.@HeinemannPub@HeinemannPD: @TeamGilbert10 is one of our assistant principals at Silver Creek High School (@wc_schools). Great leadership and counsel. Positive force for good in our school and for our staff and students. I'm tagging her into #G2Great tonight. As a thank you!
In reply to
@franmcveigh, @tomlittogether, @HeinemannPub, @TeamGilbert10, @HeinemannPub, @HeinemannPD, @TeamGilbert10, @wc_schools
Friends I need to be with my family at a very sad time tonight. I pretweeted so I can be with you in spirit at least. Deep gratitude to Tom Marshall for being here and writing this incredible book! Much love to my incredible #G2Great family! ❤️
@tomlittogether@HeinemannPub
Roman from Ontario, Canada. HS Teacher/Student Success Leader/Agent of Transformation. Great to be with #g2great tonight and @tomlittogether to talk Reclaiming the Principalship.
A1. "less lonely" means that you find your tribe. Whether #g2great#TWT, #slicer,#tcrwp, #ncte, book study . . .it's your job to identify what you want / need to learn and go find it.
Twitter, Voxer, FB
It's out there!
Reach out!
Paul W. Hankins from southern Indiana checking into #g2great. I'm not a principal and I have no desire to be one (what a wonderful, poetic mess that would be). Want to celebrate one of my principals (on Twitter), @TeamGilbert10 from Silver Creek High School. Positive leadership!
A1 Social media is my safe space where “lonely” doesn’t exist. Twitter & FG opens a welcome door to constant companionship of others who love this profession as much as I do! #G2Great
A1: I participate in Twitter conversations. I listen to Podcasts. I read blogs, I read books, I expand my thinking and talk to others about it! #g2great
A1: I enjoy being in teachers’ classrooms, and I love connecting with other learners on Twitter. Twitter is truly about connection for me. I find community here. #G2Great
A1: Search it out, I was blessed to discover #g2great through my favourite education idol @KyleneBeers and her book #DisruptingThinking That happy accident brought me @DrMaryHoward who brought me the #curiositycrew Now I chat with others around the world and in my hallways.
A1 I love edcamps which I learned about here and have found some great connections. Always enjoy book studies and conversations about positively impacting teaching and learning. That gets me energized! #G2Great
A1 Voxer is an amazing resource when nothing will do like the sound of a supportive voice. It’s an ever-present walkie-talkie where you can post pictures, links or messages. #G2Great
A1. How I would have LOVED to have had a supportive community of administrators to toss ideas around with when I began. It is a game changer for sure! #G2Great
A1: Following others on Twitter Chats that share similar goals and roles to learn what is happening in classrooms across the world! It is a great way to learn and share with others at your school! #G2Great
A1. I was just telling my 89 year old dad about Twitter chats. He was amazed at how the world has shrunk. Learning together is so much more accessible now. #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A1 I love crossing domains so historically, I’ve been able to have great collaborations with other teachers teaching various subjects. As an arts educator, ELA offered lots of opportunities for lots of great collaborations #g2great
A1 Voxer is an amazing resource when nothing will do like the sound of a supportive voice. It’s an ever-present walkie-talkie where you can post pictures, links or messages. #G2Great
A1: I am constantly working to build my tribe...and not just close by but across the state and at trainings I attend nationally as well. I’m a very chatty gal so I tend to make friends and keep in touch with people that push my thinking #g2great
The PLN connections on social media, both Twitter and FB, fuel my professional learning. I also have great conversations about PD books using Voxer. #g2great
A1 In truth this is the #G2Great story. I wanted to build professional networks with talented others. That's how I met @brennanamy@DrMaryHoward and #G2Great was born.
A1 I don’t fuel my collaborative spirit as much as it fuels ME. I’m constantly inspired by conversations with educators & LOVE being the recipient of their dedication to kids #G2Great
I was writing a blog posting about learning from books. I was SHOCKED that when I began teaching there weren't any prof. development books published about literacy practices. #G2Great
A1 I have embraced Twitter & creating my professional community and building friendships. Amazing friends like @MrCoachEli my #WonderCrew and my #CuriosityCrew keep me surrounded with strong leaders who challenge me & help me grow. Always there to help me, listen to me. #g2great
A1: Following others on Twitter Chats that share similar goals and roles to learn what is happening in classrooms across the world! It is a great way to learn and share with others at your school! #G2Great
A2. Coaching is about developing leaders and learners (joyful & empowered),
NEVER telling (resentful or short term gains).
Coaching celebrates "small gains" and approximations. Journey to success with a guide on the side.
