#whatisschool is an award winning edchat space where people can express an unbiased response to questions about schooling, where educators have a voice in shaping the future through their experience, recommendations and interests. Join us Thursdays 7pm ET / 11pm GMT / Friday 7am SGT/WA (Perth) / Friday 9am AEDT / Friday 11am NZT.
Hi everyone! My name is Gabby Parcher, and I am currently a student at Kent State university. I am majoring in Early Childhood Education and minoring in special education. #barbers class @barbersclass#whatisschool
In reply to
@deem_ellen, @ShiftParadigm, @barbersclass
My name is Jermell Powell, I tutor math and English in MD and the DMV area, sometimes in schools sometimes online. In 2019 I will do SAT/ACT test prep as well. #whatisschool
Q1. Every teacher faces the challenge of simultaneously meeting the needs of every student with every lesson, every day, all year. What do you do to meet this challenge? #WhatIsSchool
Q1 Every teacher faces the challenge of simultaneously meeting the needs of every student with every lesson, every day, all year. What do you do to meet this challenge? #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
Q1. Every teacher faces the challenge of simultaneously meeting the needs of every student with every lesson, every day, all year. What do you do to meet this challenge? #WhatIsSchool
Hope you feel better soon. Our Ss have been getting sick like crazy. Halloween is always the first time when a lot of us end up with something. I swear by Airborne. #whatisschool
A1 We work on a weekly schedule so students who need more time on projects can succeed. Early finishers can go deeper or have more time for inquiry. RAZ Kids enables me to reach each student at the right reading level every day. #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
A1: Understand it’s not going to happen. There will be good days. Bad days. Great lessons and mediocre lessons. Probably even terrible ones. And I’m okay with that! #whatisschool
A1: One way to meet the needs of every learner in your class is by building relationships and knowing them deeply as a human and as a learner. Identifying strengths and needs. Plan for it, envision it, talk it out with the student. Feedback. #whatisschool
A1: Work closely with all the teachers including the special ed teachers and SLP's. Get to know the students right away so you know how they learn and what they need! #whatisschool
A1(2/2) But letting Ss know that that is our philosophy and we work towards that everyday and build a strong foundation for them to bself-advocates to ask for what they need is what we do everyday. Differentiation and proving opportunities for collab & their voice. #whatisschool
A1- I don't know if I have ever met that challenge but I certainly get closer when I take the time to really observe my Ss and then reflect at the end of the day. If I'm not reaching one, it's on me, and I'll keep trying. #whatisschool
Q1. Every teacher faces the challenge of simultaneously meeting the needs of every student with every lesson, every day, all year. What do you do to meet this challenge? #WhatIsSchool
A1 I make sure I am present, time for each S every day, talk with them and create diff opps that provide choices for all Ss, do my best and ask for feedback, use stations, check in with other Ts, #whatisschool
A1) Getting to know your learners on a personal level, building and nurturing those relationships are key, differentiate, differentiate, differentiate! Transforming lessons into personalized learning experiences... so important! #whatisschool
Q2. As a teacher, you must wear many hats. How do you know when to wear which hat? For instance, when to teach or counsel, discipline or encourage, or be serious or silly? #WhatIsSchool
Q2 As a teacher, you must wear many hats. How do you know when to wear which hat? For instance, when to teach or counsel, discipline or encourage, or be serious or silly? #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
A1: I'm not sure I ever fully met that challenge. But, for me, it's all about the students' needs first - which may not necessarily be met with a "lesson." It's the needs of the heart that matter most. If I'm successful with that, the academics will follow. #whatisschool
A1: establishing rapport with each student is a priority, then clearly understanding learning outcomes enables you to differentiate appropriately #WhatIsSchool
A1: One thing that I would personally do in this situation would be setting up a lesson that is tailored to all different learning types. For example: you could have a mini lesson and then centers set up for a more hands on way to learn! @barbersclass#barbersclass#whatisschool
Q2. As a teacher, you must wear many hats. How do you know when to wear which hat? For instance, when to teach or counsel, discipline or encourage, or be serious or silly? #WhatIsSchool
