#TeachersAtED Archive
Our chat is once a month on the third Tuesday at 7:00 EST. These chats are hosted by teachers working at the US Department of Education as Teaching Ambassador Fellows in order to hear from teachers on policy issues and share resources. More about our program at: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship/index.html
Tuesday October 18, 2016
Welcome to this month’s chat on “Building Support for Excellent Teaching.” Please introduce yourself! https://t.co/YZnFmkFl8E
I’m Anna Baldwin, teach HS English on the Flathead Reservation in Western Montana. Glad to be here!
Question 2 on “Building Support for Excellent Teaching” is up in 1 minute
A1: Hi all, Stacey Johnston, HS Eng T, and 2016 Teaching Ambassador Fellow.
I'm Snehal Bhakta, from Las Vegas, NV and work in on for all.
A2: Most important element is administrative trust in teachers as professionals. W/o trust, no system can operate successfully
best initial tweet in history. So glad you can join!
Hi ! Sarah from A2, MI HS T & curr coordinator for blended HS.
A2: Teaching ranked LAST in Gallup poll of professions w/ "open/trusting" enivorn. Change is needed. https://t.co/CoSqURpoVe
A2: Collaboration & flexibility- lucky to have both!
A2: Another element is trust and openness between teachers. Need to share, not hoard, best practices. https://t.co/ikAC9dtnlx
A2:Mentorship, communication, collaboration, consensus, empathy, autonomy--good places to explore as T develop and grow.
can't understate role of flexibility. Teachers need differentiated environments to learn like students!
agree completely, love that our school do these practices!
A2: Teachers need support to try new things and be innovative. Leadership matters!
A2-Open communication is a must between teachers, students, administrators, parents & community. https://t.co/w8JV2PZX9w
great list, but I especially like empathy. Professional growth occurs best when Ts/admin can see needs of others.
nice point about communication. Too often we simply "grin and bear it" instead of sharing concerns.
I love your point about sharing resources - educators enrich each other
Question 3 on “Building Support for Excellent Teaching” is up in 1 minute!
A3: same things in A2! Plus compensation & career ladders
A3: First key is to recruit and retain excellent principals to high-needs schools. Can have huge impact on work environment.
A3:say in teaching schedule, strong network to help high needs Ss,so teacher can effectively remediate,trust in expertise.
A3: Need to ensure Ts in high-needs schools have sufficient support to instructional resources.
So important! That scaffolding is important. Good call.
A3: Supports needed to recruit and retain include excellent teacher prep programs
Question 4 on “Building Support for Excellent Teaching” is up in 1 minute
Q4: How can teacher prep programs extend into K-12 classrooms to support excellent teaching? https://t.co/KAjafhddVA
A3: sometimes it seems as though Ts in high-needs areas have the LEAST say, this leads to turnover & low morale
Hi everyone! Late to the party but happy to join. Melody Arabo from MI, 3rd grade.
I love that you say support and flexibility are key for retention - teachers stay when they feel the love
A4:teaching pipeline should start in k-12 in high needs schools.Begin the narrative that those Ss can become great teachers.
A4:partnerships,relationships beyond placement,partner masterTs in diff school enviros.Strike balance w/ pedagogy & practice
A1 here, happy to join the conversation!
A4-Why not have more "student teaching" opportunities instead of just one block toward end of degree. https://t.co/e3gw3MlSMH
Q4: How can teacher prep programs extend into K-12 classrooms to support excellent teaching? https://t.co/KAjafhddVA
A4: cont-- think about how it may recruit at-risk youth to college and employ a more diverse teaching population.
A4: teacher prep programs are crucial beyond teaching - mentorship via IHE faculty would be ideal
A4:T prep programs should be evaluated more on outputs than inputs. regs move that direction https://t.co/sE8TwlSsXX
this can be an essential first part of effective "grow your own" teaching programs.
I would love to see my district tackle this at TTL.
A2 Supportive administration, commitment to T leadership opportunities, funding for PD, inter visitation, and common planning.
