#RuralEdChat is a chat that focuses on the needs of the rural educator. This chat has been revised by Tammy Neil (@MathNeil), John Martin (@edventures) and Natalee Stotz (@nataleestotz).
Hey there #RuralEdChat chat friends, unfortunately I won’t be able to make it tonight as I am on the road home from a school board meeting. I hope the conversation is lively!
Our chat is pretty open tonight as we are hoping to hear from you all about what is on your mind related to #ruraled or education in general. Just be sure to tag your tweets with #RuralEdChat
So, what's going on in your world? What issues are you grappling with at this point in the school year? Your thoughts may help us shape a future #RuralEdChat
Alison form Nor Cal. Middle school teacher @ single school district. Love reading through your tweets while grocery shopping. #momwork#kidsarestarving#RuralEdChat
1/? I know we've talked about student agency and project based learning before, but I'd love to get into the weeds of it. Next year, I'll be helping teach a year long, project based CS course. #RuralEdChat
In a time in which we are witnessing a decline of those entering the education profession (especially within rural districts), what are we doing to reverse that trend? What are we doing to cultivate the next generation of educational leaders? #RuralEdMatters
Yes! Love the idea of getting "into the weeds" of project-based endeavors! This sounds like a great project. Can you tell us a little more about it? #ruraledchat
1/? I know we've talked about student agency and project based learning before, but I'd love to get into the weeds of it. Next year, I'll be helping teach a year long, project based CS course. #RuralEdChat
2/? So, have you done larger scale projects in your classes? What did your students gravitate to? Were you able to involve the school or larger community? #RuralEdChat
Excellent topic, Nathan. I think the work that @Rural_Schools is doing to support and share stories of new and dedicated #ruraled teachers is pretty cool. #RuralEdChat
We have a group of Juniors in AP Computer Science this year. They want to take CS next year, but there's no course for that... until now. Projects need to involve tech/coding, but otherwise, we have near total freedom. #RuralEdChat
An excellent question for our community. My first reaction is that it is some of the most rewarding and connecting work out there. Interested in hearing #ruraledchat community thoughts on this, too!
I have two school with a total of 250 kid k-8. one teacher per subject in MS and one per grade elem. We meet often and discuss our students but lacking in grade level and subject level collaboration any ideas to improve #RuralEdChat
Excellent topic, Nathan. I think the work that @Rural_Schools is doing to support and share stories of new and dedicated #ruraled teachers is pretty cool. #RuralEdChat
Neat! That autonomy will lead to some awesome innovation and creativity, I'm sure. How cool to be offering this opportunity where none exists. #RuralEdChat
I want to largely have the students self-direct on what they do and learn, and I have some ideas on course structure. But I want more ideas on how to bring in the larger community, so students can maybe build something that connects with or even serves others. #RuralEdChat
PLCs are an ongoing topic many folks have interest in. How are rural schools tailoring the PLC model in small environments and making them meaningful places of collaboration? Great Q, Kip! #ruraledchat
I provide the skill list that I'm evaluating before they start their projects. Ss have to show me where this is in their projects. Otherwise, project topics are up to them. #RuralEdChat
That makes a lot of sense. Facilitating those connections will likely make the projects more meaningful and engaging, not to mention bringing in the authentic communication and problem-solving. #RuralEdChat
Start by attending the school functions open to the public. If there are festivals attend those. If you are a church goer, find one in the area. #RuralEdChat
Hired a teacher last year who grew up in our system, taught in a large urban district for 5 years, came back home to teach 1st grade. just told me she was headed back to the large district more resources better PLC experience Killing me #RuralEdChat
I was going to add that volunteering in some way in the community even though energy is usually tapped by the end of most days (!) can really build more connections, especially if it's connected to something you have a big interest in. #RuralEdChat
Ooof. That's a tough one, Kip. Finding out how to retain great teachers in #ruraled settings is big. Not an easy endeavor.The larger more informal PLCs in places like Twitter and other social media spaces can really help sustain us when we are in smaller communities. #RuralEdChat
