#ALedchat Archive
#ALedchat is a weekly chat on Twitter about education topics. It is held each Monday from 9-10pmCST. While the discussion on #ALedchat continues on Twitter well beyond our weekly one-hour chat session, this platform affords us the opportunity to extend, expand and share the conversation with an even greater audience. Educators from across the state of Alabama, and the world, can come here to find encouragement, support, resources, professional growth opportunities and advice, while providing the same to their colleagues.
Monday June 6, 2016
Welcome to . Tell us who you are & where you are chatting from tonight.
Welcome to . Tell us who you are & where you are chatting from tonight.
In collaborative learning community?
Christy Bice, AP at Haleyville Elementary and co-moderator for . Looking forward to seeing your great ideas tonight!
Christy Bice, AP at Haleyville Elementary and co-moderator for . Looking forward to seeing your great ideas tonight!
Good evening ! Derek, new 7th grade Social Studies at South Tama Middle School in Toledo, IA. Excited to be here tonight!
Karen from New Jersey! It's good to see all of you!
Anna, Dean at UM, joining tonight from a conference in D.C.
Grayson Lawrence, Assistant Principal, Winterboro HS, Talladega County Schools
Holly Sutherland, principal of Haleyville HS, AL. Co-founder of this chat & . Welcome all! Going to be a great night.
Welcome, Anna! Hope you and have started off summer with a bang!
Welcome! Excited to have you with us tonight!
- One of my favorite chats on Twitter. We are still in school in NJ and I'm looking forward to inspiration and collaboration!
Hi, Karen! Great to see you here at !
Welcome back, Grayson! Always great having you with us!
Welcome! Glad you joined us!
English teacher at Clay-Chalkville HS
Hey, Champion of Positivity! Glad you're here!
Tonight's topic is Motivate & Encourage Throughout the year. We will follow the Q1/A1 format.
Tonight's topic is Motivate & Encourage Throughout the year. We will follow the Q1/A1 format.
Can't wait for the questions! I know they are going to lead to an awesome chat!
Keith Fulmer tech coach Hoover
Looking forward to learning from you tonight!
Glad to be here too! It's been a long two weeks without my PLN!
Glad you are back Grayson!
Q1: Education is among the top 3 most stressed occupations. How important is it that we as educators support one another?
Gearing up to present on Wed. at ! Join me as we delve into iBooks Author & iMovie
Hi, Friend! Can't wait to see you next week at !
Hey, Grayson! Glad you're here tonight!
thank you Dr. Sutherland love learning from you!!
A1: HES has a motivation team who puts together treats & activities throughout the year to motivate & encourage our staff.
Jennifer Northrup, third grade math and science, Oak Mountain Elementary. Just finished watching . Need W tmrw!
Welcome, Jennifer! Q1 just came out. Jump right in!
A1 Created a "Party Planning Committee" this year to build staff morale and culture. We planned potlucks, birthday buddies, etc...
Welcome! https://t.co/EyrYGXlD9n
Jennifer Northrup, third grade math and science, Oak Mountain Elementary. Just finished watching . Need W tmrw!
OMES has a Booster Shot team and climate and culture to help with this!
Love it! We have a faculty motivation team too. Please share your ideas. I might want to steal a couple. ;)
A1 It is absolutely essential. Without it, we can't grow and our S suffer. With support-sky's the limit https://t.co/Asdsri2e5S
Q1: Education is among the top 3 most stressed occupations. How important is it that we as educators support one another?
A1:It’s so important we continually support each other praise even the “smallest” successes. https://t.co/5NTCQXyMR0
Q1: Education is among the top 3 most stressed occupations. How important is it that we as educators support one another?
Q2 coming up in 1 minute...
A1: I learned from watching "High School Musical" with my kids ... that "We're all in this together." No price tag on teamwork.
It is important to be part of the solution and not the problem. I am worried about the other top2! ( bomb squad? Dentist? )
A1: It's one of the most important things we can do to give back to the profession!
A1: In education, support is key. On days when nothing goes right- peer support keeps us moving forward for kids!
The top 2 were health and uniform occupations such as police and fire fighter.
