Welcome to #Nt2t! Today’s topic is “Teachers & Moms...So Much In Common” Questions for today’s chat are here & on the photo cards. Today @hturk139 will be moderating the chat - feel free to ask any questions! #NT2t
We will be using Q1, A1, Q2, A2 (question 1/answer 1) format. Please include the A & question number in your reply (A1, A2, etc.) Don't forget to include #NT2t in your response as well so we all learn from each other!
Hannah, former 1st grade T from northern VA looking forward to my first Mother's Day tomorrow. :) I have many positive memories of my mother, teachers, and my mother as my teacher! #nt2t
One very positive memory from Kindergarten is my teacher introducing me to the Harry Potter books and really fueling the fire of my love for reading and literacy. A crucial factor in my decision to teach! #nt2t
Q1 - Crowd control can be a big part of being a mom, and is definitely part of being a teacher! What do you do to maintain your class and encourage a productive environment? #NT2t
Chris from Bloomington, IN. Teach world history for private online HS. We took my mom to Disney with us the first time we took our kids. Loved that they got to experience Disney with their grandma. #nt2t
Good Morning, Marc here. I am a Technology Integration Specialist in Cobb County, GA. My mother has always been an inspiration to me. Putting herself through Med-school and raising me as a single parent. #NT2t
A1 Relationship is important when you are a parent & teacher When respect/rapport is built on relationship it is easier over time to maintain a classroom & encourage students #nt2t
A1) Getting to know the Ss goes a long way. Also, letting the Ss help set the behavioral and other expectations goes a long way (I teach HS Ss). We try to do that w/ our kids, too, now that they are 11 and 13. Give them input. #nt2t
Learning to respect each other's personal space and time goes a long way, I think. Both teachers and parents have a profound influence in children, and it's important to be mindful of how much time they spend with the kids and how they behave during that time. #NT2T
The foundation for anything in life. Someone once told me that respect is earned, even between a child and adult. So important to remember on the first day of school, and beyond. #nt2t
A1 #nt2t As a recovering Math Teacher, I remember connecting with my students as people and connecting the content to their lives while giving them options on learning and showing what they had learned.
Also observing those that the kids do respect and behave for, and seeking to model that or ask for their input. That was hugely instrumental for me in my first year! #nt2t
Q2 - Being organized is often the only way things get done in a classroom or family. How do you stay organized on a daily basis so nothing (and no one) gets overlooked? #NT2t
That is so true! I never much enjoyed any subject that I couldn't connect to my real life, or that wasn't an interesting story, and so math was a struggle. Good for you for making it applicable...so needed for that subject! #nt2t
Teaching at a school with 2000 plus kids can be overwhelming and having 30 kids in each period can be challenging to teach, but treating each kid with the same respect, understanding their life and being calm does help to manage the large crowds. #nt2t
A2) I don't know... ask my wife. ;)
Which perhaps speaks to a larger problem that I'm apparently contributing to. I've always been disorganized. Do moms have the choice to be? #nt2t
Asking for input, yes. Adults can learn so much from children, and it matters (to both) when an adult shows genuine interest in hearing from children. #NT2T
A2) Google Calendar! That's the main reason I finally broke down & got a smartphone a few years ago. I was using a paper planner but, if I didn't check it, there wasn't a reminder. :) #nt2t
When both parents are disorganized, it definitely can be a struggle. My mom used to be Type B, but had to become Type A (the organizer) after getting married and having kids. I am becoming the same way...it's a big mental load! #nt2t
A2 #nt2t We are working on moving all of our staff to a standard set of tools so students know where to look for their information. That said, we are also playing with @trello in our PBL charter.
