#collschat Archive | Participate

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 7:30 PM EDT

Welcome to #collschat! We're discussing chap 7/8 of NYSI by @CathyNDavidson Introduce yourselves!

MsYucis May 10 @ 7:31 PM EDT

Hi all, Elisabeth, HS English in lovely Collingswood #collschat

rsmithcms May 10 @ 7:31 PM EDT

Regina - collingswood middle school (soon to be collingswood high school!!) #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 7:32 PM EDT

I'm Dan, tech coach at Collingswood. I'll be moderating. Q1/A1 format. #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 7:35 PM EDT

Q1: how can we improve "collaboration by difference" in our work as educators? #collschat https://t.co/L6CZp0tLBT

MsYucis May 10 @ 7:37 PM EDT

@whalen A1: so much potential at our schools, where we are encouraged to visit each other's classrooms to see how others teach. #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 7:38 PM EDT

Yes! Teacher to teacher is definitely doing a great job of this! @mr_dfenton #collschat https://t.co/YRe0oNaC0Y

MsYucis May 10 @ 7:37 PM EDT

@whalen A1: so much potential at our schools, where we are encouraged to visit each other's classrooms to see how others teach. #collschat

rsmithcms May 10 @ 7:39 PM EDT

pose ques in an anon. format & let colleagues respond-sometimes it's hard 2 take sugges. from those who "don't do the same thing" #collschat

CollsArt May 10 @ 7:40 PM EDT

Lisa here. Art teacher at Colls MS/HS. Still on Chapter 4, just getting to eating my dinner, chaperoning my kids' play practice #collschat

cwahlCHS May 10 @ 7:42 PM EDT

Hi! Carol from CHS #collschat

cwahlCHS May 10 @ 7:45 PM EDT

A1: As a 1st year teacher, I love collaboration and learning from colleagues. It's very necessary. #collschat

CollsChem May 10 @ 7:45 PM EDT

Hi! Kathryn from Colls HS #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 7:47 PM EDT

Q2: how can work become more personalized and less standardized? #collschat https://t.co/YrqHLQc2Nw

CollsChem May 10 @ 7:48 PM EDT

A1: Celebrate T/S strengths without messaging that everyone is expected to mimic them #collschat

cwahlCHS May 10 @ 7:49 PM EDT

A2: Easy in my world. Take risks, do something totally different as long as it is within the standards you need to teach. #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 7:49 PM EDT

A1: We (eventually) need to move away from teaching strict subjects Be true lead learners who collectively teach the whole child #collschat

rsmithcms May 10 @ 7:50 PM EDT

@CollsChem SO SO true. Why do we as a group get defensive if one of our own is celebrated for their success? #support #share #collschat

CollsSchools May 10 @ 7:50 PM EDT

A1: Ts need to not only experience the work of others in their dept/school, but also across district. Appreciate what others do #collschat

MsYucis May 10 @ 7:50 PM EDT

A2: de-emphasize standardized tests and emphasize higher order thinking and creativity. #collschat

CollsArt May 10 @ 7:50 PM EDT

A2: Allow students to customize their education in a more personal way. What if kids had independent study with each other? #collschat

rsmithcms May 10 @ 7:50 PM EDT

A1: set up more cross-curricular meetings in order to change the mindset of how a subject is taught #collschat

CollsChem May 10 @ 7:50 PM EDT

A2: Just realized that I always think about how to make schools less standardized for S, never think to ask the same about T! #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 7:51 PM EDT

Without a doubt. Break down the walls. #collschat https://t.co/g1GyY23rPa

CollsSchools May 10 @ 7:50 PM EDT

A1: Ts need to not only experience the work of others in their dept/school, but also across district. Appreciate what others do #collschat

MsYucis May 10 @ 7:51 PM EDT

@CollsSchools Yes! I'm hoping to get back over to @Colls_Garfield again before the year is through. #collschat

CollsChem May 10 @ 7:52 PM EDT

@rsmithcms Having a husband who is an English teacher, we talk all the time about dif's in teaching our subjects- super helpful! #collschat

rsmithcms May 10 @ 7:52 PM EDT

A2: getting handwritten letters from admin & superinten. have meant more than they will know. personalization helps fuel the fire #collschat

MrsMurat May 10 @ 7:53 PM EDT

@whalen true story! Life doesn't happen on a silo, why should education?? #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 7:53 PM EDT

Q3: Are you balanced? Do you feel more productive when (if?) afforded the time to take of "life"? #collschat https://t.co/vBP7whBE9O

rsmithcms May 10 @ 7:53 PM EDT

@whalen elementary/special ed teachers #FTW #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 7:55 PM EDT

A2: to celebrate the diversity of learning styles within staff we need more choice, more empowerment. #collschat

CollsChem May 10 @ 7:56 PM EDT

@whalen True! Benefit of things like T2T and EdCamp #collschat

rsmithcms May 10 @ 7:56 PM EDT

@whalen is it terrible I wish we had an hour collectively when Ss are not there? to explore & coexist before shutting the door #collschat

CollsArt May 10 @ 7:56 PM EDT

A3: Balanced? I'm eating Chipotle on a folding chair in a gym at 7:56 watching first graders perform Mary Poppins... #collschat

