#WeirdEd Thomas Mision, 2 days left for 1st half of my Student Teaching b4 Spring semester/Student Teaching 2. Personal risk is telling @TheWeirdTeacher that he wrote "personal definition is risk is" instead of "Of risk is"
Hi! I'm Katie. I'm a pre-service teacher studying at Grove City College. My definition of risk is trying to do something with the knowledge that it could possibly end badly. #WeirdEd
So this is what I did this year. Walked in to our pre-observation meeting and said, "I'm trying something I've never dine and it could very well go horribly wrong." Luckily, it didn't. #weirded
#WeirdEd Aso, "Risk" is opening up, putting yourself out there, and hoping this all works out. Safety net optional
(Never a net around when the A.P.'s around)
Love the idea to break something to learn more. As easy as it can be to put on the show you know they want to see, being vulnerable enough to risk failure opens so much more opportunity for real learning. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Serious answer, Personal Risk is, esp as an about to be newb teacher, calling out and standing ground in front of veteran Ts, embedded systems bc I see that it's not doing Ss any good & it needs change. Thank goodness for new char limit
My name is Taylor. I am a student at Grove City college. My definition of risk is doing something while knowing that it could result in a negative outcome. #weirded
#WeirdEd I've largely backed out of many chats bc I'm finding it increasingly unlikely to overcome my low self-confidence, w/all the stuff I've had to deal w, in this sem. Have to reduce my hypocrisy
#WeirdEd A1 Well, considering I've been doing this, it'd be a lesson that I really have fun teaching and I know students have fun teaching, at least instructional delivery-wise. Content doesnt matter as much
A1: I would teach a science lesson because there are many possibilities for the lesson to have teaching moments, as well as for the students to learn new information that wasn't even a part of the lesson! #weirded
#WeirdEd A1 Whatever's coming up in the calendar. Seriously. We have pacing guides. maybe swap a day out for something more "visual" or aligned w what they're looking for.
My observation was right before students' biggest essay was due. I did "New ways of seeing your writing" and had students do all sorts of weird things to their work - breaking down by sentences, changing font & color, etc.Did it because "seeing" our writing is essential. #weirded
#weirded A1cont. This year I took a risk and my observation happened during stations that I had never done before, with a method I'd never tried before.
A1 I love showing off tech. Or if im really digging a topic I love having a great discussion with a class in either Socratic Seminar or academic conversation #WeirdEd
We're at my wife's grandparents' house and her grandpa picked up my phone thinking it was his when the Twitter notifications went off and he just read aloud to the room "Hi Jordan. weirded?" 😂 I wish everyone had a grandpa to read tweets to them @nathan_stevens#WeirdEd
No, but if you get to start there, you have an advantage. At least, the guys I used to play with thought so.
I never had an advantage anywhere.
I was told I was too "reckless" #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Yeah, I thought w/ Student teaching's increased focus on classroom, wouldn't be hampered by my own course work. Not the case.... Loved my classes though
A1: subject/topic could be anything but I like using tech, inquiry, and social justice aspects as much as I can so I would definitely highlight those in a formally observed lesson #WeirdEd
A1 I like to try something new. Its easy to do the familiar and easy with an observation. I sort of like the thrill of trying a new lesson or something non traditional #WeirdEd
A1: I would teach "How to Evaluate Search Engine Results" because there's a rap and it's a skill even most adults could use to strengthen.
The Rap:
Blue is the title.
Green is the link.
Black is blurb you read.
Then you think!
#weirded
Trust me, Grove City Edustudents are some of the very best! They have @SFecich as their prof! They are amazing! Some have even been #KoryTellers#WeirdEd
In reply to
@ClareyKatie, @TheWeirdTeacher, @SFecich
#WeirdEd Yeah, I get it. It also helps if Ss move within district since it's same throughout, it could probably help me too, as a new T, but I think we stuck too close to it, pace too fast for most of our Ss.
#WeirdEd Q2 What would you never ever want to teach during a formal observation? It needs to be something within the purview of things you already teach. Why that?