A2 On Friday, inspiration told me when to be silly. I had math to teach, and my firsties were starting to tune me out. I started talking in an accent & calling myself Miss Daisy, & they started paying attention again. Today they met Miss Phillie. @ShiftParadigm#whatisschool
Gidday, greetings or salutations #whatisschool Heulwen from #Melbourne, #Australia. Currently working as Teacher of Deaf but focussing on my love, #Math. Lucky ss like it too
it's about #equity - right now doing learning centers with some Ts where we work with a small group of Ss to close the gap - we don't group by ability all the time but by interest/passions and skills. #whatisschool 1/1
A2: I wear all hats all at once. I see my students one on one or small groups and have to be serious and silly along with counsel and discipline all in those minutes. Anything to keep kids engaged and learning. #whatisschool
Q2. As a teacher, you must wear many hats. How do you know when to wear which hat? For instance, when to teach or counsel, discipline or encourage, or be serious or silly? #WhatIsSchool
I will be honest ... I am not going to meet the needs of every single student on every single lesson.... if you think you do, you might be lying to yourself. What we will do is do the best we can and the kids will appreciate our effort. #whatisschool
Q2 As a teacher, you must wear many hats. How do you know when to wear which hat? For instance, when to teach or counsel, discipline or encourage, or be serious or silly? #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
A2: Deep relationships will allow for decisional capital. Also, allowing an environment of safety will provide you and your students with an opportunity to try and fail. But also to pick yourself up again. Be open to apology and discourse. #whatisschool
also ensuring we are using culturally responsive texts and math questions linked to #socialjustice that has meaning and makes sense to them. At first hard to get off ground but eventually it runs itself. #whatisschool 2/2
A2: I am a daycare teacher and I find that there is a time and place for each hat... I mostly wear the silly/goofy hat because I am with the younger kids but there are times when you have to be stern so a behavior can be addressed. @barbersclass#barbersclass#whatisschool
I have to try know each of my Ss, their strengths AND their challenges, and they need to know and trust that I care about them. Some days are hard (today)! Every opportunity and every challenge has to be a fresh start. #WhatIsSchool
A2 I try to really be tuned in to the Ss, keeping eyes open for signs that they need help, are frustrated, or need to just work on their own, also take cues from them and have some fun, break up the activities when I think they need a brain break #whatisschool
Q2. As a teacher, you must wear many hats. How do you know when to wear which hat? For instance, when to teach or counsel, discipline or encourage, or be serious or silly? #WhatIsSchool
A2: This is hard. Being a parent has helped & practicing meditation& mindfulness also has helped me. Being present allows me to be fully/more engaged so I am able to be my best self, and when I;m not, own my mistakes and humanness helps the Ss practice patience. #WhatIsSchool
#whatisschool a1 Trying to simultaneously meet all chalkenges is like sprinting, when this is a marathon. Using peer support moves things along, plus mini 1 minute video to unpack language. Ss will watch 5 to 12 times, then clarify/ reflect.
#languagelearning
A2: if you to build those relationships and know what Ss body language, facial expressions, words are telling you. That will tell you how you should respond - be proactive not reactive. Lessons can wait b/c they won't learn if they are upset. 1/1 #whatisschool
A2: You have to be able to "read the room." Having the ability to be aware of/sense the atmosphere makes a big difference. This happens when we are not focused on ourselves but when we are attentive to others. It also involves being empathetic and compassionate. #whatisschool
A3: I'd say the counselor hat is the hardest to wear as it is hard to hear some of the sad things. Easiest hat would be the fun, relationship hat as that is my strength. #whatisschool
A3: hardest to "discipline" b/c sometimes you don't have the entire story (form home), easy to teach and encourage - teach through their lens, the power of their passions and Qs will take you far! #whatisschool
A3: For me I think the discipline/stern hat is very hard for me to wear because I am around toddlers at times. They are just learning new things and growing so it’s very hard for me to try and be stern with them, I hate to see them sad! @barbersclass#barbersclass#whatisschool
A3: Interesting question 🤔🤔
Easiest: When a student is excited about writing and wants me to read something they wrote.
