#WVEdChat Archive
The goal of #wvedchat is to provide educators an opportunity to connect, share, and learn from others by engaging in conversations around issues and topics in education.
Tuesday September 6, 2016
one of these days I'll make it! 8:00 is apparently a busy time for me. Enjoy the learning!
Questions will be asked in the format Q1: [question here]. You reply with A1: [your response]. Don't forget to include !
Tonight, we'll discuss how schools
is happening now! from is joining and other great WV educators tonight. π
Whether we connect our classroom, departments, grade levels, PTAs, teams, clubs, or schools and districts,
means that everyone is informed, supported, and empowered.
We'll also be raffling off some fun Remind swag for those who participate tonight.
Hello ! Jodie from Cbus, Ohio!
Please introduce yourself, your role working w/students, and where youβre tweeting from tonight.
Sorry I am late!! Angie Milliman Berkeley CO WV
Hey! Adam, 5/6 social studies, Brooklyn, OH! Let's do this!
Hi ! I hail from SW OH, but I'm excited to join you tonight.
Ugggh! Where did my scheduled tweets go?!
here from . I'm Remind's Mid-Atlantic Community Lead based in Philly! Welcome !
I am an AP focusing on Curriculum and Instruction and always our great students
Oh, and I'm a ELA who teaches College Comp aka Adv Eng 11 and Adv. Eng 10.
Hi everyone, I am pretty new to so am looking forward to the chat Penny Elkview, WV technology coach
Rachel, Instructional Technology Resource Teacher, Fluvanna Co, VA
I am Chrystalle Doyle a Technology Integration Specialist with Mason County Schools. I serve 5 schools
Glad to see so many Ohio folks here!
Good evening! I'm Rikki, Director of Special Education, WV :) Excited that is leading us tonight!
Howdy KSEARSTIS Jackson county Schools! May the Force be with Everyone!
Derek- been on a mission to lift others up via this community since '13. Learner. Asst Principal.
Staff Development Director, RESA 3
First question in 1 minute! Welcome everyone!
Such a schedule tweet to pop up at the start of :) lol πππ
What's better than swag! Time to join in !! https://t.co/OVUdm47qAF
We'll also be raffling off some fun Remind swag for those who participate tonight.
Don't forget -- is part of our PLN on , so maybe we're honorary ?
Glad to see some of my friends
I am Joy Marie- Instructional Coach at Burch PK-8 in Mingo County.
Q1 **How do you build school community and spirit?**
Hey all! Been on a mission since '13 to lift others up via this community. Derek-Learner. Asst Principal. https://t.co/Vy2Bs9h0DC
Tweetdeck seems a bit behind on my scheduled tweets. Look out
based on the times I've driven through it, this seems like the perfect embodiment of WV!
A1: By building relationships with staff and students. Trying to connect with something they enjoy
A1 Get the positive out β¦. any way you can!
Hello all. Amberoni from Kanawha County.
A1 Getting to know each other outside of the school day. Relationships are key, esp. w/other Ts. Food helps!
And become a connected educator to share that positive! https://t.co/jkoZ8AZcAK
A1 Get the positive out β¦. any way you can!
Can't participate tonight, but looking forward to reading the transcript. Have a great tonight folks! https://t.co/zyW7jVR2ok
Jostens Renaissance is huge for us. C2G. Incredible students @ events
Agree! Never miss an opportunity to share the positive! all the time! https://t.co/ZwH0jkXaOv
A1 Get the positive out β¦. any way you can!
Food is always nice for talk :) And discuss things besides school too! :D
Exactly! We build each other up and get stronger together.
A1: Greeting Ss in the morning. Spirit days. We have a chant we say when something good happens
Share school successes and address the community needs
A1: Stay positive. There is good in EVERYTHING, sometimes you just have to look a little harder!
A1 Names - know their Names!
