#FLedchat is a virtual meeting place using Twitter. Educators across the state of Florida come together on Wednesdays at 8pm EST to discuss the topics of the week.
Tonight we will be talking about Climate and Culture. We will use the Q1/A1 format until a conversation breaks out. Don't forget to use #FLedChat so we can all share your brilliance.
** Q1 **
I had the pleasure of hearing @gerrybrooksprin speak in Orlando this past week. He said Climate and Culture were the most important items when trying to have a successful school. What say you?
#FLedChat
A1: depends on what your definition of SUCCESS is... if SUCCESS = Test Scores, than I disagree with Gerry.... if SUCCESS = Kids Coming to School with a Love of Learning - then AGREED - #FLEdChat
He was fabulous! I wish I knew you were there we could have high fived in person! Agreed- The work is hard, made harder by false starts, miscommunication, and hurt feelings. Be the person you want to come work with. #FLedChat
Reminds me of what we know about kids- They don't care what you know until they know you care. Adults, for many reasons, need that love and support maybe more sometimes. #FLedChat
#fledchat A1: Climate and culture are important. You can ask for any change in data...but if you don't have the right mind set for both...it's like dragging through (or getting stuck in) mud.
And then can become even worse. :)
A1: Climate is primo. If the faculty are exhausted and don't have a focus, they scatter and become their own little planets circling their own suns. Collaboration breeds a climate of student-centered learning and a culture for innovation.
A2. Our kids can tell when teachers do not get along, or which teachers always seem to have a negative attitude. And they respond both negatively and positively. #FLedChat
A2 My kids have always been very aware of relationships between staff. They know if things are good or need work. Although not I'm in middle school they think if I'm nice to someone we're dating. *smh* #FLedChat
A2: just like 'mama'... if educators ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Seriously, kids read adult emotions so well and accurately. Educators need to feel supported and appreciated to pass that climate to students #fledchat
A2 #fledchat It's like a car...how the car runs, what it feels like inside, how you feel with the people inside will depend on how far you get on your journey and how many students are willing to join you on the ride. :)
It's easier to assume best intentions and not take feedback personally when you have a positive relationship with your colleagues. Trust relationships are so important. #FledChat
A2; I am fortunate enough to work with a very close friend. Our students love saying "You are friends with Mrs. S" "You guys went to dinner this weekend" The students feel like they are in on a secret. #fledchat
A2: just like 'mama'... if educators ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Seriously, kids read adult emotions so well and accurately. Educators need to feel supported and appreciated to pass that climate to students #fledchat
A2: It completely affects the students. Apathy in the faculty is quickly picked up by the barometer and then the students. That's why it's called climate! It's changes affect the humans in the ecosystem ... and quicker than you may think! #fledchat
A3: Best I can tell you it's like running a marathon. First few miles are hell. Then you settle into a pace...but then around mile 21 (March) all hell breaks loose, you want to quit and lie down and die! Slow down, pace yourself and breathe...it will pass! #fledchat
A3 #fledchat Two things.. it's a commitment to that mind set (being positive and excited ourselves about new learning) and the second is to include others in our processes and planning. Get the children to share ideas, even pull from families and coworkers. Try something new.
A3 I'm usually most excited at the beginning because of the anticipation and planning over the summer. I sustain that energy by planning events or activities so I have ongoing things to look forward to. #FledChat
A3: Set reminders for things that keep the excitement and positivity flowing. Sometimes we need a reminder especially when it's crunch time. There are so many things that teachers are responsible for, ENERGY and being POSITIVE sometimes slip through the cracks! #FLEdChat
#fledchat A1. Always! A well developed school has a expectation on how the culture should be. What is the expectation? Do you expect Yale or JUnior College. Do you expect stick figures or expect Picasso? Do you expect go out and have fun, or go out and win state championship
#fledchat This is also were year round schools are so nice because you have breaks in between 9 week sessions. Time to refresh and reflect...easier to pace oneself.
A3: Best I can tell you it's like running a marathon. First few miles are hell. Then you settle into a pace...but then around mile 21 (March) all hell breaks loose, you want to quit and lie down and die! Slow down, pace yourself and breathe...it will pass! #fledchat
A1: @gerrybrooksprin is on to something! Creating a climate and culture where students, teachers, and admins love teaching and learning leads to the success of the school as a whole. #fledchat
A2: Kids can tell when their Ts don't work with each other or don't like each other. They feel it, see it, hear it in conversations. I'm sure that negatively effects student learning. #fledchat
I would LOVE to work year round (because technically I already do!) and feel it makes so much more sense than this giant summer break! It's just so old fashioned!
