tyler here! About to embark on an epic journey moving from California to upstate New York, starting tomorrow! Excited for the new possibilities #sunchat
Morning #sunchat! Colin, Founder of @thinkLawUS (https://t.co/Ah3EoFkCFz), where we help educators teach critical thinking to all students. Chiming in from Phoenix for the 1st time in a while!
Hi, I'm Jim McClain, a 7th grade math teacher in Elkhart, Indiana. I'm in my 32nd and semi-final year of teaching! Also the author of the award-nominated Jim McClain's Solution Squad, a graphic novel about math-themed superheroes. #sunchat
Morning!! Kasey from Kansas here. Currently on the way to watch the mighty Chiefs play again. Also reading this book I found yesterday at Target. Love some Barack and Biden bromance 🇺🇸 #sunchat
Good morning, friends! Alex, 21st Century Teaching and Learning Coordinator in Freeport, IL, jumping from one chat to another this morning before getting up and out of bed! #Sunchat
I would consider it, but my wife has her dream teaching job (second year culinary arts at our career center) and is not ready to walk away just yet. #sunchat
My current reflections have largely been about culture. Cultures that promote growth and those that stifle them. How are they created? How can they be changed? #sunchat
In our rural district we also have that issue. Subs in Kansas have to have 60 college hours. It’s hard to find people in our town that have that and not employed elsewhere #sunchat
What's been bugging me is "that's not my job" syndrome. In the classroom I def partnered with specialists, but I firmly believe that if gen ed teachers do a huge disservice if they do not own SPED, ELL, gifted, and strategies for all exceptional populations #Sunchat
Re: Sub shortage. We are trying paying more for subs who work both Mon/Fri in a given week (our hardest days), pulling central office admin to sub... #sunchat
Re: sub shortage - Thought it would be a good idea to reach out to the local teaching colleges to sign up the qualified T candidates and give them classroom credit. Don't you think it would be a good hands-on way of experience the real thing? Tightrope w/o a net? #sunchat
Grinding my gears: The unwillingness to try the “new” to push boundaries and take a chance. “Why not?” Might be the single greatest phrase in teaching, but you have to be willing to say it and... #sunchat
An issue that is grinding me is around specialists and PLC's. As a specialist much of our PLC work is around classroom whole group planning. That really doesn't suppoort my learning or work with students. How do others find ways to support both? #sunchat
A little louder for the people in the back! More importantly- understand you don’t hold all the knowledge, and it’s ok to ask for help! #sunchat#collaboration
What's been bugging me is "that's not my job" syndrome. In the classroom I def partnered with specialists, but I firmly believe that if gen ed teachers do a huge disservice if they do not own SPED, ELL, gifted, and strategies for all exceptional populations #Sunchat
Coffee/snack cart being pushed around the school is always a winner. And anything that is the gift of time - cancelling or shortening a meeting. #sunchat
Hey John! Great question! I've always been a fan of saving up my most engaging & rigorous activities for holiday madness season. It helped when I worked at schools that scheduled semester final exams during this period #sunchat
Yeah, if we want to keep talking pain points, I still have jobs that are not filled that have been posted all year. Trying to find pre-service Ts as possible long-term subs... #sunchat
Similar story in my area. Couple of recent efforts include tapping central-office employees as subs as well as varying sub pay to incentivize key coverage times. Details here: https://t.co/w7O6MADGn2#sunchat
There is so much on my mind!! Due to a two committees I am on, I’m thinking about measuring success of schools beyond state scores, equity, absenteeism and managing conflict #sunchat
In a grad school course that is looking at the US education system compared to other countries. There are some alarming negative statistics. How do we help combat this issue that is so much bigger than just our classroom? #sunchat
Listen to hear and not to fix. During times of stress it is so important to be heard. We have to acknowledge the holidays, while times of joy for some, are incredibly stressful/ emotional for others. #SunChat
Is there time for specialists to meet with one another as a PLC team or so you only have time to meet with gen ed teams? I meet with the other coordinators in my district twice a month. #sunchat
Isn't that the definition of collaboration? Why do we *people* always think we know it all? We've got the best resources all around us every day! USE THEM!! #sunchat
A little louder for the people in the back! More importantly- understand you don’t hold all the knowledge, and it’s ok to ask for help! #sunchat#collaboration
What's been bugging me is "that's not my job" syndrome. In the classroom I def partnered with specialists, but I firmly believe that if gen ed teachers do a huge disservice if they do not own SPED, ELL, gifted, and strategies for all exceptional populations #Sunchat
