Welcome to #bcedchat. The topic today is Declutter your Practice with Kelsey: If It Doesn’t Spark Joy, Let It Go. We are going to KonMari your practice!
Christine from Prince George and the Sunshine Coast. Math educator, teacher educator, and researcher. I am soooo looking forward to tonight's #bcedchat
Hello, I'm Kristina in Nelson BC. Been teaching Science and Socials grades 9-11 lately. New teacher so interested in most pro-d... Always something to learn! #bcedchat
Not snowing in Prince George, but it's cold. I see on the news it's snowing in the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast. Two very good reasons why we should be participating in tonight's #bcedchat.
@bcedchat Amanda from #sd43 middle school teacher, seconded to @cta43 union office as VP. Soon to return to classroom but in Ontario #gasp excited to join #bcedchat tonight (and always!)
This is Victor, crashing #bcedchat. I was really hoping to catch my friend, @lizbellteacher, who can't be here tonight! DARNS! I'm an elementary principal in San Francisco public schools. Our school, @sfusdEALNS, serves Chinese speaking newcomer students. 🙂
In reply to
@bcedchat, @lizbellteacher, @sfusdEALNS
A1 Only one? Collaboration - we are a learning community. Collaboration helps build relationships and relationships are at the heart of everything we do! #bcedchat
A1) B!S! Can’t answer. Sorry for the crudeness, but what good is one without the others? It’s a very interwoven cloth we weave. Can’t have one without the others! #bcedchat
A1: As a math co-teacher collaboration is very important. Two brains together makes such a big difference! I learn a lot from my co-teacher’s ideas and strategies. #bcedchat
A1: I think... I would MOST want to keep Inquiry... Very hard though! I don't think I've used reflection effectively yet, so I'm not as attached to it. #bcedchat
A1: this is SO hard, but I'm going with A because you can't do it properly without B and C (and also, collaboration makes the world go round) #bcedchat
A1. I say collaboration. As an educator, it has been the most powerful learning tool in my career. However, reflection would be a close second because if you're not reflecting, you might not be improving. And don't even get me started on inquiry! #bcedchat
A1 I am still reflecting each day of learning through my blog site - and even experimenting with a little video series for reflection. T3D (technolandys three things in EDucation) this weeks on Sound
https://t.co/8OMeVTEFOihttps://t.co/zPTd6UzxMm#bcedchat
#bcedchat Are we talking collaboration between students, between teacher and student, or between teachers? I'd say the first isn't necessary, but could help, the second is necessary, and the third is wonderful when you have colleagues doing the same inquiry process!
A1: Inquiry. Gotta get more of it though. Why? It seems the most promising with the divers populations that I serve. Social-Emotional, cognitive, executive-functioning, learning differences... #bcedchat
A1: I would choose inquiry as the one to keep. Being an outdoor learning educator we use inquiry as a weekly practice which ties in closely with our reflective practice. #bcedchat
Ha! I was just about to tweet exactly the same thing but for Inquiry. If I'm asking questions of myself, I'm reflecting. If I'm asking questions of/with others, I'm collaborating. #bcedchat
I chose reflection because it's something I cannot do without. As a curious extrovert, collaboration and inquiry would be inherent in my practice anyway. Reflection, for me, takes intention. #bcedchat
Always on my "to do" list for sure. And as was pointed out, inquiry seems to necessitate it (students self-reflecting), so that's where I've seen it work so far and will continue to expand.
Now reflection on my own practice? I have that down and couldn't give it up! #bcedchat
Well you’ve made it almost impossible to choose @montessorimice ! Each is as important as the other! BUT, if I have to choose, it would be #inquiry ! I love love love learning! #bcedchat
A2. I love when cross curricular inquiry comes together. My fave moments are when the students can explore and make those connections. I did that a lot with my grade 8 class and it was MAGIC to be a part of! #bcedchat
A2. Collaboration with my colleagues, laughing WITH my students over shared experiences, and connecting with adults/students on a deeper level.
#weareinthistogether#bcedchat
A2 I love it when learners (of all ages!) are excited about what is going on!