#g2great
Hello all! Vicki from Long Island here. Literacy coach and aspiring administrator. a1 read (blogs- articles- booms) and talk to my colleagues. Learn to collaborate with Jose form other grade levels and department as their lens deepening and pushes your thinking! #g2great
A1. I was just telling my 89 year old dad about Twitter chats. He was amazed at how the world has shrunk. Learning together is so much more accessible now. #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A2 There’s a big difference between a dog-and-pony show to score points (or a pat on the back) & using our teaching as a learning springboard. We only learn from the latter. #G2Great
A2- Coaching shouldn't be about telling someone what to do, it should be about bringing out the best of that person. No one is inspired by being told what to do. Ask them their goal and help them discover ways to reach it. #G2Great
A1 Spreading my wings on twitter and finding the #G2Great chat has been life changing for me. Have met so many wonderful people that have helped me take my work to heights I never could have imagined. Thanks #g2great community!
@tomlittogether this a future talented administrator right here. She is an amazing Literacy Coach who understands what it means to be a lead learner. #G2Great
The graphic explains how I often feel during a Twitter chat. My mind goes into overdrive thinking about all of the tremendous practices and ideas educators share. #G2Great
@tomlittogether this a future talented administrator right here. She is an amazing Literacy Coach who understands what it means to be a lead learner. #G2Great
A2: I love to discover and take risks with teaches and coaches that I work with so when I do that, I’m all in and with them, not just giving them something to do and walking away. Special shout out to @kcmpbll23 for continuing to invite me to @Prairie_Crest#g2great
A2 Before we initiate coaching, we must create a respectful community of learners across an entire building. Trust comes first so that coaching can occur w/in that spirit of trust #G2Great
A2: Just like with any activity, coaching is about listening, watching, and supporting with the idea that eventually someone moves towards independence #G2great
A2: I want to explore what I am passionate about, a coach that helps me find that thing rather than tries to tell me what that thing is is going to inspire me far more. #g2great
Absolutely. It's how I can coach someone teaching a completely different grade/subject- it can be cross-disciplinary- it's just about asking the right questions and listening #G2Great
A2: Doing something because you’ve been told to do it, student or teacher, isn’t collaborating, it is merely coordinating=> a true coaching model involves seeing the relevance in what you are doing! #G2Great
A2 lead by example. Must get in there and show the process and put yourself out there so they will do the same. Teachers need to see their admin teach. It’ll open doors. Walk the walk instead of directing the traffic. @hayhurst3#G2Great
A2 Coaching is focused on growth and doing what you’re told is just a learning how to be compliant. Growing skills can lead to greatness and compliance often leads to the same old thing. #G2Great
A2 Before we initiate coaching, we must create a respectful community of learners across an entire building. Trust comes first so that coaching can occur w/in that spirit of trust #G2Great
A2 Coaching is a two-way street since a coach learns as much as the teacher. It’s not coach-teacher but a mutual respectful collaboration based on joyful professional discovery #G2Great
As a coach, we need to be a learning partner, cheerleader, encourager, and invite teachers to new learning. I love watching teachers jump in to “messy” learning and being able to be there to assist and encourage! #G2Great
A2 Before we initiate coaching, we must create a respectful community of learners across an entire building. Trust comes first so that coaching can occur w/in that spirit of trust #G2Great
A3. Research-decide-act means that before the decision is made to DO something, it's matched to the school. Not quick fix, not silver bullet, but we need it because our study of R-D-A tells us so!
#G2Great
A3 I love research-decide-act as education tends to go straight to ACT that often leads to a product. We can only address essential issues if we put in the work BEFORE we act. #G2Great
A2: Coaching is my preferred style as an administrator. Ts (like Ss) learn by doing, thinking, discussing and reflecting. The coaching model provides someone to think, discuss and reflect with #g2great
A2: Coaching is rooted in support and encouragement as opposed to demands for compliance. Coaching supports reflection, experimentation, innovation. #G2Great
A2 Coaching is way of encouraging others to go further. It is a way of making others' gifts shine and be stronger, rather than telling others what to do. We want our admin coaches to help Ts discover, just like we want teachers to do so with students. #g2great
This is how we grow a culture for learning. Risk is inherent and seen as a rite of passage not a danger zone. You are now part of our culture when we flex learning this is the kind of environments that foster growth for faculty as well as students. #G2Great@tomlittogether
A2 lead by example. Must get in there and show the process and put yourself out there so they will do the same. Teachers need to see their admin teach. It’ll open doors. Walk the walk instead of directing the traffic. @hayhurst3#G2Great
A2 As an art and literacy teacher, I push into a number of ELA classes. I love trying things out with teachers. Exploration & curiosity should be a central part of any classroom-teachers need to model this behavior if they want to see it in their students. #G2Great
A2: My most successful experiences as a coach are arriving at the point where my colleagues see more in themselves than they did at the outset of our work together. #G2Great
