CatholicEdChat is a twitter chat. Topics focus on discussions around educational issues for Catholic Educators and topics beneficial to Catholic Schools. We look forward to continuing to connect Catholic Educators online to discuss education and teaching with faith in our schools. The chat takes place on Saturday mornings. Time 9am EST.
good morning #catholicedchat. JD - Geek from Indy. Sounds of the wet streets are nice this morning. Now that third winter might be over....time for standardized testing and pollen!
#CatholicEdChat to end our chapter over language in human geography my students used google translate to find their first names in different language families #springfever
I don’t know that I have a favoritespring flower! I just love flowers in general. But this week I did receive some beautiful tulips for Assistant Principal’s week. 😊🌷#CatholicEdChat
We have some cherry blossom trees on our campus so maybe it’s a coast thing? I just love when they come into bloom—and we actually harvest the cherries too! #catholicedchat
Spring Fever is such an interesting term to me. I think of wanting to be outside, blossoming love, and a desire to get to summer vacation. All indicators tied to a more primal life that we haven’t really gotten rid of. #CatholicEdChat
A1. i think spring fever is a strong indication of the discord between our "school year" and nature. we extricate ourselves from winter just at the time that school says we need to buckle down, focus, and finish up. #catholicedchat
A2 we spent extra time outside playing this week & I didn’t regret it one bit. I was grateful for the times I pushed the kids & made them grow in the past weeks #catholicedchat
#catholicedchat A2 take class outside! I taught science unit on architecture this time of the year and we would sketch our neogothic church from the parking lot and grassy area.
A2. We try to integrate nature more. Eggs incubating in the PreK room, FOSS science kits with animals. Also more out of seat, active engagement lessons. #catholicedchat
A2 In the beginning of the year we try to "get to know" the kids in a variety of ice breakers and games. Take time to listen again with an open heart and see what they say now that you've established trust. #CatholicEdChat
the #makerEd kids are doing drone videos with the middle school class they have partnered up with. We are also doing 360 videos/photos of the school - any excuse for vitaminD - not for me mind you. I like my cave :) #catholicedchat
A2- very blessed that our principal told us to take advantage of the amazing weather. After lecture we worked on our in-class assignment outside. #CatholicEdChat
I’m blessed to have a nice outdoor corner spot w a beautiful Eagle Scout project. It’s been rainy this week so we haven’t used it much other than to dry the kids shoes (PE on the grass). We love being outside for almost every class even if it’s just to start hw. #catholicedchat
A3: My advice... Don’t become an island in the end of the year panic of how am I going to do it all. Delegate. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. #CatholicEdChat
A3 once a wise coworker told me that the end of the year can become nerve-wracking & to make sure not to take anything personally bc it is just a stressful time. Great advice! #catholicedchat
A3 - I try to give myself permission to take a break, scroll thru Twitter or read blogs during the day. Fresh ideas get me excited to plan learning for the kids. #CatholicEdChat
A3. Get outside. Get outside. Get outside. Taking more walks, trying to get that vitamin D even as I walk in my winter coat, gloves and hat. #catholicedchat
A3 leverage the natural excitement to start the dreaming. reflections with classes and teams about plans for next year; pull out the whiteboards and start planning the projects. dont forget to get those taxes done. #catholicedchat
Our wonderful pastor is considering a novena next fall for our entire school. We are hoping to create holy, meaningful and engaging experience w Rosary. Ideas? Thanks. #CatholicEdChat
I have a question: after @NCEATALK how do you and your colleagues take that amazing information and share it with our school or parish? #CatholicEdChat
Our wonderful pastor is considering a novena next fall for our entire school. We are hoping to create holy, meaningful and engaging experience w Rosary. Ideas? Thanks. #CatholicEdChat
-ive sent journal summaries of relevant talks, etc. to people already.
-created a google drive folder of handouts, presentations, etc.
-summarized the best of in the weekly newsletter.
