Run by Iowa educators, #IAedchat is on Twitter the first, second, and third Sundays each month at 8:00pm CST. We have added #IAedchat LIVE to the fourth Sunday of the month at 8:00pm CST. This will take place in Google Hangout on Air. We will share the invitation and link to #IAedchat LIVE each month.
A1: Creating and designing learning opportunities for students that are authentic, powerful and sticky. Stuff that makes them say, "Remember that time we..." #iaedchat
A1: Creating an atmosphere where all Ss can thrive…. All Ss learn and breathe empathy, kindness, and grit. They want to learn because everyone around them cares if they’re successful. Ss own their learning. #IAedChat
A1: We have the opportunity to impact the future every single day. Every time we connect with a student, parent, or community member we can change the way people talk about schools. #IAedchat
Hey #IAedChat Friends!
We will take the next two weekends off for Christmas Even and New Year’s Eve. Join us on January 7, 2018!
Happy holidays to you and yours and best wishes from all of us for a safe and happy 2018!
A1: People make the school what it is. Bricks & wood make a building. People make a school. What are we doing in the minutes that we are with kids to make an impact? What have we done to build a place where people are joyful to be and kids leave with passion and a plan? #iaedchat
This is true. We can do it individually as teachers in classrooms, but also by creating the kind of culture system wide that makes that the core of the way we do business. #iaedchat
A1 Quality relationships, student engagement, and applicable feedback — along w/dedicated educators to seamlessly combine them all so that Ss continue to find success. #iaedchat
A1. Creating a learning environment that is focused around promoting the well-being of the whole student. Also including all students no matter their abilities or background. #iaedchat
A1: Student and staff engagement is critical. Do kids and adults want to be there? Relationships are valued, students are learning in authentic ways and excited to do more. In tune with the feelings of others (empathy). #iaedchat
Right on, Ben.
Everything going well in a system is because of relationships. Everything not going well in a system is because of relationships. #IAedChat
Lots of great comments here I look at this question and answer it with 2 or three main themes and several parts and pieces coming from each of them #iaedchat
A1: Providing holistic, hands-on learning experiences aligned to students passions & interests, where they have a choice and voice and can make connections to the real world. What counts is that all students know their strengths and are empowered impact the world. #iaedchat
A1: Growth in all learners in all areas. Content, skills and dispositions. Inspiring, empowering all learns to lead their learning and know that they matter now, not just when they get older. #iaedchat
Q2: The recent release of the Iowa School Report Card results gives us an opportunity to think about what we wish it reflected. What criteria do you wish were included in the Iowa School Report Card? #IAedChat
A1: Growth in all learners in all areas. Content, skills and dispositions. Inspiring and empowering all to lead their learning and know that they matter now, not just when they get older. #iaedchat
Great classrooms, schools and districts value their students, teachers, families and communities. We should recognize and share what we value. #iaedchat
Thanks, man. All starts with engagement. The question that we must continue to ask is how to get there and keep it there with Ss (and staff). #iaedchat
A2: I wish the Iowa School Report Card measured growth mindset, resiliency, grit, perseverance, problem solving, creativity, critical thinking. I wish it did punish schools for teacher retirements or for teachers taking leadership roles. #iaedchat
Like that language….. we need to be intentional about APPLICABLE feedback. Feedback to help grow, not for the sake of feedback. (good job, excellent, etc) #IAedChat
A1 Quality relationships, student engagement, and applicable feedback — along w/dedicated educators to seamlessly combine them all so that Ss continue to find success. #iaedchat
A2: It takes the same old metrics and shares them in a different way. It really doesn't measure any of the things folks articulated in questions one. #iaedchat
A2: I wish growth was weighted equal to proficiency. Proficiency is the floor. Growth, I feel, shows the potential that exists and the ground being gained. Growth is the ceiling. Basing a ranking off of proficiency is still very NCLB minded. #iaedchat
A2: I wish the Iowa Schools Report Card measured growth mindset, resiliency, perseverance, grit, creativity and critical thinking. I wish it didn't punish schools for teacher retirements and for teachers leaving for leadership roles. #iaedchat
A2: With most reports concentrating on reading, math and science. Many of our students who excel in the fine arts or other areas are not recognized. #iaedchat
A2: Our stories, our measures. We have a wonderful body of evidence around student and parent perceptions regarding school, our growth, goal-setting, projects, you name it. And qualitative data- stories of our individual learners. #iaedchat
