A1: The words that have had the most impact on me have made me feel less crazy, less isolated, and more motivated. Like when I heard @burgessdave keynote and read @KidsDeserveIt#pln365
A1: I am haunted by some of the destructive things that have been said about me and to me. It drives me to take care when speaking to others. I need to guard their hearts. #pln365
A1: Also listening to the students' words. Everything is valuable feedback, and works toward building our relationships and a better classroom culture. #pln365
A1 I think about words all the time. I suppose it is because of discouraging things that I heard as a kid. "that's a crazy idea" "that will never work" #pln365
A1: I've been blessed to have a lot of people pour positive words into my life: words of encouragement and affirmation. Of course there has been negativity, but I'm thankful the good outweighs the bad! #pln365
A1 I have been on both ends of the WORD. I have a made a point of learning how that impact feels and changing behavior appropriately! I remember the Person in both instance vividly. #pln365
A teacher recently told me that I was such a calming force to her. Meant a lot. I try to do the best job I can as a leader, and this showed that I’m effective to at least one person #pln365
A1: When writing my proposal for a conference I'd like to present at, I bounced it off a trusted friend. She gave it a couple of tweaks and told me it way amazing! #pln365
A1: I once had a child say as he hugged me tight...
"If I had a mom, I would want her to smell just like you."
Perspective. Priorities. Moments like that remind me of my WHY.
#pln365
Good: Someone once told me You can be a blessing to someone or not.This made me think on my actions daily
Bad: I was told I would not get into UGA & their edu program by a counselor before even starting school. I worked hard to prove them wrong and got in. Life changing. #pln365
A1: The haters tend to motivate me the most. In the moment I am hurt by their words but I just use them to fuel my fire to succeed. I choose to focus on the words of my students. Their observations and discussions are so much more important #pln365
A1: The haters tend to motivate me the most. In the moment I am hurt by their words but I just use them to fuel my fire to succeed. I choose to focus on the words of my students. Their observations and discussions are so much more important #pln365
A1: I’m so thankful for @GuysBride & @awelcome!!! I take their words to heart & use it as inspiration to be a better version of Brandi Miller!! I appreciate their blunt approach to support & challenge me! #pln365
A1) They can lift you up or tear you down. I personally try to use words for good. Sometimes u have to be critical, but it can still be done in a kind & respectful way. The art is in the how. #pln365
A1: The sincerity behind the words is what comes to mind. Those moments stay fresh. Also, some feedback from difficult conversations has stuck with me. #pln365
A2: I was told that I should not write a blog, or write about things so personal- that no one wants to read that. It kept me from writing/ sharing for so long. Decided it was for me, NOT them. #pln365
A1: I once had someone who doesn't know me very well accuse me of interactions with my PLN a way to self promote rather than promote the profession. It hurt. I had to remind myself the person didn't know my heart. #pln365
A1: I’m so thankful for @GuysBride & @awelcome!!! I take their words to heart & use it as inspiration to be a better version of Brandi Miller!! I appreciate their blunt approach to support & challenge me! #pln365
A1: Bad: Was told I was such a bad student the army wouldn't take me by my HS guidance counselor.
Good: Every time a student comes back to say thank you for something I did for them. #pln365
A1) #Stereotypes have placed limitations on the capacity of so many people. My belief in God, my parents, models of excellence, and mentors helped me chart a course to overcome the words that people would try to place upon me. #PLN365#BlackHistoryMonth
A2 I don’t like it when Ts say Ss are “products” of their own environment. A product means you’re finished and have given up on them. We must dig deep to meet the needs of our Ss! #pln365
A2: “you could have done/been better than that.” It may have been hurtful at the time but ultimately it was proven to be true. We should never settle for good when the best is yet to come! #pln365
Being told once I was too intense by a coworker. This stuck with me then I realized I was not intense but passionate and that person saw me as competing against her. We are meant to be us and as long as we are kind and share...BeYou #pln365
A2: "You are like your Dad, overconfident" and "I would never hire another teacher like him" (me). Both hurt in the moment but I will take a comparison to my Dad as a compliment any day. And the second one was the motivator to push me to new heights #pln365
A2: "You were a mistake." Never, ever want anyone to have to experience that. I double down on the praise, let people know how much that I appreciate them, and how much value that they have. #pln365
A2: "That's the way we've always done it." Still irks me!! UGH!! Moved on by doing my own thing and making huge gains with my Ss and their families! #pln365
A2: I’m not good enough for.... Those words are hard to get over!! They’ve created years of self doubt & insecurities! Continually working everyday to realize I’m worth it!! #pln365
A2: One of my siblings recently questioned my decision to pursue administration. That discouraged me! But at the same time motivated me to prove him wrong. #pln365
A2: I had a college professor tell me that I will never graduate college because of my English.
