The first Twitter edchat in the Philippines, helping teachers grow their PLN, use tech in the classroom and promoting a culture of teachers helping teachers.
Tonya from Richmond, Virginia, USA. I teach Spanish prek-5 and mentor student leaders. I love good, homemade icing. Especially icing between two cookies or on a cupcake! #edchatPH
Q1 “I am running out of time! So many things to do, so many papers to check, so many meetings, Help! What should I do? What practical advice can you give me?” #edchatPH
Hi #edchatPH folks! Mary Manzano here from Mandaluyong, Philippines. Not doing a live session today so I can finally join in the chat. My fave is praline mille crêpe of Papermoon.
Not grade so many papers? I've been doing more highlighting than assigning points. What's in the grade book is a random sample with explanations of what I am seeing. Focusing on learning instead of points. #edchatPH
A1 Might sound crazy but I'm lucky to be in an open-minded school where I could be in a meeting, check papers like a ninja, or give comments in online assessments. By the way, I only have 2 hands just like everyone else. #edchatph
A1: Try to say "no" more often and don't be afraid to ask for different meeting times. Stay firm in working without interruption. Find ways to organize that work for you. Give less homework/tests if possible, and if not, find tech that can support assessment better.
#edchatPH
Q1 “I am running out of time! So many things to do, so many papers to check, so many meetings, Help! What should I do? What practical advice can you give me?” #edchatPH
A1: It's helpful to prioritize. There will always be more to do, but it helps to evaluate tasks to determine which ones take top priority and which ones can wait. Also: make time for self-care. It's worth it. You cannot pour from an empty cup.💗 https://t.co/gmNg1qtP3O#edchatPH
A1: I compartmentalize and try not to multitask. I've found that things get done faster that way. Discourage interruptions. I try to keep meetings as short as possible and use a kanban board with #PomodoroTechnique. #edchatPH
Don't you just love it when you see 'em getting crossed out one by one? Then you start writing new ones immediately after.😁 And this is why we teach; never a dull moment. #edchatph
A1 I list down according to what's urgent and essential then encode in my tasks list(which google has btw) if I can't finish I don't feel bad I just put it on my next to-do list #edchatPH
a2 Dwelling on personal issues while we are trying to work isn't a good idea in any profession. Sometimes it's best to think of work as an "escape." #edchatPH
Like a kid, I get excited to jump into the next one... Then adulting comes to destroy the fun... I see the other items down the list... hehehehe #edchatPH
Doesn't it? I know women are great at it, but I really only apply it in the kitchen. With work, focus is key. Oh and I use a hat/sign. When coworkers see it, they know not to interrupt. #edchatPH
A2: We are just starting our term break now. Everyone of us were tired just this week. Midweek, I was invited to a watering hole to unwind. I was able to relax & enjoy company for a night. I was able to charge through. #edchatPH
A2: Given my own personal challenges, how can I inspire and teach my kids? LOVE THEM FIRST, and the ‘rewards’ will be many for teacher and students. #edchatPH
A1: Plan your day, prioritize and use technology. I create online self assessed tests for class assessments. It helps me a lot in teaching and in my time management. #edchatPH
Learning must be authentic. Don't burden yourself with worksheets. Let the students create their own path to concretize learning. It will lessen the meetings too😉 #edchat
A2: True. Struggles, personal issues block the way and still have to be sane and sensible. 'Have to give time to breathe and reflect. Think "HAPPY THOUGHTS" and smile. One can be an inspiration when the heart is okay. #edchatPH
A2: Kids have their own struggles & personal issues, too. One way we inspire & teach kids is by being REAL with them. When we are genuine, they know they can trust us. And trust opens the door to building relationships. And you all know how I feel about relationships!😉 #edchatPH
A2: They don't need to know we have issues. They're kids. We can share with our colleagues if we are comfortable, but kids will know us for who we present ourselves to be. If we show love and sincere enthusiasm, they won't care that we're all a little messed up!
#edchatPH
A2 Not just with teaching, but in whatever profession you find yourself in, you need to drop your "other" hat once you leave the house and get to work. Taking personal issues with you into the classroom would never (ever) paint a good picture. #edchatph
Ha! I love that you have a hat! 💖💖 Indeed, it makes such a difference when I focus with intention on one task rather than flitting from thing to thing. #edchatPH
A2 that's when passion comes in! personal issues will always be there, honor your feelings and connect with your inner self for inspiration if not talk to someone to find that strength to keep on despite the struggles! A great PLN helps a LOT #edchatPH
A2: Kids have their own struggles & personal issues, too. One way we inspire & teach kids is by being REAL with them. When we are genuine, they know they can trust us. And trust opens the door to building relationships. And you all know how I feel about relationships!😉 #edchatPH
A2: True. Struggles, personal issues block the way and still have to be sane and sensible. 'Have to give time to breathe and reflect. Think "HAPPY THOUGHTS" and smile. One can be an inspiration when the heart is okay. #edchatPH
A2 that's when passion comes in! personal issues will always be there, honor your feelings and connect with your inner self for inspiration if not talk to someone to find that strength to keep on despite the struggles! A great PLN helps a LOT #edchatPH
Q1 “I am running out of time! So many things to do, so many papers to check, so many meetings, Help! What should I do? What practical advice can you give me?” #edchatPH
Q3. “I am broke. I can’t teach well when I worry about my finances. I don’t know what to do. Should I get another job, or just change careers?” #edchatPH
I think this is why I like doing pomodoros. I use an app for it called #KanBanFlow. It gives me analytics on how long it's taken me to get stuff done so I can plan better. #edchatPH
Ah, that pursuit of happiness... Of course. I am in joyful spirit because of the many things I am grateful for. 'Can't complain po. I count my blessings. Then, I smille. I am smiling now!!! :-) #edchatPH
