The Breakfast Club – #BFC530 – is a 15 minute, 1 question Twitter chat every weekday. We chat in 4 timezones Mon-Fri – 5:30am Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Times. The mission of BFC is to empower participants to make a difference in education by engaging in consistent reflective practice in a supportive community that inspires and challenges one another.
Because of ISTEP testing this week, I've been letting the students listen to Elijah of Buxton during my math class. It's interesting seeing the students in a different learning environment than what I'm used to. #bfc530
Good morning #bfc530! I feel like there should be a bfc539 group for teachers who care enough about their professional development to do it every morning at 5:30 but are too clumsy to actually type the right hashtag.
Good morning #bfc530! I feel like there should be a bfc539 group for teachers who care enough about their professional development to do it every morning at 5:30 but are too clumsy to actually type the right hashtag.
I would really like to know how they are treated by their culture. I think the way teachers are looked down upon in the US but are beloved during tragedy and election season is concerning. #bfc530
Great question! I'd love to learn much more about how other countries help students with formal apprenticeships that have distinct value and currency in society. #bfc530
I'm always interested to hear about the building & campus layout in warmer climates. Love the idea of class doors letting onto an inner greenspace/yard or something of the like. #bfc530
Grades. Tell me about grades. What’s going on overseas? What’s different? I know many have grades to reflect a standard, but since they aren’t the criteria for college, they don’t have the same emotions tied to them - but I want to know more! #bfc530
I agree! There is something to their system for sure. I'd like to learn more about it. From what I remember reading, they are very innovative in their school day activities. #bfc530
I agree. Teachers and school personnel are not always treated like the professionals they are. Is this common around the world or just here in the US #bfc530
I would really like to know how they are treated by their culture. I think the way teachers are looked down upon in the US but are beloved during tragedy and election season is concerning. #bfc530
I would really like to know how they are treated by their culture. I think the way teachers are looked down upon in the US but are beloved during tragedy and election season is concerning. #bfc530
I would really like to know how they are treated by their culture. I think the way teachers are looked down upon in the US but are beloved during tragedy and election season is concerning. #bfc530
I don't know what I don't know, which is why I like participating in other countries' chats ... I miss the satchatoc because it had lots of cool Eds from "down under". #bfc530
I would start with the logistics of their education, specifically who makes the top level decisions, what schedules look like, ideal class sizes, and if the students are more independent than mine. Teach Like Finland was an eye opener for me. #bfc530
This is my first time, so I'm not 100% sure, although I do know that I'll be presenting to a number of small groups as they go from station to station. I'm really looking forward to it since I rarely get to interact with students of this age. #bfc530
I would love to look into more research about more innovative countries. Top scorers on PISA What techniques are used, how to develop a school-supportive culture? #bfc530
I would really like to know how they are treated by their culture. I think the way teachers are looked down upon in the US but are beloved during tragedy and election season is concerning. #bfc530
I don't know what I don't know, which is why I like participating in other countries' chats ... I miss the satchatoc because it had lots of cool Eds from "down under". #bfc530
Finally, I would really like to hear from the students. What do they view as the purpose of education? What are things they like? What would they change? #bfc530
I would love to look into more research about more innovative countries. Top scorers on PISA What techniques are used, how to develop a school-supportive culture? #bfc530
Talking about grades - I get to meet with my AP today to talk about possibilities for changing how I do things; maybe run a pilot, perhaps persuade my CPT to work with me to have grades reflecting standards instead of assignments. Wish me luck! #bfc530
I would like to know abt what freedoms teachers do and don't have / do they need board approval, supervisor approval, etc ? Are they scored, how are they observed? What abt lesson plans ? Ok, I just want to shadow the whole experience #bfc530
What is your goal? When you're student walks out of your class, your school, what indicates "success"? I would be interested to see answers from teachers in other countries about that. #bfc530
What a great question @wheeler_laura 😀
Australia is a Commonwealth of 6 States + 2 mainland Territories and some off-shore territories. Under our Constitution Education is a State right. Despite having a national curriculum, they are implemented by each jurisdiction. #bfc530
I was chatting with a teacher from Pakistan the other day. He assumed that teachers here are respected. I had to let him know that it wasn’t always true. He was very surprised. #bfc530
I visited a few schools (local, non-international) in Uganda, Africa a few years ago. Absolutely beautiful yards with some (schools more in the country/villages) and others gated and small for protection (schools more in city areas). #bfc530
So sad, right? I am fighting that now in grade 3, but thank goodness for amazing read alouds that totally hook children. Right now reading Restart by @gordonkorman#bfc530
In reply to
@VtheLearner, @abookforfrances, @gordonkorman
In the US, our education system is designed to create an American competitive advantage in the global market. Wondering what other countries state as their educational mission and how their missions shape their systems. #bfc530
I just want to converse with as many Eds as I can ... what are they actually doing in class vs what they are just tweeting. What ideas are they developing? #bfc530
I would like to take our elected officials, & enforce a no talk rule. Just sit there & listen to how countries treat educators w/respect. Guess that is not really a ?, but it is what I would do #bfc530
You're should be your. Where is the edit button? I think there is a correlation between the level of my grammar with the amount of minutes I have been awake LOL But displaying bad grammar is worth being here with all of you #bfc530
Great point! Interesting how our model is non-educators are "running" the school. I understand it gives ownership and control to the taxpayers, but.... (?) #bfc530
I don't know what I don't know, which is why I like participating in other countries' chats ... I miss the satchatoc because it had lots of cool Eds from "down under". #bfc530
The questions that lingers for me regarding RESPECT and teachers:
Is it a societal thing?
