Paul from Colorado. The cartilage in my nose is soft, so I can touch my forehead and my chin to a flat surface at the same time. Thanks for the genetic gift, @yenneam! #weirded
Gday #weirded
Carl from Avonsleigh Australia
Remember that happy Days episode when it was cool o put coins on your elbow and catch them in your hand
I can do that.
Heh. No. Because it's really Trumpland in disguise. Funny you should mention the Southeast. I grew up in that part of Chicago or, as I call it, the Land of Two Sunsets. #weirded
Too angry to attend #weirded because apparently our school board doesn't think we deserve to put a vote to the public for teacher raises. Y'all have fun.
A1 I joined a choir and was assigned to a part that I've never thought of as mine. I'm learning the alto parts anyway, and it's pretty good. Big performances are this weekend. I still have some work to do. #weirded
A1 sharing some writing for @kenoc7 assessment book “how to grade for learning 4th edition” - I mean a real editor looking at it, not just my daily blog-of-learning! https://t.co/34OOweNsuV#WeirdEd
A1: any time I work with another teacher’s class. I don’t know these kids, they don’t know me. They won’t get my jokes (they usually do) but I do it anyway because that’s the only time I get to work with students. #WeirdEd
A1: let the Ss take more control. It’s their education too. I taught them how to read the standards. They get to prove they know them. They demonstrate mastery in their own ways. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A1 Also, speaking in front of entire College of Education staff politely, but still bluntly, and honestly, about my true feelings about their off-campus program. WHich gave me a headache during it, also terrified of any repercussions, & near tears.
A1) starting Writers Workshop with my AP kids tomorrow. Very hard and Very scary!!! I’ve done so much preparation; just hope I know what I’m doing #weirded
Emily, South Florida, 6-8 band & chorus; don't try me on classroom management, Gilmore Girls, The Smashing Pumpkins, or apparently concert band lit? Whoda thunk? #WeirdEd
Right? It was a suggestion by my future mother in law... at first I laughed sarcastically. Then I realized that was probably the best idea. I'm still scared, but now I'm scared with a plan. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A1 Also, speaking in front of entire College of Education staff politely, but still bluntly, and honestly, about my true feelings about their off-campus program. WHich gave me a headache during it, also terrified of any repercussions, & near tears.
A1 Cancer treatment. Right now drinking herbal teas so I can hopefully ward off kidney disease. Ultrasound on the 13th. I'll know then if I am beating the odds. #weirded
Finished student teaching in December, and was offered and INR job in a class that has been through the ringer with multiple subs last semester. Knowing I would be getting a tough class, mid-year for my first year. #WeirdEd
A1: Finishing my admin certification, had to take at least 4 (maybe more) incompletes through the last couple of terms b/c of work related issues #weirded
Just a bit south was Sherwin Williams paint factory. Didn't glow but sure did smell bad. I bet a lot of my old classmates got sick years later. #weirded
#WeirdEd My name is Nick, I go by Janna, I live in Ethiopia, I like to skateboard and I can make a pencil move without touching it. Also love mastering with my Ss, ‘Snaps is the name of the Game’.
Me. This kind of situation makes me overplan (which usually goes in my favor). I need a wedding planner for collaboration and research instruction. #weirded
It’s tough, but I’m starting to see things working. I have great support which is comforting. Even on the hardest days I can honestly tell myself “I’m learning more than I ever did in school” and “it will never be this hard again”. #WeirdEd
A1: Participated in a punditry contest (at a national political conference) advocating for teacher input and inclusion in policy work. Did radio interview & did not die! #WeirdEd
A1 Working on saving the house. Husband worked on it without a permit. City wants us to pay a ton in fines. Civil suit coming up March 1st. Can hardly wait. #weirded
Yes. I have no idea what the Calumet River is like. That's what Lake Michigan flows into. Not too far from the old 'hood. Lots of industry along there. #weirded
#WeirdEd I was specifically invited by one of the admins because of my experience. I was assured that I wouldn't get any repercussions, several times. I trust her to come through. They seem open, yes, but if there's any effects, it would/has reached the next cohort. Not us
Thanks. I need all the help I can get. Mr. MIT was laid off on December 1st. Looks like his former employer paid for COBRA. We are dead broke. #weirded
People swim in the Yarra River and get mysteriously sick.
