#UrbanEdChat Archive
#UrbanEd chat is a twitter chat for educators. Topics relevant to the subject of urban education will be discussed, but all educators are encouraged to join the conversation. The chats will be moderated by Ben and Neil, founders of Engaging Educators and elementary school teachers in Detroit, MI.
Thursday October 27, 2016
Welcome to ! Today we’re going to be discussing "Keep The Vision"
Welcome to ! Today we’re going to be discussing "Keep The Vision"
Welcome to ! Today we’re going to be discussing "Keeping the Vision" with
Welcome to ! Today we’re going to be discussing "Keeping the Vision" with
Monica, Special Education teacher, Texas. Supporting my fellow Aldine family member, , in his Twitter chat.
Thanks for the support Monica
Please introduce yourself, what grade you teach or position, and your location! Don't forget to follow somebody new.
Please introduce yourself, what grade you teach or position, and your location!
Tim Stanley, Instructional Tech, Aldine ISD.
thanks for joining tonight
Hello !! Reba, Educ Consultant w/Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt Dallas, TX
thanks for joining us tonight Reba
Renee-proudest 4th grade writing learner that ever lived 4 (follow them, they're pretty cool)
I'm looking forward to a great chat with y'all tonight
Bradford Harris HoustonTX itech
Glad to be hear . I have missed a lot of weeks of great chatting.
Good evening, Mr. Harris. Great to see you in chat :)
Beth--K-8 librarian from Columbus, OH
I have missed a few myself. This school year has gone by so fast
Great to join Meredith joining from Florida - Intervention Support Specialist
follows a Q & A Format. Q1/A1 Q2/A2
Casey O'Hare, 8th grade math at
Nikki from TX! Hey, y'all. :-)
Beth thanks for joining tonight. Librarians are very important to me. My wife is a librarian.
We are excited to have moderate! 1st Question will start in 1 minute.
Before we start find somebody new to follow to grow your PLN
thanks for the support tonight Ms. Ohare
A1: For me it was to be more connected. With S's, T's, P's and my PLN
A1: To motivate Ts to utilze the Ss data to drive their instruction w/ targeted instruction based on the data
A1 my goal is to have more innovative teachers and do innovative things on my campus
A1 my goal is to have my Ss passing rate rise from the 45% they came to me with
A1: See students and staff settle into a pattern of excellence and enthusiasm about learning together.
A1. Encouraging Ts to allow Ss to read what interests them. I too often see whole-class novels or T selected texts.
A1: Want Ts to give Ss opportunities 2 explore their own ways of learning, 2 measure their own progress, + plan 4 their success
data is very important! We can't find solutions if we don't know what to target
I have seen the great things on twitter that your campus is doing. Keep up the good work.
Love the dedication you have for choice in student learning!
very good goal. What is your process to get them to this goal? Do they know your goal for them?
Thanks! If they own it, they're more likely to want to succeed in it!
A1: As an IR5 school, my goal is to provide Ss with skills to pass STAAR, while validating them & fostering a ❤️ of writing. 📝
we are getting there. Tonight was a great team effort from T's and S's.
choice is always when we are encouraging readers!
A1. Encourage the use of picture bks to teach rdg skills K-8.
A2. Last year literacy was the focus - Books in the hands of students - we gave away books every day! https://t.co/UrFsZYCbFU
A2: Ya gotta have a plan to know where you're going...otherwise it's not purposeful and you're just getting along.
What are some of your ideas to build their love of writing?
A2: I think without that shared vision, "mission drift" can set in and other stakeholders may sense the lack of focus.
A2.2 It also is HUGE for campus/classroom culture! It's human nature to want to be part of something bigger than self!
A2 you have to see what you are reaching for and look towards a path for your campus and Ss. Your vision & goals must be shared
Perfectly Stated !!
https://t.co/h6H4AD6GFB
A2.2 It also is HUGE for campus/classroom culture! It's human nature to want to be part of something bigger than self!
A2: Without a goal or vision you or your team have nothing to work towards.
Q2 you don't go on a roadtrip without a route in mind. You have to know how to get there if you plan on making it
A2: If U don't have a vision, then you can't see what is to come and what will be. The journeys of education need destinations
This is a big problem when you have a poor classroom, or campus vision https://t.co/Jmg9R4T6GL
A2: I think without that shared vision, "mission drift" can set in and other stakeholders may sense the lack of focus.