Q2: How can you motivate faculty/staff before the year begins?
A1--One is a lonely number---corny, but true, we grow in community!
Every month this year we had a themed potluck...for example we had Healthy Eating, & "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
Faculty room of one of our schools - a bulletin board where T's leave positive notes to each other daily! https://t.co/4v2vXbhPBU
Love it! We have a faculty motivation team too. Please share your ideas. I might want to steal a couple. ;)
A1 If we don't take care of us, we can't serve the kids to our truest and fullest level
A2: I think we stay in touch this summer. Share our WHY!
Certainly going to share this idea with our team!
We need to support each other and speak highly of our work. Our Craft. https://t.co/AcZtc23KHS
Q1: Education is among the top 3 most stressed occupations. How important is it that we as educators support one another?
A2: I write letters of encouragement during summer 2 staff. We have also chosen motivational books for summer book studies.
YES! We must put on the oxygen mask first!
Good evening everyone! Joining a little late. Becky, elem principal from Monmouth Roseville.
Welcome, Becky! Glad you're here!
A2 Hopefully spend some time planning for a successful year. Would like to get to know my new colleagues!
Yes! We have to be the biggest cheerleaders for our school and our teachers!
You get an Amen from me!!! https://t.co/GnhXIm2LJL
A1 If we don't take care of us, we can't serve the kids to our truest and fullest level
Love this! We had a poor man lunch of beans/cornbread in January. https://t.co/6JD9nE7hSQ
Every month this year we had a themed potluck...for example we had Healthy Eating, & "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
Great having you back! Jump right in!
Yes! By lighting another's flame, we grow brighter!
Never too late! Welcome https://t.co/QVxnjnBbIG
Good evening everyone! Joining a little late. Becky, elem principal from Monmouth Roseville.
Also implemented Birthday Buddies where staff are given a name of another staff member to bring treats for their birthday
A2 I shared with T's that we'll be doing a Twitter book study- and many have books already! https://t.co/7T2WINQUPc
Q2: How can you motivate faculty/staff before the year begins?
A2: Nurture and cultivate relationships that are positive and student centered.
A2: Just look for little ways to connect with them. This shows we value them. Teachers are motivated when they feel valued.
A2: Love the book- If You Don't Feed the Teachers They Eat the Students.
A2 I'm releasing a summer PD contest for those who attend most summer PD! Yay! https://t.co/7T2WIO8wdM
Q2: How can you motivate faculty/staff before the year begins?
That's really cool Holly! Was there a specific reason for this or just something different and unique?
I saw a school w/ a spirit shirt contest, c where in the world school ends up at 2 b excited with travel. https://t.co/5WdmRI3JRT
Q2: How can you motivate faculty/staff before the year begins?
A2 We are providing time for staff this summer to work on curriculum so they are less stressed when the year begins.
Yes, it's so important to show others that you will make time to invest in them.
We're going to read a common book & use ideas to cast a vision for the year---like sts, profs need something to look forward to!
Love this! https://t.co/Jw4mLFtjAT
Also implemented Birthday Buddies where staff are given a name of another staff member to bring treats for their birthday
A2 I heard speak at I know it was not beginning of year but any1 that can remind us that r why weDoIt
Q3 coming up in 1 minute...
I will be downloading it now! https://t.co/TJd3LQu3r8
A2: Love the book- If You Don't Feed the Teachers They Eat the Students.
We thought it would be better to do this than just have people bring treats for their own birthdays. More exciting!
Q3: How can you begin to motivate & encourage Ss before the year begins?
A2 try and do as many of their tech wish list items as I can
Share more about it. How many participate? Are they incentivized? https://t.co/q0eCIfQNGx
A2 We are providing time for staff this summer to work on curriculum so they are less stressed when the year begins.
We all poor in January. We get paid last working day before holiday. https://t.co/nSeZeQ8cr3
That's really cool Holly! Was there a specific reason for this or just something different and unique?
A3: Motivate & encourage your Ss b4 the year begins with postcards, phone calls, blogs posts of the upcoming year's events...
And I think you get ALL of them!!
A3: We have culture day in the summer with our SLT and teachers where they have input on changes for the upcoming year.
