Melissa Buchhop, Century 4th grade. I went into education because I love working with children and love it when the light bulb goes off for them #gfedchat
Amy Sage - Discovery- Kindergarten- when I chose education it was because I knew I wanted to work with kids. There really wasn't a deeper reason when I was 19/20 years old! #gfedchat
Joel Schleicher, GFPS Dir. of Tech. My why as an educator has always been to make a difference. To do whatever it takes to prepare students for THEIR future. #gfedchat
Paige Strom, elementary curriculum tech partner at Winship, Century and West. I became a teacher because I want all kids to feel that someone believes in and cares about them. I want to help them be the best version of themselves. #gfedchat
Krista Cebula, 2nd grade, Kelly, started social work classes thinking that’s the route I wanted, quickly changed my mind to teaching because I wanted to see the good and didn’t think I could handle that much bad #gfedchat
A1: Brittany Baker, GFC, SPED, B/c working with kids brings joy to my heart and this is where I have always wanted to be. They are fun, entertaining and full of light bulb moments. #gfedchat
Good evening everyone. I’m Brad Gustafson and I said “yes” to teaching because I have a deep desire to help kids be successful in all aspects of their lives. #gfedchat
Theresa Ostgarden, Bus Ed at South MS. I fell into teaching because of my love of coaching and working with kids. Now, I also have a love of working with fellow adults to help our students in need. #gfedchat
Amber Mooney 3rd, discovery, when i went into teaching I was excited to teach themes, seasons, have creative bulletin boards, I LOVED kids...thats was this 19 yr olds way of thought. #gfedchat
Travis Lape Innovative Programs Director in Harrisburg SD I got into education to empower learners to drive their learning, and chase their dreams. #gfedchat
My name is Tristen and I am a preservice teacher at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA. I decided I wanted to be a teacher when I helped my little cousins do their homework. #gfedchat
Kristy Page, School Psychologist RRHS, Community, Adult Transition Program, RMAC, Lake Agassiz, and Twining. Kids give me energy and it is very rewarding to support Ss and make a difference #gfedchat
#gfedchat Jessie Erickson, CTP at South and Twining, I became a teacher to make a difference for children. Empower them and ignite passion in discovery!
A1: my school and classroom encourages risk taking, and learning from failing but most important my Ss feel safe, loved and important in my classroom #gfedchat
A1: Whether they enter with a smile or a scowl, the students are greeted like it's the first time I have seen them all day. Always with a smile and by their name. #gfedchat
Amanda Bosman. Counselor at Phoenix and Winship. I wanted to make a difference-be the encourager for the kids that are hard for some people to encourage. #gfedchat
A1: acknowledgement of all kids and adults you pass in the hallways, making time to stop and chat with office staff, or teachers in different grade levels, making a point to ask current and former students about life, remembering details about kids and adults #gfedchat
A1: Knowing kids individually really helps them feel seen: who their families are, what they love, what they're good at, afraid of...all of it. The more you know about them, the more they feel seen. #gfedchat
A1: We work with small groups of Ss who feel seen and heard due to that undivided attention and the opportunity to express themselves they get once a week (I wish we could see them more often!) #gfedchat
A1: Building RELATIONSHIPS. We start every morning with Morning Meeting where everyone gets a chance to say good morning. Students have a voice and a choice in our classroom #gfedchat
A1-Students are always encouraged to share in my classroom weather it is news or topic discussion. When the Ss know they are being heard, they are more willing to open up and engage more day to day. #gfedchat
A1: Allowing students to create art that tells their story or sharing them with me so that I can help them create something that means something to them. #gfedchat
Jennifer Neil, Kelly, 3rd grade joining late. My "why" was in hopes to make a difference, to create a positive experience, and to give back to my community and, of course, I like working with kids. #gfedchat
A1: most of the time, when kiddos are in my office it is in a 1:1 setting. I think that undivided attention is a huge contributing factor in making people feel seen. #gfedchat
A1: #gfedchat I put students in the lead. They had voice, choice, opportunities to play, create, manage our space and grow as facilitators. They are so very capable and will do amazing things.
