#ALedchat is a weekly chat on Twitter about education topics. It is held each Monday from 9-10pmCST. While the discussion on #ALedchat continues on Twitter well beyond our weekly one-hour chat session, this platform affords us the opportunity to extend, expand and share the conversation with an even greater audience. Educators from across the state of Alabama, and the world, can come here to find encouragement, support, resources, professional growth opportunities and advice, while providing the same to their colleagues.
Woot! Excited to be back with #ALedchat tonight! I'm Jennifer, AP at Hoover High in AL. Co-founder of this chat & #USedchat. Looking forward to tonight!
A1: It comes back to belief in the mission and leadership. All stakeholders must be committed to growth and dedicated to a shared objective. #aledchat#UMEdTech
A1 - by allowing the staff and students to have leadership roles allows them to have ownership in what is going on and it gives the people that need a voice a voice in ends and outs of the school day and planning! #ALedchat
A1. Staff are often the ones leading meaningful classroom changes as they are the ones trying new things and presenting their findings. Ss are the ones who are the reasons for the changes Ts institute. #ALedchat
A1: Student Voice is underrated & underutilized. Respecting #StuVoice can help build a strong culture of collaboration, trust, growth, and excellence. #ALedchat
A1 If positively aligned with the collaborative mission and vision of the school, these roles can serve as the day-to-day energy our school needs to move forward to reach our goal of supporting all of our Ss #aledchat
A1: It creates an environment where the students have the ability to look up to teachers/staff members that they can relate to. If students have nobody to relate to, this could create a negative school culture. #ALedchat
A1: Everyone feels more valued and "part" of it all when they are able to operate in their gifts, strengths, and talents. We are much more efficient and effective when we tap into the resources (human) that we all have within our building. #ALedchat
A1: By allowing teachers and students an opportunity to lead they have a voice. Having a voice creates ownership, ownership creates productive schools with a desire to learn and innovate. #ALedchat
True! It's important that every student have at least one "go-to" adult in the building. And it's up to the adults to start & forge those relationships. #ALedchat
A1: Culture is so contagious. If teachers do not buy into the direction of the school, that attitude will spread. Same thing for a strong culture. If teachers buy in to the mission of the school, other teachers will buy in. Same goes for students. #aledchat
A2: Faculty, staff, students, and parents all play a critical role in developing a plan for the new year due 2 their unique insights and perspectives. Effective leaders understand that while our vantage point may be 30,000 feet, it is still limited. We need everyone! #ALedchat
A2 - by voicing their opinions on things that worked and things that need to be improved! They can also play a major role in helping place students in the right classes for the up coming year #ALedchat
#ALedchat A1 - I feel that by giving students & teachers a voice helps build community and buy-in. It takes everyone being active & engaged to built the culture in a school - students, teachers, staff, admins, and parents!
A2 We can empower staff to identify and lead action steps such as in house PD/curriculum alignment- SIP Goals are meaningful with staff bringing them to fruition #ALedchat
Staff can plan together and collaborate with one another. If staff members feel that they voice is heard, they will become fully invested in their career. #ALedchat
A2: Staff members from each perspective have such a strong pulse on the culture of the school. Their voices must be listened to in order to set the tone for the year. #aledchat
A2: Staff can provide new ideas based on the PD they have been part of over the past year. These new ideas and PD can help create a “spark” for a new school year. Their voice also helps admin see what the needs of the Ts are so planning can be done accordingly. #ALedchat
A2 Staff members are resources of energy, ideas, and unique talents. Leaders have a responsibility to tap into these gifts and incorporate these into plans for the next school year #aledchat
A2: in an effective system, the staff and students are the lead role. They develop the vision, set the tone, come up with an action plan to carry out the vision, and drive the culture #ALedchat
A2: Schools are puzzles—everyone is unique but has a space to go. By utilizing this “place” to go more can be achieved in the planning process. Also, the pieces of the puzzle complement each other to make a great picture...just like schools. #ALedchat
. This is true, Michelle. When our teams gather to provide significant investments in our plans, this process leads to ownership of the success that we achieve. Strengthens the team and builds momentum for next steps #aledchat
A2: Lead by being continual learners and taking time to live our own passions. Modeling these two things will prove to be monumental for your students during the year. #ALedchat
A2 Staff can reflect on past practices and results. The troops on the ground often understand best what’s going on. Does the school culture allow them to speak the truth? If so, listen, learn, and plan accordingly. #ALedchat
A3: Every decision that is made at a school needs to answer the question, “Is this best for students?” If student voice is not being considered when preparing for a new year, the most important voice is not being considered. #aledchat
A2 #ALedchat - The Staff is the heart of the school - by supporting collaborative efforts of many - large tasks become easier to tackle and you are expanding the capacity of giving a voice to all.