Oh, boy was she wrong...
Today I have a Masters Degree in TESOL!!!
#PLN365
A1: The sincerity behind the words is what comes to mind. Those moments stay fresh. Also, some feedback from difficult conversations has stuck with me. #pln365
A1: I once had someone who doesn't know me very well accuse me of interactions with my PLN a way to self promote rather than promote the profession. It hurt. I had to remind myself the person didn't know my heart. #pln365
A. 1) I had a former colleague tell me that good teachers cannot be taught empathy, you either have it or don’t. She always had uplifting words of encouragement. #pln365
A2 "It's easy to replace you. We will just look at the search from another school for the candidates who didn't get the job."
I will never forget that meeting. #pln365
I saw a headline today: "no one wins a gold medal for practicing the most" reminds me of "practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect" #pln365
A2: “you could have done/been better than that.” It may have been hurtful at the time but ultimately it was proven to be true. We should never settle for good when the best is yet to come! #pln365
A2: I’m not good enough for.... Those words are hard to get over!! They’ve created years of self doubt & insecurities! Continually working everyday to realize I’m worth it!! #pln365
A3: I hate hearing that I'm "In the trenches." I'm in a classroom with children. We are on a journey together, and we make mistakes. What I do isn't easy, but I love it. It is not a war zone! #pln365
A2: "You were a mistake." Never, ever want anyone to have to experience that. I double down on the praise, let people know how much that I appreciate them, and how much value that they have. #pln365
I've lived in 7 states & Germany. I'm most comfy where communication is straight forward but it seems the farther South I live, the more I have to sugar coat. #pln365
A2: Better late than never! When in the 4th grade, I heard a friend's parent say after our music concert that I couldn't sing but I sure was loud. Still hear that in my head sometimes on stage singing with my band. Get paid 2 sing 4 people, but that sticks w/me. #pln365
A3: The incorrect and repeated description of professional learning communities (PLCs) as well as professional development. The meaning of these words has been destroyed over time.
In class: "This is on the test," "This is important to your future," and "trust me." #pln365
A2) I had a family member tell me I've been outside of the US too long 2 understand how things r there. Basically, he dismissed my opinion as irrelevant. I may be living outside the US, but as long as the IRS demands I file my taxes, then I get to have my opinions too. #Pln365
A3: I hate hearing others say "that student just doesn't care about learning".... this is not the case... that student just havent had the passion in what is being taught. Make it personal, make your content matter! #PLN365
I do not like hearing, "This is teacher time or go sit down I am talking to another teacher."
