I'm Kristin van Brunt, English teacher at Viewmont High School, and @HSG_UT teacher fellow. So excited to be moderating with @DeborahGatrell1 tonight! My favorite Christmas tradition is going to Midnight Mass with my family. Christmas PJs are fun, too. #utedchat
Deborah here! Secondary Social Studies teacher, etc. I love my Christmas tree - so the lights automatically turn on every morning and evening and it stays up through January because it makes me happy. #utedchat
Hi there! My name is Dani. I’m a EdTech Trainer with @uenpd and on the @UCET board. I love getting takeout Chinese on Xmas eve and watching Love Actually. #utedchat
I once read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy over Christmas break. A good friend was horrified I'd never read the books so I had to catch up FAST. So yes, that totally counts! #utedchat
A1: Biggest success in the classroom... One student started out super disruptive this year - always late and making a scene out of it, not doing any work, etc... I needed help from his coach, but I won him over! We get along well now and he's learning =)! #utedchat
No where specifically... really enjoy the time with the family and admiring others hard work and efforts
Any favorite areas you've come across?
#utedchat
A1: With my EdPsych class @covili and I have been team teaching and running centers when possible, it has been very sucessful and fun (for the students and teachers)! #utedchat
A1- my biggest success this year (since I am not in the classroom this year) is all the incredible connections I have made with teachers across the state! I am learning so much from the talented educators in #Utah! #utedchat
A1 - I have started using Canvas to help facilitate stations in my English 10 classes. It has been a challenge, but really worth it. The students like it, and they are more focused when they're working. Really pleased so far! #utedchat@HSG_UT
A1 - Empowering my interns and watching their growth and development - exciting to see their positive affects on their students and the relationships they've formed - helping students gains skills, knowledge, and dispositions = success #utedchat
That is HUGE by itself. We're working through the process in @GraniteSchools and I'm excited and terrified all at once. I really like the changes though. #utedchat
A1: My kids love "favorite nope" for math - when I pick a math problem common to a lot of kids. I'm especially glad that my not math-strong-yet kids hope I pick their work so they can get extra insight. #utedchat
Hahahaha! You are already awesome. We'll come up with a hashtag that can be all your own, just like @downrightdave with #daveweek and #davesfriends and everything... In the meantime, we'll adopt you, kilt and all. #utedchat
In reply to
@MrPhelps_Math, @DebbieSciTech, @downrightdave
A2: Building a sense of classroom community... It helps that I'm 'real.' I make mistakes and own them, & expectations are consistent. I believe in 2nd chances and work with students, but hold them to the standard w/ reasonable accommodations. I'm happy to help them. #utedchat
A1 I've observed incredible progress by our 1st year elementary teachers! Confidence has increased, transitions are much smoother, students are more engaged. It's exciting! #utedchat
Sweet! I tried to keep History Fair alive this year since my partner in crime in the English Dept decided not to host it in her classroom anymore. I failed. Glad to see success in science at least! #utedchat
I think teachers long for a sense of professional community in which they can find encouragement, solutions, and a source of pride in what they do! That is my focus. #utedchat
A2 Taking time to talk to my students about their lives, not just science, by doing a "sweet and salty" share. We go around the room saying one thing that was "salty" and one thing that was "sweet" during the week. #utedchat
A2 - My students sit in tables instead of rows. This allows them to collaborate more easily. They are also helping to decorate the room for the holidays. They love that! #utedchat@HSG_UT
A2: For in-person classes getting teachers talking/interacting from the start helps them realize commonalities. Online classes are harder, but opinion discussions and picture sharing help to personalize the experience. #utedchat
Sweet and salty? That's clever! How many students? I'm curious how much time you devote to this? I guess it's part of the routine? #utedchat Love to SEL included in the class.