A1 When I taught at Columbia College, my supervisor observed me and practically ousted me on the spot. He didn't have the power,but I wasn't rehired. #weirded
Yeah, our building is like this, and it's a big change from my loosey-goosey previous school, but I've grown to like it bc pacing is one of my weaknesses. I've gotten better at it with the support of colleagues #WeirdEd
A2 Knee jerk reaction is the Gupta Empire because I have an irrational hatred of that empire. A real answer is a skill that's only specific to my content/test like writing a DBQ essay #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A1 Basically, any lesson should be a formally observable lesson, although that doesn't always work in practice, so some finagling behind the scenes happens sometimes
#WeirdEd Q2 What would you never ever want to teach during a formal observation? It needs to be something within the purview of things you already teach. Why that?
A2: today's class when we broke down their upcoming provincial assessment, and the time constraints, and associated planning and strategizing. #WeirdEd
A2: Any day we're doing independent work. Those days are usually for everyone to get caught up (myself included). No real "teaching" happening. #weirded
Q2: Not quite sure how to answer this question. I wouldn't want to teach something I am not familiar with. I like having a lot of time for understanding. #WeirdEd
A2: I am going to be an Elem. Ed teacher, so I will be teaching all the major subjects. I would never want to teach a lesson that relied heavily on powerpoint or just me talking. #WeirdEd
A2: Any day we're doing independent work. Those days are usually for everyone to get caught up (myself included). No real "teaching" happening. #weirded
Oh, definitely there's a balance! We shoot to test on the same day or at least couple of days in ss; in math we break it down by standard, but still have leeway within a 3-4 day window #WeirdEd
A2 "the boring bits" - some days need to just be about rigor and practice and are not flashy nor shiny enough to ring all the bells and whistles and check the boxes "needed" in a formal #WeirdEd - my formal can determine my salary next year, need checked boxes for 💰💵
#WeirdEd A1 For a "formal" observation in NYC, you get a heads-up and a pre-obs meeting to discuss stuff. "Informal" just happen, are shorter, but still get written up
#WeirdEd I knew I forgot something.... LOL. Not the actual event itself, it's Star Wars weekend, so I'mma see it like... twice. But, we can meet up like we did last time. XD
A2: anything boring and chalk and talk-y. There's nothing to be gained. I don't care about messy. I do care about no bang for my buck. If I'm being observed there needs to be something to give feedback on #WeirdEd
A2 anything political. As a social studies teacher I want my teachers to never know my bias opinions and teaching political stories/views/topics is already draining and stressful! Like walking on eggshells and then add an evaluator. #stress#WeirdEd
A2: I am going to be an Elem. Ed teacher, so I will be teaching all the major subjects. I would never want to teach a lesson that relied heavily on powerpoint or just me talking. #WeirdEd
A2: Something that students in my class may struggle with, that I already know of. You want to be able to take the time to help them all and make sure they understand but that can be hard during a formal observation. #weirded
#WeirdEd A2 I dont know yet, most likely something I'm not confident teaching, maybe math related... Although a day of editing and revising probably wouldn't make for good formal observations tho
Oh god. I was observed during a 2-day week before a 4-day weekend, when I had planned catch-up days with a movie as a reward for those with no catch-up work. The 2nd day, most students caught up, so...just a movie day *cringe* #WeirdEd
How the students would react to what the lesson was about. I am also afraid I would not be able to keep the students under control but I know that comes with practice and I am only a preservice teacher haha #weirded
A2. Lessons that encourage Ss vulnerability - I don't feel they are their true selves when admin steps in (not totally admin's fault, just haven't been there to build community w/us) #weirded
#WeirdEd A2 I dont know yet, most likely something I'm not confident teaching, maybe math related... Although a day of editing and revising probably wouldn't make for good formal observations tho
A2: I would never want to teach citations during a formal observations. I bore myself with that garbage. But it's important and copyright and blah blah blah snooooorrrreeeee. Ok, so I did make a song to make it better, but still. https://t.co/azWTsL0sdu#WeirdEd
A2. Lessons that encourage Ss vulnerability - I don't feel they are their true selves when admin steps in (not totally admin's fault, just haven't been there to build community w/us) #weirded
Yeah, there may be consequences for me being brave enough to state this on edutwitter. Admin and higher follow me, possibility for negative responses but important to be open with real concerns for me and my peers #riskvsreward#weirded
#WeirdEd A2 Sometimes I just have to *talk*, I need to *explain*, they need to *copy*. I don't want to do it. They don't want to do it.