A3 Spending the day tomorrow meeting students at my new school by taking in MS Softball/Baseball games. JACKED for this!
Man, that is the longest 40 plus days of the year. https://t.co/krAw5vjToz
We all poor in January. We get paid last working day before holiday. https://t.co/nSeZeQ8cr3
That's really cool Holly! Was there a specific reason for this or just something different and unique?
Let them see you do what you say you do. For me, it's read for fun. https://t.co/wPWDa0amSu
Q3: How can you begin to motivate & encourage Ss before the year begins?
Yes! Having ownership & voice matter and motivates!
I am a firm believe and completely agree with you!
A3: Go out of your way to be friendly to students who come up to the school during the summer ... particularly new students.
A3: We have a back to school night. Try to be positive and start off the year on a positive note.
A3.2 To go along with previous post..I think it is so important to be visible throughout the calendar year..not just school year.
. A3. I have a Supt Advisory Council that includes P's, S's, T's. I will seek S input in summer https://t.co/Z0dyr0vfv4
Q3: How can you begin to motivate & encourage Ss before the year begins?
Q4 coming up in 1 minute...
A3:My teachers volunteered at our local festival this past weekend.The kids loved seeing all their teachers "out of the building."
A3 Keep sharing our "school stories" create videos to post online to pump students up! Create reading challenges/etc.
How often do you meet during the year with them? https://t.co/GjZgxOb7Ln
I am a firm believe and completely agree with you!
A3: I mail a letter home on fun letterhead about one week before school starts. A lot of Ss put them in their binders.
John Wells from Indiana dropping in after putting the kids down. Still time for a Hoosier to join in?
Explain https://t.co/7XPbrzi120
A3.2 To go along with previous post..I think it is so important to be visible throughout the calendar year..not just school year.
--You embody this and your students & former students love you for it, Danny!
Q4: What is your all time most favorite first faculty meeting activity?
It was awesome! (for the kids- HOT for the adults 😇). https://t.co/r5rgnEx3u7
A3:My teachers volunteered at our local festival this past weekend.The kids loved seeing all their teachers "out of the building."
a4: the amazing race one we had this past year...super fun!
we meet with our SLT often however not in this capacity. Usually for other reasons…preparing for company etc.
Thank you so much! You made my night! https://t.co/YBscOB3BAG
--You embody this and your students & former students love you for it, Danny!
A4: HHS played the Amazing Race this past year during inservice. My folks are a bit competitive, so it was awesome.
A4: I love the donut social hour. Slow and casual start to get caught up from the summer
A4:popping in late after a long day of traveling. My favorite is the overnight planning meeting we have at a teacher's lake house.
Now that sounds like my kind of meeting! https://t.co/bTfDMa78dL
A4:popping in late after a long day of traveling. My favorite is the overnight planning meeting we have at a teacher's lake house.
Some in ED believe that influence starts in Aug and ends in May/June. You have 12 months of influence EVERY year!
Q3 Our literacy coaches partnered with the local public library to have volunteer days this summer so out teachers will
It was powerful when teachers created their own professional oaths. Keeps us connected to core values. https://t.co/aLpaaNpJ26
Q4: What is your all time most favorite first faculty meeting activity?
A4: singtrix!! Everyone needs one. Sing/talk in funny voices! My P did our last mtg in "tinker bell" it was hilarious!!
We had to play & sing guitar, then a game about our faculty. FUN!
Our SLT and Teachers created videos with DubSmash..it was hilarious and fun! https://t.co/j81jrxi8ns
Q4: What is your all time most favorite first faculty meeting activity?
Still time for a Hoosier fan! ;-) Welcome! Yall out for summer yet?
A4: Our SLT and Teachers created videos with DubSmash..it was hilarious and fun! https://t.co/j81jrxi8ns
Q4: What is your all time most favorite first faculty meeting activity?
What he said!! 👍🏻 https://t.co/45yKduI6X4
Some in ED believe that influence starts in Aug and ends in May/June. You have 12 months of influence EVERY year!
Gotcha. Was thinking U had some specific activities that you attended in the summer to see kids https://t.co/pM2qZNIL0d
Some in ED believe that influence starts in Aug and ends in May/June. You have 12 months of influence EVERY year!