The mouth of the Yarra is meant to be one big mercury pit from the tanneries in 1800s. #weirded
I am the parent of an exceptionally 2 y/o and teach at an ALC for awesome but "at-risk" students.
I have never been as self-aware of my quirks and nuances as I am this year.
#WeirdEd A1
#teacherlife#teacherdad#ALCproud
#WeirdEd I want to read during silent reading time but I only give us 10 minutes and I KNOW that I'd stop the timer and give us more time and then it would be lunch time all the sudden and we missed math again
A2: I'm always telling the Ss about new things I've learned, like just this past weekend I learned that you want to make sure you have something to eat with your Tamiflu...or it will most likely end badly, like it did for me #weirded#PorcelainGod
A2. Try new things. Read. Keep curiosity a thing at home and in the classroom. For myself, I used to collect musical instruments until I ran out of $ #weirded
A2: For sure modeling by being a learner as much as possible. I would feel like old, dry, educational toast if I didn’t learn new things myself! Gotta. #WeirdEd
I encourage the asking of questions and don’t get impatient with the asker. Obvious to me is not obvious to everyone. And, of course, encourage the lifelong reading. Don’t like reading? You just haven’t found your book yet. #challengeaccepted#WeirdEd
A2: Exude curiosity. I am always so excited to learn new odd things that those tidbits are usually the first things I share in the morning. Because I love learning, and I share a lot about me and my life with the kids, I’m always sharing what I’m learning. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Yep, I understood when I accepted the invite. I was to pretty much give feedback on how to improve program for future students. Though, I was sure admin knew my feelings and gave me a platform.
A2 I'm trying to show my kids what it looks like to be an adult doing interesting stuff and being awesome, even when it's hard. (I am not always awesome. But I want some STORIES to tell.) #weirded
#WeirdEd A2 I remember that I had to stop a lesson this...Monday? I think it was Monday, because Mentor T had to go home sick and we hadn't plan math well enough for me to take over. Scrapped the lesson, admitted it was a crappy lesson, did back up plan, which was Khan
Aw, man. We were really nervous we’d only have like, 4 people. But more came. I’m sorry you only had one, but I hope that one person loved it! #WeirdEd
I'm terrible at written documentation (ask my admins). In my last filing cabinet I kept bandaids, candy, and all of my clever outdoorsy stickers. and maybe some hanging files #weirded
A2: I am naturally curious. I dig into whatever holds my interest at the time and try to make it part of me. That's part of how I ended up as a math teacher!! #weirded
#WeirdEd Ok, for the next Q I'm gonna make you define something, which I hate. But I am curious about what everything thinks bc I think it means different things for different people. Which I like.
A2: Acknowledge that I don’t know everything... let students know when they have taught me something. Learn publicly with my teacher friends- that’s fun! #weirded
#WeirdEd Whoops, wasn't too clear on this, sometimes it's all about showing the class and admitting that it can be a crappy lesson (no matter what the other students say, I saw a few of the higher ability Ss disagree it was a crappy lesson. LOL) and moving on
#WeirdEd A2 I remember that I had to stop a lesson this...Monday? I think it was Monday, because Mentor T had to go home sick and we hadn't plan math well enough for me to take over. Scrapped the lesson, admitted it was a crappy lesson, did back up plan, which was Khan
Yeah my district librarian was in the audience but she wanted to go to another session, so I said “GO!” Lol. The one attendee and I had a great hour long convo! #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd I started bullet journaling my lesson plans this semester. If it goes well, I have a structure to refer to in the future. We started a new curriculum this year, so it's necessary.
A2 (continued list): let Ss teach their hobbies to Ts. listen to different music. watch remakes of movies that should not be remade like your sitting with robots hecking the screen #MST3000#weirded
A3: A risk is something that you are not 90% certain will work. Or that not everyone else on your team/in your dept/school is doing, so you’re making your own path. A risky lesson might be well planned and researched, but untested. #WeirdEd
A3: A risk to me is something that could end in injury or triumph. Injury meaning physical, emotional, whatever. Something that will take time to recover from if it fails. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd That was probably the only other moment I actually wanted to go to main campus (first time was seeing awesome Robin DiAngelo speak), it's hour and 30 mins drive. Otherwise...required seminars...