Nobody wants to WATCH it
And I don't want to be rated on it
(Definitions, rules, dry stuff, etc.)
A2: I would never want to teach citations during a formal observations. I bore myself with that garbage. But it's important and copyright and blah blah blah snooooorrrreeeee. Ok, so I did make a song to make it better, but still. https://t.co/azWTsL0sdu#WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A2+ Even if we get to discuss, the questions don't rise about level 1 much. Too much what, not enough how/why. Compare/contrast is out the window
Just double checking I am reading the tone correctly on this response @Sneffleupagus as I don't know you well enough to be sure I read this "right" #WeirdEd
In reply to
@Sneffleupagus, @TheWeirdTeacher, @Sneffleupagus
it is crazy to me that finding books in a library could be viewed as not valuable when so much of post secondary schooling is still done with books and reading is so fundamental to students' academic success. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd What would it look to observer if you said "Just so you know, I have no idea how students will respond"? I wanna be optimistic and say it won't look that bad bc they know how teaching can be....?
In reply to
@Sneffleupagus, @TheWeirdTeacher, @madsgladstone
A3: Kind of? I've done lessons during observations that I felt were a hot, hot mess. But admin love whatever happens in music. It's hard to get good feedback. #WeirdEd
A3: YEP! But my observers knew it was a test so they were able to help me autopsy the lesson. It was a new project that we were supposed to use and I wanted to test it. Kids were COMPLETELY lost. It was like teaching goldfish! #fun#WeirdEd
A3: I have BOMBED an observation so hard Ben Stiller told me not to talk about it on a plane.
I lectured to 3rd graders for 40 minutes about encyclopedias. #WeirdEd
A3: I've never bombed an observation (I'm still a college student). but I was an assistant teacher over the summer where there was a lesson observed where it seemed that every possible thing went wrong. Got to see how difficult teaching really can be #weirded
#WeirdEd a3 once I had no choice but to be observed in my most difficult class. Behaviorally, they were a handful, and being the end of the semester, I had no choice. I thought I bombed it, but my admin saw gold with how I handled the kids. I think I learned more.
A3: I have not yet been formally observed, but during practice ones they have gone great. Fingers extra crossed the momentum keeps up with me!! #WeirdEd
Also, @TheWeirdTeacher finally read the post. I do this every year with my obs. New thing. No sure success, use it for growth and accelerated refining of new process. Works well. Mind you, our obs are not linked to tenure... #WeirdEd
A3: I bombed HARD with an AP who was very old school and nose-to-the-grindstone about the exact wording of the evaluation rubric. Taught the exact same lesson the next year w/different evaluator and went up a full point. 😡 #WeirdEd
A3: hahahahahahahaahha I have bombed a few. I actually found it great because I was having problems with the class and having an outside perspective gave me an understanding of why I was having problems as well as what I could do to improve #WeirdEd
A3 I had an observation by an admin who later said she hadn't seen standards & objectives posted (they were) & what I taught wasn't in the curriculum (it was, but off pace). #WeirdEd
A3. Oh boy...I wasn't prepared. Tough kids and I didn't understand consistency/relationship building. It was a bad day where I said "if you want to learn, join me. If not, just don't bother us & sit over there..." It was then that my principal came in for my observation #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A3 I don't think I've bombed an observation, but there have been a few observations when it was difficult to go through the lesson bc I have been always in classrooms with such wonderfully eclectic students... LOL
Make no mistake, I love 'em all tho. Not boring
#WeirdEd I had a VP (same one as in the blog) who demanded I had learning objectives posted. So, to test her and bc I'm a jerk, I wrote some and then never changed them all year. she didn't notice.
