#UrbanEd chat is a twitter chat for educators. Topics relevant to the subject of urban education will be discussed, but all educators are encouraged to join the conversation. The chats will be moderated by Ben and Neil, founders of Engaging Educators and elementary school teachers in Detroit, MI.
Excited to be guest hosting tonight! I’m an NBCT currently working as an instructional coach and ed consultant based in Brooklyn. Basically, my job is listening to teachers & creating stuff to support them. It’s pretty awesome. #UrbanEdChat
Hello! My name is Jessica. I taught grade 3 for 8 years and I am moving into a new role as an Indigenous Advocate. I’m located in Regina, SK. Canada. #UrbanEdChat
Q1: I'm going to start with a question that I always think is interesting to explore. Do you think there’s a correlation between the number of hours a teacher works and his/her effectiveness? #UrbanEdChat
A1: not necessarily—- I know many people who “work” a lot of hours but it is not determined and goal centered but rather “wasting time” I make work less hours but get more done. #urbanedchat
A1: No. In actuality, I realized that the more hours that the teacher worked, it can limit their effectiveness because they are tired and exhausted. #UrbanEdChat
Q1: I'm going to start with a question that I always think is interesting to explore. Do you think there’s a correlation between the number of hours a teacher works and his/her effectiveness? #UrbanEdChat
Why does effectiveness measured by amount of time invested ... some of my best activities were thought of in my way to school triggered by a random thought. #urbanedchat
A1: correlation vs. causation. I think that many times long hours equally productive results, but I don’t think time=cause. Some effective teachers produce results by allocating time wisely. Peer grading, self reflection, rubrics, etc. #UrbanEdChat
A1: correlation vs. causation. I think that many times long hours equally productive results, but I don’t think time=cause. Some effective teachers produce results by allocating time wisely. Peer grading, self reflection, rubrics, etc. #UrbanEdChat
Q2: Thinking about school culture and our own beliefs about teaching…what factors make it difficult to create reasonable boundaries on the amount of time we dedicate to work? #UrbanEdChat
A1 I think the answer depends a bit on what the extra hours are spent on. If I'm spending extra time on things that will directly benefit my kids or something that is exciting for me within my craft, then heck yeah. Other 'business' type tasks, maybe not so much. #urbanedchat
The Parkinson’s Law states that “work expands to fill the time available for its completion.” That means if you give yourself 8 hours to complete a 2 hour task, you’ll end up taking all 8 hours to finish the work. https://t.co/Sjom3uDGr1#UrbanEdChat
A2: you have to be willing to set your own boundaries. Take your work email off your phone. Don’t give your phone number to families. Boundaries differ by teachers and is hard to set your own when others are different #urbanedchat
A2: it's difficult to create boundaries when there are required meetings, committees and duties that we are expected to be involved in. It takes time away from class work. #UrbanEdChat
A1: teaching isn’t a job, it’s a calling, and it’s so hard to cut off a calling when it’s after hours. We love our students and society teaches us that if we loved our kids we wouldn’t take a break for ourselves.
Btw, society is wrong. #UrbanEdChat
Q2: Thinking about school culture and our own beliefs about teaching…what factors make it difficult to create reasonable boundaries on the amount of time we dedicate to work? #UrbanEdChat
Good point. Some of my best work is stuff that is completed in a few minutes. And I've spent hours laboring over things that really didn't turn out great. #UrbanEdChat
A2- My type A personality. I have to have everything done and organized. I feel like I can't sleep until all my to do list items are checked off. #urbanEdchat
A2: Sincere concern for the kids in our care. Incompetent leaders. Terrible policies. Inequity within schools and classrooms. Mental anguish faced from racism in our edu system. #UrbanEdChat
A2 This resonates as a struggle for me every year. I do many extras for my Ss-gigs, socials, trips, etc. The time required is more, but the pay-off is big for Ss. They <3 it & our program is stronger for it. But I have a family-I try not to bring work home any more. #urbanedchat
A2: There are so many things that need time dedicated to each of them. The important thing to do is prioritize to the best of one’s ability. #UrbanEdChat
A3: when you feel like journey up is overflowing day no. Can’t get everything done. If there is too much going on you will not do it to quality. #urbanedchat
A2: There are so many things that need time dedicated to each of them. The important thing to do is prioritize to the best of one’s ability. #UrbanEdChat
A3: usually I try to decide what will benefit my students the most and go from there to determine what to spend time doing. Sometimes my students will benefit more from me stepping away from school work #UrbanEdChat
A3- By reminding myself I can't do it all thats why I have coworkers :) Also finding resources on twitter or podcast can make me work smarter and not harder.
