#wischat Archive
#wischat is a great way for Wisconsin educators to share teaching strategies, educational resources, and more.
Sunday March 27, 2016
8:00 PM EDT
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Welcome to the latest edition of . Tonight's topic is March Madness, how best to deal with stress, workload, burnout, etc.
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We will be following a Q1, Q2 ... A1, A2 format. Remember to include in all of your tweets.
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Please begin by introducing yourself and share your pick to win the NCAA tourney.
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John Gunnell, Principal of Jack Young Middle School in Baraboo. My bracket has been busted. Now rooting for Virginia.
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Q1: This tends to be a tough stretch in a school year. What are your biggest sources of stress at the moment?
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Hi Marcia k-5 teacher librarian (sorry, no NCAA prediction/comment)
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- Thanks for joining us on tonight.
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A1: Right now, it's finding the time to balance scheduling, staffing, budget, evaluations etc with family and personal needs.
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Brian, C&I from Menomonie, checking on for
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Seems like everyone & everything is happening now. Scheduling, hiring, evaluations, 16-17 preparations all happening at same time
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- Thanks for joining us on
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Sorry for no intro
Bill, middle school principal in Missouri
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A1 Putting the 2016-17 puzzle together with lots of hiring to do, and crunched for space.
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- Thanks for joining us tonight on
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Plus state testing in a couple of weeks.
Very easy to lose focus.
Have to take time to make sure & stay balanced
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A1 big question for starters! Purchasing, author visit, feeling of school yr racing by
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A1 - I did call them reluctant learners but I'm going to add a new column. I call them hostile learners. Nothing has worked yet.
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Great topic tonight
Hey
Come join the conversation.
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Wish I could join you all for . Just at a quick pit stop in a two hour drive. Hope you all had a great Easter!
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It does seem as if we are always getting ready for the next thing. easy to lose focus on what matters most.
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glad to be here John. Hope you are well
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If you are having trouble spending, I can help.
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Jim, MS counselor from Texas.
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- What do you mean by hostile learners?
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Q2: How do you relax and get away from the day to day stresses of being a dedicated educator?
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A2: Reading, listening to music, travel, friends, being dad, learning new stuff, writing.
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Reading Twitter, connecting on Voxer, running to relieve stress, hanging with son & wife, & disconnecting as often as possible
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A2: Looking forward to baseball season. I just love sitting and watching a well played game. I can get lost in the game for awhile.
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A2 Leaving work at work. Eating plant based, reading, exercise, writing and quiet....
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Q3: How can administrators best assist their staff in terms of balancing the increased demands that are placed upon them?
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A2 - I don't ever turn off my brain on school issues. Put them on back burner. I enjoy running and spending time with family.
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A3: It's tough. There's no doubt the job has become more demanding. I still believe though, it's one of the better gigs in town.
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A3 We have to filter all of the demands from the board office. What is relevant to the learning of the Ss in our school vs not
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A3: I try to find ways to take things off of their plate when I can or provide staff with extra time to get stuff done.
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A lot of jobs have become more demanding in the 21st century. It's life.
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A3: We try very hard to provide our teachers with the tools and resources they need to be successful and feel valued.
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Watch out Gunner, is lurking - I wouldn't be surprised to see show up.
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A3 freeing up grade teams to plan upcoming units of instruction or WIN instruction by taking the grade of students outside
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Q4: How is this stretch of the school year different for veteran staff members vs. newer teachers?
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A3 I try to spend more time in hall in morning talking 2 Ss before schl starts. Take adv of relationship-bldg hppning all yr
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A1: As an assessment coordinator, balancing testing setup with instructional time.
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One would assume bets handle it better. However it really comes down to personality & work ethic/style. Some handle it better
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A2: Spending time with my wife and kids. https://t.co/gmUqEoY4A6
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Q2: How do you relax and get away from the day to day stresses of being a dedicated educator?
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A4 just guess retrospect fr veteran: newbies start to relax, veterans try to cram more in. ??
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Tests, what tests? Encouraging productive prep verses cramming every last instructional moment for the test.
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A4: I think with newer staff members it's about building their confidence, with veteran staff it's about maintaining their stamina.
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A3: By making sure staff know family comes first. Let them know it's ok to not do everything. https://t.co/twx5HL9H4o
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Q3: How can administrators best assist their staff in terms of balancing the increased demands that are placed upon them?
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A4: Both veteran and newer staff members need support from admins, but their individual needs really vary.
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A4 - There is something to be said for being through the battles. Experience is a great teacher. Transfer traits to our newbies.
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Great way to stay connected and recharge daily.
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Q5: This is also a difficult stretch of the school year for students. How do we keep students engaged at this critical juncture?
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A4: Veteran staff see it as the "home stretch" Important to keep focus on what is yet to come. https://t.co/X0ZZcYZbdj
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Q4: How is this stretch of the school year different for veteran staff members vs. newer teachers?
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A5: Sound teaching. Effective instruction cures a lot of ills.
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Keeping students engaged with relevant learning. Keep adults focused on finishing strong through the final bell on the final day
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agreed! If experiences are authentic, tests take care of themselves.
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A5: Keep things fresh. Keep things fun. Have a sense of humor. Maintain a positive attitude. Keep challenging students.
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A5: By keeping learning experiences relevant. Focus on skills to solve problems vs sit and get. https://t.co/gdTTyX3KBR
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Q5: This is also a difficult stretch of the school year for students. How do we keep students engaged at this critical juncture?
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A5: in band land this was always a dash for students till graduation - never say graduation to seniors till after the concert
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A5 briefly revisit an old fav topic/activity fr earlier in yr laugh together more. Pt 1 Sneak in stuff like eagle cam bc u can...
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Agreed. So important to model/support for new staff in this area.
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Well stated John. Keep the goon learning and doing vs getting by.
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A5: also pray for a late spring. Once it turns nice no one wants to stay in the classroom. Get outside if you can...
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Q6: In what way does "school" add to the stress level of kids and families?
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A6 I believe for most, schl structure/routine is stabilizing force in life but I worry that costs associated w school add stress
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A6: School can contribute to putting kids and families on the treadmill of life at times. Increases stress for kids and families.
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A6: If experiences aren't relevant, it becomes just one more thing that "needs to get done." Keep learning authentic to add value.
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Depends on how school handle state testing. I've been places where to much emphasis is placed on these tests. Stress through roof!
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A6: Testing can be stressful for kids. Fees and expenses can result in family stress.
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Agree. This is time for authentic and challenging "tasks" https://t.co/DDH0gkpvYn
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A6: If experiences aren't relevant, it becomes just one more thing that "needs to get done." Keep learning authentic to add value.
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Q7: Any parting words of wisdom for teachers and administrators to help reduce their stress level?
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A7: Pay attention. Be there to meet the needs of your students and staff.
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Keep it simple, be empathetic, & keep it engaging & relevant. FOCUS ON STUDENTS 1st & foremost & all will be just fine
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A7 gratitude, love, music, laughter in at least small doses whenever possible if not all, pick one. Everyday.
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A7: put kids before content & all things will align. Teach life, character, truth. Focus on successful Ts, imitate them
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A7: Be true. Be kind. Be in the moment. Put kids first.
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you cannot simply dismiss state testing; it's not a test--it's THE test. Shouldn't b a label, but that's the game
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Great
Great reminders to help refocus for the spring run to the end of year
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A7: Keep the focus on students, our interactions with them & our colleagues. https://t.co/xC4vG0P6dN
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Q7: Any parting words of wisdom for teachers and administrators to help reduce their stress level?
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Thanks to all who participated in tonight. Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Take care of kids.