Presentation-If I find it exciting, they will. Connecting to real life-quotes, pictures, would you rather Qs
Well said! https://t.co/mkHD0KCHLJ
Q2 you don't go on a roadtrip without a route in mind. You have to know how to get there if you plan on making it
A2. Helps Ss when we all share a common goal
You have to have that passion. Kids feed off us as educators. Good job! https://t.co/B7FhpVpjx0
Presentation-If I find it exciting, they will. Connecting to real life-quotes, pictures, would you rather Qs
A3 there is no follow or consistency and the vision is not shared which is why it fails
A3: Buy In! The staff had to believe in it and buy into it. Communication and accountability are BIG DEALS, too!
A3. I believe it's an over-reliance on programs. Just saw two this year implemented bc "they'll raise test scores".
Q3: Failure stems from the lack of buy-in. This lack stems from misinformation, negativity, mistrust, etc. Bottom line: Ss lose
A3 and yes it does affect Educators and administrators because the vision is again not shared
A3: Understanding the underpinnings of a toxic culture takes time and effort. Can explain failure more often than not.
A3: We fail in our vision or goals because of lack of consistency. As an admin if my staff don't know my vision we can't grow
Buy in is the key!! https://t.co/UdNb7msylE
A3: Buy In! The staff had to believe in it and buy into it. Communication and accountability are BIG DEALS, too!
Yes, I feel so cheesy & ridiculous, but I find the more I amp it up, the more the kids love it & GET THE INFO
A3: Goals fail because there is no follow through. They just collect data, start programs, no re-evaluation & redesign.
Nothing is a quick fix. You are right! Look at best practices to raise performance https://t.co/W14t1V6X2N
A3. I believe it's an over-reliance on programs. Just saw two this year implemented bc "they'll raise test scores".
Absolutely It is done a lot. https://t.co/QUM1HJveXg
A3 there is no follow or consistency and the vision is not shared which is why it fails
A4. Out BLT spent many sessions learning about the SMART process - together the goals were formulated. https://t.co/8FgzK6jJls
100%!!! I had Ts snicker as I read aloud, but the Ss were captivated & their responses were 😍.
You always have to reflect and evaluate progress https://t.co/LsZucvgic7
A3: Goals fail because there is no follow through. They just collect data, start programs, no re-evaluation & redesign.
A4: Collaborative talks, data, & it might sound crazy, but having that vision visible in multiple places, so it can't be lost.
This is true when I recommend books to high schoolers. I'm excited about the book = they are too
A4: Charting all elements of the school environment regularly helps. Both culture and the technical side.
Q4: Follow-up and follow-through. Set the standard. Make a schedule 2 check the status of the goal/vision. Stick to it. Repeat.
A4: Stop spending hrs N PLCs discussing goals & posting data Show the actions/strategies and C if they work. If not, redesign
When everyone on campus can quote the goal then you know you are on the right track https://t.co/CkGvqNdINk
A4: Collaborative talks, data, & it might sound crazy, but having that vision visible in multiple places, so it can't be lost.
A4 set small realistic checkpoints to keep up morale. Award good grades, and reward new best efforts
Yea, who cares what the adults think-I'm here 4 the kids-My non-educator friends would be shocked😂
A2) If you don't have goals set, how does anyone know where they are going?
Sry, Chris from Springfield, MO. Wrkn out now also
A5: This came up in another chat regarding owning your mistakes. It's cathartic and failure is necessary for growth.
A4: I look at data,I also take the pulse of my campus culture. Listen to T's, S's, and P's. They will tell u if u are right
A5. I think this is where the support of team members is essential. We cannot work alone.
A5: Administrators must be a part of the dusting off, so Educators can dust themselves too.
A5: I have to declutter, prioritize the "lists", refocus & usually this includes a lot of in my classroom re-aligning myself.
A5: I'm not afraid of failure, but I am afraid of not learning. Falling off track is just another opportunity 2 learn + reflect
A5 find a good friend to talk with for a little pep talk and re-plan is what I would like to say
A5: I always reflect, but I also look back and ask What was the reason for this project, goal, or vision. Did I make some gains
I have been known to schedule regular "decluttering"of my desk!
YES, GRACE is a big deal! It's not forgotten when administrators allow for a little bit of GRACE.
A5. Sustaining goals over time and changes in admin is the biggest challenge. Requires a firmly grounded team approach.
We always have to learn from our failures https://t.co/VHOjUAQpXp
A5: I'm not afraid of failure, but I am afraid of not learning. Falling off track is just another opportunity 2 learn + reflect
I hate to say it, but admin sometimes forget this... https://t.co/DQdZa2WcNJ
YES, GRACE is a big deal! It's not forgotten when administrators allow for a little bit of GRACE.