I like getting “Hi’s” called out to me (shocking my own kids that a principal would get a shoutout)
And when someone tries something different and and opens a door they can’t close! #bcedchat
A2. The AHA moment for me and students, not necessarily at the same time... but it happens. The relationships and deep connections with students, faculty/staff, and my PLN. Love learning from others. OK... my answer is LEARNING. #bcedchat
A2: 1. Being with my class on a journey of discovery through play. 2. Finding time to dance with them. 3.Seeing their faces when they learn or discover something new. #bcedchat
Q2: what sparks joy for me is to see students make the transfer of their learning and celebrate it with their families. They see the purpose! #bcedchat
A1: 3 things the spark joy in my practice: student-led inquiry, collaborating with other educators about outdoor learning practices, and inviting parents and community groups to be part of the collaborative classroom environment of learning. #bcedchat
Y'all. Apologies for late drop in. Leslie from Atlanta. 1) Connecting w people all over the world via Twitter who teach and challenge me; 2) Learning new things about myself; and 3) Seeing/hearing evidence that others enjoy growing as leaders bc of our design work. #bcedchat
A2: Inquiry provides such rich learning, collaboration/networking b/c I LOVE learning with my colleagues while developing curriculum AND all the opportunities that pop up all the time - the unexpected and the extras that make my professional life enrich my personal #bcedchat
A2) For me!?
I know you mean students. Everyday sparks joy for me, else I wouldn’t teach!
The idea that math is asking questions and wondering what answers them. Rules, processes, and scripts be damned.
What makes sense of problem is math. Helping know that...
#bcedchat
A1: Easily A)collaboration. This year has been about big changes and the team of teachers I work with on secondary assessment practices light my fire 🔥 This team needs to keep going...year after year! #bcedchat
A2: 3 things the spark joy in my practice: student-led inquiry, collaborating with other educators about outdoor learning practices, and inviting parents and community groups to be part of the collaborative classroom environment of learning. #bcedchat
#bcedchat A2 The light bulb moments especially when matched with making connections to something already learned. Those aha moments happen less frequently at intermediate, not like when I taught primary.
A2: my joy comes from the connections I make with my students and staff. As painful it is to say, relationships make my role educator wonderful #bcedchat
I've been really interested in the work of @jpatti731 et al on the *type* of relationships that are most impt in schools. They talk about generative relationships - when connection leads to new ideas & successes. Not only to feel good, but bedrock of #CollectiveEfficacy#bcedchat
In reply to
@technolandy, @CraigMah, @ChristineYH, @jpatti731
Joining late tonight to #bcedchat ❄️ Grade 4/5 teacher in Surrey. A2: 3 things that spark joy are Social Emotional Learning, Project Based Learning, and Talk About it Tuesday
A3: 1.Staff meetings that could have been emails. 2. Having a myriad of things to attend to when school hasn't even started. 3. When students don't bring the correct clothing for going outside. #bcedchat
A2: #bcedchat Three things in my practice that spark joy: That moment when a student brings a friend into our classroom to show them what they are working on; when parents tell me their teenager was talking about something they learned in my class; "have a good day Ms Lidstone"
A2: 1) Bringing Ss into theatre life who never thought they'd be actors 2) Seeing kids smile when they read their first novel front to back because lit circles lit them up 3) making #inclusive#differentiated#gradeless learning maps to foster #growthmindset#bcedchat
A2: 3 things that continue to spark joy for me are:
#Collaboration w/ Ts, Staff, families, & community, AND seeing Ts collaboratively teaching;
#Engagement of learners, of Ts, of School, & of community;
Focus on the #SEL inside AND outside of #Instruction;
#bcedchat
A3 What would I get rid of.... the things holding education back...financial limitations,governmental constraints and brick and mortar school schedules. #bcedchat
A3. Hmmm. Negativity, especially regarding change or trying something new. Adversarial colleagues/parents. Kids that push my buttons!! Haha. These things don't spark joy, but there are usually reasons why they occur. Always working on
my patience & understanding.