A4. My principal starts each day with announcements and ends them with "I love each and every one of you and nothing you can do will change that." And he sincerely means it. #FLedChat
A3: I think pacing yourself, remembering you're there for the kids, shwoing up for work excited, and figuring out what's going to keep students excited (maybe by asking them what that is!). #fledchat
A4. My principal starts each day with announcements and ends them with "I love each and every one of you and nothing you can do will change that." And he sincerely means it. #FLedChat
A4. We turned our school into Harry Potter. We now have 5 house groups with each house have the usual SGA positions. This gives more of our students opportunities for a leadership role. #FLedChat
A4: Not my 'school' the district. @MCSDFlorida is highlighting employees on social media in the #MCSDMagnificent campaign... positivity to the max! #FLEdChat
A4 My principal @ovettwilson ends every announcement and meeting with "If I haven't told you lately, never forget...there's greatness in you." Last year was my 1st year with him and I missed that reinforcement over the summer.
#fledchat
Q4: We do things in little pockets but it's not really a whole school group bonding idea. Divisions like to keep to themselves...which makes it hard for faculty that cover all three schools! #fledchat
A4. We turned our school into Harry Potter. We now have 5 house groups with each house have the usual SGA positions. This gives more of our students opportunities for a leadership role. #FLedChat
#MCSDMagnificent🌟: Speech-Language Pathologist Carolyn Livings of FAWE is a native of the @CityofStuartFL and proud graduate of The @floridastate
University!
Ms. Livings says she enjoys watching her students develop confidence in their communication & social skills.
A4. We turned our school into Harry Potter. We now have 5 house groups with each house have the usual SGA positions. This gives more of our students opportunities for a leadership role. #FLedChat
A4: My old school used to have feasts on special occasions! Those were the best gatherings - faculty got to know each other, celebrate, swap ideas, and get support in an informal setting. #fledchat
A4: Not my 'school' the district. @MCSDFlorida is highlighting employees on social media in the #MCSDMagnificent campaign... positivity to the max! #FLEdChat
#MCSDMagnificent🌟: Speech-Language Pathologist Carolyn Livings of FAWE is a native of the @CityofStuartFL and proud graduate of The @floridastate
University!
Ms. Livings says she enjoys watching her students develop confidence in their communication & social skills.
#fledchat A5 create class families, get to know your students, let them know you sincerely care, guide them to lead their learning...ask them what they need to grow...and a bright, warm room that YOU love to be in helps too. :)
And in that case, where I live across the bay @my_pcs needs to think about adopting this as well, would like to see a shout out to some of my daughter’s great teachers over the years! #FLedChat
Q5:Always remember we don't know what's happened to the human that crossed our threshold. So #1 - Kindess. Always be kind. Because meeting a student with kindness will always set the climate-they can trust you and rely on you when they need positivity in their lives! #fledchat
A5: Letting your students know you care. Greet them at the door, ask them about their lives, be positive, and expect greatness from all of your students every day. #fledchat
A5: This sounds obvious, but even if the culture of your school has got you down, fake it 'til you make it! It's for the kids! #FLEdChat... I've ALWAYS answered the question of 'How are you?' with positivity even when I'm feeling rough. It goes a LONG way.
A6 #fledchat Such a great question. Honestly...start by asking them what they need to stay. You can't always accommodate everyone. However, there is a pretty strong chance that what you hear in their replies will be action items that benefit your culture and climate longterm.
A6: I think encourage them to find other educators like them...even if there are only a few. Do things to try to encourage others to join in. #FLedChat
A6. For some educators--those determined to only see the negative--you should probably be prepared to let them go gracefully. For others, remind them that change doesn't happen overnight and that if we want to see our kids succeed, we need to stick with it. #FLedChat
Q6: I wish I had an answer for this one. Every school is different! Personally - I have to balance - run off the frustration and start every new day with positive vibes! It's hard when you feel you are the only one at the positive party! Pretty much... #fledchat
A6: Remember you're there for the kids first and find ways to share your feedback with admin about what's going well (and what's not) in a positive way. Lean on your colleagues and allow them to lean on you. #fledchat
#fledchat Read some key research on why many teachers leave teaching...not pay, not time...they feel like they are no longer 'helping'. It is sad with so many changes implemented, we forget there is a difference between ineffective and in the process of learning new things.
As #FLedChat wraps up - I just wanted to share an add-on I came across today in #GoogleSlides. Probably totally behind on the times, but @GrackleDocs checks accessibility of your slides 🎉 Running one check taught me so much about accessibility 🤯 @Spedtechmia3
