#atplc Archive
For over a year, educators have used the #atplc Twitter tag to share resources and ideas about PLCs, connect with others around the world, and inspire each other to never stop learning. Now is your chance to join the conversation! Visit http://www.allthingsplc.info/tools-resources/twitter-chat for more info.
Thursday April 7, 2016
9:00 PM EDT
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Welcome to the chat. Tonight’s topic: Ending the school year on a positive note. To start, introduce yourself and your position.
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Dan, business teacher from St. Louis.
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Hopefully we will pick up some tweeps during our discussion, topic: Ending the year on a positive note. Q1 coming up…
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Hi Dan. Thank you for joining the chat tonight. Q1 coming up!
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Sorry I'm late. Just got back from daughter's soccer match. Looking forward to joining chat tonight
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Thanks Tom for joining us. Great that you are making time for family, one of the best ways to relieve stress.
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A1: it's the culmination of the year. Summary tests, reviewing data, evaluations, committee meetings, artifacts, etc....
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Q1: Why is the end of the school year such a hard time for educators?
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Very true Tom. Everything seems to come to a head at the end of the year. Hard to keep up.
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A1: I think between the light at the end of the tunnel, state testing, vacation, and Ss checking out makes it hard to stay focused.
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Hi David, thank you for joining us. We are discussing why the end of the school year is a challenge.
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A1: kids are disengaged, class lists to plan, IEP reviews, packing up classrooms, summer school planning.....
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That makes a lot of sense Dan.
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We are going to move into Q2 for our chat, topic: Ending the school year on a positive note.
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A1: we sometimes get too comfortable. So important to review, rejuvenate, and stay focused on where we want to go
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You make a good point David. Novelty and changing it up can make a big different this time of year.
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A2: I find bringing people together, having conversations in person to be very important at this time of year.
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A2: experience the work, stress & enjoyment with them. Be visible, be in classes, and actively support the work
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“actively support the work” - wise words!
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Q2: What can school leaders do to address teacher stress and burnout at this time of year?
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A2: I am always a sucker for dress down days, chocolate, and lunch provided for us.
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A2: Do what you can to provide extra prep time. Make sure you're not adding things to Ts plates. Find ways to lower stress
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A2: having an open forum to find constructive ways to alleviate the stress in teachers.
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A2: Acknowledging that this is a hard time of year for everyone at school is affirming. Help teachers feel like you are listening.
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A2: I liked taking care of breakfast a couple of times in May. I also created opportunities for an extra recess.
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How have you provided extra prep time for teachers, Tom?
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Q3 of our chat (Ending the School Year on a Positive Note) is coming up…
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Nice ideas, Tom, thanks for sharing.
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One of their favorites was my annual reward for PBIS. We would have a movie day supervised by me. 90 min prep 4 staff
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that sounds like a good plan.
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The other big one was the annual Field Day that I helped supervise with the help of Parent volunteers. 1/2 day prep.
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Field Day is a lot of fun. Involving parents is smart.
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A3: write positive notes and words of encouragement. Have lunch together to discuss non-school things to take your mind off of it.
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A3: 1 of the best ways they can support each other is by working as a PLC & see what they can combine efforts on or eliminate
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Good Call!! We also had an end of the year social that was tons of fun!
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A3: Teachers can support their colleagues by being there for them and asking how they are doing. Active listening goes a long way.
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nothing like food and socialization to help ease stress.
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Socials can be helpful. We have one planned for tomorrow. I plan on asking for feedback about the year.
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as long as it's not a survey. hates surveys.
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amen. I have filled out enough surveys in the last week.
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OMG!!! It's been soooo long since I've had a donut! I may drive up for your meeting
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I’ll give you a heads up on the next one that involves pastries. :-)
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I do agree - food is important for PLCs. Reminds us of coming around a meal as a family.
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Q4 coming up for our chat, topic: Ending the school year on a positive note…
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people somehow socialize more around a table of food.
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A4: Ts nominated a S of the year and they are all recognized next week during an assembly. Show our appreciation for their hard work.
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I like that Dan, especially if the nom is based on school values. Might steal that one!
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A4: our building use to have an activity day where Ss could relax and play various games on campus before finals.
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Q4: How can the school house better support students during the end of the school year?
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You could almost do this on a weekly basis, based on school values instead of compliance/rewards.
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A4: Give students a voice through structured opportunities to share their feelings and unwind through guided, in-class discussions.
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Thanks for doing us! We appreciate your insights.
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That’s great Dan, good to hear how other schools are taking it to this level.
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Q5 is coming up for our chat, topic: Ending the school year on a positive note
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Thanks for joining us, we appreciate your ideas!
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A5: we focus on making sure we are all on track for the exams, and talk about goals/plans for the fall, as well as possible changes.
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I’m moving right into the final Q for chat…
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