The #michED chat is a grassroots effort dedicated to giving teachers, students, and parents across Michigan a bigger voice in the conversation about education in our state. We welcome all voices through a variety of projects, media, and social networking. We’re trying to address educational issues through apolitical conversation, spreading ideas and stories of success from Michigan classrooms across the state, and helping teachers and students regain the courage to connect and demonstrate that schools in Michigan are creating amazing opportunities for learning. We want the face and voice of education in Michigan to be a mural of shared experiences and positive examples of connected learning.
Welcome to the first #MichEd chat of 2019! We begin with introductions. Name, district, building, assignment. And add your favorite moment from the holiday break.
Hello #MichEd! My name is Jennifer Bond, 3rd grade teacher in Walled Lake. I loved celebrating Christmas with my grandma and also celebrating her 91st bday!
Miggity Matt Dogg, Schoolcraft Community Schools, K-12 Director of Innovation in Teaching and Learning -- Loved enjoying the few sunny days outside with my family!
#miched
Laura MCDonell- St. Clair, MI. One moment was watching the family love the #TidyingUp episodes on Netflix from @MarieKondo and then apply the knowledge immediately to their own rooms. #miched
Q1: Q1: Returning to school after a long break can be a challenge for students and adults. What activities did you do (or plan to do) with students and/or staff to reconnect? #miched
A1: We created visuals to hang from our ceiling with 5 goals for the New Year. We also had restorative circles to share highlights of the break. #miched
A1: I made a crockpot breakfast casserole for the administration center. Sent a welcome back email and had everything set up in the kitchen for the start of the day. #MichED
A1: As a teacher, I always liked to start the new year trying out fresh strategies or ideas, so in my position as a coach, I made sure to get my monthly memo packed with tips and Kagan structures out ASAP #miched
Todd, this is so important. Re-establishing procedures, even at secondary level, is reassuring. Expectations and routines were very different during break. #MichED
YES, Students have to remember they aren't on break anymore. Also need to ease back into school since so many SLEEP DEPRIVED due to flipping their schedules #michED
Well, I used to say "gif" But I was politely schooled by @techsavvyed that the correct pronunciation is "jiff", like the peanut butter. He's always looking out for me so I don't embarrass myself :) #MichED
I responded & then asked 1 or 2 questions. They've responded to me and now I am working on responding and asking another round of questions. #connections my #oneword2019#miched Hoping to go 4 rounds.
A1: I came in as a long term sub so I gave kids notecards to have them tell me a little about them (stole the idea from @tmaynard5). I also presented a little “find the fib” game about me! I gave them an exit ticket asking them what they did over break too! #miched
Q2: Determining one word as intention for the new year has become popular. If you had to focus on one intention for the rest of the school year, what would your word of intent be? #miched
Yes it can be a pretty restless night, I get a routine going a few day early to get my body into the "school" mode... It helped that my kids went back Jan 2 and we didn't go back till 7th #michED
A2: My #oneword2019 is connections. I need to work on better connections with Ss, staff and reconnect with some old friends! All areas of life = connections. #miched
A2: I have been thinking about my 'one word' for a couple weeks now, I think I am going to focus on perseverance. Being in a new position, I want to embrace the struggle and take advantage of every opportunity #miched
A2: My #oneword is Moment! I want to be in the moment, teach in the moment and stop revisiting yesterday and worrying about tomorrow! https://t.co/mwwwMpmPA0#michED
A2) I like the words preistsnce and real. Real to have good conversations and be honest about the effort required. And persistence for when it gets tough! #MichED
A2: We talked about this in our admin meeting this week after reading about it in @JonGordon11 Positive Leadership book. I shared @RachelleinMI “joy” from last year. I think I’d like “fearless” to be my word for this year. #michEd
A2: my one intention would be “growth.” My students have a mentality that they (a) don’t know and (b) will NEVER know how to do anything. I hope that with more support and assistance that they can grow as learners and as mathematicians! #miched
A2: My word is "engage". It's a continuation of last year's work around joy. It isn't enough to be present, are you engaging in the present. Going to be a lot of work! And maybe a blog post ;) #MichED
I like this! ... For 8th math, I've done all paper quick checks this year (none online) so feedback has been a big part of our year. Need to teach Ss how to read it & use it. I see so much more & learn what Ss know & don't know using paper vs. online. #miched
Q4: Do you use a method for setting intentions, goals, resolutions or a vision? Design thinking process? Vision boards? If not, what method are interested in learning more about? #MichED
#miched A4 I am planning on using Seesaw to have my students create their own version of conveying goals for the rest of the year and then share with their parents.
A4: I don't use a specific method. Either of those mentioned would be good to learn more about. I use the google-calendar-reminder method to remind myself and reflect each month. ;) #miched
A4: I typically use schedules (for parents right now) and a weekly agenda on the board so kids know what their goals are for the week. I would like to learn more about vision boards and kids setting goals for themselves though! #miched
I keep a lesson reflection journal on my desk... Fill one up each year cool to read. #michED Ironically I seem to focus only on my mistakes and the negatives Own worse enemy
My gut is how I always get my one word and how I survive most days. Not sure there is a method behind this middle school teacher madness! #miched Go with the gut!
A4: Every weekly technology team meeting ends with everyone sharing a celebration. I also tell my tech team “thank you” every opportunity I get. Helps me stay positive. #michEd
Q6: How will/do you hold yourself accountable or have built a support system to ensure that you are able to reach your goal/resolution/intention? Playing with the Q order a bit :) #MichED
#miched TOTALLY not part of conversation but wondering if anyone has a good video on how to download and use Voxer? Attempting to get staff to use if for a book study on Student Discourse.
A4) Each day I write down gratitude, 10 things I made Happen (write what I want to achieve as if you have already done it) and the one area to focus on. This provides so much clarity and focus. #MichED
We are looking for fresh, new faces to join our team! Review the following descriptions on our website and feel free to share this post if someone you know might be a good match for the following positions.
https://t.co/CaS2lEypLm
A6: My greatest support is my husband, He can help me stay accountable...and realistic of what I can accomplish. I also have some @Voxer buddies and coworkers that help! #miched
A6: I write down my intentions and goals and share them in every way I can: via social media posts, text messages, on board in my office/classroom, etc.. Writing and sharing helps it become more real for me #miched
A6: Right now it’s a work in progress since I just finished day 3 of my first semester of teaching, but I’ve been setting goals for myself by just keeping a planner and setting tasks for each day! It’s small, but it’s working now! #miched
A6) I also use @BrendonBurchard journal for high performance habits and rate myself at the end of each day and week. Helps with accountability. I plan to do something w students. #MichED
A7: as far as reaching my goals go, I would love to learn more about accomplishing what I need to do in class with my students when I have struggling kids. Maybe some scaffolded resources would help? #miched
doubling down for the last question. Please share topics that would make you not miss #MichED chat (I'll be certain to book them!), If you are interested in facilitating a chat, and finally, what book is on your must read list, or that you would have others put on theirs? #MichED
