The #2PencilChat is a weekly conversation about educational technology. As we enter a more student-centered age, let's talk about using all the tools in our toolboxes to be innovative and dynamic teachers.
A1 that despite any bumps along the way, the positives would always keep me going. Biggest surprise? That it would be so hard to leave the classroom! #2PencilChat
A1 I liked that I had the autonomy to just start some stuff, found that that came with responsibility to follow through that I wasn't as prepared for... lol
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As a second career teacher, I thought energy, creativity and loving kids would help me coast through my first year. Learned to value the experience and wisdom of my co-workers! So thankful for some help from my friends that year! #2pencilchat
A1- It is a never-ending job. Even when I feel like I'm caught up, my mind is still running about what else needs to be done or worrying about my students. #2PencilChat
So true..I always say that my summer is my training ground for the fall. #2pencilchat. It is so important to be in shape to do what we do all day long.
A1 my first year of teaching, I taught language arts to 127 sixth graders - I spent that first year scoring all sorts of writing ... a lot of writing ... a lot 😄🤣😂😅#2pencilchat
A2. #2pencilchat I surprised myself on how well I take constructive criticism from colleagues and how I am such a reflective teacher. I am always trying to figure out ways in which I can make myself a better educator!
A2) Surprised at how flexible I have become. Didn’t used to be. Had to break out of my comfort zone. You really have to roll with the punches when you work in schools. #2PencilChat
A2. I have surprised myself with how much I have learned from those I am supposed to be teaching. And it's always funny to look at their expressions when you tell them this fact. #2PencilChat
A2: I’ve gotten sooooo much more patient... with kids that is ;) and I’ve realized that the way we went through school was kind of messed up #2PencilChat
A2: How attached I get to my students- how I call all of them 'sweetie' or some variation thereof- I had teachers like that in the past- never thought I would be 'that' one! #2PencilChat
A2: I LOVE to read educational books and learn everything I can to help S's & T's. I wasn't a great student myself, but once I found my passion, I hit the ground running! #2PencilChat
A2 surprised that I would never stop learning something new! I found that my students inspired me to continue to push myself as a learner. I loved stepping out of the box to discover new ways to reach all students. #2PencilChat
And by that I mean... like the process. It could have been so much more meaningful and prepared us more... and arbitrary grading that could rule or ruin your “life” #2PencilChat
A2. What I first got into education for in the first place (coaching), is now not my driving force. But still big sports and student-athlete fan. #2PencilChat
A2 That I would learn to talk to a room full of adults as comfortably as I do kids. And I don't mean on back to school night (that's still overwhelming...)
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It turns out I have endless energy and optimism while encouraging a child and zero tolerance for a negative co-worker :) - gotta get better at adult empathy!#2pencilchat
A3 one of my fav surprises is dropping in on them while they are working in google classroom — just dropping in their doc, slide, etc., and making a fun comment or encouraging note ❤️💙‼️#2pencilchat
A3. Telling Ss about a project and not dictating how they handle it. They are so used to Ts telling them every step. They end up surprising themselves with the quality of work they do. #2PencilChat
A3: Mine are constantly surprised by the fact that they can work with a partner or team anywhere in the room, "As long as you are working." #2PencilChat
A3: Played the Jeopardy theme out of the blue before Science review today. Goet em!! Also drawing funny things or words on the board while I am writing notes for them. They have a hard time following my humor sometimes #2pencilchat
A3. Every once in a while my team lead and I will join classes so that the students can collaborate with others that they don't normally get to interact with during regular school hours. Of course, candy is always a nice surprise!! #2pencilchat
A3: I don't have S's anymore, but when I did. I would bake for them sometimes. The power of food is amazing, especially for middle school S's! #2PencilChat
I used to just suddenly announce that we needed to go for a nature walk together. Get your coats— let’s go! It relaxed everyone and really helped with morale in the classroom. #2PencilChat
A3: If anyone from the class is away for any length of time we try and surprise them with a video- each student records a msg saying how much we miss them and we send it to their parents to play for them #2PencilChat
A3: Letting them stand on their chairs (gasp) while singing formula-memorizing songs or during mini-whiteboard practice in middle school math class! #2pencilchat
I love that. Whenever a lesson was bad, I'd say, "This is boring, we need to do something about that," and we'd take a break before discussing how we wanted to learn...
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A4 S's have surprised me writing thank you notes for all the hard I've done to make learning fun, today they cheered when I came back from being away sick ❤️ #2PencilChat
Q4: I was surprised around December when I was going to say something to a student for having a stuffed animal. Turned out it was a present for me. #2pencilchat
A4 2 years ago I had a S who came early every day just to sit in class with me. She didn't talk much. She just enjoyed that time. Reminded me every morning that we are all humans & there is a lot we don't say but we can still be there for each other. #2pencilchat
A4 I have an extended chunk on a boy whose overconfidence, pottymouth, and lack of self awareness were an ASTOUNDING combination. He was a mess, and funny as heck, but he's got a good heart underneath it all...
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A4: I just love all of their ideas to how to keep the classroom running smoothly: organizing the paper cabinet, helping each other, filling birdfeeders... #2pencilchat
A4: I have been surprised by a student in my 2nd period this year. She has read 50 plus books already this school year. I did not expect that. #2pencilchat
A4 Then there were the girls who adopted the emotionally needy guy from the EBD room, they would go see him every day, and help out in his classroom.
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They can be so tough and amazing . I remember when one girl was going through a divorce, a little boy went over to her and said, "my parents got divorced last fall, do you wanna talk?" I kept it cool on the surface, but inside, oh gosh! #2PencilChat
A4/2. How some of the toughest characters will turn to you when they need a hug, or just a place to pull themselves together. That takes so much trust! #2PencilChat
A4: My first year teaching algebra, the kids took the EOC downstairs. They could return to class as they finished, and on my way upstairs with the last student, I was mobbed in the hallway with a giant group hug and given a 'yearbook' of memories they'd composed <3 #2pencilchat
A4: I have been surprised about how much my Kinders have grown in their ability to share compassion and respect for each other...I’m so proud of each of them! #2PencilChat
Trust. It all begins with trust. Classroom culture offers opportunity for unique, mind blowing, our most creative lesson design. It's magic!🍎#2PencilChat
MY OCD surprises me when being an educator. I was always a messy teenager. These days I can not breath if the pencils are not facing the way or if the learning space is not perfectly aligned, lol! #2PencilChat
A3: I enjoy surprising my students with a new book, an exciting provocation (that inspired inquiry learning), outdoor learning opportunities, and special visitors. #2pencilchat
A5. How people who went to school at some point in their lives think they know what happens, or "should" happen in classrooms. Doesn't surprise me anymore, but boy did it ever at first! #2PencilChat
A5. I'm not surprised by the way some parents just don't seem to care about their child's education and others want EVERYTHING to do with their child's development. #2pencilchat
A5 that people who make the most decisions about education were never, ever in the classroom. Wait, scratch that..it still surprises and upsets me. #2pencilchat
A5 This is as crass as I'll get - they need to put an 'e' on the end of the abbreviation for a cumulative folder... I mean, when you shorten cucumber, you even change the c to a k to make spelling sense...
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I love you SO MUCH, #2PencilChat Pals! Thank you for being part of our conversation tonight. Always amazed, but never surprised, at how awesome this group is!
Join us next week to talk about great drill and skill strategies!