A3: Let me take a crack at this one. But. . .I am not a principal, so anything I might tweet here could be suspect. Isn't this really based in that place of inquiry? Framed in what we SHOULD do by way of need vs. what we COULD do by way of novelty. Does this sound right? #g2great
A3: I think it’s also important to avoid analysis paralysis. Try something. As I’ve heard @gcouros says, sometimes the risk of inaction is greater than the risk of action. Can the decision be changed later? Great, it’s low risk. So, take the leap. #G2Great
A1 Meeting with fellow teachers to talk about student work and student feedback helps me to fuel my collaborative spirit by providing a space in which we can share vulnerabilities and revise units together to achieve a common goal of reaching all kids. #g2great
A3 research-decide- act - that statement alone makes me need to read this book! In order to make realistic plans to match visions leaders must research before deciding and bigger than that a plan is needed for action. #g2great@hayhurst3
A2: Coaching is about empowering. It’s providing the tools and skills needed for success and then cultivating the growth and reflection that is born from the process. #g2great
A3 Research is needed to make sure you have the right fit. Just because something works in one place does not mean it’s going to work in another. Kind of how a dress suits one person but looks hideous on another! #G2Great
A3: Exactly! As #leaders we do the same thing. Make informed decisions based on what's going on in learning lives. Instead of teaching the heck out of it, we lay our administrative capital as @MichaelFullan1 says. #G2Great@HeinemannPub
In reply to
@lorilovesbooks, @MichaelFullan1, @HeinemannPub
That choice is so important, we work better on something when it is something we want to work at (hmm..maybe I need to remember this with my teenagers?) #G2Great
A2 Coaching empowers Ts through their honest reflection with the coach supporting the direction the T is committed to taking. The teacher sits in the big chair. Little to no "buy-in" if change is "imposed" rather than as a result of T reflection. #G2Great
A2 Pushing into classrooms and working with various teachers within the culture of their classrooms provides constant practice at making adjustments, changing course and trying new approaches in order to foster success in all environments with different personalities #G2Great
A3: Research. Decide. Act. Are the steps that build confidence in the researcher and credibility in the system. Choosing to skip steps is akin to walking through an unfamiliar room in the dark and blindfolded. Stakeholders begin to distrust the system. #g2great
A3. Love the research part the best. Time to close mouth as coach (maybe duct tape) and listen to truly understand.
Not listen to respond.
Silence is ok
#G2Great
A4: Oh gosh I believe this so much. I think we get stuck at many different places along that 3 step process. Being indecisive is such trial when trying to improve #g2great
A3 The internet is a blessing AND a curse since it has opened a floodgate of AWFUL that requires us to think before we act. Intentional research 1st helps us weed out the awful. #G2Great
A3 research-decide- act - that statement alone makes me need to read this book! In order to make realistic plans to match visions leaders must research before deciding and bigger than that a plan is needed for action. #g2great@hayhurst3
A3 Researching & Deciding infers that the educators are collaborating first, once the practice/act unfolds then beliefs are jointly discovered #G2Great
A3. Having been a principal in several different schools I certainly agree with this concept. Demographic groups, economic conditions, availability of support systems .. so many factors play a role. #G2Great
A3 research-decide- act - that statement alone makes me need to read this book! In order to make realistic plans to match visions leaders must research before deciding and bigger than that a plan is needed for action. #g2great@hayhurst3
Discovery and risk-taking lead to more possibilities and ownership over the process and gives teachers a sense of agency. Nobody likes to be told what to do! #g2great
A3: We have to remember that strategies and practices play out in different ways in different contexts. Consider your school, your situation, your students. What do they need? #G2Great
A3: Every school has a different pulse. It is important for change leaders to do their research in order to have their fingers on that pulse. This needs to happen before decisions or actions can be made.#G2Great
A3: research, decide, act...@franmcveigh knows I may move quickly sometimes after hearing research and deciding it’s a good fit and then just jumping right in, I can’t wait when I get excited about something! #g2great
A3: The military calls this the OODA loop - Observe, Orient, Decide, then Act => when we take the time to ask the rights questions and involve the right people, we make better decisions; ones not necessarily rooted in emotion, but in our principles #g2great
A3 Each school is uniquely different so their needs are uniquely different as well. There will never be ONE answer to any issue so we focus our zoom lens on each situation. #G2Great
A2 LOVE the ILA recent leadership brief on literacy coaching. My favorite--coaching toward transformation. Read it here: https://t.co/P5iHzheGcX#G2Great
A3 Research-Decide-Act is a great way to approach challenges. In the fast-paced school rhythm, we often forget to do the research; we often decide and act. We need to reflect & research, collaborate and go forward. We need to lead with heart. #g2great
A4. Recognize tht Ts need support 4 risks & failures in the learning process. T can't have a straight up trajectory; jigsaw up and down is REAL.
Focus on Ss & S response to their instruction.