My wife teachers a dual-credit course in culinary arts. She also handles ServSafe certification, an extremely valuable thing to have when working in restaurants. My wife was in the hospitality industry for 20 years before becoming a teacher. She's GOOD. #sunchat
Yes, and thank you. As a specialist I go into classes and see to many Ss just sitting because they need more support and they aren't getting it. I'm 1 T in a building of 12 classroom and 240ish Ss. They all are our students, we have to make it work. #sunchat
I am inspired by many of my students, daily. I am also inspired and steal from teachers who are testing, sometimes failing, new and creative lessons for their students. Keep talking, keep sharing, keep stealing from each other. #sunchat
As a gen ed teacher with exceptional populations represented in my classroom, I 100% agree. We have specialists for SPED, ELL, and gifted Ss, but Ss see them for a small fraction of time each day - so it's definitely MY JOB to understand how to teach/reach them each day. #sunchat
Whoa! Def going to look at this! My building has nursing, welding, engineering, computer science, and culinary. We are growing, and I am looking for ways to support that as a coach. #SunChat
Problem for us too especially in high needs schools. Ts cover on their plan a lot. Also recently seen that we must be recruiting our own graduates as well. Seen quite a few young people 2 years ago. #sunchat
My wife teachers a dual-credit course in culinary arts. She also handles ServSafe certification, an extremely valuable thing to have when working in restaurants. My wife was in the hospitality industry for 20 years before becoming a teacher. She's GOOD. #sunchat
And I really don't want this to be viewed as me beating down on educators who are slammed in so many ways. This is mainly a leadership/culture/training issue. Just like the counselor can't be solely responsible for social-emotional learning. #sunchat
@ColinESeale My undergrad experience didn't prepare me to work with exceptional populations; it took me almost five years to finally figure out what to ask in the first place. How do we better train Ts to understand the intersection of gen ed and spec ed right away? #sunchat
In reply to
@dherman62, @tiffanytruitt, @ColinESeale
We only have time with gen ed Ts, plus my principal is saying to team up with a group. 1 time a week does so very little. There are 6 grade levels - I don't have common planning time with any grade level team or my .5 teammate. So much to do and no time. #sunchat
It is so easy to focus on the negative and try to fix, but we also have to take a step back and find the what went right ... which kid(s) benefitted. Sometimes we drone on and on about that kid and not about the larger group which was positive. #sunchat
Ohhh. That is a good one. Although I don’t think it is the full answer, I think a piece can be found in the book radical candor. More autonomy is needed as well! #sunchat
We use a system, but jobs remain vacant. There just seems to be a shortage. Can't explain it. Is it because our job is not easy and word is finally getting around? #sunchat
The first year students in the program did that once a week but it was using too much of their class time. My wife's second year students do it now with baking on Fridays. It's been even more successful! #sunchat
I can safely say it’s been my toughest semester to date, and much of it is self-inflicted. I have a hard time with the word no. So I’m dealing with exhaustion, frustration, and feeling like I’m not doing a great job at any of my responsibilities. Time to prioritize! #sunchat
I'm slowly learning to say no. It has helped alot! I have been in your position and this last year pushed me to the edge. Once you start doing it, it gets easier! Be sure to give you time. #sunchat
Apathy is the worst! The best trick I gained over the years to fight apathy is tapping into students' sense of fairness and justice. Rile them up about something in their neighborhoods/school community. See if that gives them a spark! #sunchat
Yikes. That is challenging. Is your principal aware of the struggles? Can schedules be changed for next semester or next year to allow for the time to meet? #sunchat
Structural dilemma in many schools: Silos of space & time foster (falsely) discrete definitions of jobs that don't necessarily align with complex, interconnected reality. Consider changing waters where we swim to shift *how* we swim. No mean feat there, either. #sunchat
In reply to
@ColinESeale, @dherman62, @tiffanytruitt
Regarding the sub question: Constantly re-advertise and try to talk to people as a “word of mouth” approach, then take care of the people you have in place already #sunchat
My district has an Intro to Education and Intro to Business program where students partner with local businesses and get actual field experience. I currently have a hs student in my classroom this month gaining field experience and teaching lessons. #sunchat
If your reading curriculum includes a test prep unit...
If you spend lots of time teaching reading comprehension skills & strategies...
PLEASE read this great article. Your approach is unlikely to raise outcomes.