#bcedchat
I do not find classroom management discussions that joyous, nor do I enjoy listening to redundant complaining without attempts for solutions or change. I also really dislike negativity and fear based behaviours among adults.#bcedchat
Marking, marking, and marking. Does that count Craig? #bcedchat
Marking, grading, and reporting. I am good with Communicating Student Learning AND supporting students to self-assess the Core Competencies AND ongoing formative assessment (verbal)... but the rigour of marking :(
A3 debating importance of inclusion vs exclusion gets old
Signs saying “tech banned here”
Ponderings about “value” of chasing grades
#bcedchat
Though I can get fired up about these topics too!
I would also keep reflection. (I feel like that’s cheating because inquiry is kinda in there automatically in the “how might I do this better” part of reflection 😬😏) #bcedchat
A3: three areas of my practice that don’t bring joy: unnecessary meetings, being required to be out of my school for a meeting that an email would suffice, having requested emails about timelines when I’ve already responded #bcedchat
I would also keep reflection. (I feel like that’s cheating because inquiry is kinda in there automatically in the “how might I do this better” part of reflection 😬😏) #bcedchat
Love that collection - and the interactions among them! We think a lot about developing school and district leaders' #SEL competencies. This picture might add a nice complement to yours! #bcedchat
A3:
- issues with teacher autonomy
- report cards
- constant change (don’t get me wrong, change is GOOD, but constant change does not allow one to build any foundation...)
#BCEdChat
A3 Silos, secrets and when people struggle with conflict. If we all thought the exact same way there would be no creativity or change. We have to be okay with questions, curiosity and respectful confiict #bcedchat
A3: 1)Questioning assessment decisions previously made - is this scale accurate enough? Ugh 🤯. 2) Moving through curriculum too quickly but worried about moving too slowly 😑 3) The empty theatre when a show is over. The thud of silence...so finite 😥 #bcedchat
A4 Habit to change: talking when I don't need to. There are lots of times that the Ss just need to focus and work and not hear (or ignore) anything from me. #bcedchat
A2: JOY! #bcedchat
1- relationships (students/colleagues/families)
2- sharing my family with my students (special visitors)
3- Outside time for PLAY! 🌲✨
A4. "leaving it for later" because whatever it is (i.e. email, marking, reading, writing, etc.) needs to get done anyway. I get overwhelmed sometimes with how much needs to get done, so nothing gets done. One step at a time. #bcedchat
The exchange and building of excitement about what we are teaching. It is too easy to close doors and get lost in my own classroom practice but when I can coteach it is the figurative and literal flinging open the doors #bcedchat
A4. Well I'm sure that there are plenty, but since I have started teaching I have always wanted to develop the habit of *regularly* sending messages to parents when their kid has done something awesome. I do it sporadically, but should do it more. #bcedchat
A3: hmmm... 3 things would be:
1. #Meetings that are not connected directly to supporting Ss &/or schools;
2. #Assessments that are disconnected to instruction;
3. #Decisions made for schools, programs, & staff that are not centered around the needs of the #Students.
#bcedchat
Yes! I’ve tried the 5 minute trick. If it will take less than 5 minutes i do it RIGHT away. If it takes more it goes onto my list and prioritized! #bcedchat
Not just wait time -- I find I interrupt the Ss too often when they're perfectly at work with reminders, tips, even stories. They're sometimes too polite to tell me to be quiet. #bcedchat
A4 I'd like to change the rate at which I can provide feedback /asssessment because I feel Ss can move their skills forward faster if they get feedback sooner. #bcedchat
A4: one change is like to make is thinking I can do everything because there is a difference between working hard and pushing myself past healthy limits #bcedchat
A4. "leaving it for later" because whatever it is (i.e. email, marking, reading, writing, etc.) needs to get done anyway. I get overwhelmed sometimes with how much needs to get done, so nothing gets done. One step at a time. #bcedchat
A4. Expecting everything to go well and concluding we were unsuccessful if there was a complaint or initial response was not exuberant/effusive. Specifically vis-a-vis impact of professional learning. Must remember growth/adult learning=discomfort not always 💐🌈🦄 #bcedchat
A4: one habit I would like to change is to give feedback sooner and not delay as often as I do. The longer I wait, the less power and impact on learning it has ✨ #bcedchat
Respectfully disagree. If you pile on too much change at once, people check out. I’m witnessing it. Smart people. Great educators. Structured methods, very much so, actually. #bcedchat
One habit I would like to change is staying quiet when I need to speak up and talking too much when I need to listen. I would like to find a better balance #bcedchat
And note: I didn’t say change was bad. It IS essential. But you have to know the limit of when you’re expecting too much. Take care of your people and your people will take care of you. #bcedchat
Yes! I’ve tried the 5 minute trick. If it will take less than 5 minutes i do it RIGHT away. If it takes more it goes onto my list and prioritized! #bcedchat
#bcedchat I was going to say exactly the same thing! An ongoing struggle, because the production of feedback/assessment really does not spark joy for me... but the IDEA of timely feedback DOES.