Real relationships!
This video, More than a Number: https://t.co/U47gwB6zbb#g2Great
A3: Innovative ideas are rooted in theory, data, and best practices. Utilizing multiple measures, and seeking input from Ts, Ss, and Admins creates ownership and accountability for all stakeholders. It takes a village. #G2Great
A2 We shifted our coaching to a student-centered approach. In this way teacher and coach become coteachers. Taking risks together feels safe and leads to new discoveries/learning #G2Great
A4 We must make the evaluation process less @ what we do TO teacher & more @ what we do WITH & FOR them. Timely growth-inspiring feedback (not empty critiquing). #G2Great
A3 Research phase needs to include rich, frequent, purposeful and meaningful conversations with students. Knowing students is the best way to meet their needs and to know how to nudge them towards growth. #g2great
A2Coaching is most effective when Ts observe one another interact with Ss. Coaches can see the Ts strengths/weaknesses & encourage them to take risks that are approp for their specific environment. Every space and group of students is different—no one size fits all plans #g2great
A3: Okay. . .I got that other one to float, so let me see if we can tweet out another thought here. If you research platforms/programs before assessing what your people can bring to a need by way of their resources, you've bypassed a rich, essential, diverse source. #g2great
A4- Stop high-stakes observations of new teachers. Focus on goals and purposeful reflections. Give all teachers opportunities to observe each other in action. No one can learn in isolation so allow for frequent conversations, check-ins and revisiting of goals #G2Great
There is no one strategy or program that will work in every case so it's essential to look at needs and strengths to make decisions. Reflection is also necessary to ensure what we're doing works or to make changes. #g2great
A4 If we wanted to grow risk-taking we would reward it - we would celebrate the conscious decision to BE A LEARNER so we can be better teachers. Has to go in that order learner - teacher it's reciprocal. That s/get points on an eval. #G2Great
A3: RESEARCH- know your stakeholders and the customized needs of your school/district, make DECISIONS that are in the best interest of those involved, and ACT in a manner that promotes collaborative efforts toward the goal. #g2great
A4 Eliminate the word ‘evaluate’ and replace it with growth. Build trusting realtionships and share the journey with the Teacher. Be a guide/coach/cheerleader for their efforts. #G2Great
A4: I think encouraging constant growth would be helpful because then teachers might not get stuck in a rut and would see learning new things as a positive experience not because they have to change something. If you attend a powerful PD, it’s hard to not want to change #g2great
A4 The evaluation process should give plenty of opportunity for relection which leads to growth. Being evaluated once or twice a year isn't enough #g2great
A4 Any evaluation that fails to open a door to growth is a dead-end street to nowhere. Respectful dialogue and support initiates a shared process that benefits both sides. #G2Great
A4: That admin or coaches start using growth language. Even the body language can make those under the microscope pull away from what could be a learning opportunity. #g2great
Want to be our next School Spotlight? Send in a 3-5 minute video of the amazing and innovative things you are doing in your schools or classrooms; you could be featured on @DisruptedTv School Spotlight! https://t.co/oHrPpVGJ1c
A4 Just like we differentiate for our students, differentiate learning for teachers. Everyone should get what they need to grow. Offer choice. Can't be a one and done model. #G2Great
A3 Research-Decide-Act is the hear of the PLC. Teachers and support staff identify area of growth, research powerful "change", put it into action and then monitor progress toward learning outcomes for kids.#G2Great
A4 We can't make the evaluation process about pointing out the wrong and giving a failing or a bad grade. If we want a culture of learners, we need to eliminate hierarchy, we need to be ever-present, co-learning, listening. Become partners in learning/teaching. #g2great
A4. And make observations relevant, based on T goals from early in the year. It can become engaging and not just compliance based. T will look forward to observations if they mean something! #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A4 When I coach, I insist on pre lesson dialogue. This promotes new thinking & affords the teacher time to make adjustments before the fact so it’s an opportunity not a “Gotcha”. #G2Great
A4: “No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship.”
- James Comer
Empathy, vulnerability, and trust. Lots of time together. It shouldn’t be scary to have a principal in the classroom. Feedback should just be part of what we do - a two way street. #G2Great
A4: Supporting teachers isn’t about being evaluative but about creating professional learning environments => improvement and growth shouldn't be stigmatized #g2great
A4. And make observations relevant, based on T goals from early in the year. It can become engaging and not just compliance based. T will look forward to observations if they mean something! #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A4: Evaluations that are not rooted in scores or formal write ups, but observations that lead to powerful conversations about noting strengths and next steps for growth. It should feel just like our student conferences! #G2Great
A4. Start to give #feedback in the moment. That's the most effective. Don't wait til 3 days later to say, "You know what you could have done..." #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A4: Offering too much feedback at once can be like overwatering a plant, making growth slow to non-existent. Be judicious. Select one or two things that make sense and on which a teacher can act. #G2Great
A5. Classroom visits /learning walks. Confo w/ Ts:
What are the common features that match our values?