A3: Our students actually present and are immersed in PD throughout the year. They present on a variety of topics and teachers learn from them. #ALedchat
A3 Not only should student voice be a part of any SIP plan, you should have a plan to regularly solicit feedback and give Ss freedom to carry out their own culture shaping ideas #ALedchat
A3: Get students' feedback at the end of the year. "What does excellent teaching & learning look like?" "What do we need to get better at?" etc. Use their feedback to guide professional learning in the new year. #ALedchat
A3 - students should play a major role if given the opportunity, after all school is for them! They can provide insight on things that work well for them and things that didn’t. The most important thing is to allow them to have ownership in their learning!#ALedchat
A2: Staff can play a role in a preparing for a new year by collaborating together. With sharing with many different minds wonderful ideas are bound to arise! You can learn what worked and what didn't from people that have already experienced it #ALedchat
A3: In preparing for a new year, students can request their interests so that teachers are able to develop engaging lesson plans. Students can also set individual goals for the beginning of the school year. #ALedchat
A3: Our students actually present and are immersed in PD throughout the year. They present on a variety of topics and teachers learn from them. #ALedchat
A3: Talk to them! They aren’t mindless little people so ask them their opinion. Show them you respect them enough to listen. As adults we might be surprised as what input Ss have. #ALedchat
A3 Our S leaders can converse with our T leaders and school leaders about the strengths that we should continue. Also, S leaders can discuss next steps for growth that will encourage other Ss to assume leadership and increase capacity among their peers #aledchat
A3: in school, students are our most direct customers. Ultimately, we are serving them and their needs. It is then our job to put the support systems in place. #aledchat
A3: Our students’ voices are so important. They know what they need help with. They know what their interests are. If we will really listen to what our students need we can better structure our instruction. #ALedchat
A3: Get students' feedback at the end of the year. "What does excellent teaching & learning look like?" "What do we need to get better at?" etc. Use their feedback to guide professional learning in the new year. #ALedchat
A3: Ss give us insight from a whole new angle. They can be included in planning processes and meetings just as lead teachers or other staff are. #ALedchat
A3 Our Ss took surveys at the end of each year. Our SGA answers questions on schools practices quarterly. Give Ss a meaningful voice and watch them shine! #ALedchat
A2: Having a team of teachers to bring ideas and concerns to admin gives teachers a voice. Positive results can come from this leadership team. #ALedchat
A3 #ALedchat - By giving students a voice, we are giving them the ability to impact and be leaders in their own learning! (Sorry shameless plug for our PLC and book study!) The students are the reason the educators (adults) are at the school, shouldn't the students have a voice?
A2: I don’t have a staff, but I’ve been a manager of people in business. Listening w/ authentic ears is vital to equipping a team in any project or plan. #aledchat
A:3 we have a student principal advisory board- Every meeting- I ask them to discuss concerns, what changes are needed, and ideas for projects for our school. We have made several changes based on their recommendations and they know we are listening to them! #ALedchat
A4: I think there are definitely the formal roles, but the most important can often be the informal roles; it starts with relationships. My T's do such an AMAZING job of supporting one another #ALedchat
A4: Florence City is blessed to have IPs and Academic Leaders that work in concert to lead professional learning, mentor & support the other teachers in their teams. #ALedchat
A4: Our teachers visit at least one other teacher per semester for reflection & inspiration. So many give me feedback that they are "glad they are made to do it." :-) #ALedchat#hooverpride
When we have an idea or method that works, my principal allows/encourages us to present the topic and be the point person on it. We share ideas and cheer each other on. #ALedchat
A4 - mentoring, stepping in during your planning to lead the lesson because someone had to leave sick and no sub could be found. By being a listening ear and providing encouragement #ALedchat
. Like the advisory board component here, Charissa. Allows our staff members to share their new ideas and pilot new activities in our schools. Also, this works to strengthen our staff members' individual leadership capacity and help others along the way #aledchat
A4 Relationships, Relationships, Relationships... Good personal support leads to better professional support. Build trust 1st! Then allow Ts to teach with each other, watch each other. Start with what works and move towards what needs improvement. #ALedchat
A4: I don’t think support should be a “lead role” it should be embedded in everything we do. Google studied the most effective teams and found that trust and vulnerability were what set great teams apart from others. It’s more a culture of support that’s high leverage #aledchat
Yes! This is such an important area. We provide an instructional coach for every new teacher @HomewoodSchools Even if they come in with experience, they are paired up to make sure they get the hang of things and maximize their potential #ALedchat
A4 #ALedchat - I see many of my colleagues taking on roles as mentors to new educators, encouraging each other, being flexible, supportive to added responsibilities and duties and most important building each other up!