Spirit days are the best. My favorite has been my Riley McDonald character on Wacky Wednesday few years back
Joe Gonzalez 5th Grade KCS
Hey My principal Dottie Smith is in the house!
what is your go-to snack when trying to connect with students/parents? https://t.co/87i896D8Rd
A1 Getting to know each other outside of the school day. Relationships are key, esp. w/other Ts. Food helps!
any tricks for remembering them all at the start of the year?
A1: School culture begins with a passion & vision. Leaders start and it trickles down to Ts, Ss, and the rest of the community.
A1: By taking every opportunity to invite the community to our school. Of that has to have a purpose not just to visit.
A1 Staff social outings help bring Ts closer together. Also learn more about one another outside of school setting
A1: themes, greeting Ss at the doors, ensuring the Ss feel safe, and building positive relationships between Ss & Ts, and btw Ts!
I'm doing Weight Watchers, so I try to avoid sugary treats. For my Ss, it's local donuts. For Ps, fresh fruit salad.
A1 <3 Student Led Conferences. Other activities are great, but what a/b content spirit?
A1: by showing you're invested, that you care. Showing up & being present! Its being fully engaged
Hi all! Jason-father, husband, teacher, TIS, nerd, advocate Huntington
A1: Value & praise the edges of education: character, empathy, tolerance, respect. Relationships are the center.
A1: The idea of crew and Ts, Ss, & community coming together each day at beginning & end was making a difference.
I try to repeat their names to them whenever I can, like the hallway and homeroom. Repetition helps!
Canβt let the kids have all the fun
Common norms and familiar language/expectations school wide also help build culture.
Q2 **What are creative ways you communicate with your class, team, or school?**
Love that Adam! Greet students with a smile "10 days out of 10!"
Alway! I want Ss to feel welcome and know I am glad they are in the room
we have faculty tailgates for home football
Great for community
11 out of 10 days if you're really good!!
A2: Google Classroom, Google Hangout (with Ts). I'm in a district :)
A1: Parent Facebook page, just "assigned" WVU football & eat a hot dog for weekend hw & families posted pics of kids doing this
Great way to show spirit!
we are a people centered profession! NOT a cog factory
A2-We have a staff and parents school remind, Email group, and a secret private Facebook page.
I saw the answer before your name and thought that assignment was familiar.... :)
A2: One day last year I bought unicorn rubber duckies & put them in my staff mail boxes with a note about being unique & wonderful
A2 I make videos on parents and Ss love them! I catch students watching them all the time! Easier than a newsletter
Yes when I was in the classroom Crew is like a morning meeting w/emphasis on learning targets, norms, a team activity
A1: Small town so I make a point of approaching and talking to when I see in grocery store or at soccer game, etc.
very West Virginia. I love it.
A2 When I was in charge of the school's webpage, I made a FB for us. It's now taken over by the P Athletic Boosters.
Hi Penny *knock knock* Penny *knock knock* Penny
A 2 some teachers <3 twitter. BC is very supportive of all media. Goal is to meet parents where they are!
A2 Use and have just started using
A2: to get out messages to everyone - can be staff or school wide. Email, PHONE CALLS! Trying to do more of these!
A1 By building relationships w/Ss that r genuine It's like Field of Dreams-they relish the chances
I'm working on getting more teachers connected with Twitter. Slow but steady
Used that this year, too. Not all Ps or Ss have signed up.
A1: Work Hard, play hard. Class building and Team building is essential
BTW being mobile on is quite a challenge
A2 Also use for 5th grade.
Welcome Hampshire Co. T! :D
Remind, inTouch, lots of old fashion phone calls too! Goal for our new Ts is 4-5 calls a week
A2: Print some schl business crds via & set them out at gas stations, grocery store check-outs. Spread the comm lines!
is a great tool to use with that age. They tend to be fascinated by it.
I used to write my students notes at the beginning and end of each year. Many Ss tell me they still have them
yes! I send postcards home weekly! Love an old fashioned handwritten note!
A2: Started a Facebook Parent Group this year. Why did I not do this sooner?