A3. To me, it’s doing something that could pay off *or* come with consequences that would be difficult to deal with. Not just a setback, but something that could take time/money to fix. #weirded
A3 #WeirdEd a risk implies an unknown. To me it means something where the outcome is questionable. There are of course different levels of risk, based on variables and skills involved, but risk is everywhere.
A3: I don’t associate risk with comfort. I make comfortable decisions long range, and most of my risks are on the spot. Just how it goes. Flying off the seat of my pants. #weirded
A3. To me, it’s doing something that could pay off *or* come with consequences that would be difficult to deal with. Not just a setback, but something that could take time/money to fix. #weirded
Risk is also a very personal relative thing. For me, standing in front of a class talking, no risk. For others, it'll feel like the greatest risk imaginable. #WeirdEd
I just had a conversation with a newish teacher that it’s a good thing when you know when to ditch something (even if you spent hours prepping it) #weirded
A3: A risk to me is putting myself into an environment that potentially jeopardizes my professional, social, mental/emotional, and/or physically safety zone. #weirded
I like this. I try to keep the skills (learning outcomes) fresh in mind and improvise the content with student choice, passion, interests. most of the time, content can be looked up so the skills are the focus not the book or problem or thought-over scenario #weirded
#WeirdEd That's not why Superman is brave. He's brave because he sticks to what he thinks is right no matter what. Unless he's in a DC movie. Then he's a humorless douche.
Makes sense. We can recover easier from a short term risk. It's harder to take a risk that takes longer to develop & discover if it actually worked or not. #WeirdEd
A3 A risk is a chance of loss (or injury): in the classroom, it's probably a non-tangible, but still realizable thing. Loss of respect, knocked down a peg in the eyes of coworkers, lost momentum, setback on lessons (wasted time) #weirded
#WeirdEd Ok, those two were quick Qs, but this next one should be able to grow and breathe pretty organically. I think. Hope.
Probably.
Anyway, here comes Q4
#WeirdEd The risk of acting a certain way, speaking about certain topics, of trying to spearhead change, may be different. Not to say White Ts who do those don't face extreme risk, but still....
Saw this in a 6th grade class. Student knew a feature about an app the teacher didn’t know about. She had him pop onto the Apple TV and show everyone. Kid was a little embarrassed but that s-eating-grin said he enjoyed it #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Q4 Where do you have blocks? Like, if I said you have to learn x, what x would be the most scary? Why?
(ie I'm learning bass bc the idea of learning an instrument scared me)
Absolutely, there's a lot of research out there about our abilities to assess risk, we tend to suck at somethings (like fearing a terrorist attack rather than, say, the hazards of smoking), but we're still pretty good with the old school hair on back of necks stuff #WeirdEd
A3 again #WeirdEd my most recent risk is that I'm assigning a project that I've never done myself... African influence on Spanish speaking countries. I know not enough. So I'm going to do the project too with them.
#WeirdEd This also includes TPrep, unless of course you're in like... Urban Ed or something. Ya think an overall gen of 150 StuTs where you can count EoCs w/ 1 or 2 hands will have comprehensive convos abt race? Maybe. I wasn't there. I'll stick w/my 12 member off-campus thanks.
Haha, I don't know. I can hear (and sing!) a lot of different things and jump from part to part as the mood strikes when not performing, but it's kinda hard to find the alto parts on purpose. :) #weirded
#WeirdEd Q4 Where do you have blocks? Like, if I said you have to learn x, what x would be the most scary? Why?
(ie I'm learning bass bc the idea of learning an instrument scared me)
A4: Had I listened to my teachers in K-12 school, I would have pursued journalism aggressively. I pursued music because it terrified & challenged me (still does). #weirded
#WeirdEd Q4 Where do you have blocks? Like, if I said you have to learn x, what x would be the most scary? Why?
(ie I'm learning bass bc the idea of learning an instrument scared me)
A4: programming. Coding. Behind-the-scenes of how a computer works. I can deal with end user stuff all day long. But I’ve tried those cute coding games and it’s still scary! #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A4 Blocks r time/fulfilling TeachEd hoop jumping. My program keeps us in same class for whole yr, but I managed to get myself moved for this sem, now I have to move double time to catch up, except, I take my time building relationships to teach better
A4 At the beginning of 2017, we knew Mr. MIT was going to be laid off in December. Because he stuck it out, he was given a "fool's gold" parachute. They took off a ton of taxes off the top. #weirded
#WeirdEd Q4 Where do you have blocks? Like, if I said you have to learn x, what x would be the most scary? Why?
