Monday 9-10 p.m. EST. Building a Culture of Learning. "We invite all educators, parents, students and any member of a school community to join our mission of moving away from compliance to create and foster a true COL."
Excited to be bringing #COLchat back to Monday nights! Tonight we transition to new moderators - me, along with my friend @FbellomoB. Tonight's topic: Transitions. Let's start with introductions: I'm Walt, a middle school principal in Macomb County, MI.
A1: Schools are full of transitions - one grade level to next, one school to next, quarters, semesters, new curriculum/standards/materials, in & out of breaks, changes in leadership, new initiatives, new assessment programs, etc.
#COLchat
A1: Leadership Journey: Teacher (Focus on Students in Classroom, Principal (Focus on Students and Adults), Central Office (Focus on District - All Students and Adults) #perspective#colchat
A1 The biggest transition I’ve noticed in my career is how childhood has changed. Children don’t seem to have time to play, explore, or problem solve with peer groups. #COLchat
A1 The biggest transition I’ve noticed in my career is how childhood has changed. Children don’t seem to have time to play, explore, or problem solve with peer groups. #COLchat
A2. My journey from being a middle school teacher and AP was interesting as I transitioned to being an Elementary Principal. I’ve continued to learn each day and owe a great deal to our wonderful teachers. #COLchat
A2 Relationships are essential in a culture of learning. Despite the inevitable transitions, when my cheese gets moved I want to know I will be supported. #COLchat
A2: All transitions provide the opportunity to address old or existing barriers. Teacher Leaders often identify barriers that administrators don’t recognize. #colchat
A2: All transitions provide the opportunity to address old or existing barriers. Teacher Leaders often identify barriers that administrators don’t recognize. #colchat
A1 The biggest transition I’ve noticed in my career is how childhood has changed. Children don’t seem to have time to play, explore, or problem solve with peer groups. #COLchat
A1: In my (limited) experience, I’ve transitioned from a student teacher to an actual teacher. Now I’m transitioning from on school to another. I’ll also likely transition from one grade to another. #colchat
Fear can definitely take a toll. And when you transition from one thing to another, you can lose relationships & end up losing a foundation you’ve built. #colchat
#colchat let us make an assignment - "Calvin Ball" = go out and play for 30 minutes using everything out there, come back and tell me what the game was and what the rules were...
A3 Important that as leaders facilitate transition, we thoroughly explain the why behind the transition; engage in routine, effective communication; be accessible to answer all questions, and affirm & support our team during the changes #COLchat
A3 Important that as leaders facilitate transition, we thoroughly explain the why behind the transition; engage in routine, effective communication; be accessible to answer all questions, and affirm & support our team during the changes #COLchat
A3 understand that change takes time. Build relationships. Talk to people. Be clear about why and intentional with when and how. Don't do too much too fast #colchat
A3 understand that change takes time. Build relationships. Talk to people. Be clear about why and intentional with when and how. Don't do too much too fast #colchat
A3: Successful transitions require transparency and useful feedback. Leaders need to be prepared for fierce conversations and supporting the team. #COLchat
A3. Younger kids may need a good deal of practice. Some kids need more time. Our fifth grade follows a middle school schedule changing teachers. Some like the transition for middle school but others would prefer one teacher all day like our k-4. #COLchat
A1: The biggest transitions I have experienced in my school are the movement towards 1:1 iPads for learning and an increased amount of apathy in the classroom, both of which can be problematic and require change to pedagogy @harryhanna#educ502#COLchat
A3. Younger kids may need a good deal of practice. Some kids need more time. Our fifth grade follows a middle school schedule changing teachers. Some like the transition for middle school but others would prefer one teacher all day like our k-4. #COLchat
A1: The biggest transitions I have experienced in my school are the movement towards 1:1 iPads for learning and an increased amount of apathy in the classroom, both of which can be problematic and require change to pedagogy @harryhanna#educ502#COLchat
A5: This from @gcouros June 3 blog post seems appropriate here: "NEVER change something that has been a tradition for years in your school without involving your community. They need to understand and be able to contribute to the solutions, ..." #COLchat
A5: Honor traditions, especially if you are a first year teacher or administrator. However, recognize that transformation happens and can be positive for students! #colchat
A5: Honor traditions, especially if you are a first year teacher or administrator. However, recognize that transformation happens and can be positive for students! #colchat
A5: While honoring tradition, keep in mind that the Hornbook, Memorize and Recall, Spelling Tests, A-F Grades, Textbooks, and Straight Rows were once considered tradition. #colchat
A5: While honoring tradition, keep in mind that the Hornbook, Memorize and Recall, Spelling Tests, A-F Grades, Textbooks, and Straight Rows were once considered tradition. #colchat
A5: While honoring tradition, keep in mind that the Hornbook, Memorize and Recall, Spelling Tests, A-F Grades, Textbooks, and Straight Rows were once considered tradition. #colchat
Perhaps we know some of the challenges ahead and work in preparing them for them. If not, letting stakeholders know we will weather the storm with them. #COLchat
A5. So important to know the history of a building and community if you are just starting there. Very easy to unintentionally offend or upset. #COLchat
A6: This is a weakness in K-12 education. We often make purchases, select programs, implement instructional strategies, assess students, and hold weekly meetings without evaluating if we are reaching the desired outcome. #colchat
A6: This is a weakness in K-12 education. We often make purchases, select programs, implement instructional strategies, assess students, and hold weekly meetings without evaluating if we are reaching the desired outcome. #colchat
A7. I want to prepare by thinking, how can I help to make next year better for everyone in our school community...... what can I do better next year than I did this year.... #COLchat
A7. Communicating with the stakeholders involved. A few negative comments doesn’t mean the mission has to be abandoned yet.... transitions may take time. #COLchat
Thanks for the #COLchat resurrection tonight @WaltKozlowski@FbellomoB
Summer break started today and this was a great reminder that the learning never stops!
Thanks to all who joined in for #COLchat tonight! We have one more planned for June 18th before we take July off.
Plan on #COLchat on the first and third Mondays of the month during the 2018-2019 school year!
Thanks for the #COLchat resurrection tonight @WaltKozlowski@FbellomoB
Summer break started today and this was a great reminder that the learning never stops!