What would we not see?
This should also include our expectations for learning.
#G2Great
A4: Establishing trusting collaborative relationships between Ts and admin that promotes risk and reflection is critical to growth. This is attainable- @WeAreMPSD has been doing it for the past 2 years and we have seen amazing results. #g2great
A4. So SO glad you asked this question. Immediate feedback from all stakeholders - not only a principal or supt. with too many tasks on her/his plate - #ObserveMe is an outstanding practice! #G2Great
A4. And make observations relevant, based on T goals from early in the year. It can become engaging and not just compliance based. T will look forward to observations if they mean something! #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A4: Using a rubric, like Charlotte Danielson’s allows for rich discussion that is growth focused. Developing goals, sharing a pathway & resources with examples - it must include discussion & coaching that is teacher centered. #g2great
A4. Find each teacher’s unique strength, what is special about their classroom. Build from there. Each classroom should reflect the special teacher that leads it. #g2great
A4 What we dedicate time for, is how we show what’s important. I’d suggest that if we want teachers to grow then meaningful time needs to be dedicated to that goal. Giving time for teachers passion projects would be one way to do that. #G2Great
Yes, and that will result in Ts inviting admins to their rooms to see new things in action. That’s the most rewarding when getting an invite from either Ts or Ss to see what’s happening. Lots of trust involved! #G2Great
A5 Engage Ts in conversations about displays around WHY. Displays can’t be a mindless process of hanging up so conversations can embrace our professional intentionality. #G2Great
A4 I believe that most teachers truly want feedback and an observation process that they can get something out of. Goal setting would be valuable and give the admin a lens in which to observe. The focus needs to come from teacher #g2great@hayhurst3
A4 Start with positive presupposition. Teachers work so hard. And every single teacher I know is constantly striving to be better. Evaluations that feel like a "gotcha" discourage and deflate. #G2Great
A4: Stop calling them evaluations. Give teachers the same considerations we are encouraged to give students. Use the feedback and reflection loop with a focus on growth! Make everything about student-centered growth. Teacher growth will occur organically. #G2Great
A4: Stop calling them evaluations. Give teachers the same considerations we are encouraged to give students. Use the feedback and reflection loop with a focus on growth! Make everything about student-centered growth. Teacher growth will occur organically. #G2Great
A4 I believe that most teachers truly want feedback and an observation process that they can get something out of. Goal setting would be valuable and give the admin a lens in which to observe. The focus needs to come from teacher #g2great@hayhurst3
A4 I believe that most teachers truly want feedback and an observation process that they can get something out of. Goal setting would be valuable and give the admin a lens in which to observe. The focus needs to come from teacher #g2great@hayhurst3
A4Just like Ss and standardized tests, Ts in the eval process are “more than a score”-a focus on growth can be encouraged by turning to narrative and verbal feedback. Focus on process rather than product/outcome. Evals should be living, breathing docs that can change #g2great
A5. When we walk through and look at what's around us, ask ourselves and Ts, "What does this room/work/language, etc. show about what we value? What do we do with that knowledge? #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A5: I just got feedback this week from teachers in a building I work with through their instructional coach, teachers said we like her because she comes into our classrooms, listens, gives suggestions...it’s about being a part of the building and building relationships #g2great
A5 Classroom visits give Ps/coaches the opportunity to see the relationships Ts and Ss have and gain a deeper understanding for the classrooom culture #g2great
A friend of mine was being observed the other day- one of her students saw them coming down the hall (3 people from the school board) - he ran back into the class shouting "They're here!! Everybody act normal!!" So much for 'normal'! #g2great
A5 Our walls are prime real estate space that could reinforce or extend our teaching. As such we must put careful thought into what’s WORTHY of precious celebratory spaces. #G2Great
Thanks for the great chat everyone. Have to leave early to go read to my daughter. She’s 11 but we still read most nights-know it could end soon so I’m going to go savor it. #g2great
A5: People can tell what we value by how we spend our time and money. Are we creating time for meaningful collaboration during the school day? Do we value teacher voice? Then, there should be more teacher voice than administrator voice at our faculty meetings. #G2Great
A5: Culture takes time. Creating environments where learning and growth are valued and shared requires vulnerability. We need to create safe environments in order for learning to grow forward. #G2Great
A4. Terrific example from @bethhill2829 of how a principal can gain tremendous feedback immediately. Wish more would place one of these outside the office door! #G2Great
A5 To create a culture of learners, we need to use classroom visits to create relationships, to learn, to grow, to share. We need to have regular partnerships to support learning experiences. Open doors, breakdown walls,work together. Change status quo! #g2great