A2: email is most common, but I just heard that has been approved for use! Need to get into that area! More direct!
Because the district doesn't encourage it, which is a darn shame. FB is an easy way to connect.
it is what they will use in MS so I like for them to be prepared.
Hi everyone! Linda Bedway- Spanish teacher, new dept. chair, Hurricane HS A2:trying 365 group to share info, files with dept.
A2: A group text is great for team communication. It's quick and effective!
what's your district? We'd love to connect with them!
We use "Why you're awesome" slips too... Positive contact first
Q3 **How do you help or educate students when they're not at school?**
A1Class creed&school pledge daily,lots of student discussions, county&school shirts, share pictures&projects online & in building
I am not creative but I always try to take time to speak to Ss& Ps when I see them around town. We talk sports and recipes.
Loved using --very easy to use.
A3: I live far from my district so I don't get to interact with kiddos outside of school like I did in my old one
A2 Our school now uses so we can share our successes
A3: Hard to do with Kinders. Make clear expectations of learning to families. Open to suggestions!
I'm in the diocese of Cleveland. So we have many schools...all different! I'll find out for sure tomorrow!
A3 live outside of district as well, wish I could see them more than just school
A3: All students had my prof Twitter. We had hashtags and shared out information. They had a way to connect with me, too!
Oh yeah. Twitter is blocked, too, mostly. Sigh.
you could schedule a reminder with :)
A3: Flipping learning using or is a great way to reach students beyond the classroom!
A3: we've heard of teachers setting up an "alarm clock" class for students and parents on to combat absences/tardiness
That's good to hear! It's about time to embrace social media and the positives :)
A 3Field trips have hashtags. We encourage T to get out!
A3 I read Ss writing on Google Classroom and am asking that they blog on Wordpress this year.
I use remind for many things, including our Orchestra Boosters group
A3, give families strategies to share/discuss @ home vs. HW: card games, brain challenges, etc.
A2: Facebook parent group, Twitter to share and get ideas from others in the field
A 3 Some use flipped classrooms. We are pushing PBL and inquiry and self guided
A4: Monthly Family home projects, advertising PTO. I had a parent come to PTO tonight! Progress!
A3: Not sure, but open to good ideas on that. :/
A3: just starting a flipped classroom! Ss are eager...I'm nervous, but eager! And I teach how it really matters to them!
Q4 **How do you encourage parents to become partners in student learning?**
As long as you are -Google Classroom is a stripped down LMS. Better than nothing!
That's awesome Sarah! I need some more support with the schoolwide uses of https://t.co/5D6ejeQrPN
A3: we've heard of teachers setting up an "alarm clock" class for students and parents on to combat absences/tardiness
Great idea! This is a quick way for Ss to share. Ts could also post. https://t.co/QOgWxpKwQU
A 3Field trips have hashtags. We encourage T to get out!
A3: LMSs are in all shares, sizes and flavors!!! Must have a deployment platform!
A3 Not much in Elkview since the flood Would see the kidos in the stores after school The little Ss think you live at school!
A3 Art exhibits, collaborative public art, community design projects...just getting student work out into the community!
I use it at HHS for International Club reminders
A5: Using the Remind app to send text, or phone calls. Classroom, Title I, School newsletters, parent conferences every 9 weeks
A4: As a special educator, I try to stress we are a team. In everything we are a team. It's all about relationships first.
A4: invite them into the classroom...let them know my rationale behind my process! This way they're with me instead of against!
A4 The first college paper they write is an interview analysis, which means they interview a P or other family member.
A4: Parents are encouraged to attend school events, conferences, follow the FB pages
Does your new district have ?
A4: Celebrate Ps! Make sure they feel valued!
A4: Communicating w them not to them. Listen. Make sure Ps know it's a shared interest
A4 communicate, communicate, communicate!