#WeirdEd A3 Never bombed a formal observation where the AP stuck to the plan (although forces beyond control ... etc)
Informal have been blown for variety of reasons
#WeirdEd A3 I don't think I've bombed an observation, but there have been a few observations when it was difficult to go through the lesson bc I have been always in classrooms with such wonderfully eclectic students... LOL
Make no mistake, I love 'em all tho. Not boring
I have started to include the outcome number on the assignments I give out, sometimes indicators. If I am organized I will put I can statements on the board and have students explain their interpretation. this removes the chance of someone saying that it is not curr. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A3+ One school, the principal (who was determined to rate me poorly to let me go) was never clear on expectation & held me to a handbook I never received. Other times, I wasn't as prepared as I thought and fell flat at some point.
#WeirdEd I feel like informal for me means, "Hey, I wanna see what this looks like from an outside view, 'cause I'mma do something I've never done before"
#WeirdEd I think we've kinda answered the next Q a little bt, but I'm gonna ask it anyway because maybe not all of you have and also the @edchatspolice are watching
A4: I can imagine being observed won't phase me too much. However, an unannounced visit would definitely throw me off my game, especially if my lesson plan was a little lackluster. #WeirdEd
A4: I have been in classes where the teacher was visibly nervous. I hope to have relationships with the admins and other teachers that will make me feel supported and not nervous. #WeirdEd
A4: When I think about being observed it makes me kinda nervous no matter who it is. I know confidence will come with practice but as a preservice teacher it scares me to think about haha #weirded
This is why building a culture of open doors in the school is so critical. It should be normal for people to walk in and join the lesson for a time. #WeirdEd
A4: I can imagine being observed won't phase me too much. However, an unannounced visit would definitely throw me off my game, especially if my lesson plan was a little lackluster. #WeirdEd
A4. Where I am now? No sweat. He'll come in and play with my Ss from time to time. Where I was? Sweating bullets, like they're looking to "catch" you. #weirded
A4: Depends on if you're comfortable with what you are being observed on and who is observing you! I think it would be easier having an informal drop-in than a formal one because it is less to stress about. #weirded
#WeirdEd A4 Depends. I've liked all of my supervisors from Student teaching so far, I've also liked the principals in my TPrep sites so far as well, so that helps maintain relief and manages anxiety about them. I'd imagine it'd be a diff story if I didnt like admin
#weirded A4: I love being observed and appreciate feedback. It's the follow up conversation that makes it though. Just having someone pop in and not discuss what they saw.........that's unhealthy, IMO.
Busy end made me late for #weirded - observations are always tricky and full of pressure (on observer as well as observee when done right) I like regular popins so that a PVP in the room is not a “special occasion” aka weird as &@@$
A4: I'm always more nervous/anxious about an ed student observing my room. Like... They're watching me to learn what to do. Don't screw up don't screw up don't screw up don't screw up... #weirded
A4 I would steal your sign. Everyone is welcome, any time, any day - you get what you get, we are doing our best, and you will like it or not. I know I am doing my best every day, or the best that I can on that particular day. Ss buy in early, rest is easier. #WeirdEd
I think being observed can be nerve racking for some people and make them preform worse if it's a planned observation because they have been thinking about it for so long but if it was an in-formal drop in you may get a more realistic idea of how the classroom is run. #weirded
#WeirdEd A4 Although, compared to admins, i've had more interactions w/my supervisors, they know me & my character, I'd probably be evn more formal if the admins came in
A4: I like being observed for the most part. The best is when it's a drop in and you're Monica-level organized. The worst is when it's scheduled but your personal life decides to go bananas that morning. b-a-n-a-n-a-s #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd It's my experience many teachers hate being observed by other teachers. They feel judged or something. Need to build safety for a lot of them first
#weirded A4: If you are nervous it tells me that observation is not a regular part of your school culture. And that's not a good thing. Observation should be welcome, professionally constructive, and frequent.
