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.
Ben tweeting from St. Joseph this evening! Currently serving the Mattawan Consolidated School District as Director of Curriculum & Instructional Technology #michED
I'm not a lurker, lol, but I'm on another chat so just following the #miched convo tonight. Feel free to join in on the #FellowsatED chat if you can multi-task!
Q1: Schools take a lot of criticism. From parents, from students, from law makers, etc. What criticism about #michED schools gets you really upset? #realtalk
Q1: Schools take a lot of criticism. From parents, from students, from law makers, etc. What criticism about #michED schools gets you really upset? #realtalk
Q1: Schools take a lot of criticism. From parents, from students, from law makers, etc. What criticism about #michED schools gets you really upset? #realtalk
Q1: Schools take a lot of criticism. From parents, from students, from law makers, etc. What criticism about #michED schools gets you really upset? #realtalk
A1: Not sure if this counts, but I hate the insinuation that teachers aren't working their darn tails off every day. Check out this blog post from Pernille Ripp: "Excuse me while I *just* go innovate" https://t.co/BElzS1ZHny#miched
Q1: Schools take a lot of criticism. From parents, from students, from law makers, etc. What criticism about #michED schools gets you really upset? #realtalk
A1: That by having a central clearing house of assessment data, people outside of the classroom will know what happens inside the classroom. #miched#realtalk
I'm hearing a lot of people upset that schools are criticized for teachers not "working hard enough," not being recognized, and that schools should be preparing students for work. #michED
A1: That by having a central clearing house of assessment data, people outside of the classroom will know what happens inside the classroom. #miched#realtalk
This has been a main focus for my teaching this year. Yes, I want to educate the kids but allow me to hold them accountable to become well-rounded people. #miched#realtime
A1: That by having a central clearing house of assessment data, people outside of the classroom will know what happens inside the classroom. #miched#realtalk
Hi Jeremy from #teamjxn
A1) that public schools are failing. That's B.S. because I see success everyday in every school that I get to see in my new position. AND I saw it each day in my own classroom. #michED
I think that choice DOES matter. But that actually means fewer grad requirements and the ability to offer more courses to students in the school. that. already. exists. #miched
A2: I often let my colleagues get away with blaming outside factors about school problems rather than asking them to consider if there's any truth to it. #michED
A2: Sometimes educators match negative criticism with negative responses. We will not stand to gain any understanding with that approach. Just promote the positive things that are happening in your school community. #miched
A2: Sometimes educators match negative criticism with negative responses. We will not stand to gain any understanding with that approach. Just promote the positive things that are happening in your school community. #miched
A2) We don't speak up. I've always been too reclusive in sharing the success that I saw. When I hear the criticism first hand, I rarely engage. Our tribe stays away from conflict. We don't search it out or feel comfy w/ it. #michED
A2: I think we are poor at making gutsy decisions about things we can control. Yes, we have a lot of pressure on us...what can we as a building or district DO to alleviate it? #miched
I work w/community members wanting to help Ts in the classroom. There needs to be a healthy conversation about what the schools need from the community and that the community aren't experts in education but are willing to help where they can.. Let's work together! #MichEd
I agree that the messaging needs to remain positive. With that said, we get to be angry when the messages about schools are lies! We aren't failing. #miched
Letting go of the ego and view the criticism through their eyes. Ask yourself if there is truth in their feedback? Assume they are speaking from a good place. #MichEd
This is a tough one for me. I think when you throw your heart and soul into something, it's easy to be defensive. Instead, I could reflect on the criticism: Is it something worth spending time and energy on to improve? Or are there more worthy battles to fight? #miched
Judging people's motives for being/not being involved in their S's education. It can fester and negatively come out when working with the Ss. Ss deserve better. Work with what you've got. #MichEd#realtalk
FYI, I know these are difficult questions, and many may not be prepared to answer them in an open forum. Thank you to those that are willing to share. #michED#realtalk
A3) We need to bail on the idea that teachers have to solve problems in their own. We get a lot more done through collaboration. We often don't try that path first, second or even third. #michED
A3: Student that act out really do want to be there. They are frustrated with class/home life/personal issues. We need to remind ourselves to be there for them. #miched
A3: As a central office administrator that works a lot with community members, it can be difficult for me to not come into a building carrying that "what's wrong here" outsider attitude with me. #michED#realtalk
Good point! I think it is human nature to assume that the silent majority is against us rather than with us. That is probably not the case though.#michEd
Consistent meditation and a strong yoga practice have helped a lot for me in this regard. When I'm away from my mat too long I find myself holding onto my negativity like a security blanket. #miched#realtalk
A3) We need to bail on the idea that teachers have to solve problems in their own. We get a lot more done through collaboration. We often don't try that path first, second or even third. #michED
Folks, I'm loving all the #realtalk about owning criticism and negativity in our #michED schools, especially how we carry around some of the baggage ourselves without realizing it at times.
What do y'all do when you're faced with a really negative person in the school? I mean their frustration is understandable but it's having negative impacts on those around them. #miched#realtalk
Q4: Is anyone willing to share a moment when they allowed themselves to be vulnerable with a colleague or community member, and it turned out well? #michED#realtalk
What do y'all do when you're faced with a really negative person in the school? I mean their frustration is understandable but it's having negative impacts on those around them. #miched#realtalk
Does it pay off? or just shift the money and students around? since we have a one payer system we need to manage ALL of this better #michED ( how do they know the ads pay off? our district 1/3 school of choice no ads
In reply to
@lsrodgerspe, @corytimmer, @conrad_chris
A4: I have started sharing with my co-workers more often when I don't understand why they're making certain choices, and asking them to help me understand by explaining it to me. Getting over my anxiety of looking "stupid" #michED#realtalk
As a coach, it should be handled by the principal? I've been dealing with it by leaving the room, refusing to acknowledge it, or give my voice director's answer in the you know better smile. However, it doesn't seem to be going anywhere... #realtalk#miched
A4: When I was a younger T and a SIT member I had a tough conversation with a veteran T who felt threatened by some (necessary) changes that were being made in our building. After understanding each other’s perspective we agreed to support each other’s mission. #miched
We all get anxious over situations, many like the one described here. In some ways, does that then feed the outside criticism of why we aren't helping each other get better?
A4: In those moments when I simply listen to Ps, quit trying to convince them I know best or prove what I'm doing is working, and listen to the message, not the tone or delivery, I learn a ton about my Ss. #miched
I had a moment w/a fellow educator regarding a partnership issue that exposed some pretty raw problems. It morphed into a productive what are our options conversation series. It hasn't solved the issue but it's resolved some pieces. #miched
Q4: Is anyone willing to share a moment when they allowed themselves to be vulnerable with a colleague or community member, and it turned out well? #michED#realtalk
A4) I got wore out a couple years ago. I finally answered the "are you okay" with something other than "I'm fine" it tuned out the person was feeling the same thing. We worked together to pull ourselves out of it. We challenged each other daily. It added needed energy #michED
A4: In those moments when I simply listen to Ps, quit trying to convince them I know best or prove what I'm doing is working, and listen to the message, not the tone or delivery, I learn a ton about my Ss. #miched