I need to learn more about DubSmash! https://t.co/rBsDewCEo0
A4: Our SLT and Teachers created videos with DubSmash..it was hilarious and fun! https://t.co/j81jrxi8ns
Q4: What is your all time most favorite first faculty meeting activity?
A4) concentric circles and human bingo :)
A4 Our teachers were put on random teams and they had to show off their team's talents for the opening to our faculty meeting.
Q5: Share your favorite first day/week of school ideas. How do you get your Ss on board?
Sounds kind of like the1page target https://t.co/0PM4mXpoUZ
It was powerful when teachers created their own professional oaths. Keeps us connected to core values. https://t.co/aLpaaNpJ26
Q4: What is your all time most favorite first faculty meeting activity?
WOW! That's awesome! We had graduation on May 26.
A5: Buy up all the New Year's supplies when they go on clearance. It's a great back to school theme!
Hmmm...I would be interested in hearing more about that exercise?
A5 Ss write down a song that best describes them. Throughout year I play song and Ss have to guess who's it is.
A5: We host a Boo Hoo Breakfast for all of our kindergarten parents on the first day of school.
A4 I may steal this! https://t.co/NAi4W67B6I
A4: HHS played the Amazing Race this past year during inservice. My folks are a bit competitive, so it was awesome.
A5: love team building- highest spaghetti/marshmallow tower was a hit this year! We are a community all year long!
Now that's genius🤓 https://t.co/o5b0plAHKo
A5: Buy up all the New Year's supplies when they go on clearance. It's a great back to school theme!
Time to put it on your blog, Danny! ;-) https://t.co/0EZXfuW6Fv
Hmmm...I would be interested in hearing more about that exercise?
A4 We are planning this for Sept! Yay! https://t.co/0wa0cSDxqA
It was powerful when teachers created their own professional oaths. Keeps us connected to core values. https://t.co/aLpaaNpJ26
Q4: What is your all time most favorite first faculty meeting activity?
A5: My favorite activity I saw a T do with Ss is the brown paper bag activity. Students used items to tell peers about themselves.
A5: last year did an activity where students in groups ranked survival items based off a list from the coast guard. Lots of laughs
Not an original..I stole it! ;) RT Now that's genius🤓 https://t.co/Nh5psYNdvS
A5: Buy up all the New Year's supplies when they go on clearance. It's a great back to school theme!
A5: figure me out with math equations! Ss learn about me that way and then make own for class to learn about them
A5: At the elem level, our Ts like to do 1st and last day of school pics as keepsakes for our Ss.
Maybe we shld do this for parents of college freshmen! https://t.co/Ki0WJoUDVG
A5: We host a Boo Hoo Breakfast for all of our kindergarten parents on the first day of school.
Really like this! Can you explain this more?
That is even more genius! 😂 https://t.co/KgowSA75gv
Not an original..I stole it! ;) RT Now that's genius🤓 https://t.co/Nh5psYNdvS
A5: Buy up all the New Year's supplies when they go on clearance. It's a great back to school theme!
Q6 coming up in 1 minute...
Good artist copy. Great artist steal https://t.co/9r80k4nhZC
Not an original..I stole it! ;) RT Now that's genius🤓 https://t.co/Nh5psYNdvS
A5: Buy up all the New Year's supplies when they go on clearance. It's a great back to school theme!
Hahaha! I experienced having a college freshman last fall. I was excited for her.
We are planning bus rides for Ts to community, Kahoot trivia, and skit by admin - hope we can pull it off!
Q6: Share any staff specific recognitions, motivators,pick me ups, etc from your school.
A6: Donuts & coffee for bus driver appreciation, order lunch in for the lunch ladies on lunch super hero day, staff luncheon,..
A6: Our PTSO provides lunch each quarter when we announce Teacher & Staff member of the quarter.
Can we start school tomorrow? I am ready now!!
S brown paper bag “lunch". Students take it home, they can decorate and place school app. items that reps. them.
A6 This year I sent out random notes of kindness to staff that I witnessed doing really great things. Great for reflection.
