#Edchat is a hashtag, a movement—it is a weekly organized Twitter discussion of educators and people interested in education that meet virtually from all over the world. #Edchat serves as a conversation thread on Twitter and is also used for organized weekly discussions.
Via Dan McCabe
@danieldmccabe
When a toxic person can no longer control you, they will try to control how others see you.
The misinformation will feel unfair, but stay above it!
Be brave, be honest, speak up and stand tall. #edchat
BTW, I'm happy to be back in #edchat land. I had a fantastic vacation, but it’s time to get back on board. :) (Thx for holding down the fort @tomwhitby@ShiftParadigm@sgthomas1973)
As a first grade teacher, I feel successful when I spend an appropriate amount of time teaching quality lessons for phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and phonics- without letting phonics take over our learning time (Walpole & McKenna, 2013). #edchat
"South Dakota Approves Changes to Graduation Requirements, Allowing Students to Choose a Focus of Study" - Shauna Reisewitz of @psalearnyourway has the #StoryOfTheDay#EdChat
This is an excellent topic. It certainly feels sometimes that the only way to feel as if you are being a successful teacher is when your scores reflect that. I think there is so much more to it, but that is the only time you feel successful. #edchat
No educator that I know of has the ability to determine if they are successful for their own evaluations, but I have ways that I use for measuring myself and my success each year. #Edchat
I feel like I am successful when I have made a connection with a student. These connections allow me to provide them with what they need in my classroom because I know them as a learner and I know what they need. Won’t see those connections on a test score, though! #edchat
Curious to see responses to this question- has to be a combination of things- staff morale, parent/community involvement, test scores/growth, student and staff attendance, programs to help kids/families and if they are attended/growing, staff/colleague feedback #EdChat
Everyone should have some self-awareness of their level of performance. My point was that what one views as success may not be the factor others consider. #edchat
I refuse to let test scores determine my success, as defined by me. My district may use test scores, but I have other ways to determine this for myself. #Edchat
This is an excellent topic. It certainly feels sometimes that the only way to feel as if you are being a successful teacher is when your scores reflect that. I think there is so much more to it, but that is the only time you feel successful. #edchat
Certainly not just that! But in first grade particularly, it is really easy to get caught up with phonics since that is a huge focus in my school (and other schools), so I have to work hard to plan carefully and evenly... #edchat
I want my classroom "to be one where play and creativity are held in high regard, where students are free to express risky thoughts, and where having fun is better than trying to be perfect." Thanks, @brookhouser. Enjoying "The 20time Project" #20Time#PBL#edchat
“Mr. Blew’s sin, with some of my friends on the other side, is that he’s in favor of giving low-income children a choice of a better school and in favor of public charter schools." @SenAlexander#edchat
I like to measure my success by the daily interactions that I have with my students. It is the little things that tell me that I have had a positive influence on them and that I have made an impact in their lives. #edchat
Yes, I have seen a heavy emphasis on phonics in first grade throughout my career. It is great that you are cognizant of that tendency and plan accordingly! #Edchat
You should be able to feel successful because you know in your heart you have tried your hardest, you have put in the time, you have built relationships with your students and with their parents. Yet it is nice to hear it. #edchat
Absolutely. Success for one child may not be success for another. Personally I feel if the child reached a goal they were working towards, that is success.#edchat
Checking out this annotated bibliography--To Light the World: Books for Young Readers about Hope, Courage, and Resilience in Challenging Times.