I have found that focussing on a social skill a day and reading a skill that supports that skill has worked. I refer to the skill during all lessons. #utedchat
A1 I've observed incredible progress by our 1st year elementary teachers! Confidence has increased, transitions are much smoother, students are more engaged. It's exciting! #utedchat
A2 - Seeing teachers taking an interest in their students passions, interests, and goals - modeling for their students the importance of "time" and relationships #utedchat
A2 When the whole class responds to an echo or quiet signal the teacher initiates, the class community is strengthened. Everyone feels like part of the team! #UTedchat
A2: My class has a "class member of the day". One kid gets to come to the front of the class and we give them a cheer. Kind of like the "everyone should get a standing ovation" idea in Wonder. #utedchat
A1 The biggest success this year, is staying afloat ... no really, the Ss responding to everything I throw at them @geniushour, #PBL, #flipclassroom, Things are working with this class #utedchat,
The power of taking risks - celebrating failures - reflecting - adjusting - trying again... love this clip... "Keep moving forward..." #utedchathttps://t.co/ib70elzfUA
A3: I really need to do a better job of differentiating for my students I'm intrigued by the Newsela site and need to figure it out now that I have an account! #utedchat For my students who are on such different levels!
A lot of you have ended up in my feeds so I see what you are up to. I love your fellowship and the support it gives Utah teachers. Brilliant! :0) #utedchat
Forming genuine and positive relationships is a game changer! #Utedchat
Relationships, Relationship, Relationships... great read!
https://t.co/pwfzsKL3HK
Forming genuine and positive relationships is a game changer! #Utedchat
Relationships, Relationship, Relationships... great read!
https://t.co/pwfzsKL3HK
I totally pulled out the "clap, clap, ...clap, clap, clap" routine with high schoolers that were getting a little unruly. It worked like a charm. I loved it and it brought my students all back in together. #utedchat
A3 - More one-on-one time with each student to go over writing would be fantastic. Having a conversation and giving each student personal feedback would really help improve student writing. #utedchat@HSG_UT
A2 The best way to build classroom community is to share experiences and be ready to go with what the students are ready to handle, somedays knowing who they are changes the lesson, all about relationships #utedchat
A3: I’ve been working on having my future teachers be reflective learners. What did I know, what misconceptions did I have, and what do I know now? How can these reflections change how I design future lessons for students? #utedchat
I've had a lot of fun with art--I'm subbing and take a briefcase full of different art projects (7 foot totem poles, etc.) SO fun to leave at the end of th day w/ some amazing art on the walls and happy kids who feel successful w/ a good group project #utedchat
Sometimes just taking a big breath to learn about my students in a deeper way. Often not even about academics. Gives them energy to know they are cared for. #utedchat
A3 - more student centered discussion. The person who talks the most in class does the most learning. I want them to talk more! It would completely change their engagement. Instead of vacant stares, passion flicking in their eyes! #UTedchat#ifonly
Q3 I'm not sure how to answer this; I think it's not so much a strategy as it is just knowing which "innovations" and curriculum jumps are most important and which to say no to. Important so that I'm not drowning in "stuff"
#utedchat
A3 b. I would love to have more one on one time with students to work on specific skills. I have a class of 27 2nd graders and meeting their needs is often overwhelming #utedchat
I love it when those days happen! Sometimes we hit it out of the park. Other days it seems like I bunt. But we soldier on and I'm always trying to do it better next time! #utedchat A great goal!
I once heard a quote that said something along the lines of... "If knowledge is power, then self-knowledge is a game changer..." Reflection is huge regardless of where you are on your educational career timeline #utedchat
A journal is a great way, but too time consuming for some. I’ve encouraged my students to tweet quick reflections (under 140 characters) or use instagram as a platform for reflection. We’ll see how it goes. 🤷🏻♀️ #UTedchat
I have 'I can' statements for all of our learning objectives in self-assessment format. We self-assess at the beginning of a unit, update as we progress through a unit, and then again at the end of a unit before we test. I can walk around and see where they are. #utedchat
A3 I scoff at the newest, latest and the greatest strategy, it's not about strategy it's about learning how to reach the students. But that said, I find tools and hooks that help me teach better. #utedchat
A4: Definitely the students! Nothing can beat the feeling when students 'get it' because of my work in the classroom. For now, it's still enough. There are hard days when everything else feels like it is crushing me though. I hope there will never be too many of those. #utedchat
