#RuralEdChat Archive
#RuralEdChat is a chat that focuses on the needs of the rural educator. This chat has been revised by Tammy Neil (@MathNeil), John Martin (@edventures) and Natalee Stotz (@nataleestotz).
Tuesday September 27, 2016
Please help me welcome my good friend and guru to tonight!
Honored to be a host again for . I spent much of my childhood growing up outside of towns <100 people. Welcome everyone!
Hey, How are you all tonight? I'm so happy to have you with us tonight.
Let’s of course start w intros, shall we? Let's be sure to connect with others who are interested in and
I’m a keynoter and consultant w a non-profit ed service center based in Hutchinson Kansas.
Speaking of intros, I'm John Martin, one of your hosts, and Dir for Innovation & Tech with the school district.
I have the honor to work w schools across the US and beyond to help them rethink what we’ve always known about education.
Hi! We're humongous then - 1900 people in my home town. :-)
Hey and Brent Kerr "Shop Teacher" KS
Hi friends! Valerie from FL here! Ready to rock and roll!
Hahah! I'm so glad you're here!
Kristin Wilson. Director of Curric, Instruc & Assess in NH
Amanda, 3rd f/Ness. Heard from colleagues this is a great chat! Multitasking this and putting T to bed so in and out!
Natalee HS Humanities from Maine. So excited for tonight's chat! Glad you're here,
I'm Bill Ivey, residing in Shelburne Falls, MA and teaching in nearby (girls, grades 7-12) in Greenfield.
Well, it takes all sizes to be rural, right?
Yay, another New Hampsha-ite!
Rural education means so much and my hat is off to those of you who teach in rural areas, wearing 100 hats!
Recent convos have been about entrepreneurship and innovation. Making limoncello out of daily lemonade.
I'm Tammy. I'm part of the team. I teach Comp.Sci and AP-CSP in North Florida.
Casey from Albany NY here. I worked in rural schools in southern tier NY currently edu consultant and distance learning
Let’s talk more granularly. How do we actually jump the real hurdles in our path? So let's go, yes?
Yes, although via Long Island, NY
Hey, Valerie! Glad you were able to make it.
Should be fun sharing ideas back and forth! Thank you!
This is a great crew to dive into the gold that has to share with us tonight on ! Hold on to your hats!
We've got cows and stuff. That counts, right?
Q1 How are we helping rural Ss step out of their small comfort zone of “the known”? Innovation requires extra-ordinary.
Feel like I've been tripping on the hurdles more than I've been jumping lately!
It’s hard to be something different in a small community -- especially as an adolescent. Hard to get lost in the crowd.
Good evening, . Sorry I'm late :)
Thought I was going to have to do from the field tonight but I got in just in time that would bring ne… https://t.co/wGFc7Sl0VV
Rural is also a state of mind. ;-)
A1: In our town it's providing exposure to opportunities that wouldn't necessarily encounter within the city limits.
A1: Technology makes it a lot easier to help Ss step out of comfort zone
It’s hard to get lost in the crowd as a teacher too. It’s SO helpful to have a partner, a partner school, or supportive admin.
One of the biggest struggles for rural Ss is trying to reinvent yourself. So easy to get typecast. https://t.co/9WMv7DUXok
It’s hard to be something different in a small community -- especially as an adolescent. Hard to get lost in the crowd.
A1 Becoming extraordinary isn’t a small thing, but it’s composed of many, many small daily actions. Helping kids develop voice.
When we define the hurdles, we know what we face, then decide on a plan. https://t.co/PlTdS4k313
Let’s talk more granularly. How do we actually jump the real hurdles in our path? So let's go, yes?
A1: Bringing in courses like AP-CSP to show Ss there's more possibilities than they think.
A1: starts with helping the Ts get out of their comfort zones. If they can't it will be hard to create opportunity 4 Ss
Helping Ss speak for themselves is hard to do when they’re learning and the stakes are high/authentic. But it’s important.
Brent what on earth were you doing?
A1 Entp. Ss present @ several meetings. Rotary, BOE & group 2 pitch product Stool. also ask 4 BOE 2 build
A1: Skype in the classroom offers opportunity for kids to talk with other classrooms or experts from around the world.
