#TOSAChat is a chat on Twitter every Monday night at 8pm PST for TOSAs (teachers on special assignment), including all edtech and instructional coaches.
Kelly from Lake Tahoe. Ed Tech & Curriculum Coordinator. I think risk-taking is somethign that takes you outside your comfort zone esp if it's what's best for Ss. #tosachat
Hello #TOSAChat! Iโm Cynthia, an Ed Tech Coach from San Diego. Risk-taking, to me, is when you do something that could go really well and accomplish your goal, but also has the potential to flop.
Hello All! Coach Ben, a TK-6 #edtech tosa from @alisal_edtech in Salinas. Risk taking means being able to put yourself into hard or uncomfortable situations #tosachat
Hello #TOSAchat! Ann here! TOSA in Fullerton, CA. #fsdlearns risk taking means stepping outside your comfort zone... trying new things & being OK w not having the answers to all the things...
Hi #TOSAchat, I'm Lisha, and Ed Tech TOSA from San Marcos. Risk-taking feels like that pit in your stomach, when you are about to jump of the high dive. Just jump!
Hi #tosachat, Josh Harris, the Director of @alisal_edtech from Salinas. Risk-taking means being willing to fail to get to even greater success...but always with a point and a goal...otherwise, just recklessness.
Lisa in Los Angeles- Tech TOSA. Risk taking to me means trying out new things, even if they make you uncomfortable. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. #tosachat
Hi #tosachat Here I am! Popping in. Risk taking = being fearless
Trying new things, doing things you know work even if others have yet to see it, speaking up for those who need a voice, being you. #BeYoutiful#beautiful#fearlessfabulous40
Kim, MS STEM teacher in Fresno. risk taking is trying something or doing something that has a risk of failure, something new and with me it also usually involves some sort of crazy #TOSAchat
A1: #tosachat, Alana from Silicon Valley Education Foundation. Risk taking is branching out from what you know so you can learn or accomplish sth you hadn't prior. It can be big or little, and you can have a different risk tolerance for different areas or time frames.
Alberto, Tech Coach from Benicia, CA. I feel being a TOSA means risk taking everyday! Stepping into a room of Tk Ss today was a risk! Totally worth it!๐ #tosachat
Hi Everyone! It's Tanis, instruction & intervention coordinator, from Placerville. risk-taking is trying something that might not work out well #TOSAchat
A1: I do consider myself a risk taker when it comes to trying new ways of reaching goals for my students and/or my teachers. I tend to be less of a risk taker in my personal life. #TOSAChat
A1: yes-I'd say i'm a risktaker. Boss man would call me a heat seeker cuz i'm always looking to be on the front end of innovation w/ S needs on the forefront. #tosachat
A1: Though I do not have a career yet I consider myself a risk taker in my daily life and I think it will translate over to when I become a teacher
#TOSAchat
A1: Such an interesting question. I would say Iโm a calculated risk-taker. Moving to @alisal_edtech was definitely a risk (new role, new town, new district, few friends, etc.) but I did it with a plan, some forethought, and reasonable goals/expectations.
#TOSAchat
A1: Such an interesting question. I would say Iโm a calculated risk-taker. Moving to @alisal_edtech was definitely a risk (new role, new town, new district, few friends, etc.) but I did it with a plan, some forethought, and reasonable goals/expectations.
#TOSAchat
...which is really hard for admin who have been told that test scores are the most important thing. It's where #Edtech, tech, & innovation drive headlong into high-stakes testing culture. But does it always have to-Do we chase test scores with failed method out of fear? #TOSAchat
Yes! I try things on the "fly" all the time, and am never 100% that things will work. Risk-taking keeps things exciting. I'm also ok with laughing at myself, which certainly helps. #tosachat
A1. Teachers must be risk takers. The most successful teachers put our soul out there to students everyday. Being vulnerable is key to building relationships. #tosachat
A1 #tosachat stepping out of the classroom 4 years ago to become a TOSA was the biggest โriskโ yet in my career. It was like leaving my comfort zone & Iโm so glad I had the courage to take that first step!
A1: Iโm definitely not risk-averse. I feel that I learn best by trying new things, new approaches, or new solutions. And, Iโm not afraid to share those ideas with others. #tosachat
A1 #tosachat stepping out of the classroom 4 years ago to become a TOSA was the biggest โriskโ yet in my career. It was like leaving my comfort zone & Iโm so glad I had the courage to take that first step!