Is it a specific school culture/climate thing?
or...is it a mirror?
#bfc530
That is ridiculous for a student to be in that position. If that mich time is needed to study then the teacher should wonder what is happening daily in the classroom #bfc530
A great question Kathy! I would love to know that too. I’ve only seen a little of this when travelling to Uganda a few years back. They had children with special needs living in a home, no specific OT/Speech/etc available #bfc530
I see ur point. I think we have been told for so long that we are unworthy that it is what we now think is the norm. Maybe not a mirror, but a picture painted by someone else. #bfc530
That is ridiculous for a student to be in that position. If that mich time is needed to study then the teacher should wonder what is happening daily in the classroom #bfc530
I was talking about the level of respect with a colleague yesterday. It's why we cherish those parents who do respect us, & are willing to partner together with us for the sake of their child #bfc530
In Australia, we have the Australian Qualifications Framework. Year 12 Certificate is at the bottom of the Framework. Apprenticeships are usually a Certificate III or Certificate IV. We have schools that deliver these qualifications to Ss along with traineeships. #bfc530
Thanks ! I will never complain abt how long are again ! I will also beg someone else to take my daughter to basketball if practice is off a dirt road . I'm a shore girl who was not made to live in the mountains #bfc530
In reply to
@kathyiwanicki, @TCMSPrincipal, @VtheLearner
The questions that lingers for me regarding RESPECT and teachers:
Is it a societal thing?
Is it a specific school culture/climate thing?
or...is it a mirror?
#bfc530
Just the one baby so far...
Spent a lot of time tonight catching Pompadour who got over the fence where a branch came down in the high winds we are getting #bfc530
I can't count the number of meetings I have had to end or phone calls I have hung up on b/c the parent can't act like a human being (or treat me like one) #bfc530
That stinks! Got stuck this weekend myself at the library. Thankfully it was daylight and people were willing to help. My daughters were with me, they thought it was funny to see daddy muddy. #bfc530
But so sad that it has to be that way. We don’t (or I don’t) treat doctors, lawyers or checkout people that way. Why do some people feel it is okay to talk to teachers that way? #bfc530
I’ve been involved in #bfc530 when @TyrnaD kicked it off. From memory, I discovered it via another chat I was in. The time of it over here works well as it is at the end of the day! Lots of great connections. Some have even Co-Moderated a chat I run 3x per year for work #CEOPEARL
In reply to
@DebbiSab, @GruntledChalkie, @ChrisQuinn64, @TyrnaD
I saw only volunteers in one place I was. They came for an extended period of time to offer their special services but it wasn’t permanent and they were not residents. I do remember seeing a physiotherapist but he also worked at the local clinic. #bfc530
I think there are ppl who do treat other professions condescendingly as well. It's as if they see it as a display of their strength rather than a sign of rude weakness. It takes strength to be considerate & keep your cool. We can choose to act differently #bfc530
99% of the time, it isn't you they are mad at. But we are their punching bag, and they know that educators will ultimately lose if we punch back. It is appropriate to end the meeting/conversation abruptly until calmer heads can prevail. #bfc530
In reply to
@TCMSPrincipal, @kathyiwanicki, @kmichellehowell
Agreed! It can be frustrating, but I think it starts from the beginning of the school year, setting expectations for the Ss and Ps and communicate positively right off the bat. Must build those relationships! #bfc530
In reply to
@MrTravisDrake, @TCMSPrincipal, @kathyiwanicki, @kmichellehowell
That’s so sad. We should be able to talk out things without losing our tempers. It’s good that you ended them so that things could cool off though. #bfc530
If you are looking to teach in Australia you’d need to be 4 year trained-minimum (eg Bachelor of Education or Bachelor degree with a Diploma of Education or a Master of Teaching) @aitsl handle recognition of overseas qualifications for Education, they also set T Standards #bfc530
It was great catching up with #bfc530 friends when I was there... and sad to miss some others.
It was funny how at that stage Emily didn't know V and Deb yet I met them on ssme day
The problem derives from the public narrative about Teachers and Education and who drives that narrative. Being able to say you’re going to ‘fix’ Education is usually a vote-winner! See our Senate Inquiry from 1998 (snippet below). More positive today #bfc530
I did my training in Glasgow, Scotland and taught 3 yrs in England - kids are kids the world over, but at that time (18 yikes yrs ago) I was respected by Ss & community & seen as a profession of importance #bfc530
#bfc530 question got me reminiscing. A few photos to share of what a few schools looks like in Uganda, Africa (Ntinda & Mpigi) More open space in the country village vs inside the city area (more gated)...now I want to go back 🛫
How is community service implemented within the school? We have clubs that mandate a certain amount of hours but most of those hours are done outside of school. I’m curious if other countries make students work within the school building. #bfc530
Hi, #bfc530. I'm wondering what students, families, & staff worldwide would count as notable success in their country's edu system, & what would they identify as greatest challenge? Would patterns & universals emerge, or would we be astounded by variety? (Oops, that's 3+ things!)