A6: Jean passes are always a hit at our school!
A6 I saw once where one of our schools had the career tech cosmetology do mani-pedis & had a masseuse during planning periods
A6: I wrote notes and included Red Box certificates for Spring Break.
A6 Our staff gives shout outs to each other and I put them in our Monday Memo. The staff look forward to reading the shout outs.
GREAT idea! https://t.co/m9FZTUnhk9
A6 Our staff gives shout outs to each other and I put them in our Monday Memo. The staff look forward to reading the shout outs.
Love this idea---means so much to people to be noticed!
A6: I present Awards to Ts & Ss at board meetings to those representing our mission & beliefs.
A6: Muffins for Moms, Donuts for Dads, Pastries for Parents. things like that. https://t.co/vY3JyV002K
Q6: Share any staff specific recognitions, motivators,pick me ups, etc from your school.
A6 We pass around an enormous Find Nemo Fish when a staff member does something positive! It is based on the Fish philosophy.
A6 I do , , , , and for my staff https://t.co/ghqQj8Jr5J
Q6: Share any staff specific recognitions, motivators,pick me ups, etc from your school.
Did 'Motivation By Appreciation' surveys to make sure we heard our Love Languages. Powerful conversations https://t.co/TRW8QFjft6
Q6: Share any staff specific recognitions, motivators,pick me ups, etc from your school.
Let's share calendars before school starts!!
Q7 coming up in 1 minute...
A6.2 Also spent T Appreciation week celebrating Ts with an awards ceremony, certificate, and CHOCOLATE!
https://t.co/VJBBWmtIzs
Did 'Motivation By Appreciation' surveys to make sure we heard our Love Languages. Powerful conversations https://t.co/TRW8QFjft6
Q6: Share any staff specific recognitions, motivators,pick me ups, etc from your school.
OOOOHHHH! I want to work there! https://t.co/wbATBxIVEY
A6 I saw once where one of our schools had the career tech cosmetology do mani-pedis & had a masseuse during planning periods
Q7: What other ideas can you share for motivating & encouraging faculty/staff throughout the year?
I bet that was powerful and great information as to how to better serve your people https://t.co/uJ2oXnC0A0
Did 'Motivation By Appreciation' surveys to make sure we heard our Love Languages. Powerful conversations https://t.co/TRW8QFjft6
Q6: Share any staff specific recognitions, motivators,pick me ups, etc from your school.
A6: Sometimes I do song contests during morning announcements and the winning (and participating) teachers get Hersey's kisses.
A6: A vet teacher sent me a motivational candy gram when the kids sold them. As a first year teacher last year, that meant a lot!
Qualifications are an inherent tension between what is happening.
A7: Our faculty/staff enjoy participating in secret pals. Whether it's a candy bar & coke or a candle, it's always a pick me up.
A7:Our faculty motivation team has put together a hot cocoa bar, a dessert bar, a dip station, pintos/CB/onion/slaw...
A6:our ☀️ committee had themed Foodie Friday's the last month of May. We all wore attire to match the theme: tailgating, luau, etc
A7: Jeans and Jam. Teams take turn bringing breakfast for rest of faculty and all get to wear jeans!
A8: One year, we decorated the doors of our faculty and staff on their b-days.
We have to find ways to celebrate successes in our buildings. The smallest of gestures can make a HUGE difference.
A7 Nothing fancy. Had a wise friend remind me today to tell the teachers that we love them & we all do it 4kids
I've seen the Buzz Lightyear Award - "to Infinity and Beyond!" https://t.co/Yrjsdi93JU
A6 We pass around an enormous Find Nemo Fish when a staff member does something positive! It is based on the Fish philosophy.
Celebrate success: get the music playing and dance around at the meetings. https://t.co/s9185K6mZZ
Q7: What other ideas can you share for motivating & encouraging faculty/staff throughout the year?
A7: we end year w/ cookout, silent auction- this year gave $$s to one of our secretaries recovering from cancer
A7: I try to visit every classrooms everyday and send “Lawrence Bits” for glows to brag on Ts from time to time Ts appreciate it.