A2: Collaboration with colleagues to help make classrooms and schools optimal for all kids brings me so much joy. Seeing meaningful inclusion in action! #bcedchat
A4: I'd like to change my end of day routine. We start our day in such a calm and inviting manner, so I'd our day to end without the hustle and storm at the end of the day, more time to reflect on joyful learning. #bcedchat
Q3: 1) report cards 2) report cards 3) report cards. I am not afraid of hard work (dah! I’m a teacher) but I don’t find our way of reporting as an authentic ‘description’ of our learner’s abilities #bcedchat
#bcedchat A4. One thing I’d like to change is saying yes too often. I need to know when I have enough on my plate and be satisfied with what I’m doing and not think I need to do more.
Yes! I struggle with those too. Working with our #sd43 Mentor network has helped me become increasingly skillful at these things but its a work in progress #bcedchat
A5. Research and publishing. What I need to get in order: (1) my teaching assignment; (2) my marking framework and schedule; (3) carving out time intentionally to read and write. #bcedchat
A5. I'm feeling anxious about how much work I have to do. These are the things that make me feel better:
1. Cleaning my desk/office
2. Deleting emails out of my inbox
3. Stock up with yummy and healthy snacks.
Then I can tackle anything! :)
#bcedchat
A5 I am feeling anxious about driving in the snow through an intersection under construction so I can get to my students for a walking fieldtrip tomorrow! I love the snow, just not the drive with others who still have summer tires on! #bcedchat
A4: change in practice
Patience.
Why:
“If you want to go fast go alone, if we want to go far go together”. I like going fast, but am learning that slow and together is better for all. #bcedchat
I always told my student teachers to sit on their hands in every meeting for the first year. You need time to be a teacher and other things can be added slowly #bcedchat
A5 I’m feeling anxious about returning to the job and juggling work and family life. I need to 1) know which daycare my child is going to; 2) start intentionally mapping themes for a school year; 3) match a tech workflow that will support those themes/units #bcedchat
Could well-managed change, even with a purpose, still be tiring? We crave our certainty and security. Could always being in stretch/alert mode robs us of that sense of mastery we need to feel motivated per @DanielPink findings in Drive? #bcedchat
In reply to
@CraigMah, @jfprovencher27, @MsVictoriaOlson, @DanielPink
A4: One habit I would like to change is being able to focus on one task at time to completion instead of jumping from one task to the next. This is a constant for me and one that I use lists to help me with. #bcedchat#bcedchat
A5: I am feeling anxious about not meeting my grade 8 learners needs, not supporting them with enough tools to be the best they can be and to not make thinking visible enough! #bcedchat
A3: Dwelling on what is not working for any length of time is not joyful. What doesn’t spark joy is our learners thinking they can’t be imaginative . We need to create those ‘wondering ‘ environments!#bcedchat
A5: I'm feeling anxious about what I'm teaching next year. I need to 1) stop planning for what I don't know yet 2) focus on learning scales that can transfer across grades 3) compliment my current accomplishments #hugmyself#patontheback#bcedchat
We are capable of being so hard on ourselves and yet show the hugest kinds to students who feel the same way. You are a wonderful person and I can say I’ve never felt let down by you! #bcedchat
A4: continuous follow through! My students have so many amazing inquiry questions. Narrowing them down and following through on main ideas is something I continue to work on #bcedchat
Thank you for this! Skipped the gym tonight to take part in the discussion (twist my rubber arm)! So helpful and love to all of you - so supportive 🙏🏽✨#bcedchat
Yes, because the purpose behind change isn’t usually derived by the people who need to make the change. You do that too many times or too often, and it’s overwhelming! #bcedchat
In reply to
@hazlebussey, @CraigMah, @jfprovencher27, @DanielPink