#CurriculumMatters#engchat#sunchathttps://t.co/T2i7LnveEi
Same. Just spoke with a colleague about this - she said she has heard "I hate school " more this year than any other year. Are kids just more vocal? Idk #sunchat
Great thread and also something I have been thinking about. I am currently focused on the language we use as an inclusive school. Pronouns and language both matter a great deal as they are a window into how we define our level of responsibility! #sunchat
I love this! Once again - real world application of learning. When we talk about student centered learning or critical thinking, I’m constantly pointing my finger at the CTE courses- they’re doing it! #sunchat
My district has an Intro to Education and Intro to Business program where students partner with local businesses and get actual field experience. I currently have a hs student in my classroom this month gaining field experience and teaching lessons. #sunchat
That ratio is the norm. In my first week in my first year of teaching, I realized there was no way all of our kids needs would be met if I didn't do my bestest to learn all I could on all the things. Why do so many Ts end up so over-dependent on specialists? #sunchat
I have done two design thinking projects as part of a grad school course and have found them to be so powerful! I often wonder if our PLC time would be better spent using this format. #sunchat
The other issue isn’t so much what you are measuring, it comes down to parsing the data. We don’t like exploring differences of student success. #sunchat
Re: Subs Heard a colleague say her former district gave a rate raise of $30 to any sub who clocked 30 sub days in the district. On their 31st sub assignment, went from 70 to $100 for the day. Did not have to be consecutive days. #sunchat
I have done two design thinking projects as part of a grad school course and have found them to be so powerful! I often wonder if our PLC time would be better spent using this format. #sunchat
That is a good one. Radical candor is along those lines. Another good one that I would only buy through iBooks because it has embedded videos is crucial conversations!! #sunchat
Yup! That's why we actually made some lessons based on hilarious, but rigorous real-life legal cases coming from holiday shenanigans! Check it out here:https://t.co/xj3voCQ6sB#sunchat
I feel like as a school we are trying to be more trauma informed and conscious of things in students lives and trying to build relationships. The job never stops though #sunchat
Good: Heightening my responsiveness to students' needs from one class to next. New windows to collaborate | Bad: Time lost, for now, for school-wide efforts (i.e., community building, screening assessments) | Ugly: Some unbalanced sections & lingering staffing needs #sunchat
In reply to
@Ms_A_Yeh, @ColinESeale, @dherman62, @tiffanytruitt
It's just my belief- I'm not sure how to make it the norm. I'm motivated by student growth- regardless of what they come to class knowing, I want each S to make at least a year's worth of growth while in my class. It isn't about a grade or test - it's all about growth. #sunchat
I was a substitute teacher for three years and I loved it, but low pay and no benefits is not a winning formula for success. What would happen if districts hired a group of full-time subs who were paid salary and benefits but didn't need a teaching license? #sunchat
In reply to
@3_DLeadership, @susankotch, @ColinESeale, @ParachuteTeach
Seems like there is always something new. An 25 year vet told me that when he started teaching, his expectation was to open the textbook and cover material. We've come a long way. But teacher pay and teacher in-classroom supports have not kept pace at all. #sunchat#RedForEd
I think stability is more of the key than the amount. I think the idea of having full time subs, who in the rare case weren’t needed could work on other projects is a creative idea! #sunchat
In reply to
@alextvalencic, @susankotch, @ColinESeale, @ParachuteTeach
Example: the district knows it will always have 10 positions each day that need subs. Hire 10 full-time subs who are expected to work. Then if there are more than 10 spots, draw from the on-call list. Would that help? #sunchat
In reply to
@3_DLeadership, @susankotch, @ColinESeale, @ParachuteTeach
So true!!! thought is to highlight what is good in our school’s already, give a bigger goal that an A from the state and have a common language of what a great school looks like given our situations (high poverty, high ELLs/Sped populations, etc) #sunchat
I’ve been thinking about what it is that pushes us or stops us from one step of progress to the next: from complaining to wishing seems most common, but then finding a solution, less common. Action even more rare. I want to know so I can assist teachers AND students. #sunchat
Do you use Schoology or social media? You could draw a staff name every hour the day before break and post it. Names drawn get a prize delivered to their classroom door! #Sunchat
The issue is people at the top don’t want to know the problems in their schools because then there would be accountability to fix it. They want data to prove they are doing a good job. Just my observation. #sunchat
Indeed, design thinking lens/cycle can be vivid driver of creative, collaborative problem solving. I appreciate accessible, student-friendly entry points presented by https://t.co/Tcb7h4newl. For grown ups, check out https://t.co/rKvznPHoKs#sunchat
We have a 2 part approach: unique & standard offerings in each high school and CTE partners. In my building, we have tech and culinary as a standard part 1 #sunchat
I have downloaded some of their information. Maybe someday I’ll get lucky enough to go study it at Stanford! I know two lucky teacher friends that have!! Learning envy for sure #sunchat
Always help to stop, take a deep breath and regroup. I do this daily. My plan for the day is often interrupted because I am needed in other areas. I look at this as a poaitive! Stay strong! #sunchat
I worked on a school that did something like this where the instructional aides were also the default sub pool. Pro: they knew our kids and there was far less sub drama and behavior issues. Con: we would lose teacher aides who played a crucial role in supporting our Ts. #sunchat