https://t.co/59qUsf87zh. I love the themes. #edchat#nerdybookclub
I feel like I am successful when I have made a connection with a student. These connections allow me to provide them with what they need in my classroom because I know them as a learner and I know what they need. Won’t see those connections on a test score, though! #edchat
#WholeChildChat begins in less than two hours. Join a team of awesome educators as we discuss how to enrich learning for all students. 6pm PST, 8pm CST, 9pm EST. #edchat#pln365
And sometimes you don't find out until years later. Retired 14 years and I still have former Ss friending me on FB. Quite a compliment that they want to re-connect. #edchat
In my latter years in the classroom I maintained writing folders for each student, copies of all their work for the year. I could see the progress accomplished for each kid. #Edchat
Without question! Students don’t care what you know until they know you care. Build positive relationships, build trust. Invest in people’s emotional banks. #edchat
I agree. My students that have learning disabilities struggle to meet state standards at the end of the year, but show tremendous growth when you look at where they started at the beginning of the year. #edchat
And sometimes you don't find out until years later. Retired 14 years and I still have former Ss friending me on FB. Quite a compliment that they want to re-connect. #edchat
I would say that my success as an educator is based on data. But that is only a small portion of it. I know I'm being successful as an educator when I'm able to see a student develop an eagerness to learn, and my classroom is viewed a safe place to grow and make mistakes. #edchat
Faige retired, now subbing in Los Angeles. Most of my teaching has been on early childhood classes, kinder and now subbing in those and 1st to 3rd grade. Success is the look on kids faces when you enter the room smiling and they seem glad to be there. #Edchat
I also keep writing folders and they are a great resource during conferences with parents to show progress! It is also incredible to see how students perform with different kinds of writing. #edchat
We continually strive for feedback from our students. They are the key to our success. We need the feedback even if it's not what we want to hear. #edchat
Had an interesting conversation the other day about a school where known their NEED wasn’t supported by data yet they could explain WHY the data didn’t support the need. Not everything can be easily measured. #edchat
Tests scores are not my only measure of student and school success, there are other factors including showing growth. I can tell you this though, if the scores come in and they are not good it bothers me. Especially when I know the staff is working hard to help kids. #edchat
For me, feeling successful would be finally connecting with a student. Knowing I am successful would be to see my students using behaviors and skills that I have modeled for them to use during the year. #edchat
Thinking back as a student… I KNOW my teachers were successful as I look back on a fond memory of a moment in class, a project, a moment they connected with me. It is harder to KNOW as the teacher until a student is able to express it themselves. #edchat
I can agree to that. It kills me when I feel like I've done everything I could and the scores still don't come back the way I think they should #edchat
Tests scores are not my only measure of student and school success, there are other factors including showing growth. I can tell you this though, if the scores come in and they are not good it bothers me. Especially when I know the staff is working hard to help kids. #edchat
We are all learners; to be successful we need to continue to learn and grow in order to build stronger learning opportunities with our students. #edchat
As a special education teacher, I monitor my students' growth biweekly. We conference about their progress or lack of and make a plan on how to improve. I feel successful when the student is excited as I am about his growth. #edchat
That is a great feeling of success! Not just academic behaviors, but social behaviors as well. Being good citizens and treating peers and adults with kindness and respect. Maybe that is the best success we can achieve! #edchat
I want all my students to do well. I know they want good grades so I give them when appropriate. But the feedback I get, when they come back next year and tell me how much they miss my class, that's what gets me through the tough times. #Edchat
Class discussions are great indicators of teacher success. If kids are comfortable, enthusiastic, respectful. engaged and attentive it is a positive indication. #Edchat
Well worth a read. How we got to where we are. Who controls education in Australia & who is represented in those bodies? Would like to see much more professional presence of teachers in policy development. #edchat
Come join Lyceum Learning Institute on August 9th for our official Launch Party! This is the perfect time to learn more about who we are, what we offer, as well as meet the staff and visit our classrooms! https://t.co/TTo1E979Az#edchat#Michigan#homeschooling
These are all great assessments! One of my favorites is fist to five. If they get it they give me 5 fingers, if they are confused or don’t understand, then they give me a fist...it’s an easy assessment of understanding without having to verbalize. #edchat
Awesome. I had a report of issues at a bus stop so I went there the next morning to make sure everything went smoothly. That same day a parent dropped off a thank you letter from the parents of the bus stop. It immediately went up on my office bulletin board. #edchat
I see that often when we have read alouds and when they reflect after social studies unit, Geniushour, makerspace . Making sure there is opportunities for discussion and leaving it up to the student to choose how much they want to engage #Edchat
Class discussions are great indicators of teacher success. If kids are comfortable, enthusiastic, respectful. engaged and attentive it is a positive indication. #Edchat
In our district, all Ss are given a survey on their homeroom T, or one of their other Ts of record. The results can be eye-opening, positive, and negative. #Edchat
We're looking for guest bloggers! Do you work in participatory arts or are you a teacher currently on their @Artsmark journe? We'd love you to share your experiences with us. Please send us a DM for more details.
#blog#thearts#northeast#edchat
I find this true as a 5th grade teacher, as well. I always wonder if the 6th grade teachers miss out on this reassuring feeling since our school is 4-6 so their students head off for the middle school. #edchat
I feel successful when my students are able to perform well in their general education classroom as a result of me pre-teaching lessons to them. I love hearing general education teachers brag about how well my kids are doing and how confident they seem! #edchat
I agree. Student feedback is critical. Both peer to peer and teacher to student. When this is accomplished students can feel and become more successful!