A2 - I have always been hyper organized (to the point of OCD)! Everything in it's place helps make sure nothing is hiding. Also, I try to only "touch things once" so I am not repeating tasks. #nt2t
I use Wunderlist! In our family, we use it to share to-do lists, grocery lists, movie lists, and whatever else, and then I also store random things I need to remember there too. #nt2t
That might be speaking of a bigger problem: giving teachers more than they can handle in an effective way. Maybe we should have a management-level decision to employ more teachers when necessary. #NT2T
I really like organizing things and being organized, but I'm also okay with a little dirt and mess. Everything needs to have a place, but it can go on a vacation once in awhile. #nt2t
A2: great help for organizing material for students is @CloudSchoolTeam You can provide tasks, texts, games, links and other things as collections in classes or courses. #nt2t
Q3 - Communication is key in EVERY aspect of life! We talk a lot about communication with parents, but how do you communicate with your students? #NT2t
And it seems to be a global issue as well. It's one of those things that, like a chain, relates to so many problems with our social and economic standards. (Maybe that's a rant for another time.) #NT2T
A3) I teach online and asynchronously. Ss work at own pace within a set time frame for completing the course. Communicate through email, Canvas Inbox, gradebook comments, GDocs comments, Zoom videoconf. Enc Ss to set up text notifications for Canvas. #nt2t
A3 Honest & respectful communication is the base Ss are smart, they know when Ts are not invested or genuine Ts need to be intentional & authentic with communication #nt2t
Yes, and I try to add things to the calendar over a period of days leading up to the thing, so I'm not caught by surprise on the day of the thing (event, deadline, whatever). But it still helps to have these things on your mind without a device. #nt2t
#nt2t Again we are working on getting our teachers to use standard platforms. Our SIS only does email, so many teachers use @RemindHQ, Bloomz and #googleclassroom
A3 - Communication IS key! I take 2 days a week to have lunch individually with a different student and. just. talk. It's amazing what they say when you change the feel/setting just a little!! #nt2t
A3: I have these bright yellow half sheets on card stock on which I write positive notes to my students. I usually find that they keep them all year. ❤️#nt2t
A3) (Speaking as a non-teacher) Communication is the most important aspect of every relationship, and it should vary depending on the type and purpose. I value digital communication as a parent; I'd value my kids' teachers knowing my child and communicating accordingly. #nt2t
Q3 - Communication is key in EVERY aspect of life! We talk a lot about communication with parents, but how do you communicate with your students? #NT2t
Q4 - Whether it’s a skinned knee or a bad grade, empathy is an important trait in educators and parents. How do you foster and show empathy with students while maintaining professionalism? #NT2t
I love this! My school had a similar thing, but the problem many teachers had was lack of time to stop and fill one out to praise a student. :( How do you have time to write them in the moment? #nt2t
It was amazing! Used to be an incentive to purchase. First kiddo bought it and it was so awesome that I removed it from the purchase list and started doing lunch with all of them. Was never difficult they just started talking (and never stopped)! #nt2t
A4 I tell my Ss "Life Happens" and when it does there is nothing we cannot handle is we communicate and work together Be patient & listen to Ss also is a big plus #nt2t
A4) Empathy is at the ROOT of professionalism. We're all effective at what we do to the extent that we understand the needs of other people. As a parent I balance accountability and consequence with understanding -- this is a child; she's still learning and that's on me. #nt2t
Q4 - Whether it’s a skinned knee or a bad grade, empathy is an important trait in educators and parents. How do you foster and show empathy with students while maintaining professionalism? #NT2t
#nt2t Seeing students as people first is essential and deliberately developing emotional intelligence (EQ). We also have an awesome #Mindfullness director, @betsy_delzer, who is working with our T's to help them develop #EQ in their classrooms.
A3 - Communication IS key! I take 2 days a week to have lunch individually with a different student and. just. talk. It's amazing what they say when you change the feel/setting just a little!! #nt2t
Q5 - Learning to walk and learning to read both require support. What sort of resources do you use to support your students? What about to support the parents? #NT2t
A5) When I was teaching in traditional classroom setting, I kept a webpage on district website that was updated weekly w/ what we were doing in class, assignments, etc. Helpful for Ps and Ss. #nt2t
I have to share...I completely on purpose put my daughter's crib next to her bookshelf, and it warms mom mom and my teacher heart that she pulls books into her crib when she wakes up. Even if she just does it to throw them out, it's a start! #Nt2t
A5 Best way to support Ss & parents is to never support by yourself Include other professionals in the process Bring others skill set into the equation #nt2t
A5) When I was teaching in traditional classroom setting, I kept a webpage on district website that was updated weekly w/ what we were doing in class, assignments, etc. Helpful for Ps and Ss. #nt2t
#nt2t She is also a member of our "cabinet" because part of her work is leadership development. @betsy_delzer works in collaboration with @HealthWHorst who is our Wellness coordinator.
