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.
In the schools I worked staff rooms were toxic. Best to find group of positive people to hang out with and not in teachers' room. Your school PLN should be uplifting and supportive. #bfc530
Morning #bfc530.
That's an easy question to answer: I don't go in the staff room. But I always stick up for them when I hear trash talking:) The kid in question is probably one I love anyway!
First, I think you have to differentiate if it is true trash talking or coming from frustration that has grown out of genuine concern. Voice appropriate words and/or share positive statement about that student #bfc530
When people speak negatively about students they usually don’t know the whole story. I just add some information about how much progress has been made #BFC530
First, I think you have to differentiate if it is true trash talking or coming from frustration that has grown out of genuine concern. Voice appropriate words and/or share positive statement about that student #bfc530
It’s never ever ok. I try to remind people of my favorite Comer quote, “No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship.” If Ss don’t have that w us nothing else really matters. #BFC530
True Eric. I think you can tell the difference easier now b/c you remember how the frustrated teacher was discussing the student at the beginning of the year seeking input to help kid & at this point it is all about the clash of personalities #bfc530
Our staff room used to be a great group lunch spot but not anymore for exactly this reason - people got tired of the negativity from a select few. #bfc530
#bfc530 When possible accentuate positive in profiles of Ss. Discern constructive criticism. Avoid destructive criticism for convos on Ss. One good word has a power to transform.
My former leader used to frame every T meeting w a reminder that even though the Ss weren’t present that “they are with us.” It’s a powerful message. Also just tend to shift into celebration mode and share a positive or funny S story. Those Ts are hurting and need support #bfc530
Our staff room used to be a great group lunch spot but not anymore for exactly this reason - people got tired of the negativity from a select few. #bfc530
It's about finding your tribe. Was just telling my son that. In every situation you can usually find at least one other person you fit in with:)
#bfc530
Speak up in the students defence - call out the teacher on unprofessional nature of conversation - they are someone’s child AND they are individuals #respect#bfc530
This has happened a few times this year mildly. I try to bring up the " whole child"- that their low grades might not be because they're not trying, but because of other factors they're dealing with. We all need to put ourselves in their shoes more often #bfc530
I used to avoid the staff room completely. Luckily, I now work in a school with a positive culture, but even so, it can happen. Now, I'm tring to apply "quiet listening" to hear the emotion behind the words, and then ask ?s that lead the T to find their own solution #bfc530
My former leader used to frame every T meeting w a reminder that even though the Ss weren’t present that “they are with us.” It’s a powerful message. Also just tend to shift into celebration mode and share a positive or funny S story. Those Ts are hurting and need support #bfc530
#booklove#nerdcamp#read4fun#bfc530 Since I have my students total their books for the school year, I will too. Not counting the picture books I read with my children at home, my total is 74 for the year. 19 read in my hands, 55 read with my ears!
Sometimes the best thing to do is simply to acknowledge their feelings (“Wow. It sounds like you’re really frustrated.”) and then move onto problem solving (ask “What can we do to help this struggling kid?” Or “What do you think you need to be able to cope with this?”) #bfc530
Being heard, often helps them feel supported. Saying things like "So, sounds like all of your students are driving you crazy." will get responses like, "well, not ALL of them..." & slowly they can pinpoint what's bothering them. #bfc530
Been missing my #bfc530#PLN as we wind down this school year. End of year tired...there's nothing else like it. Hope you're all enjoying your last days!
I don’t tolerate dehumanizing language, as language has the power to harm... however, seeing past words to the underlying frustration and unmet needs is essential if we are to get burned out teachers and struggling students the support they need and to change the culture. #BFC530
We need to offer teachers the same grace, forgiveness, and support that we try to offer our struggling students. We are all human. We all make mistakes. We all deserve a second chance. #relationshipsmatter#bfc530#culturize
I advocate for those kids and more importantly, I ask them how they’d feel if their child’s teacher was talking about them the same way. Every child deserves someone who will stand up for them. #BFC530
One day. The prospect of dealing with home life over the summer terrifies some of my children. This is where @PrincipalKafele would ask are my ss better off with me as a t. I encourage them to live in this moment, don't waste it because of the ills of tomorrow. YES. #bfc530
SAVE THE DATE! @MPCSPatriots is hosting The Impact Cycle Workshop on Sept. 26-27 presented by a consultant from @jimknight99 's Instructional Coaching Group. Anyone who supports teachers in their professional growth will want to attend! #bfc530#edchat#instructionalcoaching#pd
I ask Qs...”What would the S say about this?, “Is it possible that...”, “What else could be going on?”, “What strength(s) does S have?”. We have to remove negativity & judgement from our discussions about Ss...they run the risk of permeating beyond the staff room walls. #bfc530
Thanks all for the thoughtful replies. I do know that Ts need love too, and sometimes have had a rough year, so I try to make positive or light comments where I can. #bfc530