A4: We also have two new "lead roles" this year - Instructional Coach & Diversity Council Leader. Both to make us better as a school. (Both Ts proposed ideas to principal. We were able to work it into their schedules.) #ALedchat
. Agree 100% here, Reeivice. The pre-requisite to any trust relationship is time. Team members must see that what leaders say aligns with their actions. This strengthens relationships and solidifies the foundation to build toward team goals #aledchat
A4: Veteran teachers, who can pour into the younger Ts and support and give them advice because they have been there. It’s a 2 way street because they can turn around and offer another perspective, to the vets. Those conversations are happening, whether forced or not. #aledchat
A5: One of the best parts of elementary is seeing first hand how those meaningful, life-long bonds are formed between students. I see kindness, compassion, and thoughtfulness each and every day @EdgewoodElem#ALedchat
A4: We also have two new "lead roles" this year - Instructional Coach & Diversity Council Leader. Both to make us better as a school. (Both Ts proposed ideas to principal. We were able to work it into their schedules.) #ALedchat
They lead their educational paths. With self pacing and student choice in activities/assessment, they lead themselves to the goal. They help each other along the way. It’s always great to see them teach each other. #ALedchat
A5: our student council is currently writing notes to put on every car in our HS parking lot. Small acts of random kindness can go a long way. Never know who might need that note to make them smile #aledchat
A5 #ALedchat - Our students are actively engaged in helping support each other through our mentoring house program. Our safety patrols are constantly helping and setting the example for the younger students.
A5: I think extracurricular activities play a huge role in this. It can be athletic, club related, academic. Those in the leadership roles of those organizations not only lead the group, but they also serve as major mentors and student leaders to the rest of the group. #aledchat
@donnawsmiley had a vision for first creating a teacher diversity council to increase cultural competency. (She plans all trainings) Next step, include students. She can tell you more. :-) #ALedchat
A6: Teacher leaders can be essential as change agents in schools. Letting teachers lead change can make changes more appealing and easier for all. #aledchat
A6: they web-out the vision to others through consistent communication, unwavering support, and provide teacher perspective of how to make it “work” #aledchat
A6: Remaining positive! When change happens, some teachers are resistant and panic when something goes wrong. If the leaders remain positive and calm, it can really make a huge difference to the attitude of the rest of the staff. #aledchat
A6 Our staff leaders are often our thought leaders also. It's important that we share the possibilities of change with them to receive input, reflection, and different perspectives. Staff leaders help us execute change and assist other team members during rough spots #aledchat
A6: Communication (almost to the point of over-communication) :-) is important. Stakeholders want to "be in the know" and understand the why. #ALedchat
A5: Many of my HS students lead through example. We offer before school tutoring and tutoring at the elementary school. Many of my Ss step up to the plate and lead in this way. I also have a great group who are always willing to tell me what’s working and what isn’t. #ALedchat
A5: Learning the value of #empathy in #DesignThinking projects has allowed my Ss to learn how to lead, as well as follow. They have been motivators, encouragers, innovators. I’ve been so impressed w/ them. #ALedchat
They have to support and champion the change. Change can’t happen from 1 person (it can start there). It takes a small group to make change happen large scale. The more staff on board, the better. #ALedchat
A6 #ALedchat - Leaders MUST set the example and when change occurs (and there is always change in education) be POSITIVE, open minded, flexible, and embrace the change. As leaders, we must remember that eyes and ears are watching and listening to us!