Most difficult: When we’re going over grammar and think they have it right... but it’s not, so I have to tell them. #WhatIsSchool
Counseling can be tricky. I don't have mental/emotional heath background. I find that sometimes I enable students because I give them an out due to adversities that are out of the school's control. I always do the best I can with the info I have #whatisschool
A3 I don’t think we ever take off any of these hats. As I travel S to S that hat changes instantaneously. There is seldom time to “choose” a hat. A student shows us what they need and THAT is sho we become. #WhatIsSchool
A3 Counselor is hard. I always pray that I am calm and helpful. I need to stay tuned to their stories. #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm Cheerleader is easiest. I love when they are surprised by their growth. Priceless:)
A3 I am a good listener and find it easy to support Ss when they need to talk, and I don't like sometimes having to discipline, just never liked that part of it #whatisschool
A2 I use introductory questions and lessons to gauge the student's understanding. If they need guidance I do that, mere nudges I do that. I discipline when it's lack of effort or behavior. I'm silly in a good session and serious if focus is waning. #whatisschool
Q2 As a teacher, you must wear many hats. How do you know when to wear which hat? For instance, when to teach or counsel, discipline or encourage, or be serious or silly? #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
My Ss saw that first hand today. That's why we worked together. Ss who had a grasp helped other Ss who needed more time. I can rotate my help that way. #whatisschool Ss who are helping love to assist their classmates.
A3: I think this depends on how I am feeling. At times, any of these hats could be easy/hard depending on my emotional health, time of the year, workload, etc. #whatisschool
A3 The fun guy is easiest because tutoring is fun for me, and I want our sessions to be pleasant.
The disciplinarian is the most difficult because I hate going there. And then I have to navigate how far is too far. #WhatIsSchool
Well said Ellen! I agree with you that being a child’s cheerleader is the easiest! It is so rewarding seeing a child growing and progressing and see them excited about their accomplishments 😊 @barbersclass#barbersclass#whatisschool
In reply to
@deem_ellen, @ShiftParadigm, @barbersclass
A3: Easiest: the enthusiastic teacher - because I love engaging minds. Hardest: disciplinarian - because I know these kids are going through so much in their lives & sometimes the last thing they need is another reminder about rules and inappropriate behavior. #whatisschool
A3: Hard, no, but not fun is that of disciplinarian. I don't enjoy doing it but know it's part of the job. I also don't like the hat of "grader" because there's so much more to them than a #, but I love to wear the hat offeedback giver. #WhatIsSchool
Q4. There is never enough time for everything and everybody. What’s your secret for completing administrative tasks on time without ignoring the needs of your students? #whatisschool
A2: You don't, at least not for sure. 😊 We take it all on a case-by-case, sometimes minute-by- minute, basis & try to do right by every single student, every single day. Teaching is a career of the art (content) & heart. High expectations w/a splash of humanity! #whatisschool
A3) no one likes being the disciplinarian it seems, but sometimes having that follow through can make the other hats fit that much better I felt #whatisschool
Your genuine responses are why I appreciate and pay attention to your tweets. Thanks for being here, Dennis. Your outlook encourages others to grow and not be afraid to ask for help. #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
#whatisschool a3 The hardest challenge hat is grading language so it meets language needs. You can't just throw a sign at students and expect they'll get it in context. Unpacking takes eye to eye dialogue work. And you can't leave others hanging either!