Yeah, I think that's why this one sticks in my head as bombing--because the post-obs did NOT go well. I'm usually very good at defending my choices or giving examples of things supposedly not in evidence but not this time #WeirdEd
This is a really important component- relationship & trust matter! I feel I can open my door at anytime b/c I do believe my admin support the work I do #WeirdEd
A4 I would steal your sign. Everyone is welcome, any time, any day - you get what you get, we are doing our best, and you will like it or not. I know I am doing my best every day, or the best that I can on that particular day. Ss buy in early, rest is easier. #WeirdEd
A4 continued...I've never had a gen ed teacher ask to observe my class. The other sdc T and I get our classes together often, so we see each other teach a lot. #weirded
#WeirdEd A4 During full-period observations, I try to stay me b/c that's all I can do
Those 10-minute ones bother me b/c they're looking for criteria to check off, and you might not be at that part of the lesson.
#WeirdEd speaking as an Ed Student, I'd feel better to see what happens if you do, reminds me of your humanity. Then again, that's just me. Also, I'd go, "Oooh, she recovered so damn well, I'm jealous/impressed"
A4: I had an odd first contract where I took over the new admins classes when she took over for the admin. This meant she was in my class almost daily to see how her students were doing. I got used to it and started to utilize her in my class while still getting feedback #WeirdEd
A4 first ever “drop in” in my first month of teaching the P walks in with the school cop and asks for a random classroom drug search. Turns out it was to train the new drug dog... #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd It's my experience many teachers hate being observed by other teachers. They feel judged or something. Need to build safety for a lot of them first
#WeirdEd A4 hurts when principal does not have Ed background. Last year I was having kids do boys town lessons on what is appropriate where to talk about. 7th grader put sex under "not at school" I praised. P started lecturing how inappropriate she was and dad would be called
A4 and aren’t we aware that formal observations are a tad artificial? A little to scripted for what I like (which is how we react to the unexpected - especially teachable moments that pop up at unplanned times) #WeirdEd
Look for the reminder tweet from @TheWeirdTeacher about an hour before chat started ... #WeirdEd some days that reminder tweet is the only thing that stops me going to bed
#WeirdEd A4 hurts when principal does not have Ed background. Last year I was having kids do boys town lessons on what is appropriate where to talk about. 7th grader put sex under "not at school" I praised. P started lecturing how inappropriate she was and dad would be called
A4 and context matters. If a child forgot their meds (or started a ‘break’ from meds <— never ever do unless dr tells you to!) the day can be kind of like a dr Seuss adventure.... (or the veldt by Bradbury) #WeirdEd
A4: I don't mind observations. I team teach a lot too. drop ins, planned. dont care. In formal obs we have at least 4. Principal, AP and peers. #weirded
#weirded My 3 questions when I'm observing a colleague: 1) What was your goal? 2) What went well? 3) What could have gone better?
Let the conversation develop from there.
So much better to be a professional than accidentally making mistakes and not knowing how to handle and recover from them! (Might have a lot of experiences too) #weirded
This chat has me thinking: students observe us every day and nobody's asking them what THEY think. I am going to add more student evaluation to my repertoire. Their honesty scares me though. #weirded
One liberty I took when I dabbled in admin was visiting classes, just to see what folks were up to. I was in the classroom too, so it gave me a neat perspective on our work, our school, our students #WeirdEd
A5: I think their best lesson. It really shows something their proud of and it can show their true potential. That way in the next observation, they know the standards have been set. #WeirdEd
#weirded One of the most fruitful observations I made this year was visiting an acting class. I teach math. I took an idea from her class to develop a way to coach "listening" and responding to each other in my class vs. Ss just waiting to offer THEIR solution.