A1: I greet each child and ask how they are feeling each day. Since I see students in small groups, I also am able to build strong relationships. #gfedchat
A1: Being the PE teacher, I really enjoy talking to the students about sports and their hobbies as they leave the gym, I enjoy listening to them and hearing their plans, its to the point were kids are actually listening to each others plans/hobbies/news. #gfedchat
A1: Making personal connections with students daily... talking to them about their siblings, their hobbies, sporting events... knowing things they enjoy doing outside of school... #gfedchat
A1: I feel that our school is a place where students are not only seen by their successful but also heard as individuals and are able to express themselves appropriately. Our school does a great job of making the Ss feel welcomed. #gfedchat
A1: I see our Curriculum Technology Partners work hard at learning the names of many students and making connections. Not an easy task when most are at 3 buildings. Awesome job!! #gfedchat
A1: Building the relationships with the students, getting to really know the students making them feel seen. I love to give high fives/fist bumps to my students when they are in the gymnasium #gfedchat
A1: Projects that kids create in my class allows for everyone to show their strengths in one form or another. doesn't matter if its on the computer or in our robotics unit.
#gfedchat
A1: We have a book sharing hashtag. Weekly, students are seen and heard on #GFPSYAReads. Always looking ways to give students voice and choice. #gfedchat
A1. Get to know them and highlight great things. Happy Birthdays, asking about trips I know they've been on, activities, assignments done well, etc. ...And personalized feedback on Google Classroom responses. #gfedchat
A1 When you hear students say "this is my best day ever", see them enjoying working with other students and teachers and you just feel excitement in the air #gfedchat
A2: I enjoy playing get to know you games at the beginning of the year with students, keeping things light and fresh, as well as taking time to talk with my Ss daily. #gfedchat
A2: Morning meetings, conversations, incorporate their interests into what we're learning. One goal I have is to attend their activities outside of school - hard with 2 young kids but eventually. #gfedchat
Allison Slominski 2nd grade Winship, I love seeing the lightbulb go off in Ss heads when they fully grasp a new concept and I want to bring joy to Ss lives through education! #gfedchat
A2: I get involved with the students by chaperoning a variety of clubs, working games and dances and always getting to know all the students--even the ones not in my class. #gfedchat
A2: I ask ss about their activities outside of school, get to know their siblings/pets names and ask about them. I learn about ss interests and carry on conversations or do activities around interests. #gfedchat
A2: we must stop & put curriculum to the side first. We spend the first 10-15 days working on our #SOPs as well as learning about our learners. We do learner interest days where we bring experts around their interest. Also our learners loop with the same 4 Ts each year. #gfedchat
A2: Being in the hall and at the door, learning names, likes, passions, and engaging in thoughtful conversations. As a CTP it takes more effort. I find that being present in the Maker Space to "play" and being the Girls Who Code advisor helps. #gfedchat
A2: I love taking time asking Ss how their weekend was and just laughing with them. Every time we have a discussion I make sure every gets a chance to share their thoughts. When students feel they need someone to talk to I always make myself available to them #gfedchat
A2: I go about getting to know their likes, hobbies, interests, and family. Establishing that relationship early helps when having to have tough conversations with Ss but also shows them that they are important and you care about them. #gfedchat
A2: show them love, goof around with them, ask about them, make a point to build on past conversations showing them you remember what they had to say and it was important #gfedchat
I initiate relationships with students by asking them simple questions. Then finding a similar interest and expressing how I also like pepperoni on my pizza or whatever the case might be. Then, I make a point to have conversations with students during free time. #gfedchat
A2: Just talking to the students, asking about their lives outside of school. Get to know their hobbies, when their games are, and attending some sporting events to support them. #gfedchat
A2: I go to my students classroom and get them when it is time for them to work with me. That way we can talk on the way down to my room. I also make my room welcoming and opening so everyone feels comfortable in my room and they can come whenever they need to. #gfedchat
A2: Greeting kids every morning starts the relationship and asking more detailed questions each day leads to Ss opening up and sharing more and caring more about each other!