MsYucis May 10 @ 7:57 PM EDT

A3: I do a lot of rushing around so I have more time for family, running, and reading. The sprints thru Wegmans are worth it. #collschat

rsmithcms May 10 @ 7:58 PM EDT

@CollsArt I'll switch with you!!! #soundsperfect #guac + #marypoppins = amazing!! #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 7:58 PM EDT

I said it before, I believe the pursuit of balance is the closest thing to finding it. #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 8:00 PM EDT

Q4: what risks are you taking? What risks should you be taking? #collschat https://t.co/Cpuz7sBRAA

CollsArt May 10 @ 8:00 PM EDT

A3: I am most balanced when I give my students (and my own kids) autonomy. No need to be "super teacher" #collschat

CollsChem May 10 @ 8:01 PM EDT

A3: Weirdly, I'm most balanced when I alternate periods of crazy busyness w/ total breaks. Luckily teaching fits that well! #collschat

CollsChem May 10 @ 8:02 PM EDT

Too much regular free time makes me a little stir-crazy #collschat

cwahlCHS May 10 @ 8:02 PM EDT

A3: I am most balanced when I have a lot going on. Too much down time is a disaster for me! Nothing gets done. #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 8:03 PM EDT

Very true for me as well! #collschat #TeacherLife https://t.co/jf8iK4STWr

CollsChem May 10 @ 8:01 PM EDT

A3: Weirdly, I'm most balanced when I alternate periods of crazy busyness w/ total breaks. Luckily teaching fits that well! #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 8:04 PM EDT

As long as I pause a few times in a day, clear my mind, take a deep breath, I feel much more balanced. #collschat

rsmithcms May 10 @ 8:05 PM EDT

@cwahlCHS same! I need structure or I forget #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 8:05 PM EDT

A4: the risk taking has been going very strong in our district of late. We are always in beta, but doing a fine job in this Dept #collschat

CollsArt May 10 @ 8:05 PM EDT

A4: Taking big risks next year. Switching to a full choice classroom. Ss will work on independent projects. Every day #collschat #tab

rsmithcms May 10 @ 8:06 PM EDT

A4: #littleRISK = #greatReward -teaching my kids 2 animate their concrete poems this month.oh, & I wrote a musical for the summer #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 8:06 PM EDT

Q5: what change are you avoiding? What is your reason (if you can identify it)? #collschat https://t.co/DDpu2feRIO

rsmithcms May 10 @ 8:06 PM EDT

WHAT?!?!?!?! Insane! I can't wait to see how you guide them! maybe you'll do some of ur own art #hopeful #collschat https://t.co/quA3HYPyeQ

CollsArt May 10 @ 8:05 PM EDT

A4: Taking big risks next year. Switching to a full choice classroom. Ss will work on independent projects. Every day #collschat #tab

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 8:07 PM EDT

Very excited for this Lisa :) #collschat https://t.co/VAyIDzyPqD

CollsArt May 10 @ 8:05 PM EDT

A4: Taking big risks next year. Switching to a full choice classroom. Ss will work on independent projects. Every day #collschat #tab

CollsChem May 10 @ 8:07 PM EDT

A4: Taking giant personal risk in leaving something I know & love to try something scary and new next year! #collschat

CollsChem May 10 @ 8:07 PM EDT

@CollsArt That sounds awesome! #collschat

CollsArt May 10 @ 8:07 PM EDT

@rsmithcms We are already starting! #collschat https://t.co/BbFfLVXUaS

cwahlCHS May 10 @ 8:08 PM EDT

A4: Learned SO much this year about myself and I can't wait to change it all up next year. #collschat

CollsArt May 10 @ 8:08 PM EDT

@whalen Mildly nervous but cannot wait. I need the change too #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 8:08 PM EDT

So excited for you Kathryn! The next great step in your journey to improve the system! #wellmissyou #collschat https://t.co/upL58Tn4RD

CollsChem May 10 @ 8:07 PM EDT

A4: Taking giant personal risk in leaving something I know & love to try something scary and new next year! #collschat

cwahlCHS May 10 @ 8:09 PM EDT

@CollsArt @rsmithcms The loom!! I can't wait to see it in action. #collschat

CollsSchools May 10 @ 8:09 PM EDT

A3: #epicfail for me. Never figured that one out... #collschat

MsYucis May 10 @ 8:10 PM EDT

A4: hmmm... More creative writing is on the docket for next year! #collschat

rsmithcms May 10 @ 8:10 PM EDT

@CollsChem "a good spicy challenge strikes balance between flavor and fear" #collschat

whalen - Moderator May 10 @ 8:11 PM EDT

A5: I want to write more but haven't been hitting "publish". Need to get over it! #collschat

rsmithcms May 10 @ 8:13 PM EDT

@MsYucis i need 2 pick ur brain.this scares me in my room. reluctance hurts creative writing & i have trouble moving them past it #collschat

rsmithcms May 10 @ 8:14 PM EDT

A5: avoiding inviting more people in. they don't seem to want to come. why push it? #stayonmyisland #keepquiet #collschat