It never ceases to amaze me how excited teachers get about jeans. https://t.co/QSxHMviwA8
A6: Jean passes are always a hit at our school!
A7: Food seems to be a big pick me up any time!
Handwritten notes. I do them and see them on their walls. Make them authentic. I stamp out my own. https://t.co/L9PHQaGZ8C
Q7: What other ideas can you share for motivating & encouraging faculty/staff throughout the year?
They loved it! Each door was unique to that teacher or staff member!
This is a brilliant idea for our SLT to do!!
A7 To motivate staff-as leaders we must be willing to jump in the trenches with them. We must model our core values with action.
What does our delight with food say about all of us?! LOL
Q8: Share how your school motivates & encourages students throughout the year.
There are so many great ideas here! Which ones will I chose? Just priced out "singtrix" and downloaded Dubsmash!
Awards, ball game tickets for attendance, etc... Need to do more! https://t.co/bH0VJ48csj
Q8: Share how your school motivates & encourages students throughout the year.
A8 Not sure about new school but this past year we held Spirit Friday assemblies every week. Games and culture building.
You will love it!!! Hilarious fun times.
Have no idea what singtrix is. https://t.co/oP3ObGvlme
There are so many great ideas here! Which ones will I chose? Just priced out "singtrix" and downloaded Dubsmash!
When I played college vball, on roadtrips we would see how long we could go w/o talking abt food!
A8: Leader of the month luncheons with the best SRO around!
A8: We always do attendance awards in the fall..popsicles, movie passes, have a drawing for larger prizes too...
A8 our schools are working on and Seeing S's NOT WANT TO STOP is amazing! https://t.co/hXnAqRMRVO
Q8: Share how your school motivates & encourages students throughout the year.
We couldn't do it for very long at all!
Those are fighting words at Hoover High! https://t.co/R4plm2ilqA
A8: Leader of the month luncheons with the best SRO around!
karaoke type device that changes your voice!! You could sound like tinker bell! So fun!!
A8: an old friend of mine's does Cake in the Commons where they announce student achievements and serve cake
Q8: we celebrate Ss of the qtr with lunch @ the local favorite pizza place
We celebrate S attendance every month with S assemblies and out to breakfast each quarter at local diner https://t.co/ezvGhEOsYg
Q8: we celebrate Ss of the qtr with lunch @ the local favorite pizza place
FQ: Share the "best of" tradition from your school.
FA: Our school LOVED the HHS senior cap and gown walk through this year!! Thank you :)
FA: we have huge National Library Week celebration. Each year new theme; each day diff activity, including mini golf course
FA: HHS has so many! Football Fridays/Pep Rally days, Homecoming, spirit days, senior trip, I could go on and on!
FA: Favorite team building activity was RAK. Teams went into comm w $10. We ended the day w a slide show of the random acts. <3
FA: EV has a few. BEARCON is a new tradition as was an "Olympic Day" fun day on the last day of school early out.
FA: Track "caught being good" notes over the yr- we celebrate top Ss 4 the month & yr & read others wkly
FA: Our 30+ photo walls for ACT are awesome too!
FQ: College Night...it's a UM thing! Are you purple or gold?! It's a tradition around which all can rally!
FA: Love toga day during HC week, Sr Halloween dance, & Bayou Bash -- all for seniors. LOVE!
Very cool tradition we just started: students nominated parents for recognition at assembly. https://t.co/O55fHMiNxB
Thank you all for joining us for tonight! We love learning with you.
Toga Day ❤️😔 https://t.co/vZkWj6qu01
FA: Love toga day during HC week, Sr Halloween dance, & Bayou Bash -- all for seniors. LOVE!
You all have me excited about planning for the upcoming year!
It's been a tradition for a looooong time!
I've participated in this team building activity! So much fun! https://t.co/vPH1p4uzv7
A5 Ss write down a song that best describes them. Throughout year I play song and Ss have to guess who's it is.
Glad you all joined tonight! Awesome chat moderated by . I want kids to come back tomorrow! ❤️
FA our Sr class president passes a mantle to Jr class pres at end of year after Srs walk off floor, Jrs take oath
looking forward to joining UM this fall! Starting my Ed.S in Instructional Technology!
