TNedchat is a way for educators in Tennessee to share thoughts, resources, and information. The weekly chat is moderated by Jessica Warner (@jessawarner) and Samantha Bates (@sjsbates).
Welcome to #TnEdChat ! Tonight we will be talking about school climate- No, not about when your heat doesn’t work or your air is blowing at the wrong time...let’s talk the prevalent trend in your school/classroom and how to make it positive!
We will use a Q1, Q2…format for Questions during #TnEdChat . Please use the A1, A2… format for answers and add a gif or meme to visually support your answer
A1: Where people feel they have agency in decisions, there is a culture that allows for opposition, there is transparency in what is said matching what the agenda is @#tnedchat
A1: Engaging and positive administrators who set great expectations, lead by serving, and support their teachers in every way possible to maximize the positive energy teachers need to bring into the classroom. A “we” not “me” mentality for all. #TNedchat
A1: School climate is a palpable feeling within buildings. It’s what you see and hear. Teachers are heard and respected, and admin is supportive and holds all accountable with grace #TnEdChat
A2: Be relational and real. Don't feel you have to know all the answers and don't play your cards close. If you are transparent and own the good and bad then others will want to be a part of that because it is safe #tnedchat
Yes, communication is huge for me. Even if it's something I don't want to hear, I will be a part if I know the ultimate plan. Being left out is demeaning #tnedchat
A2: Be relational and real. Don't feel you have to know all the answers and don't play your cards close. If you are transparent and own the good and bad then others will want to be a part of that because it is safe #tnedchat
A2: As a school psych, I attempt to hear teachers’ concerns in meetings and as we collaborate (definitely not perfect!), but showing understanding and empathy is a huge aspect of climate. They won’t speak up or come to me for help in the future if I shut them down #TnEdChat
A2: Super struggling with this because so many of my kids want to resist the culture change because it’s uncomfortable and different from the status quo. I want to push kids, be a positive force, but they just want to check boxes and finish work. #tnedchat
A3 Show them their voice is valued. Ask their opinion. Prove you are listening and adapting. All life should be formative assessment to grow forward! #tnedchat
Love the mentor idea. I wish more systems took this seriously. I think it would really aid new teachers especially as they are overwhelmed with the new #tnedchat
A3: May I admit I hate committees?! The same faculty always sit on all the committees. Climate is formed when admin find strength in faculty and recruit for specific goals. We must start including all faculty and stop accepting that ‘she/he will never volunteer...’ #TnEdChat
A3: Communicate, Communicate, Communicate! The more open, honest, and transparent you are about the goals and hopes you have for creating a positive culture, the more they will buy in (or at least not block). #tnedchat
A3: Communicate, Communicate, Communicate! The more open, honest, and transparent you are about the goals and hopes you have for creating a positive culture, the more they will buy in (or at least not block). #tnedchat
Q4: How often does your school engage parents and students when making decisions about the future of your school? What’s the benefits of this? #TnEdChat
Owners of the process! love it. I'm a big fan of feedback...if we don't ask how things are going people often assume we don't care but Ts are the processors of the plans (and students) #tnedchat
A4 Our school president has small group meetings with parents by grade level for feedback but I would love for parent/student voice to be part of visionary thinking as well regarding tech integration plans #tnedchat
A4: We have a strong PTSO and often reach out to them when it comes to decisions. However, the great conundrum is how do we get more parents and students engaged who don’t normally have the time or ability. #TNedchat
Q4: How often does your school engage parents and students when making decisions about the future of your school? What’s the benefits of this? #TnEdChat
A4: PTA is super active at my current elementary, and we hold parent activities several times a year. But, in terms of actively engaging in conversations of change, probably not as much as we should. I would love to start a sped parent/teacher board. #TnEdChat
A4: It MUST extend beyond SAC or PTA groups... the more feedback you have to process, the better ownership there is of it; HOWEVER, it's important to know when to be inclusive and when to just make a decision and communicate it. Everyone involved is not ALWAYS best. #TnEdChat
A4 We have semi-regular check-in meetings where the community is invited for discussion and input. Keeps an open door, values community input, and promotes honest and open communication. #TnEdChat
even more important than shadow a principal day- shadow a STUDENT day. I did this a few months ago (I'm a district admin) and it was EYE OPENING. #TnEdChat
Thanks for joining this week’s #TnEdChat and thanks to @gregbagby for being an amazing twitterverse eduleader! Don’t forget to follow your new connections from tonight!
#TNedchat I do think parents often feel excluded, as often I’ve heard parents share concerns in meetings that have not been acted upon. They are probably telling us more than we realize, but are we listening?
generally off-limits are decisions in which the group of stakeholders don't have the knowledge of the processes or procedures you are discussing to weigh in positively... for example, we are adopting a new interactive flat panel standard, we aren't getting parent input #TnEdChat
A4:@RBHS_Lions engages parents/students/community when making decisions on a weekly basis in some form or fashion. Benefit=greater success for all involved due to buy in & personal attachment to see success happen. #TNedchat