#gfedchat
A2: Of course you make Ss feel important when you take a genuine interest in them and ask sincere ?s about them. I also feel it's important to build trust by sharing things about my own life ~ my own favorites, experiences, funny stories. #gfedchat
A2: I am blessed to work with small groups and individual students, taking the time to listen and provide basic needs before learning can take place. #gfedchat
A2: Ask about and sincerely learn more about their interests. Be consistent about connecting with all of your students on at least one non-school related topic. #gfedchat
A2: I try to build rapport with new students on my caseload by asking about their interests, allowing them to pick out a game they want to play. Creating a safe environment and sharing things about myself. #gfedchat
A2
I get to know my students better by asking questions and sharing personal stories - to add humor and find common interests. I try, within small groups, to make connections with my students.
#gfedchat
A2 - getting to know their interests outside of school, always asking what they did over the weekend, sharing stories about my life outside of school #gfedchat
A2-Initiate conversation. Show interest in their interests. Students will always remember when you show up to something outside the classroom. #gfedchat
A2: I like to get to know little things about them as quickly as possible in the school year. And like Nancy G said...working dances, games etc. #gfedchat
A2: I love getting to know my students hobbies, interest, family, what they did during the weekend. I love to play games with them when they are in the gym, attend their classroom productions/graduations when I am able to! #gfedchat
A2. I dedicate protected time in my calendar each week to work with individual students and small groups of students. We create podcasts, build things, talk, and help others together. #GFedchat
A2: Spend a few first lessons getting to know them while playing games and figuring out their learning style. Teaching the same groups of Ss for three years, 3rd through 5th grade helps to deepen the connection. #gfedchat
a2: two ways...1)showing and sharing my flaws, struggles, and imperfect moments 2)having conversations about things other than academics,& then remembering the details & incorporating it into future conversations. #gfedchat
A2: Open communication with kids. I love working with the "trouble" kids and hearing their stories. I had a student tell me they behave for me because of the respect we have for each other. Always respect and care for our kiddos. #gfedchat
Q2. I learn what they are involved in and try to make it to performances or games so I can congratulate them later. I follow up on topics they talk about/ things they are into/ memes they can't get enough of... (seriously...) so I can initiate meaningful convos. #gfedchat
A2: Listen without judgement then when I know more about them, I try to find similar interests or relative topics to get to know the Ss even more. #gfedchat
A2: listen to there wishes and strive to help an educational wish come true. Send warm fuzzy letters to others. Celebrate birthdays and send cards home. #gfedchat
A3: #gfedchat Genius Hour or Innovation Time. Ss get to work on what they want to - explore passions and shine. The growth I see in learner confidence and voice is absolutely breath-taking!
Your response made me think more deeply about this, Kristy. I also enjoy listening to students and being real with them during conversations. Not judging....giving them time to think and share....I really enjoy doing this and think they eventually appreciate it too. 😉 #GFedchat
I try to connect with each student at least for a few minutes each day, play a game, listen to their story and be there for them. My first goal each year is to work on a trusting relationship with my students #gfedchat
A3: Giving choice in how they show me what they know, connecting their interests to what we are learning, genius hour/innovations hour to really explore their interests #gfedchat
A3: When I was a 1st gr. T, I asked parents to complete a "Tell me about your child" paper/email/video. I intentionally left it open-ended, hoping to learn what THEY love most about their kids, what their dreams, worries, etc. were. I referred to them all year long. #gfedchat
A3: I feel it's ok to set aside the academic expectations and focus on the immediate needs of the Ss. By doing so, I am taking the focus off of what they might feel are weaknesses that are causing them to struggle. #gfedchat
A3: In our morning meeting we are constantly celebrating learners when they are hitting goals. Learners also hand out whistle awards to other learners when they coach them through a standard. Empower them to own their learning! #GFedchat
A3: When we learn more about a student aside from curriculum, we are learning about their strengths. Giving them the opportunity to choose how they can show what they have learned. #gfedchat
A3: I love seeing my Ss take charge in their learning and taking time to advocate for themselves. I use written and oral feedback for students as well as building communication with them #gfedchat
Some strategies I've used to seek out student strengths include showing their work, can answer questions that prove comprehension, and can help classmates around them. To name a few. #gfedchat
A3: I do a champions board for our PE Units. I think its needed for students to learn how to win, and learn how to lose. Doing this board allows for students to show their talents as a team or as individuals. We congratulate both the winners and losers on their effort. #gfedchat
A3: Ss who are attending enrichment normally have their strengths identify, so we are mostly looking to explore their personal interests and passions within Math or Literacy areas. #gfedchat
A3: Getting to know a Ss helps me identify a Ss strengths. Knowing what a Ss hobbies or interests are and build on that. What the Ss does outside of school. One of my favorite questions is "If you had 3 wishes, what would they be?" #gfedchat
A3: ask them. Build a student strength book with them and share my book too. Share success with parents. Give wilder way accomplishment cards at school. Send postcards home #gfedchat
A3. Some strategies we use to “see” student strengths:
1.) Training ourselves to notice.