Working on having my Ss connect globally with other classes. https://t.co/rckS2QhQkq
Q1 How are we helping rural Ss step out of their small comfort zone of “the known”? Innovation requires extra-ordinary.
And helping them know they & their thoughts matter & can have a broad impact! https://t.co/QjJhYjgIA2
Helping Ss speak for themselves is hard to do when they’re learning and the stakes are high/authentic. But it’s important.
A1 Good learning needs a push, both for ourselves and our Ss. Because if we don’t… what? Status quo is good enough?
Field trips are important. Make sure they understand what Corbett and Carr & Kefalas wrote about returning.
A1 My school explicitly aims to elevate student voice (choice/agency) and to support one's search for one's authentic self.
One Q to dive into is how we provide diversity of experience when dwindling student numbers reduce teaching staff.
A1: and offering Running Start classes to HS students that don't always think they can do it but learn they can and do well.
Ooh, I wanna hear more about those trips tonite!
We've had international Ss come to our school. Great experience for all! https://t.co/fwsrJwoznv
I agree! Try to expose them to cultures and places diff from what they are used to.
A1: tech and social media can provide opportunities to see what is out there and spread the story of what is happening at home
Dude, that rocks! None of that here in NH although the local farms are still going strong.
Q2 is coming up, and it's a complex question. Your choice how to interpret/answer.
This is why I think making speaking up an explicit goal can help. Also the idea "we're all different and that's okay."
We also offer distance learning so our Ss share a teacher with our other high school.
Q2 Some Ts say creates energy & structure w Ss choice/voice. How do/could we leverage authentic learning for our Ss?
Q2 (add-on) What are the things we’re doing to help kids see that their learning applies in the world beyond our walls?
Those are the type of partnerships we will need to cultivate to ensure a wide range of experiences for our learners.
Providing career and college exploration. Using guest speakers and field trips to expand the horizons!
This is the million $ question! https://t.co/wasG6zurDt
Q2 Some Ts say creates energy & structure w Ss choice/voice. How do/could we leverage authentic learning for our Ss?
Hope Casto of write about "Potential Synergy" Research based
Running start & dual-enrollment programs are big wins here in NH!
A2 We can, of course, look to online entrepreneurial opportunities, such as CafePress, Shapeways, Spoonflower, etc.
We have to give a real problem for students to solve! https://t.co/JeaPhQckZa
Q2 Some Ts say creates energy & structure w Ss choice/voice. How do/could we leverage authentic learning for our Ss?
A2 My fallback is always democratic classroom and student-designed curriculum. And they get feisty if I intervene too much!
A2 Const. Ss R excited 2 build because it's their idea. Letting Ss continue w/ all design choices keeps them excited
We can always look to local opportunities. But what about for Littles?
Project-based learning. Group of 9 MS Ss presented to our school board about a culvert assess proj they did this summer w Ts.
Yes! I'd love to see real opportunities for applied learning in my schools.
Love this sharing of ideas here in . Are we taking notes of ideas and resource ppl?
A2: I think we need more authentic learning experiences. Stepping away from test prep to allow time and support would be nice.
Ss truly get to learn to participate in life/education because of the empowerment of . And if it matters, !
definitely need to step away from test prep
A2: I def need more exp and PD on PBL! I love the idea of student ownership of learning!
A2: this is big obstacle for many Ts to overcome. We have to build in relevance. Ss must see importance
Students need to be included on advisory boards.
CTE students doing job-based learning and MS & HS Ss taking advantage of ELOs to see real-world application.
Our next step in NH is knocking down the silos of discipline specific courses in favor of integrated contextual experiences.
Antioch UNE has a M.Ed concentration in . My dream program!
Paired w/ developing a learner's metacognition when it comes to knowing what & why they are learning.
Is working on Distance Learning for rural educators.
ELOs & competency based learning are going to be game changers in NH.
Can our kids research grants? Help write them? Help find writers? Yes. They sure can!
Want to see Project Lead the Way, and New Visions in our BOCES to improve
Sometimes its tough for Ts to see their own curric relevance. We've not asked them to do this b4
So true! Some NH districts are ahead with PACE, too. We are at the beginning stages of using QPAs
Now that would be a worthy writing exercise: real, relevant and rich!
In thinking about engaging rural Ss in learning- many of my Ss want out of the state as soon as they can.