A2: One thing I really enjoy about the report card is the growth measures: college and career ready and annual expected growth. Inclusive to all learners wherever they are. All kids can learn and grow. #iaedchat
A2 not sure what is included in the Iowa report card now but something in MO that I think is overlooked is a legit student, Staff and parent climate report that would reflect the relationship building process. #iaedchat
A2: While I'm not familiar with the report card, as an out-of-towner, I'm a big fan of more useful feedback that can be reflected upon and applied to what we do. I'll be looking into this in 2018. https://t.co/Te2SSgft01#IAedchat
As a parent I would love to hear how my child collaborates and problem solves to apply different skills throughout a project. As an educator I try to address this w/families and provide Ss with feedback when working on group projects. #iaedchat
A2: I wish growth was weighted equal to proficiency. Proficiency is the floor. Growth, I feel, shows the potential that exists and the ground being gained. Growth is the ceiling. Basing a ranking off of proficiency is still very NCLB minded. #iaedchat
A2: It would be harder to "measure" and collect the same kind of data, but I want to provide an experience for kids that is meaningful and sticky. I might be way far out there, but I don't really care about much of the data. #iaedchat
Me too. Best for what we have, as all measures are standardized from IA Assessment. Inclusive to all kids, unlike closing the gap and proficiency in many cases for struggling learners. #iaedchat
A3: Share on the platform where your parents live…. Facebook, instagram, twitter, blogs, email, phone calls, newspapers, paper notes… multiple avenues to share success = a broad message is received. #IAedChat
I agree. The working world that the current Ss will enter into is very collaborative based. I do not know of too many people who work in total isolation. #iaedchat
A3: Here is the latest and greatest way we share our message. Just dropped about 20 minutes ago: EES December Newsletter https://t.co/lCCBzLPcZD#iaedchat
A3: This is an area I am passionate about. I think we should be utilizing every avenue possible to tell the stories that matter in our schools and our districts. WE have to tell and share that story. The data should support the stories, not the other way. #iaedchat
A3: we have a monthly newsletter (the Morris Minute) that we share our. Teachers tweet and email their weekly updates. I’m on Twitter and working on other social media outlets. #TellOurStory#MorrisJays#iaedchat
A3: Share on the platform where your parents live…. Facebook, instagram, twitter, blogs, email, phone calls, newspapers, paper notes… multiple avenues to share success = a broad message is received. #IAedChat
A3 we work hard to share with the local media, create a district newsletter, and we work social media. We also use a text/email alert system to push our story out #iaedchat
However, it did allow me to ask our staff, “Who wants to send their kid to a school with ‘Acceptable’ in big red letters above the door or on the sign?” Don’t be Kumbaya Elementary, everything is beige and just good enough. We’re more than a ranking. Let’s prove it. #iaedchat
A3 Sharing your story isn’t an extra thing you have to do, it’s something you must do in all that you do! Celebrate positives throughout each day.. #IAedChat
A3: Social media is a start. However, F2F communication is still important. We must contagiously spread the good word as authors of our own stories. The message must remain consistent and strong. #IAedchat
A3: Agreed that we are moving toward the social medias to promote what is going on in our school. Although it can be a "select" group of students that are continually promoted there. How do we cheer for those who don't always rise to the top? #iaedchat
A3 . We can address our districts vision of success by giving concrete examples/models of our district vision and mission statement but we have to Live It - not just talk of it or have it on paper/website. #iaedchat
As a parent I would love to hear how my child collaborates and problem solves to apply different skills throughout a project. As an educator I try to address this w/families and provide Ss with feedback when working on group projects. #iaedchat
A3.2: There are amazing tools at our disposal including FB, Instagram, Twitter, etc. My question always remains, "How can we use these tools to enhance F2F connections and relationships?" #iaedchat
A3: We have to share our story or someone else will. Using a variety of platforms, electronic and print. Everyone, within the system is a part of the story telling process. We need to educate and empower everyone within on the messages we are sending. #iaedchat
A3: We have a great communications department that has been instrumental in helping tell not only our district story but spotlighting one building each week. Tell your story or someone else will. #WeAreCRCSD#CRCSDPride#iaedchat
One way is we work with students to tell the stories. We work hand-in-hand to tell stories. We teach them how to tell stories. We rely on the power of stories to move people to action. Inspire families and community to want to be part of our schools. #iaedchat