That is the truth! I think just being a teacher and leading class each day can be a risky business! Teachers must all have a little risk-taker in them. #tosachat
Kyle in Las Vegas, popping in for a few while I fight nodding off! Risk taking to me is trying something that you know could fail but doing it anyway! #tosachat
I like how you boss calls you a think we call missiles too...missiles blow up...I wonder if he is saying that subconsciously too. How much is he telling you about himself with that appellation? #TOSAchat
A2: I model tools that I know are best for Ss. For example, I use Google Classroom w/ my tech reps and testing coordinators. If we expect Ts to use the tools, we need to show them it's safe to do so. #tosachat
A2: When I try new things, I make statements like: โThis is new for me, so letโs try this out together.โ or โWe are trying something new today, I think it will be perfect, but we will see how it goes together!โ. I try to bring them in on the risk a little bit. #TOSAChat
A1: Yes! I find myself trying new things, knowing they may not work! Today I tried creating my own VR experience with a tutorial from YouTube! #TosaChat
A2: I tutored in a school last year and the teacher I helped with showed risk taking by always teaching new lessons in ways she had never taught before and she did not know if they would work
#TOSAchat
A2: I donโt think administrators in my district do this. I try to do this by taking a โwhatโs the worst that could happenโ approach. My new boss & I are some of the few admin who do. Protectionism & political caution are deep in our culture, not sure how to change. #TOSAchat
It. Was. Awesome!!!! I canโt wait to show one of our @TheRanchAUSD lab school students, so he can create one too for his Genius Hour project! #TOSAchat
A2: I always tell my Ss when I am trying something new, and if it fails then we fail together and learn from it. in design projects I encourage failure and iteration and nothing is ever good enough #tosachat
A2. I'm always willing to take a risk, instructionally. I think it's very valuable for students to see you make mistakes and make your own learning visible. #tosachat
A2: My best admin model risk-taking themselves, and treat every failure as a new learning opportunity instead of a missed teaching opportunity #TOSAchat
I work at a behavior school, sometimes need to try some things to get buy in from students that may not care much. My principal encourages all staff to try new things to be a positive light in our kids life #tosachat
So much of teaching is filled with thatโฆโI wonder if THIS will workโฆโ moment. If you do your research and know your students well, it almost always pays off. When it doesnโt, we get the opportunity to model failing forward for our students. #tosachat
A2: Taking the time to explain the โwhyโ and/or learning goals for something new is key. Also, love asking teachers & students, โWant to try something new? Want to be my Beta Testers?!โ It may be a risk, but itโs also a learning experience. #tosachat
A2. We model risk taking by trying new things. We, as TOSAs get, to be on the forefront. Sometimes they fail, but we must be willing to try. #failforward#tosachat
Don't you love it when you find those peeps that are willing to be the beta-testers?! I do! I have a couple right now that want it all! So much fun! #tosachat
A2 #tosachat I build in time for people to talk about their emotional reactions to the various experiences and initiatives in innovative or unfamiliar territory
We help our students/teachers learn even as we fail at times. We show them how to fail and carry on, learn from our mistakes, and never give up. #tosachat
Don't you love it when you find those peeps that are willing to be the beta-testers?! I do! I have a couple right now that want it all! So much fun! #tosachat
A2: we try in our work to lower barriers to taking risk... facilitation or financial support, bring people together to find like-minded peers, bring partners to the table... but would love to know from you all what is most helpful #TOSAchat
A2 bringing new ideas to the table & working to scale out & include as many Ts/Ss as possible! The #fsdlearns admin really do model outside the box thinking which helps our Ts feel safer to take risks. Thanks @BPletka@Innovatefsd & @emyflores5 for leading @FullertonSD#tosachat
Yes! Love my beta-testers. Have two classrooms at two sites this year who are fully into it. Pretty sure I should get some cool stickers made for them. #edtechswag#tosachat
A3: Try to show them it's okay to try something and FAIL. Nothing runs perfectly every time and that's okay. Ss also need to know it's okay to fail, persist and try again. #tosachat
A3: I try to show that risk taking can be fun in a safe environment. I say things like, โLetโs go for it! If it doesnโt work, we will come up with Plan B.โ or โI bet the kids would love to help us try this out. Letโs see how it works! I think it will be great!โ #TOSAChat
A3:I encourage Ts by offering to be there to support or listen to what they are planning to try. Sometimes they just want someone to bounce ideas off of #tosachat
A2: we try in our work to lower barriers to taking risk... facilitation or financial support, bring people together to find like-minded peers, bring partners to the table... but would love to know from you all what is most helpful #TOSAchat
A2: we try in our work to lower barriers to taking risk... facilitation or financial support, bring people together to find like-minded peers, bring partners to the table... but would love to know from you all what is most helpful #TOSAchat
A3: Often the school pilots an idea in a different room to meet a specific need. If it works, they present it and we try to apply wherever we can. #tosachat
A3: Simply put, by rewarding the attempt (even if it fails) to do something new and downplaying the success of the same-old-thing. And it has to come from #leadership. You either reward/value risk-taking & โinnovationโ with deeds or you donโt value it at all.