A4 to grow as professionals there needs to be some nurturing that starts with strong relationships. Ts need time to grapple w new methodology. Foster an environment where ts ask for help, look for feedback, observe each other #g2great
A5: Making learning walls interactive. Can be digital or old school paper and pencil. Great for teachers and for students to see teachers as learners. Classroom visits encourage a variety of perspectives on teacher decisions. #G2Great
A4: Teachers set goals with reflections on process that focuses on what they experienced as personal growth goals. Focus on what worked not what didn’t work. #g2great
A4: Okay. This is where I get to celebrate @TeamGilbert10. Earnest and on-the-dot narrative capture of the classroom observation this year. In post-evaluation, she let me talk through subjects from last year to this and where to grow from here. Super positive experience. #g2great
A5 Always interesting to walk around a room w/teacher and have a convo about decisions that went into a particular setup or display, etc. without students present. Helps observe actual impact of those decisions when visiting class in action. #G2Great
A5: I really like the idea of a staffroom learning wall and a Pineapple chart right beside it. Build a culture of learning and sharing within the walls. #g2great
A5: I also worked with a student in a classroom and the teacher said don’t feel like you ever need an invitation into my room and air quoted “invitation” it was such a great feeling! It’s not evaluative, it’s a way to see what’s happening in classrooms and for students #g2great
A5: It is always important to know your “why” and learning walks and open convos allows us to know Ts “why”. That “why” drives the passion behind their practice. It is the lifeline to their teaching. #G2Great
A5 The vast majority of walls should celebrate & enrich student learning. It’s not @ buying a poster at the teacher store but allowing bringing teaching & learning to life in a visible way. #G2Great
A4: And I also get to celebrate my dear friend, @JenAnsbach and her new book on evaluation and the evaluation process as a shared narrative experience. I highly recommend Jennifer's book to teachers and administrators both. Share the evaluation. #g2great
A5. Did I mention I LOVE these questions? We had "Walls that Talk" walks every other week by leadership folks from outside of the building. Are students using what is posted on the walls to extend their learning? Began with conversations about walls as tool for learning #G2Great
A6. When bloggers comment on my questions on my blog posts, it makes me double, triple, and quadruple check them as I draft the posts in order to make sure that it causes deeper thinking or action.
#g2great
A6: I’ve been working with a lot of tech friends on an AEM team and I’ve learned so many ideas and options from them to help students and I skip out of each meeting knowing a teacher I can go tell about it to make materials more accessible for students! #g2great
A6 My school does PD days called “share the wealth”—T’s sign up to take classes in every department. Provides a great window into the rest of my hs Ss’ days outside of my English classroom. Last year I played the violin, did a yoga class, and completed a science lab. #G2Great
A6 Conversations must revolve around practices as this is where the most powerful learning resides. Teaching in action is our best stepping stone to new understandings. #G2Great
A6. The late great @KMTolan simply asked some of us, "What did you just teach?" Sometimes it was nothing. Sometimes too much. Sometimes dead on! #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A1: Being in a small school has allowed me to collaborate with multiple grade levels! I love using Twitter to connect with other educators and share ideas and strategies!
A5: Pineapple charts have intrigued me for a long time. It seems, though, the culture has to be groomed just right. Remove the pressure of admin. evaluation to release joy in teachers might work. #g2great
A5 learned about Learning walks from @shiraleibowitz and @KathyPerret in their #educoach chats. Then introduced the idea to our admin. I feel it’s so important for everyone to know what’s happening in the different classrooms. Twitter helps us look into classrooms #G2Great
A6 new learning means grappling with change engaging in conversations that support and confirm new thinking helps to solidify learning. A colleague and I were talking today about guided reading and I referenced a @DrMaryHoward blog post that confirmed what we both felt #g2great
A5: The walls reflect the learning in classrooms. Perhaps holding gr level/faculty meetings in various classrooms around your district/building will provide inspiration for colleagues. Educators naturally look around a new classroom for ideas. #g2Great
A6 We need to model learning and our conversations to help others grow. I have grown by being honest and authentic with my own problems of practice. I learned to make sure to listen to understand, to let others take the lead, to trust and to empower. #g2great
Love that title, in my old school we would do PLC Smackdown and Ts would sign up to share - but I love the title, Share the Wealth!” Such a positive message! #g2great
A2: I love collaborating with my instructional coach and #gwaea consultants! I love trying new strategies and taking those risks for the good of our students! #g2great
A6. The late great @KMTolan simply asked some of us, "What did you just teach?" Sometimes it was nothing. Sometimes too much. Sometimes dead on! #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A6 My Reading Recovery behind-the-glass lessons still linger in my memory. Others watched & once the lesson was over I got respectful feedback I could readily apply. #G2Great
There is something really beautiful about that.Classrooms are in many ways sacred spaces to nuture identity and learning. What better place? #G2Great Brilliant Lauren.