In reply to
@alextvalencic, @3_DLeadership, @susankotch, @ParachuteTeach
I’m also thinking about the inconsistent definitions of and approaches to grading. The differences are philosophical and I think we have to have some difficult conversations, especially when our philosophies aren’t matching our grading. #sunchat
Part 2 but construction, welding and family consumer science is unique. Our partnership has everything from engineering to nursing to aviation to bio-medical to cosmetology to name a few #sunchat
That's what's happening as well. These aides are professionals as well and feel as if they are being pulled away from the very students they dedicate their time to. It's a difficult and tricky situation. Shouldn't be the norm. #sunchat
I worked on a school that did something like this where the instructional aides were also the default sub pool. Pro: they knew our kids and there was far less sub drama and behavior issues. Con: we would lose teacher aides who played a crucial role in supporting our Ts. #sunchat
In reply to
@alextvalencic, @3_DLeadership, @susankotch, @ParachuteTeach
yes ... but shutting down learning to assess (hold teachers accountable) is not always the best answers ... teachers should not lose weeks of instruction so data can be collected to show Admin. #sunchat
There is a deep, wide, & often intimidating ocean to be navigated here. Stormy & confused seas. What course(s) have you charted so far, Marisa? #sunchat
I’m also thinking about the inconsistent definitions of and approaches to grading. The differences are philosophical and I think we have to have some difficult conversations, especially when our philosophies aren’t matching our grading. #sunchat
"Where do I start" paralysis is a massive deterrent to getting out of a tough situation. Lots of educators (and students) struggle with getting started because of a mindset where perfect becomes the enemy of "good enough for now." #sunchat
I’ve been thinking about what it is that pushes us or stops us from one step of progress to the next: from complaining to wishing seems most common, but then finding a solution, less common. Action even more rare. I want to know so I can assist teachers AND students. #sunchat
I think that’s my point: it isn’t just about compensation. Quality teachers just don’t want to do it any more. People normally drawn to teaching are making other choices as a field. Fundamentally, the system needs revision #sunchat
In reply to
@TheJimMcClain, @NHTOYMc, @TheKevinMCline, @susankotch
the strange thing here is that the vast majority of the teachers already know where their kids are without the district mandated "assessment" ... the data collection is less for teacher use and more for Admin/District spreadsheets. #sunchat
And how accurate is that data? What incentives do the students have to try and give their best? Especially with the amount they are being assessed? #sunchat
In reply to
@DennisDill, @alextvalencic, @TheKevinMCline
Agree - The data needs to be usable by the Teachers in order to help them be better teachers. If it isn't what they need, then trash it. We need to remember that the students are the main focus. #sunchat
In reply to
@DennisDill, @alextvalencic, @TheKevinMCline
And part of that is STILL compensation. Indiana teachers are down 17% in inflation-adjusted salary over the past 15 years. I make less now than I did in 2003, not even considering the drastic increase in health insurance premiums.
#sunchat
In reply to
@3_DLeadership, @NHTOYMc, @TheKevinMCline, @susankotch
I wonder if incentives for excellent teacher attendance might help nip this problem in the bud...although I don't know if I want sick teachers coming to school and teacher/parents would have a heck of a time not missing days. #sunchat
True on both accounts. Assessment should be a part of the learning continuum. I fear we do a disservice to ourselves and our students when we lump all assessment into one broad category and complain about it; surely there is assessment data you value? #sunchat
You are right. I think there is also a feeling of defeat when the measurements are so narrow. Ex. A Ss reading on a 3rd grade level due to being an ELL who arrived 2 yrs ago moves to 5th but state tests don’t show that. They show they are not 10th. #sunchat
The data was an accurate predictor of where the student will score on the state mandated test ... but of course the kid would have landed in that spot with or without the constant testing because of what the teacher was doing #sunchat
In reply to
@MissWinegar, @alextvalencic, @TheKevinMCline
No, I agree. I’m not saying compensation isn’t important. I am trying to articulate the system has bigger issues than compensation. I think the comp piece is a symptom of the lack of value we place on the educational system #sunchat
In reply to
@TheJimMcClain, @NHTOYMc, @TheKevinMCline, @susankotch
I value you what is happening in the classroom ... me talking working with the kids ... NOT shutting down for testing so Admin/District can create a great looking spreadsheet ... one is about student growth the other is accountability #sunchat
Curriculum, teacher training, all the tech in the world can't compete with the fact that kids can't learn if they're not there. Have you heard of @Kinvolved? They do amazing work on this issue. https://t.co/mL6t4SLWhV#sunchat
Walking around the room isn't enough, though. You are listening, watching, noting, observing: assessing. Assessment is not just quizzes and standardized tests mandated by the district of the state. Assessment is how we know what our students know and can do. #sunchat
In reply to
@TheJimMcClain, @DennisDill, @TheKevinMCline
Time to get ready for the game! Thank you so much for all the great convos today!! We need one of these open forum chats every once in awhile. Have a great week everyone!!!!! #sunchat
Such a great chat today with A LOT of info to go back to and explore. Thank you all for making #sunchat such a great resource for me! Off to read for a bit now! See you next week!