#urbanEdchat
The struggle is real, Tracy. I think part of it is our tendency to equate perfectionism with excellence. We need to decouple the two first. #urbanedchat
A3 Choosing to say "Yes" to the best means that we often have to say no to a lot of really good opportunities...mark your priorities first and learn how to say no to the non-essentials #UrbanEdChat
A4: someone once told me. If you could only do one thing tomorrow to bring you joy, would you still do it? This guides my thinking about my yes and no answers. #urbanedchat
I like the idea of setting "office hours" & telling others what time(s) of day you respond to messages. That way they can feel free to email at 11 pm if that's convenient for them, but know in advance the reply's not coming until a pre-determined time the next day. #UrbanEdChat
A3: I’ve found Stephen Covey to be helpful with this. His four quadrants are really useful in distinguishing between what’s urgent vs. what’s important. #urbanedchat
A2:Portable technology. Love my laptop and smartphone, but they allow me to feel like I’m neglecting work if I dont stay connnected or hammer out a few tasks as I think of them. This paradigm requires a conscious(and guilt-inducing) effort to step away. #urbanedchat
#UrbanEdChat A2: unrealistic expectations and teacher guilt, not to mention how there’s never enough time to get ALL THE THINGS done that are expected of us.
Q2: Thinking about school culture and our own beliefs about teaching…what factors make it difficult to create reasonable boundaries on the amount of time we dedicate to work? #UrbanEdChat
A3: writers know that writing is a process. It is never finished. It is never perfect. Teachers need to understand the same. Allot a certain amount of time and stick to it daily. #urbanEdchat
@Angela_Watson#UrbanEdChat A1: I think it depends. There’s a happy medium between too much and too little time spent and being proactive. I’ve seen classrooms where teachers are busy in their outside lives and not proactive during the school day.
Right. And if the answer is no and you still have to do it...you don't have to give 100% effort to it. You can't give 100% to every single thing that's on your plate. Give more to the stuff that moves the needle for kids. #UrbanEdChat
A4: someone once told me. If you could only do one thing tomorrow to bring you joy, would you still do it? This guides my thinking about my yes and no answers. #urbanedchat
A3: I decided that for this year, everything is extra except doing the best I can at my job. I am working on my doctorate and have a toddler - life is busy enough. I can coach and lead student groups another time. Helps me not feel guilty about saying no. #UrbanEdChat
A3 Will 'getting it done' impact my day's activities? Will the world still keep turning if I leave it? As I've gotten older, I've been able to prioritize w/less stress & say 'no.' In my 1st yrs I would be turning on the alarm because I was there after everyone else.#UrbanEdChat
I've noticed a trend that leadership at the campus and district level seem to be taking a hands-off approach to new teacher development...the new have to fight for themselves...we all need support #UrbanEdChat
A3: is it necessary for the success of my students? Is it something that I enjoy? Will it be possible for me to keep a balance? If the answer is yes, I’ll do it. #UrbanEdChat
A5: I've found that scheduling in small blocks of time in which I totally unplug is more attainable for me. I've had lofty goals of not "checking things" online or doing work for a whole weekend...doesn't happen often. But even just an hour or two really helps. #UrbanEdChat
A4 Set up an email rule/filter that helps move uneeded emails to a special folder...also planning the night before...writing out goals and essentials #UrbanEdChat
A5: I've found that scheduling in small blocks of time in which I totally unplug is more attainable for me. I've had lofty goals of not "checking things" online or doing work for a whole weekend...doesn't happen often. But even just an hour or two really helps. #UrbanEdChat
Q5 - I wish I had a specific strategy. I spent my student teaching and long term sub position exhausted and overworked. After a 5 yr break, I guess I adjusted. I simply don’t take work home unless absolutely necessary. I work more efficiently. I plan my late days. #UrbanEdChat
Turning off alerts is SO important. Check when it's convenient for YOU! Plus, you can then respond to messages in batches, which is more efficient. #UrbanEdChat
Q6: Last question! What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d known earlier about creating boundaries & being more intentional with your time?#UrbanEdChat
A5 I try to get as much stuff done at school as I can. Sometimes it means staying late or coming in on a Saturday, but when I'm home, I'm home. #UrbanEdChat
I think I need to turn off the alerts this next year. Nothing worse than finally digging into studying time and getting an email. Instant distraction. #UrbanEdChat
I like this point about planning your late days--knowing in advance when you're going to work late (and what you're going to work on) really helps with getting more accomplished and staying focused. #UrbanEdChat
@MrSeanMarcus that is why four years ago, I took the work email app off of my phone. Most times info sent in an email can wait until the morning. #UrbanEdChat
In reply to
@girasole775, @MrSeanMarcus, @Angela_Watson, @MrSeanMarcus
A4 To not reinvent the wheel. I've been teaching a long time & used to create new memos, notes, calendars, requests, approvals, etc.. I'm becoming the queen of files & folders in my Google Drive. "Make a copy" and proceed! #UrbanEdChat