Success comes in many forms ... as a teacher I could say learning gains, but my get in my feels moment is when I am still holding conversations with students who have long since left my classroom. #edchat
Paulo wanted education to be what Martin Luther wanted religion to be. Luther embraced the individuality of the priesthood, and Paulo embraced the individuality of the students. #thehappyprofessor#edchat
As educators I believe we are constantly reflecting and making improvements in our practice. Although, we will never admit to having the perfect lesson, our true success is in seeing areas where we need growth and making those improvements. #edchat
I agree! I also like to use debates. The students are always engaged and if they are able to argue their points with support from their research or evidence then I know they understand the topic. #edchat
Student responses to the learning and its impact on them are pretty clear indicators of success. If we missed the mark, its right in front of us. We need to hear it and adapt if needed. Their understanding matters. #edchat
“Top 5 Qualities of Effective Teachers According to Students” https://t.co/TEq9apQ47X (There’s some irony that this article is on a standardized test vender’s page.) #edchat
I feel like this is something I personally need to work on as an educator. I give feedback to my kids all the time, why shouldn't they have more opportunities to give feedback to me? #edchat
This is part of our daily reflections. My students are able to let me know “how I’m doing” with my instruction. I can always tell if a lesson was successful or not based on what I get back from them. #edchat
Success is a journey, not a destination. Feedback, quantitative and qualitative, is an important part of evaluating student learning and program efficiency. #edchat
As a History teacher i love it when students engage in a debate ... stand their ground ... of course I always play Devil's Advocate so I am always keeping them on their toes. #edchat
I feel like official observations are merely snapshot in time. When administrators are present in my classroom on a more regular basis, I feel like they get the full picture and use this in their observations. #edchat
Yes! Lets be honest, there may not be a standard for that, but it is a huge part of being an educator. It is a great feeling to know we play a part in students developing into good citizens. #edchat
In reply to
@lamasterkcb, @slrobins2018, @Gypsy11703528
Teaching is a long game, and so is the proof of success. I never thought I would get so much satisfaction from former students just having a job. #edchat
Official observations are only a snapshot. Yes, they have their use, but they are not the most accurate measurement. Same applies to test scores. #Edchat
I always received very useful feedback from my observers. I was observed quite a bit as a first year teacher. I was able to take my own reflections along with their feedback to make adjustments to my instruction to improve my teaching. #edchat
If you have to ask for it you may need to check the culture of your class. Why do your kids not feel comfortable telling you how things are going without being asked. #edchat It is like the Principal having to ask for feedback because teachers are too afraid to talk,
I created two google forms requesting feedback- one for Parents and one for staff. Simple, took less then 3 minutes. Shared the parent results with staff. #edchat
I enjoy giving surveys throughout the year to gauge student engagement and receive feedback from the kids I am with each day. Google Forms is an easy method. #edchat
As a veteran, I am observed much less frequently. It's a double-edged sword. I appreciate that I *should* be doing the right thing, but not everyone with fewer observations *is* doing the right thing. #Edchat
And many of mine are now parents with their own kids (in my class & now in my sub classes). Catching up with them and what they’re doing, the best! #edchat I love when they share their memories. Success I’d say
I’m going to use a quote from a former teacher, then colleague and HOF coach: “Ask me in 20 years when I know what kind of citizens, spouses, and parents they’ve become.” - Morgan Wootten #edchat
I was thinking more along the lines that I'm moving to third grade from Pre-K. How can I make sure that my kids can still talk to me when our schedule is a lot busier. #edchat
We are not talking about being uncomfortable. Giving feedback is not as easy as it seems. Many adults have trouble with it, so it stands to reason young people would, too. Building an open environment for them is creating that culture. #edchat
If you have to ask for it you may need to check the culture of your class. Why do your kids not feel comfortable telling you how things are going without being asked. #edchat It is like the Principal having to ask for feedback because teachers are too afraid to talk,
That's where I am. Come on in, anytime! Am I always on my A game? No, because Life. Come on anyway! See what I'm doing! It's more about time, I think. Large school, many new Ts who must be observed 3+ times. #Edchat
Absolutely, it's not as easy to understand. Young people and adults think of feedback as criticism. There is a difference. It's a skill we can teach! #edchat