A2&6: Every time I coach, I still get nervous. Every time! Because I care, and that always leads to both the T and me learning something. #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A6 Simple, but profound--"How will you know when kids have learned based on your instruction?" That one Q led me to look closely at the learning outcome and to accurately create formative assessments aligned to the learning. #G2Great
@franmcveigh you need to check out the writing @MissD_Kinders posted today from her classroom! You’d absolutely love working with her! I know I do! #g2great
In reply to
@MissD_Kinders, @franmcveigh, @MissD_Kinders
A6 The most effective collaborations are interactive in nature w/time to think thru ideas before teaching. We stand to learn more thru supportive dialogue before/after teaching than the teaching itself. #G2Great
A6. Reading on Twitter others sharing how them struggled, failed, tried again, and again, shifted and then met with success opened my mind to being able to also share what I learned in decades of trying. #G2Great
A6. The best convo's aren't the ones that corrected you but the ones that built on your strengths. Ps asking "How did you do that?" #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A6: when I have those convos with Ts who are so deeply passionate about doing what is most inspiring for their Ss- it reenergizes me to do the same for Ts...inspire, motivate, and empower. #g2great
A7.Learning Theme: overarching theme for PD for example can be the same and yet individual grades can focus on their own small part under that. Not everyone has to do the exact same thing.
#g2great
A3: It's so important to research different strategies to meet the needs of your students! Decide on a strategy that would best meet the needs of your students and do it! This reminds me a lot of our Bobcat Time at #keyrocks#g2great
When I stand back and read our #G2Great@Twitter feed I am blown away but the wave of brilliance and positivity. We make this happen every week it's amazing. I am so humbled thoughts @franmcveigh@brennanamy@DrMaryHowar? I love teachers. I'm so grateful to be among you.
A7. Learning themes are metaphors that we carry across our learning. Like Lincoln and a house divided, you remember it, tie it in to everything. #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A7 I loved reading about Tom’s “learning themes” that engage Sts AND Ts in a common thinking point. This creates a rich shared focus around a specific idea. LOVE! #G2Great
A6: Seems like CHOICE WORDS by Peter Johnston would fit the bill. Ask: “What are your plans?” Say: “Tell me more.” Encourage steps, however small, outside comfort zones. #g2great
A6 There was a time in my career that I was so focused on phonics/decoding in 1st grade.I DO believe in it, but after a conversation with a colleague I shifted my thinking.Phonics &decoding are 1 way to help figure out those tricky parts, but meaning making is my focus #G2Great
A6. The best convo's aren't the ones that corrected you but the ones that built on your strengths. Ps asking "How did you do that?" #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A2 great coaches help us discover what we need and then lead us in the direction to get better. I am lucky to work with an amazing coach that helps support my efforts to change and be a better t @StarfishEmily#g2great
A6 There was a time in my career that I was so focused on phonics/decoding in 1st grade.I DO believe in it, but after a conversation with a colleague I shifted my thinking.Phonics &decoding are 1 way to help figure out those tricky parts, but meaning making is my focus #G2Great
A7. Our school is unpacking problem solving as a theme this year, looking for gems in the problems we face. So many opportunities to integrate metaphors like that. #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A6: Partnerships that engage in true dialogue (understanding that we both have input and will learn from this conversation), will always carve out time and space to explore, challenge, think, implement, and reflect on learning. #G2Great
A7. Metaphors build community and make something memorable. When do we take the moment to make that happen in our teaching or leadership? #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A7: a learning theme might be as something as incorporating writing in all subject areas and working together to create a writing environment in the school. Introduce all kinds of writing, authentic tasks, using text to speech...the possibilities are endless #g2great
A7: Change occurs when there is a common language and goal. A learning theme can be an effective way to begin that work. Ts need to feel connected to the community. A learning theme guides all learning in the building from "head learner" to Ss. #G2Great
This is so powerful. I love to start coaching session with "Tell me what's going really well right now with 1) your instructional planning 2) student learning. Everyone loves to talk about what's going well. It fuels the ability to openly reflect. #G2Great
A7 We could maximize the impact of a schoolwide theme by bringing Ts & Std together in the decision making and planning. This would increase the level of ownership for all. #G2Great
A7. We are stronger together when we strive toward a common theme. Mine was "books in the hands of students" and recently staff shifted it to "readers are leaders" to correspond with Leader In Me school initiative. Students and parents all connect with it! #G2great
A4: We should always look at an evaluation as a time for great feedback. We are lifelong learners. We should share our goal with whomever is evaluating and together think if next steps to help you reach your goal! #g2great
A7: Learning Themes have great potential and could be maximized by regular conversations that loop back to the ideas; allowing for teacher voice and choice; and planned conferring that focuses more on listening and encouraging. #g2great
A7 A learning theme gives focus. It becomes the big picture. We all have a common goal. When we are fully engaged, it spills over naturally. Our students reap the benefits. #G2great
Agreed - they are reflective and thought provoking - based on future actions toward improving rather than ...."you are doing this wrong - change!" #G2Great
A7 It would be amazing to create video clips of how a theme impacted Std/Tch learning or photo gallery to respond in writing (process over product). A picture really is worth 1000 words! #G2Great
Student voice is an important part decisions in my school. It’s funny that generally we don’t often include that voice and they often have the most logical solutions and ideas! #G2Great
Yes, I always think that we are in the business of learning, so we just have to live this way, like doctors live in the business of health. #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A8. Nurturing:
Rereading more PD books on writing, writing daily, giving myself permission to write sh***y first draft.