Also can do lunch and learn feedback/debrief sessions for those interested. #catholicedchat
I have a question: after @NCEATALK how do you and your colleagues take that amazing information and share it with our school or parish? #CatholicEdChat
As far as consistent quality PD, I'd have to say Twitter. It has allowed me to connect w so many amazing people and ideas. Everyone is always ready to help each other and share ideas. #CatholicEdChat
Many of you mentioned taking students outside. That is so important! Of course, the outdoors is where we are *meant* to be. Many zoo animals spend more time outside than people do. We are the first animal to have "domesticated" ourselves over thousands of years! #CatholicEdChat
From a planning perspective, I have learned to ask the teachers what they need/want to focus on(usually with a list of topics) and then plan around that. Usually includes escamo style learning, whole-group sharing, and personal work time #CatholicEdChat
I love the EdCamp idea! when I was in public school we had a very dynamic administrator she did and had shirts printed up it was amazing! #CatholicEdChat
As an attendee, EdCamps, anything sponsored by @cueinc, and some larger conferences that have a good variety of presenters (key is variety)#CatholicEdChat
Some schools are doing TechBar once a week. Providing a place for teachers to explore new apps with a TechCoach or other colleagues. Personalized PD #CatholicEdChat
#catholicedchat anyone out there joining a 20 months principal leadership cohort through Boston College Roshe School of Education? First event is two-day retreat in the middle of July. @awright55 and I am in!
ok, being serious, we built it into annual review process...teachers work with supervisor to develop personal/professional/school goals - they work with PD coaches and IT do develop course of study, conferences, experiences. Next year we review goals and repeat #catholicedchat
find one or two people who can be most excited/ignited about specific projects. they are your sparks and the most important part. they will keep the smolder through planning and reach out to others. #catholicedchat
If school / work paid for it, there should be an obligation to share your learnings with the rest of the staff. That’s been norm in most schools I’ve worked in. #CatholicEdchat
we got rid of most large group training. about 40% of my time is spent working with small groups or individuals on different types of PD, training, curricular ideas, etc. Best part about being a geek in a school where we automated so many thing :) #catholicedchat
Our amazing tech team does brown bag presentations during lunches to share something cool in tech. They also take requests - either a specific program/app or just a need. #CatholicEdChat
It was a 3 week retreat conducted by a Carmelite Priest and a Dominican Sister. I learned so much from them, especially around prayer & meditation, I still use today! #CatholicEdchat
Agreed - so much of large group is still sit 'n git. Individualized learning is what we preach for classrooms - so shouldn't that be the same for teachers? #CatholicEdchat
Looking forward (already) to 2018-2019, my new book from @avemariapress is now available for pre-order for the fall. It features prayers for the entire Catholic school community, and also follows both the liturgical and school calendars. #CatholicEdChathttps://t.co/L2rGja7K60
but not lonely....had a few teachers request some more formal training about various topics just to have a chance to get to know different faculty. #catholicedchat
In reply to
@BarbInNebraska, @APannie7, @kristinefull
#catholicedchat
I was asking more on theoretical level-- how would one go about this? How to motivate a staff that is already feeling overwhelmed to learn something new/improve something already doing?
My suggestions: Maybe partner up with another school. Also, the high school you feed into might love to include your folks in their activities. But for targeted work, focus on teams (K-2. 3-5, 6-8) and supporting outside PD that they report back on. #CatholicEdChat
i find that it is too easy to get overwhelmed with MASSIVE PD IDEA...that then doesnt catch hold. but that massive idea is actually a lot of smaller inter-related initiatives that can be focused on by interested teams. Just need a few leaders to keep track #catholicedchat
In reply to
@sfxprincipal, @vbell56, @NCEATALK, @TeachinSciMath, @khanacademy
Definitely. Coaching is a key part as is the practice of Androgogy or Heutagogy in Adult Ed. Needs to be targeted & differentiated. We don’t all start at the same place or finish at the same place. #CatholicEdchat
In reply to
@BarbInNebraska, @jdferries, @APannie7, @kristinefull
lead off of the retreat. what is the mission-based idea that could be done across the grades? Team building and school story-telling can combine. then each teacher can partner with others and fill in their gaps for the good of the whole. #catholicedchat
Maybe give them release time to observe a rockstar teacher somewhere else? When they can see what is possible, they might get re-energized. #catholicedchat
...and some of us get distracted by the shiny object on that path over there...or spend four hours setting up a picture with lego mini-figs....wait? thats just me? nevermind
#catholicedchat
In reply to
@edu_ivers, @BarbInNebraska, @APannie7, @kristinefull
A retreat needs to be relevant to you and your spiritual life. There are bound to be people in this chat, who could DM you details if you wanted. #CatholicEdchat
Any professional development that has as its foundation the broader mission of Catholic education (i.e., leading the community to embrace, and spread, the Gospel) is going to be "easier" to facilitate and foster, as it will be thoroughly guided by the Holy Spirit. #CatholicEdChat
I wish I could get more teachers involved in Twitter PD groups or other social media groups as many are single grade teachers in their building. #CatholicEdChat
Retreat is not a business planning session
Retreat is not a strategic communications meeting
Retreat is not a curricular mapping initiative....
All important...all NOT retreat
#catholicedchat
