A chat that offers middle school teachers a chance to have a collaborative discussion about a different topic each week. Our topics change from week to week, ranging from Common Core State Standards to Character Education. During the chat, participants exchanges ideas and resources. The chat group ranges in size each week from 10 to 50+ participants. Discussion can be general talking about instructional style or process to specific. Recently members of the chat group help each other create lessons.
A1: Engaging in conversation with Ss and Ts daily, saying hi to everyone, giving hi fives to kids in the hallways...even if they are not my students, being excited about the content (even if I'm not), and just being friendly. #mschat
A1: I’m always willing to go the extra mile and will help anyone who needs it. I’m reliable. Ss see me excited every day and even though they think I’m weird, they know I’m passionate. #mschat
A1) I wish my Ss could write this answer! They would say because I am excited about so many different math concepts (it's always the best/favorite lesson) The Ss can see the fun I am having while teaching. Also... I take pride in my nerdiness!!! #mschat
A1: I get excited. My eyes light up, I gesture wildly, and I talk fast.
Like, really fast.
And I try to “bring it” every day. Do my ideas flop sometimes? Sure. But they flop spectacularly! #mschat
1) Obsession and passion can sometimes be synonymous. What you talk about, what you question, what you celebrate. This is what you love. It’s what makes you do flips! It’s hard to hide. #mschat
A: "I think when you really want to be doing your job it shows. It's my hope that our Ss and Ts know I really enjoy my job...even when it gets tough. I hope the passion just shows in how I go about my business. #mschat
A1: I think by the way I carry myself. I am joyful, enthusiastic, and I am constantly trying to find ways to innovate my content. Positivity can be infectious! #mschat
A1: As an Enneagram 8, I'm pretty much passionate about everything I either love or hate. 😂 There's not a whole lot in the middle. I talk a lot about both things to staff and students. I want everyone to be excited about the same things I am. #mschat
A2 Passion has to be based in student growth and learning On those off days just focus on your students, put everything else behind you and just teach #mschat
A2: Everyday we have a choice in our attitude. I have a saying with my Ss. Iron sharpens iron. They know if I’m not at my best, they can’t be at their best. #mschat
A2: I sometimes like to pretend I am an actor. So even if I am down...I get into my teacher actor mode. I model this for my students when I have conversations with them too. Telling them not everyday is going to be great, but you have to try to give it your best. #mschat
A2: My students. Let’s face it...there are days even I’m not feeling it. But, inevitably, someone tells a joke, opens up a bit, draws me a picture, gets super excited over something, whatever, and—BOOM—I’m back. They deserve me to be all in even when I know I’m not. #mschat
Q2) @blocht574 This question was for me this week... Even when I am exhausted, I show it in an enthusiastic way, over the top collapse on a desk, curling up on the counter, being honest when I'm not feeling it. (that one is good, because they usually try to cheer me up! #mschat
A2: You just have to find something about what you're doing to be excited about, so that the kids are too. Even if it's just giving notes. I put funny gifs in my power point notes to lighten up note taking with grammar. #mschat
A2: Feed off of the energy he Ss bring. Remember that my down mood can impactthe group’s mood and focus on how the Ss are being positive and passionate about being in class. #mschat
A2: "I'm fortunate enough to be able to go to places that can help me bounce back on these days. The best thing as an admin is 2 get out of the office & go 2 where the good is happening-- classrooms. I've told teachers I might just need 2 come in sometimes & watch u work. #mschat
A3: Dance, sing, talk in funny voices. Get pumped about simple things like Ss putting correct punctuation. Most importantly play and learn right beside the students. #mschat
A3 Whether its in the classroom, w/peers or just planning you have to have some fun! When you are truly enjoying yourself it will be contagious #mschat
A3: W/ ss, choice. They might not have the same avenue to passion I do. So I need to open up multiple routes. W/ colleagues, I try to share resources. I’m a gifted curator of stuff. I remember almost everything I encounter. So I share! #mschat
A3: I like to have idea shares with other staff members and invite them to see how I do things within the school setting. It can lead to a “passion infection” of epic proportions. #mschat
A3: I love to share out what I am doing. I talk about stuff I learn on Twitter, present at conferences, spend time during my planning going around to teachers and talking with them about things happening. Teaching is more than my livlihood. It is my calling! #mschat
A3: Making people laugh, and showing them how excited I am about teaching. Sometimes I like to get pumped for a new day like football players. Other days I am singing in the hallways in the morning to welcome everyone to school. #mschat PS not a Patriots fan...but the gif fits.
A2: Passion on a down day? Sure! Soft start! Read an inspirational story, listen to a powerful piece of music, or view some mesmerizing artwork. All of these were created through someone's passion, and students can't help but to carry that on in their learning. #mschat
A3: I try to make things as fun as possible w/ whatever they're doing that day, & then I constantly ask for feedback. If I thought it worked well and the kids loved it, then I'm definitely looking to share w/ my peers on what worked and didn't. You have to be flexible #mschat
A3) Taking my class to alternate locations in the building (other staff get involved, my favorite is one of our resource officers now stops by all the time, asking what we are doing today, and usually sticks around for part of the lesson!) #mschat
A3: Reach out and look for opportunities to create interdisciplinary learning. Math problems about history topics, Science experiments to make arguments stronger in ELA. We did Diner theaters, CSI units, economic simulations, etc as well. #mschat
A4) Right now Ss are working on a career project. Exploring a career they are interested in learning more about... math connection you say? Yes, they need to explain how that career uses math! And now we know WHY we are learning math! (I love this project!) #mschat
A4: Again, choice. When we possible, I let them pick the route. You like art? Draw it. Into Minecraft? Build it. Social learner? I’ll hook you up with a learning community. #mschat
Q4: I try to create projects that involve different learning styles and topic choices. For example with the Giver they can show me every few chapters what they've learned through music, poetry, essay format or art. #mschat
A4: Through differentiation. We need to care less about how students demonstrate mastery or how they learn content or skills. Give them choice whenever possible in these areas. #mschat
I also do a World War II historical fiction project in the spring, and I give students a list of books to choose from, so they’re able to pick one that interests them instead of me just assigning it to them. #mschat
A4: One way is I did these Tweet Outs (hit or miss if they Ss are into them). It was originally to help w/ blurting out, but it turned into them asking me questions. I would answer their questions on Twitter. This way I could get to know their thoughts & interest better. #mschat
5) We all have strengths. Too often we work to make weaknesses average instead of making our passions amazing. We need to celebrate EACH child and EACH adult for the gifts they bring. #mschat
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A3: The best way to make your passion contagious is to share it! Talk about your loves, write about your passions, and cultivate your enthusiasm in front of others. In short, live it, breathe it, and eat it. Others can't help but "catch" it! #mschat
Night all, thanks for the quick chat, good luck getting all your grading finished. I know thanks to #mschat I am a little more energized. We've got this!!
A5: Celebrate all Ss (and just others in general) for who they are. Even if you're not passionate about whatever they are, make sure you engage with them about their passions. It's a part of who they are as an individual. #mschat
A5: I appreciate how @KTuttleEDU and @ERobbPrincipal celebrate when the staff embrace passions. They have helped me not feel bad about being so passionate about my calling! #mschat
It started as an inside joke thanks to @TeacherRunner42. And now it has evolved. This will either be the greatest or the worst thing I’ve ever done as a Twitter moderator. Get ready folks. #mschat
A5: Celebrate all Ss (and just others in general) for who they are. Even if you're not passionate about whatever they are, make sure you engage with them about their passions. It's a part of who they are as an individual. #mschat
