. #txed. (Helping our librarian & agreeing to be The Grinch for school)
A2 Took a leap of faith and went along a journey with my students to give them more voice. “They’re too young” or “defiant.” They Teach me more every day. #txed
When I got my Masters while staying home with my kids!! It was so hard to find the time to get my practicum hours in, and I had some professors tell me I wouldn’t be able to, but I did with an almost perfect GPA!! So glad I stick with it. #TxEd
A3: I make lists. A "Must Do" section, "Want To" and a "Wish To" section and I start prioritizing. I'm an incremental change agent and I default to structural theory, so I think what I can do THIS month/year and take 1 step at a time. #txed
#TXed
A3: If it's best for kids and/or if it's a promise I made, I ask for help and support to ensure it gets done. I never make a promise I can't keep or feel ashamed if I need help!
A3 1. Freak out a little. 2. Refocus 3.Go Triage style ( most critical things first) 4.Ask for help 5. Adjust and repeat as many times as needed. #txed
A4: I know this feeling well. I confide in my trusted PLC, talk to my mom, pick myself back up and hold my head high and do what I need to make the world better for my students #txed
A4 Put my value in my beliefs and not the beliefs of others. Value can depend on the current situation- others may be in a different situation and not see the value you see! #TXed
A4: I go to Twitter & watch my EduHeroes til I find my center. I hit Instagram for inspiration from my fav teachers. Finally, I blog. I like putting my ideas down and writing helps me process and refocus. #TXed. Being a "den-tist" wasn't the easy way out, either!
A4: I keep in mind that everyone has that feeling once in a while. Sometimes it is what drives me. I am making a difference. If you build it, they will come. #txed
#txed A4 This is a theme of my book. Looking back, if you continue to choose right over wrong, things happen and the obstacles of your life lead you to where you are suppossed to be. #AlwaysBelieve could be published this spring.
A4: This is sad for me... The last time I felt broken or like a misfit, I was a new Mom, a 2nd year teacher, and preggo with my second kiddo. It sadly made my decision to stay home with my kids much easier. But,never again! I use former mentors and awesome team to get thru. #TxEd
A4 professionally speaking my Twitter pln is by far my most important avenue to getting recharged. I always say the happy people in education are on Twitter. The job can be a drain, but people fuel passion. #txed
I show them the "Lone Nut" TEDTalk and ask who's going to be the first adopter. Also, share with them about being part of the "early adopters" because those are the "cool ones" that "get it." Everyone ones to be part of a winning team. #txed
A5: I don't know that it's a trick. I make time. Those are moments you cannot get back. There are not many things in this world more important than celebrating a success. It's what makes us want to succeed again! #txed
A4 I think being a renegade, black sheep, misfit, unique, or whatever words you want to label it, shows you are brave and a thinker. I think it’s a complement! These people make great innovative leaders! #txed
Taking an improvement required campus making adjustments, working on revamping the instructional climate, turning over more than 3/4th of the staff and still meeting standards when many doubted. #txed
A5: I have to say I channel my inner @BethHouf and #WGEDD Tribe by putting the kids first, putting the school culture first and getting out in the building and making memorable moments. The other stuff will come later. #TXed
A5 ooh I have yet to figure this out. I stretch myself too thin too often, but that also quenches my thirst for creativity. I think unplugging, even if only for a few hours is the only way for me. #txed
#txed A5 Create memories with the kids! I recite the Grinch (the cartoon Boris Karlov version) to my classes each year. Yesterday 3rd period gave me a standing ovation. #kidsdeserveit Enjoy this later. https://t.co/GL9fU3y8GE
Linus and Charlie Brown saw more in the small sapling than others. Tell about a time when you saw a student’s potential when others didn’t. How did you help them reach their potential? #TXed
I try to celebrate Ts success on every visit to a classroom. Even if I'm just there to troubleshoot something I always email the teacher when back at desk to tell them something positive I appreciated about their class. #TxEd
A6: This is why I <3 badging! Establish each learners baseline and measure success as marked improvement to reaching a goal! Everyone gets bettER!!! #txed
A6: My first year of teaching, I had "that kid" in my class. Anyone I talked to said have fun with "that kid". "That kid" turned out to be an amazing kid. I hoped I would get "that kid" every year after that. #txed
I work with some severe kiddos. They thrive on a relationship of trust and encouragement. They can do so much more if you give them the time of day and will. Some days are hard but they’re worth it. #txed
A6-We see it everyday. Students come to us with so much potential. They just need someone to believe in them. Don't believe me...think about those times when a former student comes up and gives you a hug #TXed
I've been known to do that. Sometimes you just have to. Self implosive it to rebuild it. My supervisor calls it causing disruptions. After disruptions campuses make gains. People respond. #txed
A4: I agree with @J_Bimmerle! My network of edus both locally and online are legit resources and sounding boards. As ldrs we are not as lonely as we sometimes believe we are. #txed
At my last school, we sang Christmas songs between every class on last fill day before finals. Singing was bad but we had so much fun. Math teachers don't have chops. #txed
A6: These are usually the 'frequent flyers' or struggling kiddos. I get to know their story. I make a connection, share books I love, get to know their parents, and just build that relationship. I've never known a kid I didn't love when I really got to know them. #TXed
I've had those moments when I point the finger right back at me and take all the blame. I reflect, adjust and move forward. Self pity doesn't get you very far. Then I remember the gains I've made happens and replicate. #txed
A3: be real and be humble. Spit it out! I believe it to be more admirable to know when too much is too much than to try to do it all at a level less than your best. Learn from it though so you don’t repeat the mistake. #txed
I agree...but in that case you can't overdo it. Otherwise you are the boy who cried wolf. Passion is great. Being short-fused isn't. (I know you know this by the way ;)) #txed
A6: Our school knows all our kids are that little sapling. Sometimes the harder thing is convincing parents. Seesaw has really helped parents see what kids are doing, and what they are really capable of. #TxEd
I'd say FOR leaders, this lifeline is a necessity. I'm not a principal, but feel that job can be very lonely. Not sure how you'd survive without peers to lean on. #TxEd thanks for all principals!
Yes! Show them their gains! Goal-setting isn't for teachers, it's for STUDENTS to see and celebrate their own progress. If I had a magic wand this would become a thing everywhere 🤓 #TxEd
Q6 I think when you get kids that say they don’t like science or don’t do well, but they learn it and they and you see the see the lightbulbs. That’s my favorite. #txed
A6 I have a student who calls me a superhero. I go assist if there’s a student in need. He’s had the same before and it makes me smile for him to say it! #txed
Linus and Charlie Brown saw more in the small sapling than others. Tell about a time when you saw a student’s potential when others didn’t. How did you help them reach their potential? #TXed
#txed A6 I taught a girl in 8th grade whose 7th grade TAKS score was a 33. She NEVER passed a math TAKS test. She soaked in ALL of my #Believe#mojo She scored an 86 on her 8th grade math TAKS, 1 away from commended. It all starts by #BELIEVING
Realize that if you don't make the time, you don't really gain anything by not taking the time. If losing 20 minutes to have a celebration is going to kill you, then you're in a bigger hole than you thought. #txed
So true. Timely and deliberate. Otherwise it loses the effect. And by the way, some of my teachers are on here or will read the thread. I'll have to come up with something new. Hehe #txed
Everybody plays a role. Like chess pieces. Putting the right people in the right spot for the best opportunity for success for the teacher and the kids. #txed
