#MASSPchat Archive
Chats will be moderated by MASSP staff, members of the MASSP Board of Directors and MASSP Members – we will also have special guest moderators on occasion.
Monday April 11, 2016
Good Evening to and all the other great people signed on to chat!
Welcome everyone to tonight! Very excited about tonight! Co-moderating tonight, Ben Mainka from MASSP!
will be co-moderating tonight! We are very fortunate to welcome him to the MASSP team!
Hello everyone! Paul Hungerford checking in from sunny Fulton MS/HS. Please say spring has sprung!!
comes to us as our newest Associate Director with tons of experience in education… what an addition!
Welcome ! It is always great to have you with us President Jackson!!
Good evening! Steve Carlson, Principal of Sandusky Jr/Sr High School
Thrilled to be part of the this evening & a new member of the team. Welcome to the learning!
Paul, one our most loyal chatters! Great to have you with us as always… looking forward to your insight!
Scott Pfeiffer, MS/HS Principal at Countryside Academy in Benton Harbor. First day back from Break was great!
As a reminder to everyone, we operate in a Q1/A1 format for questions and answers… please introduce yourselves to the chat!
Good evening! Rachelle from St. Clair (not the shores). Sec Instruction Sup for
Jake from Mich. Aspiring Admin. Looking forward to
Great to have you with us Mr. Simmons! Go PW!
Hello ! Excited to learn and grow through our discussion.
Steve, how are things up in Sandusky! You get rid of your snow yet!?
Questions for can be found https://t.co/ZmozVOyauz –_supporting_and_improving_communication Question #1 in a moment.
Karla Akins, Hudsonville Public Director of Curriculum and Instruction, excited to join with and
Welcome to the chat tonight! Love having the MS/HS perspective!
It melted as quickly as it came, fortunately!
Andy from Cedar Springs, in and out tonight.
English teacher at Inland Lakes Schools, Indian River, MI. We have a Secondary English teacher position open! Apply today!
Welcome Rachelle! Just saw you today! Long time no see! Glad you are with us…
Question #1 is ready…get those finger ready to tweet
Q1:In What ways do you encourage teacher collaboration & reflective inquiry?
A1: During district 1/2 day PD build in planning/collaboration time for application of learning
Very glad to have you with us Jake! Love aspiring admins!
A1: We have our traditional mo. meetings w/ depts., etc. We also utilize Google docs and have voluntary coll. meetings.
another great and loyal MASSP chatter! … Thank you!
A1 - build structures into the schedule. By showing staff you will allocate time, you send he message about its importance
A1: 5D Inq. cycle demands reflection. Use PLCs for collaboration, & our SIP Team developed S growth model https://t.co/UKDRCGzSV8
Q1:In What ways do you encourage teacher collaboration & reflective inquiry?
Karla, great to have you with the CO perspective! How is it going in Hudsonville!?
A1. Ts collaboration should be part of culture. PLNs should be able to meet weekly/bi. Admins can sit in to encourage reflection
A1: In the MS, we have a common planning time. We utilize this time to collaborate mult. times throughout the yr.
Lots of stuff going on … we are lucky to have you with us tonight!
A1 Collaboration by invitation does not work in schools. Need structures, systems & protocols to encourage & ensure collaboration
A1: Reflection occur in our 5D Pivot portal. It's nice to think about observations of my teaching.
A1: Weekly meetings, depts. meet to discuss assessment results and vertical alignment issues
BAM! Great point… Need to go to people to make it happen, expecting that it will with no follow-through=disaster
A1: We have a monthly building mtg dedicated to departments
collaboration must be a part of the culture. great thought! https://t.co/QmmRyQ4XAT
A1: Weekly meetings, depts. meet to discuss assessment results and vertical alignment issues
A1 I try and give my staff "projects/assignments" that require collaboration. I use Google Docs for easy collaboration.
A1: I really value collaborating with my department. It needs the support and time.
Amen! Time is like GOLD in schools!