My Ss did. Received $40,000+ for a greenhouse that was built this summer
Q3 coming up... My Internet is getting sketchy. :(
That is exactly what my school is doing! Student heads of Curriculum, Diversity, Athletics...
I wish wish wish people would plant gardens to teach economics and agriculture and science! https://t.co/i4ZsktH1Ah
if Ts can't see relevance how can we claim it is relevant for Ss
Grass is greener syndrome. Get ready for Q3.
One of our shared issues between Maine & NH - brain drain associated w/ a perceived lack of opportunity at home.
Hi Monika! Good to *see* you again!
Q3 What’s unique in your community but Ss think it’s blah, no big deal? What other lenses can we use to let Ss see opportunity?
Monika, principal at a Catholic school in NE KS
Uh oh, we're flooding the 'trons!
And rural NY..... We are the rustbelt and the abandoned farm belt https://t.co/B1HcSQrQuQ
One of our shared issues between Maine & NH - brain drain associated w/ a perceived lack of opportunity at home.
I understand from Ss perspective- I felt same @ their age. Now I'm back & getting some where professionally!
Sometimes we just need to see ourselves through another’s viewpoint to know that we’re special.
So it’s important to connect w other communities to “show off” local boring so we can see it differently (Skype, et al)
Live on a prairie? Connect w someone on the beach. Or a large city. Collect the silence, record it and share it.
A3: Many students think *quiet* is boring
A3: may agree with me when I say all of the rivers and springs in our area. 💦
Great going on w/ & friends. It's really honoring the potential in
Yes, because it's "known" Our job is to push into and beyond the "known."
A3: What I see as unique is through my lens as an adult. Different for Ss. Need to help them see value.
Sometimes doesn’t have to be so structured. Sometimes it can just be sharing and connecting.
Live near a “dumb boring historical site”? Archive it and offer it as a virtual fieldtrip. Watch people get appreciative!
A3 My school is an international boarding/day girls school, which is pretty special. I don't think kids take it for granted.
A3: Students want what culture tells them they want- a place to hang out, listen to new music
Hi Robin, how goes the grant writing?
A3 Schools need to give students noninstitutionalized experiences and allow the international....
Interview the elders in your community. Share them across other communities. See the similarities and differences.
such as food from other parts of the world. We dont have international cuisine, we have americanized chinese
Help Ss (and Ts and Pts) see beyond their "blah" into the extra-ordinary. Connect with others!
Sometimes we have to move away for awhile before we appreciate where we r from!
A3 Sometimes, I think our relative proximity to "The Five Colleges" is taken for granted. Working to develop connections.
Our local parks are full of wildlife just waiting to be explored.
Hi & co slow and steady but looms
And yet they also want what all humans crave - a sense of place, belonging. How can we support that?
A new historical site was just uncovered by road crews in our town! https://t.co/daD9oXVphs
https://t.co/uvt7RhnFPu
Live near a “dumb boring historical site”? Archive it and offer it as a virtual fieldtrip. Watch people get appreciative!
Fundamental to saving rural communities is "plugging the brain drain" and retaining their young talent. https://t.co/2F8ssm4y9F
local history projects are so engaging. This sounds really great!
A3: Incredible industry around them but also nature! Ts take Ss hiking up Monadnock or canoeing down the CT river.
I get CRAZY excited about rivers when I travel. but my Ss become at least mildly interested too, now. It's contagious.
My parents made me do that. I've lived in the Pioneer Valley since 1968 but went to college in Vermont.
Local scouting groups, especially Venturing and Explorers allow for groups and for career adventure https://t.co/iSVw5vemBC
And yet they also want what all humans crave - a sense of place, belonging. How can we support that?
And sense of purpose and creating something important. Authentic learning will do that!
I try to encourage Ss moving beyond to experience what's "out there". I also let them know how lucky they r to have this exp!
awesome! We are an international boarding school too, though boys and girls!
A3 Also, what unit the kids design makes a difference. One unit was on food production, and we visited a kid's dairy farm.
Sidney CSD in NY was part of the Susquhenna River monitoring project
Since it's near & dear to my heart, I'll throw out as another option!
Sometimes they have to hear it from others, right? What do WE know?