A6: Change isn’t always easy. The best way for our Ts to lead when it comes to change is to be supportive of change and supportive of those creating change. A + attitude is the best ways for Ts to lead! When others see you on board they will want to get on board. #ALedchat
I agree. I think it's important for school leaders to know what the critical mass is for their schools to have the support for change efforts. #ALedchat
A7: Build and support leadership by building on the strengths of others and empowering and inspiring others. Communication is another vital key. #ALedchat
a7: Providing opportunities for individuals to lead when they have a passion or idea; how many times do we think, "That person would be great at this, I will talk with them in a bit" and never actually get around to it. Gotta seize the opportunities for leadership #ALedchat
A7 - you build leadership by trusting your team will complete the task without you having to micromanage them. You support them with encouragement and positivity along the way! All of this is easily done when you build positive relationships with the people you lead! #ALedchat
A7: Believing in people. Always encourage and support leaders, give multiple staff members the opportunity to lead, and don’t micromanage. Build them up and always be open and honest with them to fully support them in their endeavors. #aledchat
A7: Allow staff leaders to have a voice, give them leadership roles and delegate tasks to them. Tell them their strengths and boost confidence. Find ways to build their weaknesses without them even knowing it. #aledchat
A7 The chief responsibility of a leader is to build other leaders. We have to be purposeful in identifying team members who we know have ideas, strengths, dedication, and a true desire to see others succeed. When we build them, they build others #aledchat
Influencers move the needle. They dont always agree with us. What we have to have is an open line that they will tell us what they think and more importantly why. It’s great when the “best” are the most influential but thats not always the case. Influencers have respect #ALedchat
I agree. I think it's important for school leaders to know what the critical mass is for their schools to have the support for change efforts. #ALedchat
A7: The #1 way to build support and leadership is for As to be willing to really listen & willing to try something different. There are many Tleaders who have great ideas but don’t speak up because they feel their ideas aren’t welcome. #ALedchat
A7: We must be honest in our bias on who are leaders. We need to close our eyes and see the potential of everyone in the building. One of the most impactful people in our hall is our custodian. When she speaks, we all listen to her wisdom. #ALedchat
A7 leadership is not about being great, but bringing out the greatness in others. Our ability to ‘look out the window’ in times of success shows our true purpose. Pay it forward for others by making them better than they thought they could be #aledchat
FA: Encourage others to step up to the plate and lead. Remind them that they have the ability, and they can lead. Sometimes, we all just need a little push to reach our potential. #aledchat
FA: Leaders understand the importance of legacy; the impact they have on the people they serve ripples infinitely. The most effective leaders we know are able see the greatness within others and provide the support and the platform for others to become great #ALedchat
A8 - I love this quote because when you empower your teachers and students to truly have ownership of what takes place at the school house you are truly going to put the focus on what matters most!! #aledchat
FQ #ALedchat - We rise when we lift others! I try to be positive, put others first, smile, give my undivided attention, challenge and encourage, and most important be an active participate!
FA: I try to empower my Ss and those around me by listening, allowing them to be creative in solving problems, not micromanaging their progress, and getting out of the way. #ALedchat
FA: I will empower others by being an intentional listener and by being willing to get out of my comfort zone and try new things and by keeping a positive attitude! #ALedchat
FA: Leaders are only as good as those around them. If you are truly a great leader, this is reflected both in you and your staff . You bring them up and make them better. #ALedchat
Thank you @Cbice_1 for your leadership tonight! To everyone who participated in #ALedchat tonight, thank you for your input & ideas!! After the first day back at school after Spring Break... it's time to hit the hay! Good night, everyone!
A3: Give Ss a voice ALL year. A positive outlet to express concerns gives them ownership and buy-in. We must teach them now they are the leaders of tomorrow & show them how to play a productive leading role. #aledchat
@mzbowlin11 I’m calling you out because next week is my week and I don’t have it planned yet but you said if I ever needed your help with #ALedchat to let you know. Well 🗣 I need some help next week #JustLettingYouKnow@kwieseman#FCSLearn