Goggle docs is a flexible tool to ensure collaboration is available for all stakeholders.
A1: our S.I.T. mtgs. and process is based on shared leadership and transparent collaboration
Q2 is on-deck and ready to go…
GAFE make collaboration easier across the board
A1 - common planning time for teacher teams, PLC's, staff meetings where staff can use coaching skills, my modeling for staff
A1: 5D builds in reflection at the end is inquiry cycle, mid-year & end of year. T Reflection is a critical aspect to growth.
Q2:How are you supporting two-way communication that is responsive to parent & guardian insights?
A2: I have a daily P email listserv for communication. Also, we have a Parent Voice Team that meets quarterly.
Tracy Wilson, Grand Haven HS Principal
A1: We work hard to build in collaborative time at staff mtgs & PD https://t.co/G59vEoWdoe
Q1:In What ways do you encourage teacher collaboration & reflective inquiry?
A2. TwoWay communication that supports flex schedules for Ps/guardians. Google Hangouts, FaceTime, etc. allow for brief TwoWay
A1: I email parents/guardians who requested my lesson plan slides every single morning. I also give updates, for ex: PSAT info.
A2: P's have all of my contact information...I make myself avail. P's are encouraged to email T's; that seems to be most eff.
A2: I email parents/guardians who requested my lesson plan slides every single morning. I also give updates, for ex: PSAT info.
A2: f2f mtgs, perception surveys, call backs within a day, communication via Facebook, Twitter, email, website
A2: PT conferences are good, but surveys are great ways to get feedback and then follow up with parents who leave contact info…
A2. Does anyone FLIP or Blend for access outside school? Great support from Ps.
A2 (cont): They will be amazed when you actually follow up!
A2 - I am always available to parents, via cell, email, etc. Social media allows for quick and informative 2 way
A2: Area we could improve. Lots of email communication & feel we are open & responsive but no real system https://t.co/zMgbw1S1ob
Q2:How are you supporting two-way communication that is responsive to parent & guardian insights?
Used to be afraid of giving out cell phone, but it adds greatly to communication if boundaries are established…
A2 - surveys, with parent-friendly language and terminology that fits what your school is focused on, are very valuable
A2: Facebook has been far more effective than I would have thought. Quick replies show that you value hearing from parents
Q:3 What are the ways you and teachers are communicating student progress?
A2: Weekly EBlast along w/ willingness to chat ... want a partnership always!
https://t.co/KBtrpwefy7
Q2:How are you supporting two-way communication that is responsive to parent & guardian insights?
BAM! Leverage social media and use the tools they use! Parents=Facebook, Students=Twitter/Instagram/etc…
A3: Our MS S's see their progress daily. P's receive hard copy reports wkly. HS S's progress gets shared via e-mail.
By the way, Welcome to you Tracy! Great for you to join us on SAT Eve! You are Superwoman!
Great point! The positive message it sends is powerful!
A3: on SeeSaw (pilot), T to P email, PowerSchool, P/T confs., Facebook, etc.
Keep the great responses coming… Great group tonight! Q4 will be delivered shortly…
A3 - Data wall inside the front door. Can show academic as well as other focus areas of student progress within the school
Q:4 How are you supporting opportunities for staff to take on leadership roles?
A3. After MACUL my wife (Ts 3rd) uses SeeSaw in class, awesome Ss and Ps response and communication. https://t.co/tvJFHKpMMP
A3: on SeeSaw (pilot), T to P email, PowerSchool, P/T confs., Facebook, etc.
A2: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram for immediate updates!!
A3: Via Skyward, personal emails, aggregate standardized test scores reported to public, etc https://t.co/8CIj6KbmTI
Q:3 What are the ways you and teachers are communicating student progress?
A3: We tout/hammer Ps and Ss checking Ss' grades online. Prog. reports every three weeks.
A3: Parent/StudentVue portals. Students get feedback from teachers.
A4: My principal is awesome about supporting me in my leadership capacity. I've lots on my plate & she's always there w/ advice!