Are you looking for ways to support difficult student behaviors? Join us for our last LIVE session TODAY Sunday at 6:00 PM EST. The session will be available ON DEMAND after that. Register at https://t.co/59YWpnZ36M. #tacklingthe3Ds
I see your point, Dennis. Pragmatically though, what distinguishes between good teachers and teachers that need to be weeded out? I think that’s the PR problem the profession has. It stinks, but it’s real. #sunchat
In reply to
@DennisDill, @alextvalencic, @TheKevinMCline
I know what my kids know ... I can predict what the kids will score on the district assessment. I am in a perpetual state of assessing my kids ... every question I ask is probing their brain and moving them forward or refreshing missed information. #sunchat
In reply to
@alextvalencic, @TheJimMcClain, @TheKevinMCline
So when assessment comes up, do you broadcast that and make sure everyone knows that that is one of the major ways you are assessing your students? I think we need to reclaim assessment as so much more than standardized, norm- and criterion-referenced tests. #sunchat
In reply to
@DennisDill, @TheJimMcClain, @TheKevinMCline
I think we’ve gone well beyond my original point. I get “assessment” in the croom, in all its forms. I’m not talking about that. I’m talking statewide testing. And I don’t blame admins; most are obligated to do these tests by the state. #sunchat
In reply to
@alextvalencic, @TheJimMcClain, @DennisDill
Agreed ... I think the issue many of us have is that everyone is being caught up in the data collection and reporting because of the minority who are not doing their job. Good teachers being penalized with extra work because of others. #sunchat
In reply to
@3_DLeadership, @alextvalencic, @TheKevinMCline
I think you're agreeing with me without realizing it. I didn't mean I was walking around the room picking my nose.
I was simply stating what you are saying.
#sunchat
In reply to
@alextvalencic, @DennisDill, @TheKevinMCline
Not asking for help is normal though. In the wrong school culture you can really feel like you're on an island. I worked with a SPED specialist that woke up with hives every day. What 1st year T is brave enough to ask someone who is cso overburdened for 1 more thing? #sunchat
I gotta go, friends! Dog needs to be walked and fed, I need to be walked and fed, and I've gotta get ready for church. Thanks for the great discussions this morning! #sunchat
Yes. We look at students as a monolith. 80% grad rate is fantastic compared to 60%, except in the 80% school the gap is 90% white and 20% black and there is no gap in the 60% school. Which is better? Those are the ends of the continuum. #sunchat
I believe my admins try very hard to make the testing interruptions as minimal as possible; but there is so much it’s tough. My issue, in the end, is that we are using these as a cookie-cutter grade, acting as if all Ss should score the same on a single test. #sunchat
In reply to
@alextvalencic, @TheJimMcClain, @DennisDill
Thanks for this great topic! Since AZ doesn't do daylight savings, I look forward to hopping on more of these until the clocks spring forward! #sunchat
Here's my biggest pet peeve in education today. We spend multiple days doing computer stress tests for the testing system for the state. We have to have every student possible on a device at the same time to see if the computer system can handle that many kids at once. #sunchat
We keep on keeping on ... there are somethings good teachers will have to accept ... we may not like it but we have to. I also think Admin/District need to take a step back and see how much work is being asked of their teachers. #sunchat
In reply to
@3_DLeadership, @alextvalencic, @TheKevinMCline
That means lost instruction time to perform a service for a private company who should be doing their own research. You want to talk about losing class time to mandated assessment? That's a travesty to me. #sunchat