Q4 How can our Ss help solve a local problem? We often go to community w our hands out. What if we offered something instead?
I co-taught a Local History/Research writing class last year. We learned how to be historians. It was fun!
It's like your read my Qs! See Q4?
A4 Kids can interview community leaders to find problems. Then they choose which they want to get involved in.
A4 We've found traditional service easier than true civic engagement. Have had a hard time strengthening connections....
Help your kids reconnect with their community’s history by creating digital archives of stories of the collective history.
A4: MS students community culvert project - they are presenting research and data to town officials.
It was! Started year w/ History Detective (PBS). Ended researching & writing history of our school.
... but that said, our traditional service connections are strong and long-standing. We are loved and valued by each site.
Interview the old timers about their oldest memories. Interview the 40 year olds about our earliest memories.
laughs at me when it comes to rivers (and convergence)
A4: Growing gardens to help feed the hungry!
Now I have Hamilton Tunes stuck in my head- Legacy is such a big part of that story! https://t.co/FcpRSMwsIs
To leave a legacy! We need students to create a safe place for kids to hang out near home
Help Ss see rich history of the community come alive b4 their eyes. And then SHARE/COMPARE it w another school
A4 last year we just began partnering w/local historical society. Stu research could contribute to community knowledge
In our neck of the woods the topic of rivers turns to watersheds.
Standing IRB request for all colleges to interview incoming freshmen from rural areas https://t.co/86GTBd8htw
Interview the old timers about their oldest memories. Interview the 40 year olds about our earliest memories.
A4: First we need to help them see the local problems. Then brainstorm what THEY can do. Then support them doing it.
I LOVE the big ideas shared here. Great for us. But remember Ss need this thinking a lot. Not just 1x a year. Or one class.
A4: There is so much that can be done with & for community through ! This is what excites me & I want to do more!
A4 Ss recorded interviews with local vets about their service and did presentations for an event and showed their interviews
We also want to do smaller projects every day so we help kids develop EVERYDAY voices. So let's think big and small.
HS Future teacher club help tutor in elementary school
Who said rural was boring???😮
Eagle Scout and Gold Girl Scout and Venturing Silver service Projects!
I find even something as simple as daily read-alouds (student-chosen) can stimulate some amazing discussions.
Q5 What are ways you’ve had/seen success with partnering alongside non-school entities? Where do we start?
My learning curve is the big thing right now. Want to do it well. I'm learning as I go along.
can we have business, chamber of commerce and schools partner for 1 big project a year?
Good!
1st year you sleep;
2nd year you creep;
3rd year you leap!
Often their ability to think geometrically has been lost over the last 10 years. They need to relearn the skill.
This is a big reason I want to do the program at AUNE.
Yes! Going into that next! Q5
A5: We developed a program that pairs schools and students in internships & job shadows.
A5 Ss didn’t @ 1st enjoy partnership on once they learned iteration is part of life Ss enjoyed the partnership .
A5: if you serve pancakes, they will come! Hosting a community & business partner breakfast.
A5: I'll admit that I wish we did more of this. I need a tech partner to mentor my students as they learn.
A5 Aforementioned traditional service:
*
*
* Girls Club of Greenfield
* Poet's Seat Nursing Home
Learning https://t.co/dMJPIsHpOC
A5 Ss didn’t @ 1st enjoy partnership on once they learned iteration is part of life Ss enjoyed the partnership .
Q5 We have to get out there F2F. Email to intro; phone call is better (harder to ignore). Put prepped Ss in front of ppl.
small project: run a student lead clothing store- helps students trade cloths
A5 By “prepped Ss” I mean rehearse Ss w all scenarios. Be sure they’re ready to do ALL the talking. Ur there for support only.
right-o! The prepping is key but the skills built transfer so readily!
Invite urban students to visit under exchange program
Yes! I'm getting there! It's a huge mind shift & major game changer. I'm excited for the transformation!
Anyone game to help? https://t.co/IEEXb23GOh
A5: I'll admit that I wish we did more of this. I need a tech partner to mentor my students as they learn.
A5 Want to partner w businesses? Get Ss to do the contact. Get Ss to offer support. Don’t just go asking for handouts.
Have you done this before?
Q6 Transport & Internet are real issues for us. What’re possible solutions to help Ss get deeply involved w/o those excuses?