2.) Building a culture that is responsive to the strengths we discover.
3.) Being intentional about not valuing our beliefs/content above the people we serve.
#GFedchat
A3: Giving the students a choice in what they want to create. The students share with the other students about their work and why they did the artwork during class critique--they share their success #gfedchat
A3: Having the 8th graders in my robotics club show the basics of coding and building with the younger members of the team. Gives those 8th graders a chance to shine and develop a relationship with the 7th and 6th graders on the team.
#gfedchat
A3: Getting to know the students and their strengths/interests. Letting the students be the teachers and helping out their classmates and practice what they have learned #gfedchat
Student-Teacher relationships are more important than rigor, relevance and technology. Students will learn if they believe the Teachers care about them. #gfedchat
A4: Assignments, daily work and testing could easily take the backseat and focus on Ss social-emotional learning first.
Think with your head, but act with you heart.
#gfedchat
A4: I would like to go an observe other SpEd teacher and gather ideas from them. (next year?) Always come to school knowing that it is a new day. Get better at helping student learn about their emotions and figure out better ways I can help them. #gfedchat
A4: I would love to see less focus on test scores, whether it's for our youngest Ss or ACT scores. There is so much more to each learner than a number - we must see - and value - ALL of it. #gfedchat
A4: Focus more on Ss social/emotional health and
less on things I can't but wish would change: get rid of standardized tests and measure each Ss growth individually, and move at their pace. #gfedchat
A4: Toss the curriculum timeline, tests, and "levels" out the window and focus on the learner. What is the learner ready for or need to take the next successful step. ALL learner learn in their own time with the right resources and support. #gfedchat
A4. I would provide every single learner the opportunity to take a passion or interest deeper than they imagined they could at school. I’d imagine this could look like a systemic #GeniusHour or #PassionTime, but perhaps not. #GFedchat
A4- More celebrations for students' success. Focus more on skills needed to be successful in life. Create more active citizens that try and better their community. #gfedchat
A4: I would wish to reduce the amount of assessments and rigidity of our curriculum and allow students more time to wonder, be curious, and find relevant curricular connections to their lives. #gfedchat
A4: I would like to be able to focus more on relationships and social/emotional, but with caseload sizes and lack of time, it's hard to even target ss IEP goals in 20-30min group sessions twice a week. #gfedchat
A4: So many tests, surveys, and other small things that eat up time and stress kids out. I want kids to have chances to explore things they are interested in. More field trips. Look at careers that aren't standard to them. Break barriers! #gfedchat
A4: I would implement something close to religious education - you don't have to call it that, just teach the principals of christian living. #gfedchat
A4: I would love to spend more time with the students, especially the students I only see once a week and building on to the relationships I have with the students, but its hard with the caseload size/time #gfedchat
A4, I love teaching the skills for playing different sports to the Ss, not worried about how good they are now, plant the seed and see how they grow it. #gfedchat
A5: My willingness to never give up, always striving to do my best, seeking out more information and knowledge, my flexibility, and excepting that I will forever be a student. #gfedchat
A5: A strength of mine is never giving up. It doesn't matter how difficult a student is, or how frustrating a conversation is, I have never given up. #gfedchat
A5: My dedication to our students. I want to give the students different opportunities to find what they like and what they would potentially pursue in the future. #gfedchat
A5: My dad instilled a deep love for reading when I was little. One of my favorite parts of being a teacher is reading out loud to kids and developing relationships through stories. I enjoy sharing that love with Ss, and LOVE seeing a love for stories growing in them. #gfedchat
A5: I work hard, strive to support teachers and learners, am very passionate, strive to learn new things, and am extremely excited when learners find joy in a learning event. #gfedchat
A5
I really enjoy finding different ways to reach the same goal - and different ways to solve problems. I love seeing kids solve things in ways I hadn't thought of, and just enjoy the wonder of learning:) And there's always music!