Step further..shift nearly ALL of program 2 school setting. Doctors don't learn 2 operate away from op room.
So true! Most careers have multiple experiences. Most Ed programs only 1 at the end. Time for a change.
Question 5 on “Building Support for Excellent Teaching” is up in 1 minute
there are some nice examples of how Title II dollars can be used for effective mentorship in guidance.
A3 Funding to support the work, hi quality prep such as residency programs and cultural pedagogy, mentoring, ongoing PD,
Gr8 point. Quality instructional leaders make a huge impact! https://t.co/Gg9uZO8kEY
A3: First key is to recruit and retain excellent principals to high-needs schools. Can have huge impact on work environment.
A5:We have a strong Onboarding dept that provides quality instruction and mentorship for new Ts.
for "ongoing PD," I would add "continuing" PD....too many programs are 1 year and done...on to the next one.
"The Hive" is great induction program name. Bees are great team players; no isolation in a hive!
A4 Employ residency models where preservice Ts apprentice in real ed settings WHILE taking classes in ed theory and practice
love when schools move from "one size fits all" PD model.
Love the idea of recruiting youth AND creating pipelines that ensure preparation and retention https://t.co/u29qSplktj
A4: cont-- think about how it may recruit at-risk youth to college and employ a more diverse teaching population.
Exactly! https://t.co/mkjxOTS7DF
Step further..shift nearly ALL of program 2 school setting. Doctors don't learn 2 operate away from op room.
Question 6 on “Building Support for Excellent Teaching” is up in 1 minute
Q6:What is the biggest obstacle you have seen to building systems of support for excellent teaching? https://t.co/XA1RnHKV5V
A6: As S Carolinian, Hootie and Blowfish explains most things. Ts believe in time, but don't have it! https://t.co/TK8pNPwQML
A6: My experience is Ts with TIME to plan can accomplish great things. Too many systems stifle individual time 2 innovate.
A5 NYCs Urban Teacher Resident program is a collaboration between , , and Hunter College
A6: Money, lack of support, rigid bureacracy & emphasis on follow rather than transforming systems
agree budget size doesn't help, but smarter budgeting would also make difference. Rely on in-house experts more.
A6: Other obstacle is accountability culture that forces school admin 2 document/prove PD occurring. Causes 1-size-fits-all PD
great point. Supporting great teaching requires providing tools to help ALL students.
Question 7 on “Building Support for Excellent Teaching” is up in 1 minute
Q6 Unwieldy & rigid bureaucracy, politicizing ed policies and $, school funding formulas, institutional disfranchisement...
We have been making faculty mtgs more like conferences where Ts offer sessions to peers. Great fdback!
A7: By engaging in chats like this! Sharing of ideas is often the very best PD available.
A7 Share best practices, take T leadership positions, practice digital engagement, join unions and prof orgs, continuing ed
A7: Seek input and learning from colleagues. Share successes from our clasrooms. Sharing =\= bragging. https://t.co/6Ge7iussNR
love this idea. Any move away from the "faculty meeting as verbal email" model is great!
A7 Teachers should systematically be invited to share not only resources but pedagogy and strategies for reaching all kids.
A7: Teachers need 2 engage in advocacy for great systems of support. Ts can't let policy happen to them; need to share voice.
A7: my Y2 project is about helping preservice Ts establish a digital PLN. I am starting there!
love last point. Humility is great trait, but hoarding of best practice is not. 1 can be humble and collaborative.
I would love to see what you come up with!
Thank you for joining tonight’s chat. We look forward our next chat, the third Tuesday of each month from 7-8 pm EST!
In my experience Ts love this. If lacking common content planning, this is a silver lining. https://t.co/Xt1Qk6KNoE
A7: I am a fan of learning walks- open your door, open your mind. Still figuring out how best to do these in a larg… https://t.co/UYFytHiqba
Please be sure to join next month, November 15, for a chat on Inclusion, Equity, & Opportunity https://t.co/cNyOhFhesP