(ie I'm learning bass bc the idea of learning an instrument scared me)
#WeirdEd A4 Blocks r time/fulfilling TeachEd hoop jumping. My program keeps us in same class for whole yr, but I managed to get myself moved for this sem, now I have to move double time to catch up, except, I take my time building relationships to teach better
A4: I don’t want to own a home anytime soon bc I have no interest in learning how to fix appliances, or paying to replace them. I’m even more against this after someone ignorantly told me, “Well, you’re a teacher, can’t you learn things pretty well thru YouTube?” #weirded
A4: Spanish. Espanol. I never understood it, but I also never had the mindset to learn it either. I definitely blocked myself there. Where do our students block themselves? #WeirdEd
A4: one of my blocks is hitting reset on my network. If I had to create a new "lifeline" network of support, it might inhibit my ability to take risks. I need to feel connected #weirded#aloneisscary
A4: Experience and fear of over committing. A LOT I want to try, but I fear not being able to manage problems that arise or biting off more than I, or my Ss can chew. Still working on baby steps and testing my, and their, limits. #WeirdEd
A4 We essentially are dead broke. Kind of like, how do we do this with no more money coming in? I procrastinated because I was too busy freaking out. #weirded
#WeirdEd A4 Blocks r time/fulfilling TeachEd hoop jumping. My program keeps us in same class for whole yr, but I managed to get myself moved for this sem, now I have to move double time to catch up, except, I take my time building relationships to teach better
A4 Right now - wrangling 24 second graders for a half hour of MTSS daily. I left the full classroom teaching thing 4 years ago for a small group tutoring position to take break from having lots of Ss at once #weirded
At a work function last Saturday, my kid knocked a cup of water out of my hand & proceeded to drop to all fours & lick the puddle she had just created on the concrete. In front of my colleagues. I feel you. #weirded
A4: my big block is not being professionally selfish sometimes, when it's warranted, I defer to making others happy at the cost of mine own, then sometimes get pissed, thankfully, I have a couple trusted co-workers that check me on that if I don't do it myself #weirded
A4: How to let go...example...hubs WANTS to do laundry bc I’m not quick enough. But I don’t want anyone else doing laundry. #dorkyscarything#iknow#WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Q4 Where do you have blocks? Like, if I said you have to learn x, what x would be the most scary? Why?
(ie I'm learning bass bc the idea of learning an instrument scared me)
A3 again #WeirdEd my most recent risk is that I'm assigning a project that I've never done myself... African influence on Spanish speaking countries. I know not enough. So I'm going to do the project too with them.
A4: I find it challenging to make time for things I want to grow at. I don't run anymore, don't art as much as I'd like and rarely pick up a guitar. All my own fault. #WeirdEd
I’ve done some blogging and linked some articles on coding et al on my blog site — https://t.co/mIfeBhx2Zl
I also throw a variety of ideas and activities on my “virtual assignments” section https://t.co/rNKxP0Rzge#weirded
Writing this made me think that I should try jumping off the deep end and just trying something next week. Just to see how it goes. Take a purposeful big risk, in addition to the daily small risks. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd This...reminds me of my old drama director/8th-9th grade ELA teacher. Prob one of the biggest influences on me going to education. He once told me he prefers anger than apathy, because you're feeling something & that gives you focus. He's like Light-Sided Sith I realize
All of this. I'm starting to get back to some things, as my kids are all past the age of reason and I was not working in the fall. That helped. But it is really hard to run a household and still have a creative life. #weirded
#WeirdEd True story- I'd rather people leave the chat feeling like this than feeling like "That was a productive and learning-filled professional development session." It's a freaking chat.