#gfedchat
A5: kindness, i hope my Ss see in me the importance of being kind to one another even when sad, or frustrated, happy or mad. We can aways choose kind #gfedchat
A4: Today-start up am mtgs again, next week-morning mtgs better, next year-spend more time getting to know my Ss. Learn more about soft skills like time management in Ss noted in a video shared #gfedchat
A5: I genuinely care about each Ss & their family. As a school psychologist, I strive to help each Ss understand their strengths & weaknesses in order to identify what type of learner they are & how to work around their weaknesses to be successful .#gfedchat
A5 - Active Listening. When peeps are talking to me, they know I'm listening because I'm not doing anything else except looking at them (their lips, specifically- ha!). I've learned there's something to be said about giving undivided attention - it makes Ss feel valued. #gfedchat
Q6: #gfedchat I already mentioned genius hour and innovation time. I also love circle time - time to talk and share what we are reading, what we are thinking and feeling and having meaningful conversations to build relationships.
A6: Knowing Ss passions and strengths provides the motivation sometimes necessary to complete tasks, i.e. complete the writing task, earn time with preferred passion! Use the passion to guide the writing :) #gfedchat
A6: Listening to Ss, letting them have a chance to share and develop their own passions...and change their minds! Partnering with parents ~ they can be so helpful, because they know their child on such a deeper level. #gfedchat
A6
Honestly, when I play games with students, (word, math, strategy, etc.), interesting conversations evolve, and I can tap into their personal interests, goals, and ideas while listening.
#gfedchat
A6 - This is hard to do, but when I know my Ss are going to be performing somewhere outside of school, playing a sport, etc. I try to go cheer them on at least once. #gfedchat
A6: Have students choose their medium (materials) and image/idea that they want to do for a project. They have to write about why they choose the image/idea--and at the end they write an artist statement about the work and explain their choice #gfedchat
A6: Giving Ss more doors, allowing them to not think in one way but in multiple. Providing them with real life situations that they can relate to #gfedchat
A6. Open ended questions about a times in their life when... I do this a lot when we do novel studies to help them understand character perspectives. I learn a ton about them. #gfedchat
A7: Hope is something that we all wish would happen. Innovation is taking the steps to make it happen. They go hand in hand when you want something to change. #gfedchat
A7: Hope and innovation both have you looking forward to change and doing things different. Hope is more the emotional side and innovation is the doing side #gfedchat
A7: Hope is a feeling of expectation Innovation is action or process of innovating. You cant have one with out the other if you want change. Real change needs innovation. #gfedchat
A7: I think they are related because you need to have hope to innovate. You have to believe in yourself and have faith to go for the things you want to create and change. #gfedchat
Q7: Hope and innovation is what we strive for, wanting something to happen and finding the steps to make it happening. You need both to make a change! #gfedchat
A7. I think they are the same in that you don't know how either of them will turn out, but you go in with positivity anyway. Different: Hope is an attitude, a feeling, a mindset. Innovation is action. #gfedchat
A7: Hope and innovation have the mindset to make things better. Innovation moves to make that happen. See a need, fill a need #robots#mrbigweld#gfedchat
A7: Being innovative provides hope is how they could be similar. How they are different is innovation makes things happen, where as hope is a wish without a process. #gfedchat
A7: I HOPE for my students to get everything they need in our education system. I HOPE they don't shut down and give up. We INNOVATE teaching, lesson plans, and our day to day to help these kiddos. However, the kids need that curiosity and drive to keep them going. #gfedchat
A7: They are related because innovation (making something better or new) requires a growth mindset and so does hope. It's a state of mind that things can be better. #gfedchat
A7: hope and innovation have to be similar because without one its hard to have the other! Hope creates and allows us to have the innovation we need in our classes!
#gfedchat
Thank you @paigestrom for leading an excellent chat and connecting us with the mission of the book "Reclaiming Our Calling." Thanks also the @GustafsonBrad and @travislape for joining #gfedchat tonight!
A7: @GustafsonBrad's comment about the importance of seeing school thru the eyes of the learner really resonated with me. Weinnovate because it gives us and Ss hope that we are bettering education. #gfedchat