More practice - as I would as teachers and or students!
#g2great
A7I teach English and coach soccer. In all environments, esp in reading&sports, my students buy into a growth mindset learning theme/model. Our recipe for success is “have fun, work hard, & learn something new everyday”-if we can check those boxes, the day was a success. #G2Great
A8 I nurture my learning within daily PERIOD! No excuses. No whining about time. No missed opportunities. One way I do that is through daily professional reading. #G2Great
A4. Teachers need to keep the students and the student learning central to everything they do, and if we keep the focus on students, the evaluation becomes a way to talk about how we are scaffolding, monitoring, and supporting student learning. #G2Great
A8. I've pushed Ts to keep a professional writers notebook to maintain their own reflections. It may be published, or it may not, but you've thought about it twice by writing it down. #G2Great@HeinemannPub
A8 To nurture myself as a learner, I am a big reader in professional books (@dbc_inc and @HeinemannPub ) I also chat with many educators and do book study groups and exchanges. Love my #wondercrew and #curiositycrew. Could not live without texting my educator friends. #g2great
A8 I nurture my learner w/in thru twitter & FB (Mary C Howard). I spend much of my time on the road alone so I thrive on time to grow in the company of others. #G2Great
A8: my inner learner lets me constantly ask questions...I don’t hold back, I can’t, I just want to know more and more and more! I attend conferences and trainings when I can so that my brain constantly has new material! #g2great
A8 I can't get enough learning! I crave it daily! I'm in grad school, chat with awesome educators like those in the G2Great, and surround myself with others who are curious. #g2great
A8 Reading some new EDU titles and lining up my TBR of professional reads for the summer. Making plans to attend @ILAToday in July. Revisiting some prior reads to reconnect with that prior learning. #G2Great
A5: Learning walks are such a powerful opportunity! Everyone is an expert on something, have a list of specific things you want to look for or see, reach out, and find people to observe! Then reflect and plan your next steps to use your new learning. #g2great
A8: I think I have finally nailed down my book idea. I have started researching and building plan. Put in a PD proposal that might give me time to research in school next year...learning and growing #curiositycrew#g2great
I saw this in our 6th grade class when we took 1st Grade to see the culmination of their social studies unit on Africa #G2Great Think that’s a good place to start everyone’s learning journey.
A4. When teachers remember that they have the ability to frame the discussion about how they set student learning goals, why they chose those goals,& how crafted a lesson to help students to achieve those goals, they can see the evaluation as collaborative. #G2Great
A7I teach English and coach soccer. In all environments, esp in reading&sports, my students buy into a growth mindset learning theme/model. Our recipe for success is “have fun, work hard, &learn something new everyday”-if we can check those boxes, the day was a success. #G2Great
Omg! I’m not good with tears but happy tears I think I could deal with! That obviously meant a lot to her! You rock and you’re making a difference! #g2great
A8: @voxer book chats. Submit conference proposals. Experiment in the classroom. Invite experts into the classroom. Collaborate with others. Read. Write. Risk. Share. Repeat. #g2great
A8 Reading three professional books right now. That's the primary way I feed my personal learning. Podcasts, especially the current ones @HeinemannPub and then my PLN on social media is THE best learning community! #G2Great
A8 Over 46 years plus in education I ask one Q daily: How can I be a better Tch tomorrow than I am today? It’s on my mind from the time I wake up. Opportunities to feed my professional soul abounds #G2Great
A8. Stop by our new website https://t.co/S5pzTtgW6A created just for educators and their professional learning. OR how about a Saturday chat at 9:00 AM EST #BookCampPD Terrific #PLN waiting to learn with and from you!! #G2Great
Guess who’s coming back to #G2Great next week? It’s our favorite #BowTieBoys w/ teacher Jason Augustowski & we couldn’t be happier! Please help us support this amazing group of HS Sts as we explore group work & collaboration! @MisterAMisterA@franmcveigh@brennanamy@hayhurst3