A5. I think we have to be open to feeling uncomfortable and experience discomfort in order to be able to be creative in the classroom. Not sure if those experiences need to be creative #weirded
A5 I love this question - would creativity do better or worse if it was enabled or because it has to overcome obstacles (like the Beatles & @jk_rowling) #WeirdEd
Gonna check it out later. Reminds me of stories about Jews also part of Hispanic culture. Mezuzah in the Madonna's Foot is a great book discussing that aspect of the culture.
https://t.co/QN2oWiEw3g#weirded
A5 I think it's SO EASY to get stuck in a rut, in any line of work. Continual exposure to new ideas keeps us fresh (which I guess is one reason it's good to work with kids). Creating makes my brain work better. #weirded
@TheWeirdTeacher A5 I don’t think experiencing creative things is a prerequisite, but it does help frame creative drives for me. Watching content creators, documentaries on artists, or even jamming to music help focus what I want to do in the classroom. #weirded
A5: I've taught art, so I'm confident. I add these things to the stuff we do in my English room. My colleagues do the same, and they have richer convos with the Ss about the process as non-artists figuring it out together. #WeirdEd
For instance, creativity in my classroom often comes down to learning how to communicate with a student. If I stayed in my rut, that would be very difficult. #weirded
#WeirdEd A5 Yes, sometimes. Not all the time. We can be creative in the classroom, especially if we see teaching as our creative expression, but it can be easy to fall into that haughty disregard for established & research-based pedagogy
Just hit my Buzzword quota for tonight
A5: Creativity doesn’t exist in a vacuum, artistic or otherwise. Everything we create has influences, apparent or not. I don’t know if it matters how “creative” those influences are on their own, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. #WeirdEd
A5: Even though I’m in music, I don’t think creativity is always needed. Yes, you need to be out of your comfort sometimes, but sometimes creative efforts go awry. #weirded
A5: I just try to teach like I would have like to have been taught. It’s largely inquiry based, definitely competition with self in action. A little positive peer pressure. Learning should be fun. Half the shit I think up I never attempt. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Related to Q Whatever that was, if you agree with the concept then you should check this out. I've been doing it and it's great fun #MWEhttps://t.co/iquum66Bxp
A5 Consider the idea that you need to read in order to be a good writer. You see what you like and don't like; what resonates; what's missing. Broad exposure has effects far beyond the discipline of what a person takes in. #weirded
A5: I think @IntentionBook is a MUST read in this regard. It frames creativity in such a way that makes it make sense, and seem like a vital part of teaching, with support and ideological inspiration. #WeirdEd
A5: I think @IntentionBook is a MUST read in this regard. It frames creativity in such a way that makes it make sense, and seem like a vital part of teaching, with support and ideological inspiration. #WeirdEd
A5-2: Unpopular opinion, but I’m really tired of hearing, “we need more creativity” but yet everything is super structured. I have an unstructured class, we’re creative all the time, but ugh. I need some structure sometimes too. #weirded
#WeirdEd A5 But also, speaking as a very not original person, seeing practices that work, seeing examples, can work just as well. I often find that I work better if I see an example of just so & just jump off from there.
#WeirdEd A5 Yes, sometimes. Not all the time. We can be creative in the classroom, especially if we see teaching as our creative expression, but it can be easy to fall into that haughty disregard for established & research-based pedagogy
Just hit my Buzzword quota for tonight
A5-2: Unpopular opinion, but I’m really tired of hearing, “we need more creativity” but yet everything is super structured. I have an unstructured class, we’re creative all the time, but ugh. I need some structure sometimes too. #weirded
Best piece of comfort from this semester from @yenneam. I was getting stressed about not having the energy to expand on the curriculum. “The curriculum won’t hurt them.” Sometimes you need to put energy where it matters (culture and relationship) before getting creative #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd But we're also at the end so please please please promote your stuff, books, youtube channels, blogs, whatever, and the stuff of people you like.
READY GO
My original career plan wasnt to be a teacher - I'm not that creative for lessons - but others are creative in their lesson planning and their passion really shines there I didn't find that till tech started popping up in classrooms thats where my creativity comes from #weirded
A5: I claim that no, you don't. One, creative can be pretty subjective. One person's "edu-muse" might be another's "edu-babble," and two, I know I've found creativity when it comes to doing certain things in class by just regular old "mundane" stuff #weirded
Of course we need structure. We need discipline, too. Otherwise our creativity and imagination would run amok. We'd be all over the place. Just not conformity. #weirded
A5-2: Unpopular opinion, but I’m really tired of hearing, “we need more creativity” but yet everything is super structured. I have an unstructured class, we’re creative all the time, but ugh. I need some structure sometimes too. #weirded
A5: Not just seeing creative lessons, but working with others to brainstorm them. People are going to bring different approaches that can expand our train of thought. #WeirdEd
