#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 Natalee! We had ice here yesterday and a teacher inservice for the end of the semester, so kids loved that 4 day weekend. A little treacherous though! #RuralEdChat
They should be called "teacher breather" days...can be such a gift to pause for a couple of hours and regroup even though I know they complicate things. Still...never met a weather cancellation I didn't celebrate! ;) #RuralEdChat
In reply to
@gruffcorn13, @LindaAragoni, @nataleestotz
Well, #RuralEdChat, I think it's time to get started on Tackling Fear in Teaching - I'll be posting with the standard Q1, Q2, etc format. First Q coming momentarily
#RuralEdChat A1: I've come under so much attack for my teaching style, I'm afraid to do what I know is right for my Ss. I run a student-centered class where we do PBL & inquiry. I rarely lecture or give basic recall tests/assignments.
A1 That I am not doing enough to help my students, teachers, and admin make our District the best possible kid centered place for kids~! #kidsfirst#ruraledchat
A1 I fear that voices of reason and common sense get crowded out in favor of powerful voices. More specifically, I'm sometimes afraid of my own voice. #RuralEdChat
My personal A1: that I'm failing to connect with my students deeply enough to help them the ways they need. Especially since I'm a city boy and remote educator, I'm constantly afraid of a "different world disconnect". #RuralEdChat
I never thought of that. I can see how that would happen. Small rural school without funds/resources may open door for a company that makes promises not in Ss best interest. #RuralEdChat
A2 lots of work with breathing and showing up to practice yoga on my mat. Carrying the lessons from those things off the mat and along for the ride. #RuralEdChat Lots of revising the self talk, too!
Was starting to type the same. "Free resources" can be enticing when funding is low, and attention is nice for schools that are oft forgotten #RuralEdChat
The mindfulness helps so much...I tend to catastrophize things otherwise. Zooming out and realizing that we have impact beyond our fumbles is a saving grace! #ruraledchat
I have been fearful for my students too much this year. Hurricanes, travel bans, fires, floods, missiles. I would really like peace. Since I started teaching its been school shootings, terrorism, etc. I wish truly for #peace#ruraledchat
It really seems like things are coming at us from all angles, Casey. I read that there was another shooting in a school today. Hands to heart. #RuralEdChat
And my day job has students in ROTC programs. They will be at war after they graduate. They are prepared, but I want them to have more time to be kids- they are growing up too fast. #ruraledchat
Thomas Merton: "Our minds are like crows. They pick up everything that glitters, no matter how uncomfortable our nests get with all that metal in them." https://t.co/Dxsh15PBtR#RuralEdChat
I see how the bigger picture impacts how you think of your students and their futures. I would agree that a lot is carried on shoulders of younger and younger people. #ruraledchat
Twitter, edcamps, and my grad program at @AntiochNewEng are places that I have found my tribe. Amazing educators who inspire & support me. #bettertogether#RuralEdChat
A3: I've used my concern about my kids viewpoints and lack of global experiences with others to take risks and reach out to other classrooms, connections etc. #RuralEdChat
Hey #RuralEdChat - jumping in late. Enjoying the responses, this is such an interesting and important topic. "Fear into ferocity" - might sound silly, but going back and reflecting on times I've succeeded when I thought I couldn't...it's motivating when confidence wanes.
And that makes you an awesome educator. Sometimes students need some maturity before they realize that you helped them find the answer. BTW you are doing more than enough #superteacher#ruraledchat
I like alliteration, and I felt a little silly about this one at first too, until I recalled the emotions of being afraid to stand in front of my classroom. Powerful and motivating indeed. #RuralEdChat
We're still in utter awe at what this science teacher in a tiny rural Kansas school is doing. Mike Cargill doesn't have an endless budget. What he does have is a love for the students & a practical approach to teaching them. #TheirFuture. #ruraledhttps://t.co/pPTeb7fLM4
"If you are not a little afraid, you should not be in the front." Mentor teacher 18 years ago. #ruraledchat@TNTP You are the one person at the moment who can make or break. Its scary! Every other profession gives tons more support
Oh Yucky! I used to do #schoolinspections for NYSED. and yeesh- it was bad. Urban mostly, but one rural library had an average book age of 25 years old. No money- no library purchases #ruraledchat
A4 The responsibility to do things a little (or in many cases, a lot) better than things might have been done in the past is a big motivator. #ruraledchat
#RuralEdChat A4: I spent 24 hours last weekend with a family from my first teaching placement. The kids are now adults. Got a glimpse of the positive impact I made, 20 years later.
A4: I still have teachers from when I was a kid who are influencing me now. While I'm not technically teaching at the moment, I think of this in any mentoring context. Showing up, even when you're scared, means you're there and you could have that lasting impact. #ruraledchat
I ran into a former student who was interviewing for a Director of Curriculum position- same one I was. I had a student fb message me that she became a teacher to help other #atrisk rural kids. I see such potential in my classes #whynotchangetheworld#ruraledchat
A4: I need my kids to know that they are valued, loved, appreciated and able to do what they want to do, even if they live in a small, rural area. The world is theirs! #RuralEdChat
That's so cool, Natalee. Keeping the long view in mind and remembering that we can be beacon points along other humans' journeys keeps us going in many ways. #ruraledchat
It was a huge dose of encouragement in the midst of a really difficult time. They're a family I've stayed connect with in friendship. Never realized the depth of my impact. Very encouraging and humbling. #RuralEdChat
I want to give a shout out to @try_rebooting and the #RuralEdChat team for having important conversations about #fear and teaching. Being a teacher is a HARD job. And talking about what you're afraid of is vulnerable and scary in itself! But, it is so important and helpful.
Exactly! This is so spot on. Teachers shouldn't have to be stoic all the time. Being human = being flawed = being relatable = relationship building that lasts. #RuralEdChat
As we wrap up tonight, I'm feeling contemplative and grateful for Matt's great questions and all of this conversation with our #ruraledchat community. Give Matt a follow @try_rebooting and check out his blog https://t.co/KJcmjh3b2o