A4: Open invite to apply for SIP team, and PLCs need chairs. This created 7-8 new leaders on staff! https://t.co/U5KMnLFY8Z
Q:4 How are you supporting opportunities for staff to take on leadership roles?
A4 - I start each year w a "shared ownership" chart that shows roles in building color coded by T. Visual helps me plan forward
Q4 was all about the “how” of growing leadership!
BAM! I have seen that first-hand… you have a ton of awesome projects you are a part of!
A4: Dept Chairs, SIT committee chairs, Classroom Learning Lab chairs & facilitators. Anything they want!
https://t.co/BG8PSyxaaU
Q:4 How are you supporting opportunities for staff to take on leadership roles?
A4: Staff has an open invite to participate in any of our initiatives. Roles on teams are filled at beg. of school yr.
A3 The "real time" features of S management systems have been a blessing/curse. P get live progress but expect constant updates.
We have open SIP meetings and any staff member can attend and contribute to the teamwork
Classroom Learning Labs are golden! A practice that truly supports collaborative learning.
A4: Staff understands they can contact me at any time or attend any meeting we have to voice opinions, etc.
A4 The professional expectations of the new evaluation requirements has inspired teachers to take on leadership roles.
A4 - From there, grade level reps, curric committees, PLC leaders, positive behavior team, family night committee,plenty for all!
A4: Encourage the "changing of the guard", but still have veterans provide input and guidance
A4: HOW ... Asking face-to-face, showing faith in ability, allowing risk taking.
A4: safe, transparent, empowering culture where T's feel encouraged to innovate, improve, share, & drive vision
Q5: How are you supporting teachers to challenge (internal) adult attitudes and practices?
A5: I think a great starting point for us occurred last yr w/ an open dialogue about Growth Mindset https://t.co/1AcNHXpmwP
Q5: How are you supporting teachers to challenge (internal) adult attitudes and practices?
A5: asking them (and me) to change their best every day
A5: We have established a set of ground rules while collaborating. Being respectful is most important. Been successful.
A5. Setting the expectation for improvement. Ts establish areas of wkness or most improvement and recieve support from Admins
A5 - Topic of our staff meeting tmrw! We are going to be using SBI (Situation Behavior Impact) for professional disagreements
A5: The same rules set for staff applies for me. I ask the entire staff to hold me accountable as well.
A5: I prefer to deal with this myself. If someone brings a concern, I address it privately. Open to ideas
A5 It's difficult for teachers to challenge their peers . I've found transparency in accountability sort of forces the matter.
A5: various data, ownership, protocols, norms, and modeling seem to be trends. Knowing intentions and learners.
Time is flying by…
Q6: What are the pieces of research that you might share with others in relation to communication?
A5: Modeling expectations, communicate professional expectations, glass 'half-full' no matter what!
https://t.co/S34JiKz4CO
Q5: How are you supporting teachers to challenge (internal) adult attitudes and practices?
A5 try to allow them to express their concerns, but better yet, their resolutions
A5: helped our staff during eval training about pushing ourselves to be the best we can be, not to be stagnant
A6: Not researched based but my practice ... direct, honest, be willing to have tough conversations
https://t.co/eYX3nMmYDd
Time is flying by…
Q6: What are the pieces of research that you might share with others in relation to communication?
A6: I really like the book by , "The No Complaining Rule." I look to implement these rules for problem res.
A6 not sure if research, but "Crucial Conversations" has been a great resource for me
"The No Complaining Rule" really provides good insight on how to encourage resolution(s) to issues. Great read.
A6 I conducted a parent "communication" survey. I shared the results with staff.
Thanks for the collaborative thinking . Looking forward to our next chat on 4/18 :00.⁰Keep listening, communicating, & learning.
Thank you everyone...very fast hour, like always. Help me build my PLN...follow and I will follow back!
Thanks Steve & Ben it was another great PD!!
Enjoyed the tag-team approach! Thank you Steve and Ben!
A great hour! Thanks to all!