Ask the group most interested in the community survival: The Chamber of Commerace
Love reading !! What amazing opportunities and resources these educators are providing for EVERY child!
Ss could create a community share-a-ride list. Not sure how it looks in your community. But why not?
Maybe Ss champion an afterschool community program for Internet with the school as a the hub.
definitely! See if you can get conversations started or connections made.
A6: When I was a teen, there was an activity bus that let us leave an hour later if we needed to. It was great.
A6 The more we can do on campus and not send stuff home, the better off the kids are. For so many reasons!
A6: Seems simple but when can - remove the obstacle and bring it to them.
A6: Ask parents and families to get involved! One way to access resources!
Either way, when Ss are part of the solution, they see themselves differently and a different future path materializes.
I am loving the font of ideas flowing here at
Let us not forget the Alumni! If they help college, why not HS? https://t.co/P4kUUzx8we
Maybe Ss champion an afterschool community program for Internet with the school as a the hub.
The path to the future is the belief that there is a future worth exploring- me https://t.co/Cincy9eCpj
Either way, when Ss are part of the solution, they see themselves differently and a different future path materializes.
And they'll be more likely to (beyond sports) if we help make school life and learning more meaningful. https://t.co/VhCBcWiglM
Let us not forget the Alumni! If they help college, why not HS? https://t.co/P4kUUzx8we
Maybe Ss champion an afterschool community program for Internet with the school as a the hub.
that's a great idea! Hadn't thought of that. thank you!
Final Q and your thoughts/Qs coming up...
If you ask most Ss they will tell you about a play, a musical, a teacher, a friend, less about sports.
Q7 First attempts for both Ss and Ts are often worthy but rough. How do we keep momentum when things aren’t “perfect”?
My research into rural school consolidation indicates that sports and identity are overplayed.
A7: Got to remember you get better the more you do it. Keep going! Reflect & revise!
That's awesome for your Ss and community! Not so true in too many other places.
Online journaling and supports and Kickstarter campaigns
A7: Don't call attempts failures. Keep the focus on what we learned & what went right.
A7: building a culture of innovation and risk-taking with both Ts & Ss. Failure is a stepping stone to success.
A7: Ask for feedback from Ss. Seek advice from mentors other Ts. 😀 Reflect on the issues!
A7 help Ss and Ts understand that 1st attempt is never perfect & if it is worth doing once it is worth doing till it's right!
Keep connecting with others here and beyond. Both Ss, and Ts get better w practice. And Pts understand.
The more we connect, the more we can connect our Ss, helping to plant seeds of learning & self-sufficiency in richer soils.
Totally agree! Rome wasnt built in a day, or destroyed in one invasion!
A7: Remind them we didn't learn to ride a bike the first time we sat on the seat. We need time to learn.
A7 I think it starts with building a climate of "let's try this and see what happens... and what we can then learn from it."
Thank you. I really needed that today.
What is your 1-2 takeaway from tonite that you’ll act upon within the next week? What’s still bugging you?
It would be nice to have some researchers to help us find research and guide us
1 Take away- a general excitement to keep pursuing !
It isn't easy if you are the only one trying to get Ss to see beyond local. Be the first. Others will join.
Takeaway tonight: Rural schools have many opportunities for Ss to connect and learn!
I'm glad my comment was helpful to you. I needed to hear yours!
A huge thank you to for our crash course on & schools!
Takeaway 1 - we are stronger together. We don't have the luxury of going it alone. Build your tribe.
Alumni- key link between the past and the future. We need their time more than their money
Hmm. One takeaway is I really need to get the civic engagement ball rolling at my school. Preferably downhill. :-)
This has been a particularly difficult week for my school/community. So glad to have you all here for support.
I echo those thanks, and to you and all who helped set this up.
Good night, ! https://t.co/DcGMWiifBU
A huge thank you to for our crash course on & schools!
Thank you for an awesome chat tonight, & ! Truly inspiring!
Listen, I just want to say thanks to all the great folks who make work. Appreciate and celebrate you all!
Indeed! 1 of our alums works on Hollywood films like the new Star Wars. Want Ss to hear that story!
Keep on with the good heart-work within our hard-work jobs!
. Thank you for hosting tonight. I always learn when you are around. :-)
