"Welcome to EdTechAfterDark! Our community was born out of discussions for a rich EdChat type gathering for those of us who are thinking about the digital edu-landscape long after the sun has gone down. For us night owls, when the clock strikes 10PM EST, you’ll find us on Twitter over at #edtechafterdark. All are welcome! Our discussions range from our philosophies about EdTech, digital best practices, and simply sharing our stories." --www.edtechafterdark.com
Alex here from Citrus County FL where I serve as assistant principal @LecantoHigh and 1/3 of the #edtechafterdark crew... Favorite cartoon? Gotta be Bob’s Burgers.
Yo, yo it's Claudio! Instructional tech coordinator from Texas! GI Joe was one of my favorite cartoons! Always wanted to be #SnakeEyes or #Stormshadow#EDtechafterdark
A1: (serious) do what you can for today. Leave what you can’t for tomorrow. Be honest with what you can handle. Ask for help when you’re overwhelmed. And don’t forget that self-care for you supports everyone else. #edtechafterdark
A1. If at all possible, work on the PD during soccer practice, or even get up early to work on that. Take the dog to the vet before work and pick up after (as long as it's just a checkup). Mute social media as much as possible. #EdTechAfterDark
A1. If at all possible, work on the PD during soccer practice, or even get up early to work on that. Take the dog to the vet before work and pick up after (as long as it's just a checkup). Mute social media as much as possible. #EdTechAfterDark
A1: At times, keeping my head above water equals success. Do I wish I was thriving? Of course! But I try to remember the wisdom of Ecclesiastes—“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”
In busy times...this, too, will pass. #edtechafterdark
A2: Be boldly transparent and boldly vulnerable. It’s hard to work better together when animosity exists. Break the ice and forge a new path rooted in open lines of communication. #edtechafterdark
A2: communication. Seriously. Plan together. If you don’t get time to plan together, write emails. If you can’t get to your computer, send a text. But whatever you do, DONT ASSUME ANYTHING. cause you know what happens when you assume... #edtechafterdark
A2: Team teaching is tough, especially when you don’t see eye to eye. Here’s my take...don’t sweat the small stuff and remember, it’s not about your ego—it’s about what’s good for students. #EdTechAfterDark
A2 I have learned that whining and beatings don't work well in collaboration. When in disagreement, I aim for a bigger context on which we agree. #edtechafterdark
A2: I would treat it like I do with a new group of Ss at the beginning of the year. Work on routines, having a positive environment, build trust, getting to know one another and having a bit of fun!
If that fails...#SingASong is an awesome ice breaker!
#edtechafterdark
A3: my 2nd grader did one of those complete-the-sentence worksheets for Mother’s Day last year. One sentence read “my mom sometimes forgets...” she wrote “to take a break from work.”it knocked the wind outta me. #edtechafterdark
A2: I've worked w/ other another teacher that taught science to both our groups & I taught math. Worked great! I attribute it to our communication. We had an understanding from the start & we each shared our expetations! #EDtechafterdark
A3 Remind yourself that irrational guilt makes it worse. Many of us are working on tools to make it easier. If you don't have the time to do the research, find someone who does. Also remind yourself that teaching is harder than it looks. #edtechafterdark
A3. I have had to remind myself that family comes first. That's why I relocated. Now that I am here in TN, I am having a harder time balancing, but am working on it. I try not to waste my time on guilt. #EdTechAfterDark
A3: I regularly have to remind myself of the wisdom of @StephenRCovey: “Put first things first.” It’s not easy, and I often fail; but when I put my family first, there’s room for the rest. And best of all, my mental health is better suited for the task at hand. #EdTechAfterDark
Q3: If you don’t take care of yourself, then you can’t take care of anyone else. (Not that I have room to talk.) You just have to stop and go for a walk, or go to Six Flags, or take an ice cream break...with your family. #EdTechAfterDark
A3: Feel like something always gives, and I need to better prioritize which work/family/other things are most important in order to be successful overall, not just in career. Also need to make time for myself and the things I need to do to be my best self #edtechafterdark
A3: truth is, my daughters have so much privilege. Two supportive and involved parents who ensure they have all they need, attend school events, field trips, review homework at night. I became a teacher to be that person for the kids who need that in their lives. #edtechafterdark
A3: Learn to say no. Look at your children, family and realize they are the most important people in your life and they come first. Then remember to take care of yourself, to be there for them. #edtechafterdark
A4: The biggest hack...? Ask. Just ask for what you need. If the people in your lives are true supports, ask them to watch the kids; ask them to dog sit; ask them for advice... it sounds so simple but it took my wife and I a long time to become okay with this. #edtechafterdark
A4: We are still figuring this out, but some nachos, drinks, and space invaders after kids are asleep give us a few good laughs.
For the kids....just like at school, play at recess, help with work and read to them like no one else is listening!
#edtechafterdark
A4: Instant Pot. Meal prepping in Sundays. @Socrative. @GoogleForEdu. @GetKahoot. Any other apps or websites that grade student responses for you. Delete work email app from your personal device. (Ok, I would never do that last one, but it does sound helpful!) #edtechafterdark
A4: learn to say no. Not just to tasks or events, but to people who are toxic. Keep your circle full of love for others and it will come back around to you. Always make time for those you care about. Life is too short for anything else. #edtechafterdark
From the archives. I published this in 2000, before the world was burdened with mindsets. Should I revisit it? Add anything? Is it still relevant? https://t.co/7FoVKiGGgI
A4. I look for easy, healthy food to make. I feel that my health is important so that I can take care of family and work responsibilities. I get outside as often as possible--I can't emphasize the importance of sunlight enough! I schedule time alone. #EdTechAfterDark
A5: First, let it out. Cry. It’s sad. It’s hard. It’s damn near impossible. So allow yourself the gift of letting it all out. Afterwards, seek help. Admit to yourself and loved ones that you stacked too much on your plate and take a load off. #EdTechAfterDark
A5. It's hard to see the forest for the trees. And sometimes, you don't realize how thinly you are stretched until you are at that point. Make sure you have critical friends you can talk with when you feel this way. Don't be afraid to admit you can't do it all. #EdTechAfterDark
A5: how much easier it is to tell a person to “just say no”, when their heart is not beating in your chest, pounding with the idea that just 5 more minutes, just 1 more email, just 1 last late night might change your campus, your classroom, your student’s life. #edtechafterdark
A5: I think by taking time for it all. To embrace the mess, to ask for help or support, to get better. To grow through it, learn from it. Time to reflect, and to better serve others in the future. #edtechafterdark
A5 being a single dad of two and a 3rd grade teacher means lots of remote work after hours for me. I severely limit extracurricular activities. #edtechafterdark
A5: The best thing to do is let all out and ask yourself, "Why am I upset?" Your first thought will let you know what is most important and then try to cancel things out until you can give that more attention. Teaching was never the best with a sad teacher!
#edtechafterdark
A6. I am very lucky--I do have that with friends in FL and am building it here in TN. I recognized a long time ago the need for having such friends. And how important it is to be there for each other. #EdTechAfterDark
@MrLeonard8 and I have the best group of framily we could ask for! Real, fun times, but also real, and honest times! Couldn’t do it without without all of the awesome support! #edtechafterdark