Music and video games help me out more than anything. On my commute, I find music to fit my mood and turn it up. Hopping online to joke with friends and focus on new tasks makes me actively focus on something else and pushes work to the back burner #UrbanEdChat
So true. I’ll have to adjust this year because my prep changes from 6th per to 1st period, so my scheduling will definitely have to adapt to that #UrbanEdChat
A6: I agree with all the thoughts on delegation. Systematizing the delegation really helps: deciding in advance who is going to do what, and putting processes in place so things get done automatically, and without a lot of discussion each time. #UrbanEdChat
A6: I wish I hadn’t been such a martyr. Yes, our love for our kids is boundless, but that doesn’t mean we need to sacrifice our personal lives. It takes many of the strategies discussed during tonight’s chat, but it is possible to have your cake and eat it too. #urbanedchat
A3 I always ask myself, "Can it wait?" and then I ask myself, "Will this task cause problems in my personal life? (such as my parental or spousal obligations) #UrbanEdChat
Q6: Last question! What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d known earlier about creating boundaries & being more intentional with your time?#UrbanEdChat
A6: That it is an ongoing process and needs to adjust with your life. Just because something is working now doesn’t mean it will always work. I have to stay aware of my energy and stress levels and be willing to change things! And that’s ok! #UrbanEdChat
Q6: Last question! What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d known earlier about creating boundaries & being more intentional with your time?#UrbanEdChat
A6 Just by learning how to say no...we stretch ourselves thin and then figure out how to re-work the stress to fit in tutoring, coaching, etc...say yes to the best and no to all the rest #UrbanEdChat
A5 My husband brings my 4 girls to me at 3:30 each day or I need to be home by 4 so he can go to work. That has helped me prioritize/leave the rest. It is not a strategy, but a mandatory 'hat change.' There are exceptions here & there, but I just have to leave it. #UrbanEdChat
A6: it’s OKAY to set aside time for YOU. You’re not a lesser teacher for not bringing the stack of essays home over the weekend or for going to bed early one night instead of detailing every second of a lesson. Finding ways to be efficient is smart, not lazy. #UrbanEdChat
Definitely need to take the time to do some digital organization. Entering my 2nd year of teaching and realizing I have to go hunting for things...ugh. #UrbanEdChat
A6: be willing to allocate “teach” time, “plan” time, and “refocus” time. A balanced teacher is a happy teach, and a happy teacher means a successful classroom. #UrbanEdChat
Martyrdom is sort of expected sometimes in education, isn't it? Someone earlier shared the quote (as an example of that), "A good teacher is a like a candle, consuming itself to light the way for others." #UrbanEdChat
Right. Will kids benefit more from you getting a good night's rest and taking care of yourself, or from you staying up until 3 am looking for lesson ideas on Pinterest? #UrbanEdChat
It totally is, Angela. But it’s neither sustainable nor healthy, especially if we want teaching to be a lifelong profession. #urbanedchat
p.s. That quote gives me the heebie-jeebies.
A6 That I can still be a great teacher, mom, wife, colleague, friend, & human w/o having to do it all 'today.' I'm still a work in progress on all fronts, to be honest, but striving for balance a good chunk of the time is my focus. #UrbanEdChat
A6: it's ok to speak honestly and be open about your expectations and how you feel, don't bottle your stress, talk to the people who need to hear you out and those who will support you and help you work through finding those boundaries #UrbanEdChat
A2 - Sometimes I feel guilty about leaving when see other colleagues staying late. But that is my issue. Most days I don’t worry about it, but on the days it does, I have to be ok with what I need and not put imaginary pressure on myself. #UrbanEdChat
Q2: Thinking about school culture and our own beliefs about teaching…what factors make it difficult to create reasonable boundaries on the amount of time we dedicate to work? #UrbanEdChat
Thank you all for sharing tonight--I always love discussing this topic with teachers. I think it's important to normalize convos about balance and self-care in the edu community, so teachers feel like it's okay to set boundaries. #UrbanEdChat
A6 it’s ok to say ‘No’ to extra duties and requests; there’s plenty of time to get involved in that new thing that seems really cool but might add extra work to your plate!don’t do it all at once. I still need these reminders regularly! #urbanedchat
A1: Great question! I don’t think that because I think it’s an issue of efficiency. I work really well under pressure and am very fast on a computer, so I can finish things in half the time often. That makes me a more effective human! #UrbanEdChat
Q1: I'm going to start with a question that I always think is interesting to explore. Do you think there’s a correlation between the number of hours a teacher works and his/her effectiveness? #UrbanEdChat
Effective teaching is not about constantly working, it’s about making sure you’re working on the right things. Once you start examining habits & focusing on what makes the biggest difference for kids, it becomes easier to make self-care a priority, too. #UrbanEdChat