A3: Agreed that we are moving toward the social medias to promote what is going on in our school. Although it can be a "select" group of students that are continually promoted there. How do we cheer for those who don't always rise to the top? #iaedchat
A1: relationships, relationships, relationships. Need to have them with coworkers/admins in order to work together. Ss need to trust ts so we do so by building our relationships with them & the learning comes after. #iaedchat
A3: This is an area I am passionate about. I think we should be utilizing every avenue possible to tell the stories that matter in our schools and our districts. WE have to tell and share that story. The data should support the stories, not the other way. #iaedchat
A3: As supt, I communicated regularly w/ Key Partners (those with influence in the community) and special interest groups (Realtors, Chamber, Service Clubs) #iaedchat
A2: Prob solving skills, creativity, and resilience. Ss do these things each day & they need these skills for real world but they are never reflected in any assessment (to my knowledge). #iaedchat
Q2: The recent release of the Iowa School Report Card results gives us an opportunity to think about what we wish it reflected. What criteria do you wish were included in the Iowa School Report Card? #IAedChat
A3 . We can address our districts vision of success by giving concrete examples/models of our district vision and mission statement but we have to Live It - not just talk of it or have it on paper/website. #iaedchat
A4: Thinking about my own two children who learn in dramatically different ways…. We need to design schools so we can be intentional about teaching all students in a variety of ways, timeframes, atmospheres, and platforms. #IAedChat
A4: We would focus work on a couple of things. First, relationships matter more than anything else. Second, educators should be designers of amazing learning opportunities, not just delivery systems. #iaedchat
A4 Student choice driving curriculum as opposed to predetermined subjects, more time for S and T collaboration would be game changers for any system #IAedChat
A4: more collaborative time for teachers to learn from one another, let the experts be experts! Celebrations brought to the forefront often as teaching can be tough and small positives go a long way! #iaedchat
Thanks! Still a work in progress, but we have to find better ways to share stories and to get after an emotional response, not just one that is data-driven. #iaedchat
A4: Moving kids as batches like an assembly line. "Ah, here’s the new 2018 batch." Learning should be personalized, tailored for the kid at a pace that allows them to achieve success & move as ready. Deep, meaningful, real world learning. Not a worksheet. #iaedchat
A4: Focus on relationships and strengths. Kids having choice in time, path, place, content. I have two kids that learn in very different ways. It's all about personalization. Not moving from one "one size fits all" to another. #iaedchat
A4 wow so many things. Schools would be redesigned with alternative seating and meeting areas not necessarily traditional classrooms. Make student voice and choice the top priority in curriculum design. Career Academies need to be developed more in rural schools. #iaedchat
A4: Redesigned system created for all types of learners; competency based, no bells, move from a "give and get to a go and get model", community based learning with projects. Breaking down the walls of the school. Meet students where they are, use strengths as driver. #iaedchat
A4b make personalized PD a reality not just a discussion, growth mindset in Ss and Ts must become an expectation not just something the best of the best do. #iaedchat
How could we build in evidence of success? Base it on relationships! They are an imperative. IF we have relationships with all stakeholders, the rest will come naturally. (Not currently a component found in standardized test or IA Report Card… bummer!) #IAedChat
A4: We would focus work on a couple of things. First, relationships matter more than anything else. Second, educators should be designers of amazing learning opportunities, not just delivery systems. #iaedchat
A4: Empathy, ss need to feel for one another. Show how to bring each other up. Collaboration, ss need to know how to work together through ups and downs. Prob solving skills, too many ss freeze up & want the immediate answer. #iaedchat
Also, here’s a New Year’s resolution- Let’s quit making education a commodity and focus on it as a right. No more “those kids” “that neighborhood” or any of that business. Education is a right and it’s the only way we have peace, a better world, an informed population #iaedchat
A4: Focusing on the process and success or learning something new. Not that letter grade that is given at the end. It is sad that the grade comes before the growth. #iaedchat
It wouldn't be as easy to quantify, and to some people, it would feel hokey, I suppose. I want to see smiles, and I want to create such great experiences that people want to be part of it. #iaedchat
Hey girl hey!🙋🏼♀️ I’ve missed you (and the #iaedchat /BC crew too)!! I’m great, how are you? Bet you’re busy learning the ins and outs of the new job.