Q4. There is never enough time for everything and everybody. What’s your secret for completing administrative tasks on time without ignoring the needs of your students? #whatisschool
Q4 A teacher never has enough time for everything and everybody. What’s your secret for completing administrative tasks on time without ignoring the needs of your students? #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
A4: during lunch; I eat with my Ss and do these tasks while listening to their conversations so I have a pulse on what is happening in their world. #whatisschool
A4: From my elementary lens @Seesaw has been a game changer. Students can send thoughts and learning to you via their student app both academically and informally. You can review their comments later and still be in the present #WhatIsSchool
A4: If it was a choice between student need and admin task. Choose the student! I tend to take a lot of stuff home. I’m getting better, but I’m not great… #whatisschool
A3: The hat that is fun to put on but I sometimes have to remind myself about is the celebration hat. Taking time for all that is good and right and publicizing it is important. #WhatIsSchool
A4 I keep a notebook for grades and put them onto the computer at home. Having my students use RAZ Kids saves me time, too. I can check their progress more quickly because the website grades their quizzes. #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
A4: also before school and after school - learning time is to sit w/ my Ss and support their learning not sitting at my desk doing these tasks or other "stuff". #whatisschool
Q4) I'm better in the morning and I'm at a late start school (9:30-4:00), so I like to get tasks done in the morning before school starts. #whatisschool
Q4. There is never enough time for everything and everybody. What’s your secret for completing administrative tasks on time without ignoring the needs of your students? #whatisschool
Q4. There is never enough time for everything and everybody. What’s your secret for completing administrative tasks on time without ignoring the needs of your students? #whatisschool
A4 #whatisschool be critical about the administrative tasks required, be aware of deadlines, don't do what isn't needed. Prioritise learning. Ask Why? and What it will be used for?
A4: Being efficient during free periods. Priortizing what matters, spending time on planning good lessons, Student conferences = feedback, and working on admin tasks that give most reward( professionally and personally) and what is best for Ss #whatisschool
A4: Time management skills to the max. After I drop kids off after their speech session, I check my emails on my phone. Do paperwork in the 5-10 minutes between kids. Every minute needs to be productive just like all teachers. #whatisschool
Q4 A teacher never has enough time for everything and everybody. What’s your secret for completing administrative tasks on time without ignoring the needs of your students? #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
A4: I'm one of those who works after school and/or takes work home - and works on the weekends. Not necessarily a healthy balance, so don't follow me. It's just that, during the day, the students come first. #whatisschool
A4: All the increased admin work over the yrs means I've started coming in early on Monday mornings to get a jumpstart! It gives me a chance to complete admin duties, set my mind & heart, & clear my to-do list. Add caffeine & iTunes & I'm ready to rock the week! #whatisschool
It's a little like a tornado while we're all moving, but in the end, everyone is happy, and I have a good handle on who might need additional practice. I think this works, too, because early finishers remain engaged. #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
I love those moments, they melt my heart and it could be the smallest thing that makes a child happy and excited. For example: a sticker! My kids love them 😊 @barbersclass#whatisschool#barbersclass
In reply to
@deem_ellen, @ShiftParadigm, @barbersclass, @barbersclass
My kids know when I start talking with an unexpected accent they aren't listening and they need to pay more attention. It's amazing to me how my poor attempts at accents are having such great results and laughs, too:) #whatisschool
A4: Good self-care means I’m ready to focus on kids and make wise choices about my priorities when I am at school. Start calm and stay calm. #whatisschool
Q5. Faced with the reality of national and state standards, high-stakes testing, and school rankings—how do you determine when to provide feedback or assign grades to students? What to grade or not grade? #WhatIsSchool
Q5. Faced with the reality of national and state standards, high-stakes testing, and school rankings—how do you determine when to provide feedback or assign grades to students? What to grade or not grade? #WhatIsSchool