#TOSAchat
my favorite is when things go wrong and i model, NOT freaking out. And asking Ss for advice on how to fix it. Many Ts are usually shocked I ask their thoughts. #tosachat
Oh the learning that happens when the students become the teachers. One of my favorite aspects of technology. The students are there. We are just trying to play catch up. #tosachat
A3: I start with telling them it's no fun to dust off a lesson you did the year before. Take a risk, level up and innovate on lessons from past. #TOSAchat
I think I may also start doing think-alouds... "this is me realizing I just bombed, this is me smiling calmly and not freaking out, this is me realizing everything crumbled and I'm actually fine..." #TOSAchat
I've actually said aloud- "well that didn't work"...the kids usually laugh, then i laugh and the teacher relaxes too and we move forward. calmly. #tosachat
A4: This is something I'm working on. I wnat to do a better job of recognizing people who are taking risks and trying to innovate. Personalized Post-it notes are on my list to purchase to show appreciation. #tosachat
A4: In my follow up with the teacher, I am always sure to specifically thank them for being willing to take a risk and try out something new. Sometimes I have to thank them for letting me talk them into it in the first place. :) #TOSAChat
A4: I try to live by the #InnovationGospel that I learned from @KristenWitt13:
โIโd rather watch a teacher fail trying something new than succeed doing something sheโs done for a decade.โ
#TOSAchat
This! (not a Tosa but saw the chat running in my deck...) If you want innovation, risk-taking, you HAVE to change what you value as a #leader. You CANNOT keep the measurements the same and expect your staff to try new things!!!! #tosachat
A3: Simply put, by rewarding the attempt (even if it fails) to do something new and downplaying the success of the same-old-thing. And it has to come from #leadership. You either reward/value risk-taking & โinnovationโ with deeds or you donโt value it at all.
#TOSAchat
A4 expressing gratitude in various ways: f2f convos, Twitter/Insta love, little notes, emails, thank you cards. Or my fave: a VICTORY LAP of high fives to celebrate epic wins & ah-ha moments w my Ts. #tosachat
I had a teacher give an end of the semester feedback form to her students and turns out one of their most favorite lessons was a coding lesson I worked with her on. Hooray for when the kids affirm that risk taking is worth it! #tosachat
Omg...haha!!! I even do it when playing games at the kitchen table w my family/friends! VICTORY LAP!!! I did it in a #cuebold session w @CoriOrlando1 & @jmattmiller too! ๐คฃ #tosachat
In reply to
@kmartintahoe, @CoriOrlando1, @jmattmiller
I also like to leave anonymous notes of encouragement - especially if I know a teacher has just tried something risky, wants to try something risky, or it is just one of those extremely tiring times of the year. #tosachat
Celebrating their work by highlighting them in our Electronic newsletters, at meetings, or on Twitter is important. We also make sure our culture is safe to take risks. We believe failure leads to success. Kids and adults know itโs ok to make mistakes. #tosachat
A5: At this point, I don't think we're really doing anything. I'd love a non-competitive way to showcase my Ts awesome. I'm open to any ideas! #tosachat
A5: Admin encourage teachers to share at meetings what they have been trying. I made a podcast to help my teachers share out to a larger audience what they have been trying out. Feel free to check out Lesson Up on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or https://t.co/H2xv79kWHa#TOSAChat
A4 - In addition to notes, emails, kind words, and all the other good stuff, we (Ed Tech department) spotlight a risk-taking teacher in our monthly district newsletter - public praise! #TOSAchat
i wanted to address this concept because Ts responded in a survey that they don't feel recognized for taking risks and using tech. It really made me sad and i wanted to know how I can change that. #tosachat
I canโt count the times I received a little note from a parent or a teacher or an admin that came at just the right moment when I really needed that encouragement to feel like what I was doing mattered to someone. #tosachat
In reply to
@ggtechtosa, @annkozma723, @kmartintahoe, @CoriOrlando1, @jmattmiller
I agree! #Growth opportunities are a thing we do really well in The @alisal_edtech
It's amazing how many of our Ts have become presenters and awesome #Edtech Liaisons because we've created that space for them and then encouraged persistently.
#TOSAchat
Yes, give it a shot! We rotate schools and grade levels (elementary / middle / high) to highlight as many teachers from as many different sites and levels as possible. #TOSAchat
A5. Something we are exploring doing soon. Teachers need a little "attaboy" every now and then. Plus some inspiration from those teachers out there changing things can help push struggling teachers. #TOSAchat
glad I got to be in #tosachat for a while tonight, but I need to bail early... great chat & many thanks to @TeachingTechNix@kmartintahoe for the great topic! ๐๐ผ๐
I keep this note taped to the door of my apartment for basically the same reason. Definitely helped me get through my first year in the new district. #TOSAchat
In reply to
@ggtechtosa, @TeachingTechNix, @annkozma723, @kmartintahoe, @CoriOrlando1, @jmattmiller
Thank you so much for joining in on #tosachat tonight, everyone. The conversation was better with YOUR input. Have a wonderful night and donโt forget the #tosachat conversation continues all week long.