In reply to
@hturk139, @betsy_delzer, @betsy_delzer, @HealthWHorst
Want to get involved? Want to try something new? #NT2T would love to have guest moderators, and we're happy to help you along the way! Fill in this form here https://t.co/djfOlkDoSW
I think teenagers are hungry for someone to talk to, someone who will listen but also converse with them as young adults. I could see it being strange at first (apparently not for @mtartaro though!), but it would be really effective. #nt2t
In reply to
@MCPTechDirector, @s_narmadhaa, @JeremyDBond, @mtartaro, @mtartaro
Don't force conversation. Be comfortable with silence. And be comfortable with the discomfort. And think of communication more broadly than words coming out of mouths. You're still making a connection by your presence and your time. #nt2t
Q6 - Mom friends are so important to have, and teacher friends are the same way! How do you develop relationships with colleagues, and why are they so important? #NT2t
A6) Teacher friends have been so important for maintaining equilibrium, especially when I was starting out. Can help you see the bigger picture, give advice, or just listen. #nt2t
I'm not a naturally social person with adults or kids and empathize with the discomfort. I've learned I don't exacerbate it if I don't worry so much about it. #nt2t
In reply to
@BKd204Sci, @s_narmadhaa, @CHitch94, @mtartaro
A5: our school is very involved in the community. We have a parent liaison and they have orchestrated restorative justice night, literacy night, stream night. We have a lot of functions with FOOD, to pull parents into our school #nt2t
A6 I am middle school, & team is family When we take interest, show compassion for one another the chemistry is enhanced and the Ss benefit High functioning teams are close not distant #nt2t
That is amazing! Are you in a public or private school! I can't imagine how productive the rest of your day must be if you take the small amount of time to be mindful at the beginning. #nt2t
In reply to
@MCPTechDirector, @betsy_delzer, @HealthWHorst
A6: colleagues who lift you up and support you I am finding this year are so important. If they are not a positive energy in your life, find other teacher friends who will be. #nt2t
I think that was definitely part of what made my first year so hard, a lack of teacher friends. I had teammates, but I definitely felt like an outsider coming in. Getting pregnant (my age peers were all unmarried) didn't bring us closer either. :( #nt2t
A6 #nt2t Our leadership team was havng a hard time making tough decisions to get our budgets and actions aligned with our strategic map, so we changed our meeting structure to focus on building #EQ and relationships. No more checklist agendas. Building trust and aligning goals.
Love this! So many benefits for early literacy, not to mention the benefit of her getting used to finding something to do first thing in the morning so mom or dad don't have to. ;) #nt2t
I have to share...I completely on purpose put my daughter's crib next to her bookshelf, and it warms mom mom and my teacher heart that she pulls books into her crib when she wakes up. Even if she just does it to throw them out, it's a start! #Nt2t
A6: With a very rough first year of teaching, and not very many relationships with peers and colleagues, #Nt2t has been my saving grace. You all are such an encouragement to me to get out there and be amazing!
A5) I'd appreciate resources that teachers, parents, and students might all use together. I'm thinking a digital platform from which we can pull and share. #nt2t
Q5 - Learning to walk and learning to read both require support. What sort of resources do you use to support your students? What about to support the parents? #NT2t
We used a literacy program in my district that is completely escaping my mind right now, but I would send home their login information and encourage parents to have their students use it. In hindsight, I could have offered students incentives as well. #nt2t
#nt2t We are a high performing public school. Stress was crushing our productivity at every level and we have some hard equity work that has to be done. #Mindfulness adds capacity and helps us identify whats important and what doesn't need to be on our plates.
In reply to
@hturk139, @betsy_delzer, @HealthWHorst
A6: With a very rough first year of teaching, and not very many relationships with peers and colleagues, #Nt2t has been my saving grace. You all are such an encouragement to me to get out there and be amazing!
Cool. I almost answered the question with only "teachers and parents," until I noticed students were part of the question. We all need the reminder! #nt2t
Wow, it is even more impressive that you are a high performing school. I was in a low performing school, and stress was most definitely an issue among the faculty and the students could sense it. #nt2t
In reply to
@MCPTechDirector, @betsy_delzer, @HealthWHorst
Also, writing notes (digitally or on paper) to the parents that are child-appropriate and can be shown to the student, including them in the conversation so they know exactly what is going on, good or bad. #nt2t