Wanting to start an After school STEM club with coding
A5: Newsletters sent home, daily planners, open times for meetings
A4: Let Ps have a sayβ¦.. Yeaβ¦. we listen to Ps about their children's educationβ¦ humm
Yes, but the state is Microsoft Office 365. We (Ts & Ss) in a bit of confusion right now in my district.
Do it! I'm doing a game design club at my middle school
A 4 We welcome parents to everything! Orientation they enter to applause. We invite them to lunches. Engage them in ANYTHING
A3: We still follow up digital reminders with notes home.
Yes! Ps need to see that we're on the same team. Everyone wants what's best for Ss! https://t.co/qUtuZkwt4J
A4: invite them into the classroom...let them know my rationale behind my process! This way they're with me instead of against!
Some teachers use to send questions of the day to parents so they have something to ask their kids about at home
A4-Sharing information with them, website, remind, following them on social media. Showing interest
A4 Invite them to the classroom. Share Ss projects.
Frustrating. Hard for Ss when we switch back and forth. My school needs to get on the train asap
A4: At my old school, we had a community crew and it was a celebration of learning. The assembly was all student led.
A4 Involve parents in collaborative projects in ways big and small. Find ways they can help that work for them.
A4: stream your classesβ¦. let Ps in there. Leverage Tech
Now that I've had both, I think I like better, especially with Google Classroom
great idea. my husband's MS student told him she can code in 12 languages!! such an important skill
Office 365 is working on its own LMS
A4, let students authentically share work in school context with families.
And if a girl wanted to get her school on that train? What might she have to do?
A4: Value parents time when they do come to school. Coming to school for erroneous means is wasteful. Value the time & maximize!
what do you use to stream?
A6: Don't say unless you are willing to do, set clear expectations, deal with any issues right away not later
Bingo! https://t.co/RBuSddxI3K
A6: Don't say unless you are willing to do, set clear expectations, deal with any issues right away not later
Yeah. Have you tried using the doctopus chrome extension with goobric? Adds the rubric in to Ss work!
YES! Let them see what Ss are learning https://t.co/rrku9FSp1D
A4: stream your classesβ¦. let Ps in there. Leverage Tech
No.... but I will have to check it out now!
A4: Streaming activities from classrooms!! LOVE it!!! Admins could do this as part of weekly newsletters to parents! π
Yep is live but just record a bit and post to a blog. Pretty easy. Post to schl FB Page!
Requires some admin to sign up. Beg your tech director? It's free to schools and SO worth it.
A6: My Title 1 teacher is running my FB group with me.
A6: reflect on this year and learn from your experience. Don't repeat lessons. Challenge yourself and Ss!
Neither is Google's but it does make for an easier time sharing stuff with Ss
A7: wkly team meetings w/ grade level, sp Ed teachers, academic coach, & principals called Plc - share odd experiences on ce days
SOOO cool. And it looks like it allows for self eval and peer eval, too. Haven't tried that, yet.
Okay , totally lost in the Qs. Can someone RT the latest? Are we really on A6 already?
Can't wait to check it out tomorrow! My favorite has been learning tab scissors/glue extension for Chrome
No we aren't. Some are jumping ahead.
Canvas has peer review built in https://t.co/zl1V7TfRIn
SOOO cool. And it looks like it allows for self eval and peer eval, too. Haven't tried that, yet.
Q5 **How do you connect or collaborate with other Ts or your principal to help your school ? **
Love this idea!!! Telling your school story in weekly increments !
A8: I have fun wherever I am with whatever I'm doing ... May need suggestions here. Seriously, it takes little to excite me. Haha!
A7: Bimonthly PLC meetings that include principal, Leadership team meetings
A5 Inspired by & others to build some courses for my Ts. Just wading the waters right now.
A5 PLCs, committees, grade level planning and lots of feedback from the principal!
RT Q5 https://t.co/M7ouKlofsd
Q5 **How do you connect or collaborate with other Ts or your principal to help your school ? **
A4: We haven't but I feel challenged to call parents in for a conference to brag.