And yet it can be very difficult to compartmentalize the influence of personal issues in the way you have described...anxiety, relationship tensions, stress, death of someone close to you. Respectfully, how do you go about just ‘turning it off’? #edchatPH
A2: Rest before you get tired. There was a time when part of my job description was serving termination papers a.ka. firing people. Nobody leaves or becomes incompetent because of work. There's always a personal reason. #edchatPH
A2b: The rest before you get tired ritual means you have to force yourself to actually take time off, even if you feel you're still ready to go go go. Either that, or take up a hobby that will keep you sane. That's crochet for me. #edchatPH
A2 Struggles will always be there. Take a breathe first before going to class. Remember that we have to face the students because they need us. Our struggles might be just simple compared to what what others are experiencing. It’s #growthmindset#edchatPH
A3 You probably are broke...for now. But any wise Filipino teacher knows the word: pinagdadaanan. It, too, shall pass. Your time will come. The wisdom of Dory: Just keep swimming. #edchatph
A3: This is a tough question w/ many possibilities. One might need to get a second job to survive. One might also look into a different job that's still in education, but with better pay. If someone has lost their passion, then they also might need to change careers. #edchatPH
Hi Chris! How I wish I could share with you something objective, but I think it's really something I've learned - and embraced - after years of teaching. I could just turn it off. #edchatph
yes I agree! That passion is from within we can only spark it but we cannot help them change, change is personal and depends on the person whether they are ready or not #edchatPH
And yet it can be very difficult to compartmentalize the influence of personal issues in the way you have described...anxiety, relationship tensions, stress, death of someone close to you. Respectfully, how do you go about just ‘turning it off’? #edchatPH
A3: Worry distorts sanity! Teaching is great job with not-so-great-pay. Can't answer for others. As of this, so far, I have no regrets. I live within my means - this keeps me afloat. I'm grateful with what I have and with what I make as a teacher. I remain. #edchatPH
Q3. “I am broke. I can’t teach well when I worry about my finances. I don’t know what to do. Should I get another job, or just change careers?” #edchatPH
totally agree! learn how to really honor your personal time and not plan for your next lesson although at time you will have that AHA moment even during your rest days #edchatPH
A3: I think it depends on the situation. I’m always inquiring & asking qs. After prodding, my advice is to either move to a school w/ better pay or change careers. But it boils down to how much we love teaching & can we make it work. It’s tough. I was there. #edchatPH
#edchatph a1 Have seen brilliant meetings using pomodoro method. You had 3 minutes to share news, people had 6 minutes to react. If the agenda was at end the boss made us leave. Teachers tend to fill meetings with chat. It was great, meetings shortened by 15 minutes
Thanks, Thanks, Thanks for joining. You just helped a teacher! Let's follow each other and grow our PLN. #edchatPH#TENph
Here's another good read:
https://t.co/z5kjNi9EWG
Check @participate for the transcript.
A4: Seriously?! I’m showing symptoms of imposter syndrome.
But with all seriousness, it’s all abt surrounding yourself w/ positivity. I promised that this school year. Negativity made me more tired. #edchatPH
A3 I’ve been teaching for three months without salary but it wasn’t really a problem to me personally. It’s just a matter of being innovative I think. But of course, there are moments that I worry about it, but it’s a matter of how you’re going to be resourceful despite scarcity
Exactly! My standup meetings are like that. Standing. A quick share of good news first. then bad news, then top priority task that they need done from someone in the group to decrease time on dependencies. #edchatPH
Those from the Philippines see you next week #TIESPH2018 where we ask these same questions and share. We will also tell participants to review the chat today and learn from all the wonderful educators here. .#edchatPH
I’ve seen Ts who’ve come to me for advice & I see some of them really do need to leave. But I always tell them that if it’s for you, you will always come back to teaching. Always find an opportunity to grow. I made it work. #edchatPH
#edchatph a2 Sometimes the greatest joy is in putting struggles in the bin whilst you focus on the crew in front of you. It can give a real sense of perspective. IF those struggles cannot wait then that is what personal leave is for.
yes, sometime you just need a break from teaching but if it's really for you, you will come back with such dedication.. I stopped for 3 years but I realized teaching is more fulfilling than what I was doing then #edchatPH
I make a deliberate effort to allot ME time everyday and not feel guilty about it. It could be as simple as 30 minute run or read a chapter of ma book while drinking tea😀 It recharges me and the passion and intensity to be the best T is renewed every time. #edchatPH
I know of some good teachers who brought their values and virtues to their new job. Still as successful.
As for me, I haven't stopped teaching. It has been 23 years. #edchatPH
Agree. Some people are like that, & not everyone is able to just put their financial issues on hold as they have more pressing needs. What Ts need is understanding the options they have. Easier said than done, though. #edchatPH
A4 Humility is key. Never be afraid to seek help not just from seasoned Ts but even with the younger ones. Win-win situation when you teach the younger colleagues of such a work culture present in your school. #edchatph
so true, I have colleagues who are in the same situation but they can't leave because they need the financial security :( so the school offers workshops on how to manage financial issues #edchatPH
#edchatph a4 One of the smartest bridges I built was letting team members work to strengths. So before day meetings. I did orders, whilst they covered me. We shared successes on the regular too. Not just in meeting, writing on FB made it more real too.
I am an advocate of this. That break really does wonders! For me, I always bring something to crochet. An offline activity to clear my mind of clutterthink (not a word but I think it should be). #edchatPH
A4: Am far from being a epitome of a dedicated, innovative, and effective T. I am a teacher who loves what she does who embraces the good and the bad in it. I am a work in progress...so not yet. YET... still in the process of 'growing'... The facade is incomplete. #edchatPH