A4c standards based grading makes so much sense and much become our normal, make relationship building and parent communication a priority in teacher education programs #iaedchat
A5: Stakeholder (including student) feedback, the way they feel, their comments and feedback matters. We give a student engagement survey three times a year. Working on a parent and teachers survey to align. #iaedchat
A4: Redesigned system created for all types of learners; competency based, no bells, move from a "give and get to a go and get model", community based learning with projects. Breaking down the walls of the school. Meet students where they are, use strengths as driver. #iaedchat
A5: After second quarter will will do On A Roll and give recognition to students who improve in two of their subjects. Doesn't have to be an A just growth. #iaedchat
A5: Our teachers are beginning to use student progress reports as a means of self-assessment and reflection. This window allows students to take ownership of their own growth, progress and development. #IAedChat
Our parent and student perception surveys tell us so much! We also create a body of evidence around what we care about. Pictures, goal-setting, growth in our units of study, projects, videos, analytics in our communication, etc. #iaedchat
A5: Trying to tie learning objectives to online exams so we can track both individual Ss progress and entire school progress. Also tying objectives to rubrics for projects #iaedchat
You’re def right. Just get the positive ball rolling & many days will be made. Sometimes, ts just need reassurance that they’re headed in the right direction from another coworker/admin. #iaedchat
A6 Social/Emotional teaching should be embedded in all that way do and applicable to the real world- not a once a week gimmick used to fill time #IAedChat
A6: I feel this is an overall strength for us. However, we have some extreme cases where we fall short for more counseling for mental health needs. It’s tough and we do our best every day. Each student is different! #iaedchat
A6: As a system, I think we are making baby steps, but overall are missing the mark on meeting the social/emotional needs of our Ss. Until this becomes a priority from a funding/organizational standpoint, we will continue to do our best. #iaedchat
A6 we have so many programs to assist Ss in this area but they don’t know I.T until they have dug a hole for themselves we need to promote and describe these programs to parents so they now from day one what is available to them #iaedchat
A6: I think we are still missing the mark in the emotional growth of our ss. I have attended too many funerals of ss's who took their own lives. My heart breaks. I wasn't trained in how to help these ss. Our teacher ed preparation needs to expand to the emotional needs. #iaedchat
A6 Getting Ts to realize importance of intentionally & explicitly teaching desired SEL & character traits as research concludes devoting class time to these skills is a more effective way to increase academic achievement #iaedchat
A6: The teaching of Covey's 7 Habits has helped us tremendously in this area. We also embed into academic areas. I think in many schools there is such high demand for more minutes in core academic areas, that this can often get pushed aside. #iaedchat
A6: We know the ones who are asking for help in overt ways. What about the ones who are covert or who have a great game face at school and are suffering? Relationships are everything a school should be built on. Know your kids. Love your kids. Learning will follow. #iaedchat
A6b we also need to make character education and things like being supportive, honorable, respectful and kind a part of our s hook day at all times we have to live It if we want kids to be It and now how to apply It daily #iaedchat
Q6: This needs to be more important! I think we are missing the mark by not providing students with enough opportunities to move their bodies through recess and free play. I also think we need to focus on teaching mindfulness. Mindfulness and @TMmeditation help me. #iaedchat
A6: Viewing SEL as an add-on to the curriculum is an issue that needs to be improved upon. Inspiring our learners to be problem finders as well as problem solvers as they learn through community based involvement is one way that we are getting it right. #IAedChat
A6: The interesting thing is, I think if we had more focus on the power of relationships and social/emotional learning, the stuff so many care about (data, test scores, etc.), would benefit... #iaedchat
A6 as a whole - were missing out focusing on time. I often hear “there’s no time” —make it a priority. Relationships(social/emotional) are foundational. Ss will move mountains when they feel loved and safe. They’ll also take risks to make progress. #IAedChat
A6: The interesting thing is, I think if we had more focus on the power of relationships and social/emotional learning, the stuff so many care about (data, test scores, etc.), would benefit... #iaedchat