#WeirdEd A5 now I'm thinking "both", but I'd want to see a Best first -- I'm not there to learn their lesson, I'm there to see the teaching/learning/interaction
Wouldn't want them off their game
A5. Unsure! I love moments where I see problem solving in action - so admirable! I would hope relationship/trust are established so as not to freak them out though #WeirdEd
A5: I would want them to teach a lesson that they are unsure of because it would let me see how they handle situations that arise and the teachable moments that pop up. #WeirdEd
Haha actually... We pranked one a few years ago by replacing all her purple expos with non-purple expos, but switched the caps so she didn't notice. Heard her yelling down the hall. 😂😂😂 #weirded
A5 I love seeing observations that include an element of risk. Art and PE are great for the uninitiated to “try” and can have fun debriefings
Or dressing up as a character..... #WeirdEd
A5: Hmm good question. I think I would want them to show me one of each. This way I can understand how a well planned lesson is executed vs. how Ts think on their feet to make a lesson better in the moment. But if I had to choose one, the one they are unsure of! #weirded
A5: i want them to go for something that makes them a better teacher. playing it safe every lesson helps no one, and the whole point of having another teacher observe is to understand strengths and weaknesses of a lesson. not to be told we are great and perfect. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A5 Maybe both. Could use both effectively, for unsure lessons, i want to see how they can handle working w/Ss if they, themselves may be confused. How to handle issues that pop up, esp. re S relationships. 1/
#weirded A5: Depends on the relationship. I would hope that how I handled it would deepen the professional trust relationship.......best lesson or not. That said, I've seen some where the T did NOT want to ask me for notes after. Wanted to blame kids.
#WeirdEd A5 2/ for using the best lesson, I want to see if they change things a bit, or it's their best lesson bc they've been doing it for years, years. Is it actually reaching the Ss? Do they refuse to change/adapt/modify bc "it works?"
#WeirdEd Q6 Who do you really want to watch teach? Can be on here or someone who isn’t on twitter. Must be classroom lesson, not a PD. Don’t everyone say, “You, Doug.”
I was talking to our music teacher today, who often slides into classrooms. I love seeing him interact with my Ss & lesson, and hearing his take on what we're doing. #WeirdEd
A5 for me, it would be about what they wanted out of it. " A champion team can achieve more than a team of individual champions" (thanks Mum/coach @AnneMarieJoyce5 ) #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A6 Great thing about being a sub right now, is I seem to be placed in a lot of team teaching situations, so I get to see a lot of people teaching. Interesting contrast, too
A6: teachers who say "I am not sure how this will go, but I am going to try" they are the ones who are always pushing the boundaries and that is who I want to watch teach. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Q6 Who do you really want to watch teach? Can be on here or someone who isn’t on twitter. Must be classroom lesson, not a PD. Don’t everyone say, “You, Doug.”
“Slides”.....is he a trombonist? Sorry. My daughter plays trombone so I always look for possible connections....even when they’re likely not there....but love guest teachers to show multiple perspectives!! #weirded
A6: Relatively new to Twitter, so don't have all the followers/ings I need to tag the people in this question. However, I love watching Special Ed teach. They have such heart and soul that are so unique that not everyone has. #WeirdEd
A6: For the class I am taking we all have a virtual co-op teacher. Mine lives in FL but she is a first year T who graduated from GCC last year. I think it would be so fun to watch her teach. #weirded#gccedu@KaitlynScully
Q4: I never mind being observed, but I'm constantly inviting people into my classroom and visiting others. I observe about 19 teachers a semester & learn from every one. #WeirdEd
“Slides”.....is he a trombonist? Sorry. My daughter plays trombone so I always look for possible connections....even when they’re likely not there....but love guest teachers to show multiple perspectives!! #weirded
A6: I would really like to watch the first grade teacher from the school that I just observed at. She had a sub that day, and all of her colleagues were telling me that I needed to come back to see her teach. I want to see how she interacts with her Ss that I observed. #WeirdEd
A5: I would want them to teach their BEST lesson. The praise is good for the soul and it will help teach ME a few tricks. The unsure lesson can be a #designprocess lunch to try to problem solve. But don't waste the time with the kids if you have doubts. #WeirdEd
A6 (secretly plotting to not say “you Doug” but still driving down the I5 next time I visit family in Seattle) I’d be intrigued to see @pernilleripp w her class! (this may be better than my secret plot) #WeirdEd