A4: Parents are our Read Aloud partners.
Will need to check it out! Thanks : )
A5: PLCs, email, planning meetings
My Principal is super encouraging for twitter use. Try to give Ts autonomy and time to work together.
A5: Anywhere, all the time. OneNote, Emails, Face to Face, PLC. Meet the need and want. find the right tool!
Hey folks, let's try not to jump ahead of where the host is with questioning... it confuses others :)
A5 PLC is our go to way of doing that. Twice a month hour delays and additional meeting during planning times
Hi WV friends. Sorry I didn't make it sooner-8pm is bedtime at my house-just got all kids in bed
A5 A lot of emails and meetings also
A5 I love edcamps. I'm advocating our first ever PD event edcamp style. Also like to present at conferences, voxer, twitter, etc
Welcome! Glad you could join us!
A5: open your door and ears! Listen! I'm trying to make a faculty library to share books and resources! We are always learning!
A5 my fav strategy in 1 of our schools- Ts use google docs to build peer observation look for, give immediate feedback
A5: Oh and we get teacher work days every month or so where kids don't report!
A5: We meet each week. One week as a formal PLC and the next as a grade level planning team.
A5 -- I'm all about collaborative documents, folders, photo albums
A 5 cont county has 2 hr delay days built in for scheduled collaboration and we have several PLC days to use
For those who use PLCs, how do you make them meaningful? Mine felt forced and were usu just book studies https://t.co/HkA55Sc3EP
A5: PLCs, email, planning meetings
Hey Hope you're off to a great start over there!! https://t.co/s1QtU0Hx5D
Hi WV friends. Sorry I didn't make it sooner-8pm is bedtime at my house-just got all kids in bed
A5: Officially: monthly dept. chair mtgs. and monthly dept. mtgs. On our own: talk @ lunch most days, text outside of school
A5: Again, relationships. Be open and willing...never ask them to do something I wouldn't do!
No worries I think some of the folks had scheduled tweets, so I got lost for a while.
we are cultivating a learning school. teacher developed staff development and meeting agendas... what they need!
I have my collection, but I'm always looking for my ideas! Why not expand through other Ts?
A5: Admin uses Twitter and encourages Ts to use as well.
PLCs are meant to focus on data and team planning. There is a format and Ts collaborate and share ideas to plan
Totally AGREE! https://t.co/Jaed1NK96u
A5: Again, relationships. Be open and willing...never ask them to do something I wouldn't do!
Oh year. Ts present their strengths to each other, and choice adds buy-in.
That is awesome! I wish more admin would! https://t.co/TmRDVUq2bv
A5: Admin uses Twitter and encourages Ts to use as well.
A5: Vanguard Unconferences give us time to connect with our techy peeps
RT Q5 For those that are behind. https://t.co/M7ouKlofsd
Q5 **How do you connect or collaborate with other Ts or your principal to help your school ? **
A5, if it can be an email/shared doc, use it! What is true collaboration? Co-Labor.
We use PLC time to dig into student data to help us make better instructional decisions.
A5: Create school culture that truly values PLC. Be purposeful with pedagogy that impacts learning!
Ok, remind me to never try to screencast a live chat, narrate it, engage in the chat, use Tweetdeck & Participate, all at once.
*snickers* how badly did it go?
A5 cont'd -- since I teach art, I don't plan with other Ts, so we communicate a lot digitally. I love !
lol https://t.co/9jjX2B57R4
Ok, remind me to never try to screencast a live chat, narrate it, engage in the chat, use Tweetdeck & Participate, all at once.
A5 , Yammer, hallways, groups texts are all options Local meetups after work are always fun events
We are sharing learning designs for PLCs to use. Action research, Common Form. Assessments- push the PLC further
is there an app that could help me Remind you??
......Don't do it......jus' sayin' :0) https://t.co/PwRLITPUvG
Ok, remind me to never try to screencast a live chat, narrate it, engage in the chat, use Tweetdeck & Participate, all at once.