It is hard to leave this profession. Still so much to do, so many students to influence, so many tchrs to encourage, so many lives to impact, and so much to still learn. #utedchat
A4 Just as supportive relationships are extremely important for our students success, so are they for teachers (all humans in fact). We tend to get isolated in our classrooms and need to build a structure of support and care! #utedchat
A3 Teachers need to find ways to model a more metacognitive approach to meaningful struggle...showing their students that even teachers must persist with tough concepts! #UTEdChat
We can be mad you're late or glad you're here. I choose GLAD YOU'RE HERE! Welcome =). And we'll hit up @lars3eb about the Reminder in the future. Totally spaced it. So sorry. #utedchat
A4 - Building relationships with teachers and students - especially those students that have the deck of cards stacked against them and seeing them progress and achieve! #utedchat
A4: I love learning. I doubt there’s any other career that I’d constantly be challenged to learn and share so much. Plus, teachers are awesome and I’m lucky to work with them. #utedchat
Q4 I stay because I feel like I can make a difference- sometimes I am the only advocate of the hardest ones and I can't leave them without someone to stand for them #utedchat
A4 - I love the kids. I love the people I work with. I love learning something new every day. The challenge of teaching keeps me excited. Also, becoming an advocate for education and for kids keeps me involved. #utedchat@HSG_UT
Brett, Special ed teacher, at school I always have the kids make a life-size snowman and we make ceiling-high trees out of green paper and put little birds on them. At home I read Dickens' Christmas Carol almost every year. #utedchat
A4 Most of us got into education because of passion to help others. Sure its nice to have great colleagues, but its always been about the kids #UTedchat
Feeling that way too, sometimes. I keep thinking about the bigger picture of schools and teachers reaching kids and opening doors. I hope to keep at it so I can make more of a difference over time. #utedchat
A4:
I used to go the altruistic pathway on why I am a teacher to help and stuff.
Ultimately I love it. I could help in other ways but I love teaching. Oddly I am a teacher for selfish reasons.
Weird
#utedchat
I definitely need supportive colleagues to help keep me grounded. And sane. But the joy of teaching is definitely from working with the kids =). #utedchat
A4: The kids. The fact that each day has similar structure, but is totally new and different, and I have control over it. And, of course - June, July, and August. #utedchat
You are not alone in this work. It is tough. Find that trusted colleague to talk with, vent to, and get energy to face the next day. It will get better. #utedchat
A4 - I love the kids. I love the people I work with. I love learning something new every day. The challenge of teaching keeps me excited. Also, becoming an advocate for education and for kids keeps me involved. #utedchat@HSG_UT
A5: What will I do to come back refreshed? If you know me, you know why that's funny. I'll finish my RunTheYear challenge, see friends & family, catch up on sleep, work & knock out on-line training so there's less to stress over in the new year. Maybe run a triathlon. #utedchat
No doubt supportive colleagues make a huge difference. I've always tried to be the teacher next door that you need on a rough day, cause I know at some point that day is coming my way and when it does come I'll need all the help I can get #UTedchat
I tool this year to be a sub just to charge my batteries, make some curriculum, breath... it is a pay cut but I didn't spend all evening doing paperwork for free...so maybe it is a wash! #utedchat
Hang in there, these students need good people like you to advocate for them. It is not an easy profession, but totally worth it as you are aware. #utedchat
A5 - Take time off! I plan to be totally caught up on grading before the break, so I can actually take the holidays off without stress. I plan to relax and enjoy my time with family and read a non-education-related book. :-) #utedchat@HSG_UT
A5: One thing I'm NOT going to do is go to school over the break! I'm going to make sure I'm prepped and ready for January and leave it all behind! #utedchat
Find a friend at school to vent to.... then do it at the end of the day so you leave it at school. Go home with all that vented. Then, buy that nice friend a bunch of chocolate and a starbucks card :0) #utedchat
burned out, when the 'art of teaching" is neglected because of a system or a particular program, it doesn't benefit the students ... I find when I am in my element I am with the Students and they are in a different realm as we learn together. It's electrifying #utedchat
Looking back on my 38 years in education, it was worth it! Just spending time participating in #utedchat renews the knowledge that our children are lucky to have each of you! Rest, recoup, and take care of yourselves.
