The Breakfast Club – #BFC530 – is a 15 minute, 1 question Twitter chat every weekday. We chat in 4 timezones Mon-Fri – 5:30am Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Times. The mission of BFC is to empower participants to make a difference in education by engaging in consistent reflective practice in a supportive community that inspires and challenges one another.
A great Admin once told me, "Do what you do. When others see results, they'll want to join in." If not, direction will change for them. I just do what I do. #bfc530
I do whatever I can to not feed it. Often that means not accepting the premise of a 'question'. Sometimes that means avoidance. Depends on the actual conversation. #bfc530
Avoid. but my biggest concern is when the Grinch wants to standardize a "Grinchy" practice they do in all classes (in the name of being fair since students in the Grinch's class arent happy b/c it's not "Grinchy" in other classes) Then I speak up #bfc530
Yes, and I believe there is one in every school! You have to remain a Beacon of positivity with them. Solicit their feedback & challenge their negativity with solutions based answers! #bfc530
I do whatever I can to not feed it. Often that means not accepting the premise of a 'question'. Sometimes that means avoidance. Depends on the actual conversation. #bfc530
No true Grinches (the one we had retired a few years ago). Just a lot of tired teachers. As for our Grinch, I just let her say what she needed to & then showed her that it could be different. #bfc530
Address the behavior through the lense of what they are doing, how they want to be viewed, the actual impact, and why and how it must change. Find the underlying problem and fix it...otherwise it spreads. Its a culture thing... #bfc530
I have worked in all 10 schools in my district and two other schools, there is always a Grinch. I smile and nod or avoid. I'm not big on conflict. #BFC530
My biggest concern is "Am I being a Grinch?" I cant allow what others believe effect my approach to my students or allow their feelings of a particular student to distort that kid in my eyes. That is all in my control & I refuse to be influenced by a Grinch #bfc530
Not comfortable labeling a frustrated, burnt out, or unseen colleague as a grinch, or saying that smiles are the answer when there are very real problems and injustices we deal with every day. Teaching is hard. Let’s listen instead of labeling. #bfc530
I was just thinking the same thing..A strong administrator makes all the difference in the world. Your positivity exudes off of you! Lucky staff! #bfc530
My biggest concern is "Am I being a Grinch?" I cant allow what others believe effect my approach to my students or allow their feelings of a particular student to distort that kid in my eyes. That is all in my control & I refuse to be influenced by a Grinch #bfc530
Well. @whalen and I are busy right up until break, but we’re building in time to reflect on how we’ve worked together so far and to plan to be even better after break. #bfc530
#bfc530 Research from @Cornell@ecornell_online It's unusual to not have a blocker on staff. To achieve critical mass for change you need 84-85% of staff on side.
Despite my discomfort with conflict, i think its important to involve the Grinches in PD planning and school wide initiatives. Their point of view may be helpful. #bfc530
Thanks for the kind words Eric. It is easier to dive into the negative instead of embracing the positive. Its something I need to remind myself daily. #bfc530
We have people w/ Grinch like qualities at times, but overall our school is pretty positive. We all focus on doing what’s right for the students. #bfc530
That's the importance of getting to the bottom of it. I have found that it is often an easy fix once the true issue is discovered. The hard part is getting people to open up...vulnerability. #bfc530
I was just thinking the same thing..A strong administrator makes all the difference in the world. Your positivity exudes off of you! Lucky staff! #bfc530
It is the Grinches that are the most vocal about their displeasure but rarely do they bring it to Admin ... the true Grinches are those who are constantly complaining to their peers #bfc530
I choose not to own that guilt. A colleague once told me in parting, "Have a good day...or not. The choice is yours." One of the only things we can control is ourselves. Our attitudes and behaviors are within our control. #BFC530
#bfc530 Another thought! Don't confuse the Grinch / Blocker with the 'prophets' on staff. Every organization has them and often they get thought of in this context when they basically have the good of the organization in mind.
Thanks for the kind words Eric. It is easier to dive into the negative instead of embracing the positive. Its something I need to remind myself daily. #bfc530
Just in case I miss yinz, today is our last day of school until the second. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year ! I’m looking fwd 2 this break ! #bfc530
I got the “Why you working us so hard” yesterday and the “you make us write more in History than in Language Arts” not sure if the last one was a complaint or a compliment #bfc530
My philosophy as well, teach until the end (of the period, the week, the semester, the year). All 180 days matter. You can mix it up with some different, special activities, but should be doing that anyway. #bfc530
May all of our hearts grow like the Grinch's today. And if a Grinch's heart in your school doesnt grow this week, remember, only 4 days until break. Im Out! #bfc530
We'll be writing in my Business classes this week. Got the #oneword2018 idea from our tweeps here yesterday. Writing across all subjects:) Your welcome #English peeps:)
#bfc530
I got the “Why you working us so hard” yesterday and the “you make us write more in History than in Language Arts” not sure if the last one was a complaint or a compliment #bfc530
Seeking to understand is so critically important...sometimes vulnerability can slowly change when someone who is struggling knows there is another person who cares to listen and/or struggle through the journey with her/him. #bfc530
Something especially appropriate this morning from @casas_jimmy as we talk about the Grinch that applies to admins and Ts alike...
(Paraphrase)
The worst form of behavior you accept becomes the norm...
Thanks for the chat #bfc530! Have a great Tuesday!
It does not help their least favorite thing to do is write, but for many of them it is starting to click and that is exciting. They just don't appreciate what is happening, but they will. #bfc530
As a Principal, I’ve learned that even “Grinches” on staff have valuable things to offer & say, so you still have to listen & be willing to learn from them. It’s no different than working w/ the most difficult S in your class #bfc530
Our Language Arts teacher and I share the same writing philosophy ... you get good at writing, by writing ... you get good at reading, by reading ... #bfc530
I would argue that (1) a “Grinch” rarely sees themselves as one, for a variety of reasons, & (2) being a “Grinch” is a spectrum; we all have things in Ed’n that make us Grinch-y. Awareness, patience & love are key for all of us. #bfc530
Absolutely and ours @matthew_arend has created a “Grinchless” culture at #SiglerNation I can’t think of a single Grinch among us. Gr8 place to serve the emotional and academic needs of children. #bfc530
I was just thinking the same thing..A strong administrator makes all the difference in the world. Your positivity exudes off of you! Lucky staff! #bfc530
Sometimes hard to remember-we don’t know what is going on in someone’s life and eart-when they’re cranky & grinchy.. Take a breath and ask God for patients. :-) And he gives us someone to be patient with #bfc530
We'll be writing in my Business classes this week. Got the #oneword2018 idea from our tweeps here yesterday. Writing across all subjects:) Your welcome #English peeps:)
#bfc530
I got the “Why you working us so hard” yesterday and the “you make us write more in History than in Language Arts” not sure if the last one was a complaint or a compliment #bfc530
I wouldn't say there is a "Grinch" at our building, but that everyone may have situations happen in their lives that "knock them down" and it's a supportive community that helps build them up. #bfc530
#bfc530 Call in your school psychologist, lead teacher, literacy coach to support your teaching before you call them in to label and remove a struggling student.
Morning, #bfc530. Feeling fortunate to work in a Grinch-free environment. Blog yesterday by @cultofpedagogy touts validation as possible protective Grinch-ulation. https://t.co/819UpN8Avm
Ha! There are always grinches everywhere. I’ve tried many ways, but what usually works is to simply ignore them as much as possible. There are always many other positive folks in schools. Gravitate in their direction. #BFC530