I taught at an inner city school for five years, five years ago and when I go into York, I have young ADULTS saying "Mrs. Knepp!!" and giving me a big hug! Never know the impact you have. #edchat#oldtimeradio
“Innovation flourishes when teachers collaborate on best practices; are provided opportunities to question, learn, and explore new methods; and are guided by a common vision and support” (@katiemartinedu). @MsTraubRMS & @MrsHuskRMS, so proud to explore with you. #edchat#ENGtribe
When I was a teacher I wanted my admin to be in classroom. I put effort and time into my teaching. Come and check out what I’m doing, give me feedback on the lesson. #edchat
In reply to
@DennisDill, @sgthomas1973, @Teacher_TCG, @tomwhitby
I know! The first time that happened I was blown away. Kid (parent) was a delight in our kinder class. His child was a dream. Parent had fun teasing me. Here is a former student of mine sharing something he always remembered about me. Glad it was a good something #edchat
I agree! I’ve even requested observations before. You have to be able to put your ego aside sometimes when you’re goal is to do what’s best for your students. I can always stand to make improvements and sometimes an extra eye can help with that. #edchat
In reply to
@Gypsy11703528, @DennisDill, @sgthomas1973, @tomwhitby
Step in anytime into our classrooms. We should be on our game whatever day it is; if we are not, give us the feedback as to why. It only makes us better at what we do. #edchat
I think that an important part of being a successful educator is to think reflectively on how successful you are being. Reflection is part of the profession. #Edchat
I have found that when I send an email invitation to admin, one of them (if not more than one of them) is more likely to find the time to come by my room. #Edchat
In reply to
@Hubbs_Sic_Math, @timwolffSSD, @DennisDill, @Teacher_TCG, @tomwhitby
My 11-year old nephew just asked me to explain this chat and what the question was tonight. His response to determining a teacher's success is if the kids are excited to come to class! #fromthemouthsofbabes#edchat#success
yes ... but that culture in the classroom starts with the teacher. If the teacher is unapproachable than the kid won't feel comfortable giving feedback or will lie on the feedback form. Giving feedback on someone you see everyday is all about comfort. #edchat
always need to think of your number 1 job, which is to educate and make a difference in the lives of students- can't always think about yourself #edchat
In reply to
@Teacher_TCG, @Gypsy11703528, @DennisDill, @sgthomas1973, @tomwhitby
Using music, chants, and warnings/reminders of upcoming transitions helps them go smoothly. I also used some explicit instruction at the beginning of the year to help these transitions become a part of the routine. #champforkids#edchat
In reply to
@teacher2teacher, @MrsMoody138, @Mcoaty, @AshleyMN2014, @MrsKash101, @AmyB0286, @noel_hoffmann, @LovePhyEd, @teamgreenwell, @MrEugenePark
So excited to see folks already marking the sessions they want to engage in!
I can’t wait to share what I have learned this past year & learn from this AMAZING community!
https://t.co/Jb4P02nE8s#BLC18#edchat@hawesprincipal
Only 8 days until we meet in Boston for #BLC18 Who will be there? RT to let us know you are coming and share what you are looking forward to at BLC! https://t.co/hPPN9bPzea
There is always time to talk ... do you have time to listen? It does not take long for a kid to say "this is not working for me" ... "I like it when we ___" #edchat kids are probably giving you feedback all the time ... just need to hear it
That is the nice thing about technology! I tell them (or ask for one person in class) to look up the answer to the question that we didn't know! #edchat
Yep. Some teachers will stop by quickly and say “hey I have a cool lesson planned, come by if you can”. I make every effort to make it. Oftentimes I take pictures and put it on our social media. Teachers, families, students- all like when we spread the good news. #edchat
In reply to
@sgthomas1973, @Hubbs_Sic_Math, @DennisDill, @Teacher_TCG, @tomwhitby
We invite them to come whenever we are doing something out of the ordinary and they do come, which I appreciate. You are right, I should throw out the invite for any “regular” day as well! #edchat
In reply to
@timwolffSSD, @DennisDill, @sgthomas1973, @Teacher_TCG, @tomwhitby
Say it louder for the people in the back: “If we don’t empower teachers and create school cultures where people feel valued and free to take risks, we will miss out on our greatest opportunity to change how students learn” (@katiemartinedu). 🙌🏼 #edchat
Say it louder for the people in the back: “If we don’t empower teachers and create school cultures where people feel valued and free to take risks, we will miss out on our greatest opportunity to change how students learn” (@katiemartinedu). 🙌🏼 #edchat
Right, but they're kids. We know plenty of adults who have trouble with it. Point is to help kids know it's okay to say what they think - constructively of course. We can't assume that students have the skills either, that we can also instruct on. #edchat
yes ... but that culture in the classroom starts with the teacher. If the teacher is unapproachable than the kid won't feel comfortable giving feedback or will lie on the feedback form. Giving feedback on someone you see everyday is all about comfort. #edchat