I do a lot of that myself too. Lists guide me daily in my library. https://t.co/hHEZdTDrsc
A5: I have to declutter, prioritize the "lists", refocus & usually this includes a lot of in my classroom re-aligning myself.
A5. Understanding that moving forward with goals that are far reaching will involve challenges. https://t.co/0B6dekBMJe
A6: I try to be as vocal as possible with T's and S's about where we were and where we are going
That's sad-Good thing my admin hasn't! Shout out 2 & for their GRACE!
A6: By showing gratitude to those on the journey with me. It's amazing what saying "Thank you" can do.
A6: Affirmations. Recognition of small moves by Ts or Ss.
We always have to show that we appreciate the folks that make our goals achievable https://t.co/JED6CAbtg8
A6: By showing gratitude to those on the journey with me. It's amazing what saying "Thank you" can do.
I am loving the conversations tonight!!!!
A6. Celebrate the risk-takers. Celebrate the ones who may not succeed, but do not give up bc they know children come first.
A7: By having regular Ss-Ts conferences, the Ss are aware of their current growth and can set realistic goals
A7: I ONLY include Ss when designing goals, expectations, routines. They will buy in if they are involved in the PROCESS! VOICE
A7: I wonder whether we could do more to involve Ss in deciding what the standard of behavior will be.
A7: We utilize our student leadership team to help us with our campus culture and work towards our goals.
Q7 this week Ss set their good behavior reward, they decided they wanted a free seating chart, I've never heard it that quiet!!
A7 share your vision with them it is the same for sharing it with your community
We have to give them a voice and make them feel connected https://t.co/K3et1zKGSy
A7: I ONLY include Ss when designing goals, expectations, routines. They will buy in if they are involved in the PROCESS! VOICE
Good Job!! https://t.co/CuzN0NBRAi
Q7 this week Ss set their good behavior reward, they decided they wanted a free seating chart, I've never heard it that quiet!!
Feedback is key https://t.co/QoiPVRtBMm
A7: By having regular Ss-Ts conferences, the Ss are aware of their current growth and can set realistic goals
I think that is a good parallel. Perhaps grab a kid or two who may not always be in the S leadership group.
A8: Love this question!! I am interested in the responses. I am not sure what I would call my goals. I hope they move Ss
A9: Just transforming our community by involving Ps, Ss, and Ts in new and different ways that makes kids feel secure.
A?: I'd love 2 teach writing TEKS through PBL by Ss applying for a historical marker for our school-100 yrs old!
A8: At my previous campus we made little free libraries for the apts. in the community
A8 this is one of those I feel like I should have an answer to, buuuuut..... my dog ate it?
A8: I need to get on for this year!!
I have been influenced by from my home state and his ambition to have community defy expectations is incredible.
I love that idea to kick summer reading "up a notch."
A9: If we expect them to do anything we have to model it.
A9: I think setting goals is always a teachable moment. S's can learn the difference between short-term and long-term goals.
Thanks! I somewhat tried it last summer and FAILED...so upon reflection, I am changing course this year.
A9 foresight is not something that Ss have, planning for the future is a life skill they need to develop
A9: I teach it like it's real life & model my goal setting-There are goals in every arena-school, work, personal, health, etc.
We always learn from failure https://t.co/D4DwrYenBr
Thanks! I somewhat tried it last summer and FAILED...so upon reflection, I am changing course this year.
I am confident you will increase success through persistence. Important lesson for Ts and Ss.
Thank you for joining us for ! A very special thanks to for moderating.
This was a great experience!! Thank you all for learning and growing with me tonight!!
A9: Teaches our Ss that we will set goals throughout our lives. Meet some, redesign some, challenged by some, but keep trying
There is alot of value in Fullan's advocacy for focus with initiatives to avoid "initiative fatigue."
Q9: Goal-setting is about taking ownership - lots of learning from that!
A7. We have pre assessments that test our "must knows and shows" to see where they are and track learning all yr
I tell Ss, it's not a failure until you refuse to learn from it!
Very true. We have to OWN our goals!!! https://t.co/3DJX08leUz
Q9: Goal-setting is about taking ownership - lots of learning from that!
Thanks for leading the chat and promoting the exchange of some great ideas and camaraderie.
Oh! That's a good one! So true!
Be sure to tune in next Thurs at 7:ooPM CST for another great conversation
Thanks for the thought provoking chat. It put a better spin on setting goals.
thank you. I really enjoyed the discussions tonight.