The birds make it more like a nice outdoor scene, they aren't Christmas but it is a tree... so it kind of blends nature and the Holidays...but the snowmen are non-denominational. That's why I love snowmen! (and women..also snow dogs and cats) #utedchat
Sometimes we have to do some triage and decide which programs are worth the time and which aren't. It's hard when we want to do everything (guilty as charged) and can't. I'm also a believer in mental health days when needed. Do you have someone you can lean on? #utedchat
A5: One thing I'm NOT going to do is go to school over the break! I'm going to make sure I'm prepped and ready for January and leave it all behind! #utedchat
A5 I'm going to read a book,go for a run, I'm going to go play in the snow, I'm going to spend time with family, I'm going to have a game day, I'm going to go watch one of the great movies coming out, ... in other words school will be there on Jan 2. Until then I'm me #utedchat
Good plan!!! Definitely take the time to recharge the batteries. December is hard with the short days, long nights and crummy weather. If you're in one of the valleys, the inversions will suck the life out of you too! Careful on the run! #utedchat
A6: Advice to a fellow teacher: Have everything for the first couple of days after the break ready BEFORE you go on break. Then,
TAKE A REAL BREAK. Relax, read a book, enjoy the holidays and don't work on school stuff. You'll come back ready to tackle the new year. #utedchat
I do! Awesome supportive family and some of the best colleagues out there. Neighbor teachers are the best when they honestly try their best to help. Grateful for them the past couple days! #utedchat
A6: Tolstoy's 3 questions
Who is the most important person, most important task, most important time?
Who your with, What your doing, right now.
#utedchat
A6 - Try something new. I find that if I do the same thing over and over, year after year, I get bored, and so do the students. When I try something I haven't done before, I feel refreshed and energized. #utedchat@HSG_UT
A6: At the beginning of the year, write yourself a letter about all the reasons you love teaching and why you are excited about the new year. Save it. Then open it right before you return from winter break. #utedchat
A6 Hang in there, YOU are making a difference, everyone of you are touching the lives of countless students, it's all those little things you do for the students. They notice! That is what is important! #utedchat
A6 for me burn out only happens if I'm not creative and let things get stale. Start the new year with new ideas. Try that new shiny thing you haven't dared to or had time yet. Do something different. #UTEdChat
A6 Don’t feel guilty to break from the routine. Take advantage of the magic of the season by doing a few things that incorporate that energy. #UTEdChat
A6: December is hard. Especially with this crappy, polluted air. I’d advise teachers to make sure they’re taking care of themselves and not forgetting to enjoy students. Do fun things with them, laugh, it’s ok to take a break to be silly. #utedchat
I'm so glad! You got this. Things will get better. Winter might officially start next week, but the days will start getting longer and it's amazing what a difference that can make. #utedchat
A6 One of the most liberating things I discovered when I felt overwhelmed by end of semester/quarter piles of work that needed grading was to take the less important papers and (shhhhh...it's a secret) deposit them in the nearest trash bin. Students never inquired... #utedchat
A6. Be ready for January. Kids come back ready to learn and it is important to meet their needs. Have the first week planned and ready to go prior to break. #utedchat
A6 - Some ideas:
Find joy wherever you can.
Invest in a personal hobby.
Focus on one thing to try/innovate/change instead of getting overwhelmed by big picture.
Look for problem-solvers.
Leave work at school.
#UTedchat
#utedchat I'm here for the tail end! A6: give yourself a break on your lessons sometimes. Sometimes, it will really be best to show a movie or do a simple lesson plan that doesn't take a lot of prep.
A6: December is hard. Especially with this crappy, polluted air. I’d advise teachers to make sure they’re taking care of themselves and not forgetting to enjoy students. Do fun things with them, laugh, it’s ok to take a break to be silly. #utedchat
Having the first week planned and all ready was always my first Christmas gift to myself! I was always so happy with me when I came back to work in January! Thanks, me! 😂 #utedchat
As an English teacher I loved to have students write about holiday traditions in their families. Let them share what makes the season special to them. #utedchat
Experiments are never stale. Doing something you've never done will keep you on your toes. It may not go as planned, but you won't be burned out #UTEdChat
Thank you so much for joining us for #utedchat tonight! I've really enjoyed hearing from so many of you. Follow someone new from today's chat, and build your PLN. I look forward to talking with you all again!
Not only do they come back ready to learn they were able to rejuvenate themselves, and at the elementary level a maturity level is reached that means they grow up during the time off (tongue in cheek some grow up over the break) #utedchat