A6. My "old" teaching practices. What I think I "should" do. I want to be innovative and progressive (and tried many times) but I got really bad reviews one term and it SPOOKED ME OUT. Now it's back to being driven by (or limited to) fear. It's not cool. #bcedchat
A5 Really working on paying attention to worries (trying not to use the word anxiety so we can keep the language clear). I worry about miscommunication and hurting people and not having the opportunity or ability to fix things if that happens . #bcedchat
you are taxing your body because a hormone secreted by your body keeps you on high alert. You need synergy within the staff and share the loads of the learning #bcedchat
In reply to
@MsVictoriaOlson, @hazlebussey, @CraigMah, @DanielPink
A6. I am not ready to let go of letter grades. Numbers are symbols for me - with specific meaning. As I have changed assessment practice the meaning of the numbers have changed - but I still feel the 'safety' in using them. #bcedchat
Funny - I want to see an end to final exams because of what I’ve seen and experienced in the past! (I was excused from provincial exams and it didn’t harm me!) #bcedchat
A6: I'm not ready to let go of Twitter! I tried to give it up but I need my #PLN as much as they need me! It's self-satisfying, inflates my ego, but also soul-satisfying and worldly! #bcedchat
A7 Im not ready to let go quality because we have so much to do, so many opportunities for our students at school, outings, sports... in the end quality is important not quantity #bcedchat
I’m not ready to let go of pushing for inclusion and self regulation because I worry that mental wellness will be seen by some (enough) as a fad... #bcedchat
As a middle aged working mom with a young child + teenage girls, I'm not gonna lie: sometimes basic habits - leg shaving, working out, skincare routine - fall away. I vow to myself to change. Tho change is derived by and for me, sometimes the sheer # overwhelms! 😂😂😂#bcedchat
In reply to
@MsVictoriaOlson, @CraigMah, @jfprovencher27, @DanielPink
A7. Thinking that my entire job or future employment is dependent on my course and teaching reviews. New pedagogy FREAKS students who have not experienced new pedagogies, thus BAD REVIEWS. It puts me in a place where I don't want to be. It's frustrating. #bcedchat
A3) Grades. Scores. %’s.
I have little trouble chatting with you about what you know/don’t know. And the content that involves!
I have no idea what “percent” you know. Let’s engage in an honest sense.
Life and “knowing” is a messy business. How do we live that?
#bcedchat
#bcedchat A5 CSL Communicating Student Learning. I need to figure out a better way to collect student data, give written feedback more often so students have something to refer back to (I feel I’m really good at verbal), and writing reports in a more personal way.
A5: So many needs out there, so little time. Need to 1. set realistic goals, 2. communicate what is possible, and 3. be in the moment with whatever I’m doing. One kid, one family, one parent, one teacher, one class, one principal, one school, one community, at one time. #bcedchat
Thats a very honest answer! We’re certainly in the middle of a great shift and it creates a lot of tension for those of us facilitating the ‘move’. #bcedchat
A8. Forge forward. Just do it. Delve into the fear... with new pedagogies, research, and writing. Truth: I have nothing to lose... only to gain... LEARN. That's what it's all about. #bcedchat
YES! I so relate to this. It really calls into question the meaning we used to make of reviews before introducing new pedagogy. Does the fact that they "like" it mean they learned? What if their discomfort is in part a signal that the learning is deeper? #bcedchat
I don't know the answer to your questions. What I do know is, teacher and course evaluations are STATIC. No follow up to student learning. More frustrating and fear making. #bcedchat
A8: I have a deadline tomorrow for some paperwork to be handed in that I want to complete without worrying about it being perfect enough. I also want my desk to be clean by the end of every day! #bcedchat
#BCEdChat takes a break next week for #BCFamilyDay!
We return on February 24th for Mental Wellness Check In (Strategies That Are Working) with @technolandy