A5: take a close look at what are we TEACHING and what are we COVERING - from author @teachkate. Slow down and dig deep. This gives you ample time for feedback and you may not feel as if you are scrambling to make decisions. #WhatIsSchool
Real progress is messy right? But in the end...it’s all worth it! I love that you’re giving your students leadership roles and ability to work the strengths they have. #WhatIsSchool
It’s okay... We have SLOs this year. I need to input some of my data for it. I also have to study for the ESL TExES test... One of these days I’ll be on top of everything. #WhatIsSchool
A4- I don't grade anything for my 1s/2s. We focus on effort and growth. They know that trying new things, doing something difficult, etc. is what we celebrate. #whatisschool
Q5 Faced with the reality of national and state standards, high-stakes testing, and school rankings—how do you determine when to provide feedback or assign grades to students? What to grade or not grade? #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
A5: Always provide feedback…but that doesn’t always mean we need to grade student work. Talking through feedback is more meaningful than a number or a letter most times. #whatisschool
A5 Purpose. We should never forget why we're giving a particular assessment. If it's formative, I rarely grade it but I make sure I give feedback. #whatisschool
A5 I’m a work in progress when it comes to feedback vs grades. Each year my ability to balance this grows. Knowing my students affects this balance, too. @ShiftParadigm#whatisschool
I felt myself getting exasperated this afternoon, and then pulled out an accent. We finished the math I had planned, and had time to learn some more nursery rhymes before dismissal. I love how laughter saved me from frustration today. #WhatIsSchool And the kids kept learning:)
In reply to
@parcher_gabby, @ShiftParadigm, @barbersclass
A5: provide descriptive feedback only (no grades) based on success criteria - at the end negotiate a grade w/ the Ss based on summative task for which they receive DF throughout process - I wish we could just get rid of grades altogether! #whatisschool
I think it’s always important to provide feedback to students to let them know how they are doing. I plan I becoming a kindergarten teacher and I know that the younger kids love to know if they are doing something right. It gets them excited to learn more! #whatisschool
A5: we want Ss to focus on learning and growth not achievement and grades - grades don't help in the learning process. Based on DF, what will Ss work on? What resources do they need? What can I do? #whatisschool
A5: With our #WritersNotebook, students choose what they want me to grade from each part of the writing process.
As far as everything else, I choose based on the skills we’re learning in class. #WhatIsSchool
Q5 Faced with the reality of national and state standards, high-stakes testing, and school rankings—how do you determine when to provide feedback or assign grades to students? What to grade or not grade? #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
#whatisschool a4 You know how we teachers talk too much? Sometimes I use small admin tasks to allow student processing time, rather than jumping in. Plus I'm a morning person so a tonne gets done in the hour before anyone else gets to school
#teacherlife
@CRCarter313 Always nice to meet another 1st T. Please let me know if you would like to exchange Mystery Skype videos. This has worked better for me with scheduling recently. We can respond when we have time. Easier than finding a common time for both classes. #whatisschool
A5 I use different tools to assess for data, use it to plan next steps, especially with stations, I don't have as many grades as used to, but need some bc of SLOs, I give feedback often, even quick conversation, or thru tools like @Kidblog to reflect #whatisschool
A4 Feedback is a higher priority than grading. How to improve, how to complete tasks successully, Immediate feedback is better than a graded paper 2 weeks later. #whatisschool
A5: Feedback and revision have been more helpfu to me than the grades I gave students. IT's about the timeliness of the feedback and allow Ss to revise their work is where the learning occurs, inevitably increasing their test scores. #whatisschool
A5: Ummm... I never let rankings and standardized testing drive my instruction. And, I tend to mostly focus grading & feedbacking (new verb!) on those standards and skills my students will actually need after they graduate. That's the reality they need. #whatisschool
A5 And I focus on what we have been doing in class, what and why do I want to assess, involve Ss in the feedback as well, their own, peers and also for them to give fdbk to me #whatisschool#workinprogress
Truly, I learned this watching my principal. He has always encouraged us to teach with our strengths. I know we have standards, but children have individual gifts and need to develop those, too:) #whatisschool