A6: I think we are still missing the mark in the emotional growth of our ss. I have attended too many funerals of ss's who took their own lives. My heart breaks. I wasn't trained in how to help these ss. Our teacher ed preparation needs to expand to the emotional needs. #iaedchat
A6: We know the ones who are asking for help in overt ways. What about the ones who are covert or who have a great game face at school and are suffering? Relationships are everything a school should be built on. Know your kids. Love your kids. Learning will follow. #iaedchat
A6: We know the ones who are asking for help in overt ways. What about the ones who are covert or who have a great game face at school and are suffering? Relationships are everything a school should be built on. Know your kids. Love your kids. Learning will follow. #iaedchat
Q7: As you think about ways to modify your system to better meet students’ needs, what is one step you could take to make this closer to reality? #IAedChat
A7: Be open to being a bit rebellious as a teacher or an administrator. Be willing to not only believe in these kinds of changes, but also be willing to stand by them and be different. #iaedchat
A6: The interesting thing is, I think if we had more focus on the power of relationships and social/emotional learning, the stuff so many care about (data, test scores, etc.), would benefit... #iaedchat
A7: We, schools in general, are progressing but not close to where we should be in regards to meeting the mark. Some ts don’t believe that we need to give social emotional support to ss. Lies. All ss need it, no matter the grade. #iaedchat
A7: ask these very same questions to our building leadership teams and grade level teams. Get the ball rolling and get people on board. More positive momentum can make the dream a reality! #iaedchat
What happens in a classroom and what doesn’t happen in a classroom is up to the teacher. Same goes for the principal and the school. What I want for my learners I must make explicit. How are we setting every kid up to be successful? #iaedchat
A7: We see rebellious classroom teachers, and sometimes administrators, but systems? That seems like big, risky change for some. Seems to rarely happen at that level. #iaedchat
A7 seriously asking Ss,Parents and staff what they want and need and how we can improve our system for the betterment of our students as People and learners #iaedchat
A7: I am trying to work toward the #ditchthathomework. Kids are so over extended that having hours of practice at home is not helping them. To grow that emotional stability, there needs to be a return to family time in the evenings. A chance to play in a neighborhood. #iaedchat
A7: Give new systems ample time to be evaluated and reflected upon. Ensure that we ask a variety of effective questions that will provide us with an accurate snapshot before we make any decisions. #IAedChat
A7: When leaders lack the courage to confront that which erodes the culture, they rob everyone of the optimal environment. We need to not only make the positives so loud they block the negatives, we need to help the negatives find their happy. #iaedchat
If you want to see change, you have to be willing to stand up and be different. That can be difficult, and scary, and dangerous. It's also how any big, important, lasting change happens. #iaedchat
A7 Changing systems happens when all your arrows are pointing in the same direction - I can try my best to align my arrow to meet my Ss/Families where they are at and lead discussions with my PLC to align for our Ss and instruction #babysteps#iaedchat
Hey #IAedChat Friends!
We will take the next two weekends off for Christmas Even and New Year’s Eve. Join us on January 7, 2018!
Happy holidays to you and yours and best wishes from all of us for a safe and happy 2018!
A7: When leaders lack the courage to confront that which erodes the culture, they rob everyone of the optimal environment. We need to not only make the positives so loud they block the negatives, we need to help the negatives find their happy. #iaedchat
A7. Research different methodologies, ask other educators through forums and as a teacher ask administration if I could pilot something. It does not hurt to ask. #iaedchat
A7: To continue to push the system, to empower students and parents to help share our story. To ask them what and how they want to learn. To encourage them to ask questions and solve problems. To support people who are in the "arena" and outside of their comfort zone. #iaedchat
A7: Just have a convo with admins. Ask them if there is a possibility to add prob solving, creativity etc to report card & explain why it’s just as important as the academics & how they go hand in hand. #iaedchat
Q7: As you think about ways to modify your system to better meet students’ needs, what is one step you could take to make this closer to reality? #IAedChat