I got in this profession to be there for kids. They are my number one customer.There is no teacher time. Impact makers make the time count with ss
#pln365
A3: “They can’t do that!” I think Ts often times our barriers on their Ss when they don’t give them opportunities to try new things because they don’t think they can handle it or because of preconceived thoughts on their abilities! #pln365
I also don't enjoy hearing, "Only one more day or oh it is Friday." I get when people are tired, but again we got in this position fpr a reason. Use the time to make an impact not complain #pln365
A3: One thing I heard about PD - "I don't do that anymore, there isn't much out there to continue to learn" - WHAT!!!??? Even athletes watch game tape 10 years into their career! #PLN365
I'm so w/you on that! I like to find the joy in each day. If we're only happy when it's the weekend, then we're missing out! That's a lot of days in between. #Pln365
A3: It's simple yet has stuck with me. When I was 8 my dad passed away and he left me a voice recording and on it he said, "Always do your best. Never give up." #pln365
A4: If you've read my blog, you know the words "You are the only one left?" have motivated me. Made me think about my purpose when I couldn't think beyond a very difficult situation. The hardest experiences breed powerful minds. #pln365
#PLN365 A3: Teach kids, not just content. Deliver and instruct in a way that demonstrates passion and lifelong learning. Get kids enthused about learning and the rest will follow. #edchat
A3: I hate hearing others say "that student just doesn't care about learning".... this is not the case... that student just havent had the passion in what is being taught. Make it personal, make your content matter! #PLN365
A4: It's simple yet has stuck with me. When I was 8 my dad passed away and he left me a voice recording and on it he said, "Always do your best. Never give up." #pln365
A4: You know, I don't know if it was any particular words but rather the people who said them. The meant more to me because of the time and passion they showed me. It was the relationship that had the meaning and those people used the right words. #pln365
A3: I want the terms/phrases "low kids" and "high flyers" to get GONE from our world.
By using these phrases, we're promoting put-downs and self-fulfilling prophecies. We're not giving students a fair shot. We're pre-judging... and that's all unacceptable. #pln365
A4: There have been SO many quotes that have been inspiring to me lately. Right now, my phone background says "Hold the Vision Trust the Process". Helps me focus on my goals and desires #PLN365
A4: "Just because it (math) comes easy for some but not for you is not an excuse to not work hard and do well." --My business teacher and family fan. I had to work in math but not other subjects, so I had been complaining. Words that have guided me since. #pln365
A4: It's simple yet has stuck with me. When I was 8 my dad passed away and he left me a voice recording and on it he said, "Always do your best. Never give up." #pln365
When I heard that comment, my mouth hit the floor... I said - you know who you're talking to right? I'm all over the place trying to learn from others and gather info and connect with new people. Never stop learning and growing! #PLN365
A3 for me "differentiation" and "social justice" have become buzzwords. I think they are important concepts but they require hard work and action #pln365
A3) For me it isn’t necessarily words being used, it is more words being used without a true understanding of the context the words have that leave definitions to our own interpretations. #PLN365
I get that, for sure. The only way around it is to ask for the link and study the "limitations." Responding w/authority can derail a lot of freight trains headed in the wrong direction. #PLN365
A4: If you've read my blog, you know the words "You are the only one left?" have motivated me. Made me think about my purpose when I couldn't think beyond a very difficult situation. The hardest experiences breed powerful minds. #pln365
Thank you so much again @PaulONeill1972 for this opportunity, and to all the #pln365 peeps here tonight! Have a great rest of your week everyone! Be awesome. Be strong. Be brave.
Absolutely! I'm tired of trying to meet the needs of my pacing guide and curriculum goals... my students don't care about that. My students care about how they can be productive and achieve success after school and beyond! #PLN365
A4: A parent wrote me a note at the end of the year Thanking me for helping her son. I still have the note many years later and remember the feeling I got reading it the first time. #pln365
Bonus: Tips for staying positive when things seem the roughest- Look back and be grateful. Look ahead and be hopeful. Look around and be helpful. #pln365
This says you stand out and people who make a difference will always have push back. The push back makes you stronger and face what really matters #pln365
“All you do is stick up for the kids.” These are somebody’s precious children&their lives we have been entrusted with. #AllKids deserve a fighting chance/someone who will advocate 4 them.WE are supposed 2 ensure we are laying the foundation.This is real life not a game. #PLN365
A4: "You have a voice that needs to be heard. You have the power and gift to influence education. You are a catalyst for changes that need to happen."
#pln365
(I saved the email)
Me too. I think Ss are often deemed less capable when they simply process slowly. I tell them my husband is a genius & processes very slowly. Would you rather have crock pot or microwave served up? #pln365