You cannot be all things to all people. But it's fun to watch you try!
If I had time I'd find a great GIF for that LOL
Like our amazing twitter group meetups at !
how do you use as an art teacher? is it tricky because you see all students? https://t.co/N0lWfKPhxl
A5 cont'd -- since I teach art, I don't plan with other Ts, so we communicate a lot digitally. I love !
Our admin uses for her communications it is great!
A5 office door is open unless I have a visitor, also getting out into classrooms to meet w/Ss and Ts
Offered to all my Ss, not all signed up.
A5: Trying to flip learning opps this year for teachers. Have some good interactive vids ready via
A5, I would DEF be attending this if able to connect with other educators Plugging for you
Good Q! I have seen contrived 1s that Ts will not engage Thoughts? https://t.co/3ypEULCBuT
For those who use PLCs, how do you make them meaningful? Mine felt forced and were usu just book studies https://t.co/HkA55Sc3EP
A5: PLCs, email, planning meetings
Always visible! We have a goal for walkthroughs! Love being where T and S are learning!
Principals can make an class for Ts and a separate one for Ps. https://t.co/vKdSk2k2DN
Our admin uses for her communications it is great!
also has schoolwide features now so principals no longer need separate teacher/student classes https://t.co/AYlu8bW0zL
Principals can make an class for Ts and a separate one for Ps. https://t.co/vKdSk2k2DN
Our admin uses for her communications it is great!
YES! Good stuff! My friend & mentor uses as part of emergency response w/Ts.
Q6 **How might we make growing and succeeding together fun? **
A6: Go into it with an open mind, don't be afraid to try something new and have FUN
A6: show that it's ok to laugh! Do brain breaks! Use music! Learn the interests of Ss! Take risks! Encourage risks! And...SMILE!
If you decide to have fun, you will! https://t.co/X8S25IX4Vt
A6: Go into it with an open mind, don't be afraid to try something new and have FUN
A 6 Make it kid centered! kid developed! highlight why you do what you do!
A6: Decide to have fun. Self-fulfilling prophesy! πππΌ
A6: Help lift up Ts, Ss, Admins that are doing great work! Celebrate successes and failures that lead to learning.
Brain breaks and music work for the adults in the building, too! https://t.co/q8qa41EQyQ
A6: show that it's ok to laugh! Do brain breaks! Use music! Learn the interests of Ss! Take risks! Encourage risks! And...SMILE!
A6: By getting everyone involved. If we are engaged we learn and love doing it.
A6: Always do what's best for students!
A6 Teach Like a PIrate! don't be affraid to make mistakes and ditch that textbook
Charleston, WV--not sure where that is, but we could get lost together LOL.
some faculty meetings could use them!!!
A6-Celebrate little successes. Be proud of those who try something new. I always tell Ts and Ss that I'm proud when they try!
A6: Growing & succeeding is easy if you have the right support team! S/O to:
A6: Let the kids know everything may not alway be perfect keep trying and keep learning donβt get upset
A6. Celebrate successes at all levels. Schedule & value. Found in school imp.: tough road to go w/out.
Yes! Find your passion! https://t.co/8Nq2yEYfXu
A6 Teach Like a PIrate! don't be affraid to make mistakes and ditch that textbook
A6 Make it okay to fail. Teach "the power of yet"--and be strong enough to fail in front of them, too.
A6 connect w/others who have similar drive, purpose, passion and work together on growing as educators
A6: This past week was Homecoming in our town. Everyone found a way to participate. I ran in my first 5K. https://t.co/V5sjeGe7wd
No doubt! It's all about the https://t.co/2pbM4acd3j
A6: Growing & succeeding is easy if you have the right support team! S/O to:
A6: Build relationships with colleagues, go to a movie or dinner as a group
modeling social-emotional intelligence and resilience is super important https://t.co/B477NyqorC
A6: Let the kids know everything may not alway be perfect keep trying and keep learning donβt get upset