@CRCarter313 Always nice to meet another 1st T. Please let me know if you would like to exchange Mystery Skype videos. This has worked better for me with scheduling recently. We can respond when we have time. Easier than finding a common time for both classes. #whatisschool
Q6. As a learning expert, schooled in the art of teaching, how do you handle the slights, indignities and wrongheadedness of people who do not recognize you as a professional? #WhatIsSchool
A5: "80% of feedback is what we get from learners, and not what we give." a quote from @sambennett2. Knowing your standards and trying the work we ask of students ourselves will allow us to give feedback immediately to our learners on the spot #whatisschool
Q6. As a learning expert, schooled in the art of teaching, how do you handle the slights, indignities and wrongheadedness of people who do not recognize you as a professional? #WhatIsSchool
Awesome! Thanks so much for being here, today. We really appreciate your presence. We've found there's great energy and growth in our multi-week series. @ShiftParadigm#WhatIsSchool
Q6 As a learning expert, schooled in the art of teaching, how do you handle the slights, indignities, and wrongheadedness of people who do not recognize you as a professional? #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
A6: invite them into your classroom for the day and let them see what you do! I also tend to ignore some comments - it wont' get you anywhere b/c ppl have a fixed view of what we do - #smh. #whatisschool
A6 What I do has an impact far beyond my classroom, and those who don’t recognize that usually have challenges unrelated to my role as teacher. I choose to focus on the children I teach, who make me a better learner and person every day. #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
Q6 As a learning expert, schooled in the art of teaching, how do you handle the slights, indignities, and wrongheadedness of people who do not recognize you as a professional? #whatisschool@ShiftParadigm
Awesome! Thanks so much for being here, today. We really appreciate your presence. We've found there's great energy and growth in our multi-week series. @ShiftParadigm#WhatIsSchool
A6: LOL!! I once had someone respond to one of my teaching posts with”Teaching isn’t even a real profession. You should go back to collage [sic] and get a real education.”
Other people’s opinions don’t matter, and often they’re hilarious to read. #WhatIsSchool
Q6. As a learning expert, schooled in the art of teaching, how do you handle the slights, indignities and wrongheadedness of people who do not recognize you as a professional? #WhatIsSchool
I find it actually very hard to deal with that especially at a daycare level. I know sometimes I am probably considered to be a babysitter but that is not the case. I ensure that my students are my priority and try to not let the wrongheadedness bother me! #whatisschool
A6: Love this q @ShiftParadigm ! You just don't engage with them. Educator work is hard work, day in day out. It's not for everyone...if only they tried it. How many Ts leave before they even started. Teaching ain't for the weary or weak :) #whatisschool
A6: I don't waste my time arguing with ignorance. I just let who I am and what I do speak for me. If they get it, fine. If not, I don't need their opinion to know I'm a professional. #whatisschool
A6 I have an incredible "I don't care, you don't matter" switch that I usually flip on at proper times.
Whether it's arguing my rate or even general educational validity, usually that's a connection I'm willing to sever.
#WhatIsSchool
Q6. As a learning expert, schooled in the art of teaching, how do you handle the slights, indignities and wrongheadedness of people who do not recognize you as a professional? #WhatIsSchool
Such a great chat, #whatisschool is one of my favorites to participate in! Thank you all for being so welcoming and teaching me a lot 😊 hope to hear from everyone in next weeks chat. @barbersclass#whatisschool#barbersclass
In reply to
@ShiftParadigm, @Skymazef3, @raspberryberet3, @AnnemarieGuta, @zarb, @shobbsbeckley, @TeacherPants_01, @pdelrosario17, @DennisDill, @stephenkelley85, @CRCarter313, @barbersclass
Thank you SO MUCH for joining us for #WhatIsSchool today. Please join me in thanking my co-moderator @ShiftParadigm. He makes the most awesome slides for our chats!
I appreciate those who decided to check my answers and/or follow me. I have a professional page @ALoneHighway that will focus squarely on education. Do not hesitate to network with me and let me know what I can support.
#WhatIsSchool
A3 The fun guy is easiest because tutoring is fun for me, and I want our sessions to be pleasant.
The disciplinarian is the most difficult because I hate going there. And then I have to navigate how far is too far. #WhatIsSchool
Great to be reminded of the importance of engaging our in STEM today. Another wonderful day out in the nation's capital. #aussieED#whatisschool#PrimarySTEMchat