I really try to get the staff to find like minded teachers via tech. and to visit teachers in other schools and district. our issues are not money but isolation #RuralEdChat
Hired a teacher last year who grew up in our system, taught in a large urban district for 5 years, came back home to teach 1st grade. just told me she was headed back to the large district more resources better PLC experience Killing me #RuralEdChat
I'm a non-teacher school volunteer who partners with a classroom teacher. I've noticed the most engaged students in our class are the ones who are in the business club or on the wrestling team, which he mentors/coaches. Knows their parents (positively!) better too. #RuralEdChat
Yes. It's really an issue. I'm so grateful for the connections I've made here. Building those relationships and having the support that comes along with them can be such a lifeline. It's great that you encourage it. Send them to #ruraledchat :)
I have some thoughts on this subject. I am part of a program that was specifically designed for the recruiting, training, & retention of rural teachers. CSU Chico RTR Stars w/ connections to @Rural_Schools including conferences for networking/brainstorming #ruraledchat
In reply to
@robinhosemann, @KipMotta, @Rural_Schools
I really try to get the staff to find like minded teachers via tech. and to visit teachers in other schools and district. our issues are not money but isolation #RuralEdChat
It would be cool to hear some of the specific things the CSU Chico RTR Stars does to help with all of these issues...I think I hear a guest moderator opportunity knocking again, Sharon! ;) #ruraledchat
In reply to
@SHuggins67, @KipMotta, @Rural_Schools
I can name drop a bunch o'people in here (looking at you @johnson557377 ). I can also tell U from a personal experience that partnering w/ local colleges & unis & recruiting older people looking 4 a second career can be a good source of long-term teaching employees. #ruraledchat
In reply to
@robinhosemann, @KipMotta, @Rural_Schools, @johnson557377
Second careerers of a certain age, like me, often have 3 significant characteristics: 1) They lived the city life already & R ready 4 the slower/less crowded pace of rural life & 2) R looking 2 contribute 2 society/community & 3) want 2 feel their exper. counts #ruraledchat
In reply to
@robinhosemann, @KipMotta, @Rural_Schools, @johnson557377
The fed gov used to offer grants to colleges/unis to run rural recruitment/training/retention programs for rural districts. This is another area where we need to band together & advocate 4 rural life. #ruraledchat
In reply to
@robinhosemann, @KipMotta, @Rural_Schools, @johnson557377
If you are following rural politics at all, you know we are not/will not get the priority attention we need/deserve unless we are advocates/activists for it. Not just education/schools, but hospitals & ag businesses too. #ruraledchat
In reply to
@robinhosemann, @KipMotta, @Rural_Schools, @johnson557377
The fed gov used to offer grants to colleges/unis to run rural recruitment/training/retention programs for rural districts. This is another area where we need to band together & advocate 4 rural life. #ruraledchat
In reply to
@robinhosemann, @KipMotta, @Rural_Schools, @johnson557377
LOL Careful. I almost hijacked the conference on this subject in South Dakota a few years back. I am an RTR Star. I was recruited, trained, placed, & retained. I'm a city girl who has been teaching in a rural school since August of 2013. #ruraledchat
In reply to
@robinhosemann, @KipMotta, @Rural_Schools
People at the conference also talked about partnering with local clinics & hospitals since they have similar problems to schools in rural areas. Not to get too political, but we're seeing the power of organizing/coalitions/cooperatives. #ruraledchat
In reply to
@robinhosemann, @KipMotta, @Rural_Schools, @johnson557377
Thank you all for the fantastic chat and ideas. please follow me and each other to build PLN rural schools and students rock look forward to further collaboration #RuralEdChat
There is, I believe, a lot 2 highlight about the benefits of rural schools for passionate educators in a profession plagued with fallout/burnout. We're not under the same media/govt microscope as urban areas so it gives us space for building our prof craft. #ruraledchat
In reply to
@robinhosemann, @KipMotta, @Rural_Schools
It would be cool if we could make it a reunion of the South Dakota conference alum too. A good follow-up with legs. Anyone have the Twitter addresses for that crew? (included Missouri, Arkansas, California, Dakotas, et al) #ruraledchat
