#DITCHbook was created by Ditch That Textbook author Matt Miller. The chat focuses on innovative teaching ideas and disrupting standard textbook education.
Hey everyone! Micah Souder from Salem, IN. Spanish 1-5 teacher. Ready to talk #happiness with @HappyStrobel for tonight's #ditchbook talk. She did a great job presenting during the #ditchsummit and look forward to hearing everybody's thoughts tonight.
Hey there, I'm Michael Palacz. I'm a secondary education in business major. I'm at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights. #ditchbook#aedu209trolls
A1: Hmmm. A lot of things. Happiness can mean a quiet minute with a piece of chocolate & Coke Zero. Can mean my son throwing a runner out at second or getting a base hit. A S getting a hard concept finally. #DitchBook
Hey, that's fine! We'll ask questions (Q1, Q2 ...) and you answer (A1, A2 ...). Feel free to engage, reply to others, retweet stuff you like, etc. You'll do great! #DitchBook
Happiness provides for the absence of fear, anxiety, negativity. It travels throughout your spirits. It brightens the day. #TheBestFeeling#Ditchbook#aedu209trolls
A1 #happiness is sunshine, sand, clear blue sea, bourbon, and books. It is the relaxation that I so desperately need this time of year in the long stretches of gray. It is feeling like I made a difference somehow today. #ditchbook
A1: I am learning that #happiness is found in the little things every day. Also, it’s something we create for ourselves, not necessarily given to us. #ditchbook
A1: Happiness to me is being completely satisfied with what you're doing and who you are with. My family and my job are two perfect examples. Oh, and @NHLBlackhawks hockey! :-) #DitchBook
Happiness to me is when I have enough time in my day to get all my work done and still have time to practice my instruments and work with my horse. #ditchbook#aedu209trolls
Interestingly enough...I became a happiness coach because of my years of dealing with an anxiety disorder and lots of fears! So I worked to decrease them all. #DitchBook#StrobelEd
A1 #ditchbook Happiness means acknowledging your existence as different than your current state of being and it's the big picture, not the exact moment, that has to be positive.
A2: Happiness (i.e. school culture) has a significant impact on so many variables (e.g. academic success, teacher retention, morale, etc.) https://t.co/L6VzGFoKN2#ditchbook
A2 If we aren't happy, our Ss know it. Bringing joy into the classroom is essential for safe, loving learning communities and Ss engagement. We must take care of our own happy to be able to share it with our Ss. #ditchbook
✨A2:
“Sometimes it’s O.K. to do things in class because it increases the fun factor and fosters positive feelings about school.” @burgessdave#TLAP#DitchBook
A2: some students spend more time with the people at school or more time at school than w/ their families and at home. Plays a huge part in their development and views on community/communication/education. #ditchbook
A2: Happiness is the tide that rises all ships.
Happy students learn more.
Happy teachers make better connections.
Happy principals create positive school culture.
Everyone wins when happiness is valued. #DitchBook
A happy classroom provides for a productive one. Engagement is high. The kids are willing to learn. It doesn't make educating a tough task. #ditchbook#aedu209trolls
A2 I view happiness as one of the basic needs that students and teachers must have to have a successful day. It's hard to focus and be receptive to learning and others when you're upset and grumpy. When you're happy, learning becomes fun and inviting #DitchBook
How interesting Kim...thanks for sharing this about you...I was actually wondering how you arrived at this work. Often, we become an expert in something that has greatly affected us! #DitchBook
A2: It is hard to learn if you don't feel safe or happy. If one of those can be met, learning potential is increased. Meeting both can have amazing results! #DitchBook
@strobeled#ditchbook A2 Happiness is important in education because it contributes to an upward spiral of efficiency. Success leads to happiness leads to courage leads to curiosity leads to exploration leads to failure leads to learning leads to success leads to happiness.
A2: It’s so hard to do anything if you’re not happy! Spreading happiness makes learning fun! It isn’t easy to learn from an unhappy teacher! #Ditchbook
Happiness is important in education because when are students are happy in school they are going to want to keep going to school, and keep participating, and they will be more open to new ideas. #ditchbook#aedu209trolls
If a student is comfortable in a classroom and are happy to learn then they will be more engaging and willing to put in the extra effort #ditchbook#aedu209trolls
A2: Being happy and enjoying your job helps makes the hard times easier. Ss thrive in a classroom where laughter is evident and positive feelings are flowing. #DitchBook
Q2: Happiness is important in education because if children are not generally happy then they will lose interest in the material you are sharing with them. #ditchbook#aedu209trolls
A2: Happiness is essential to life so why wouldn’t it be important in education? Also, kids and teachers spend an awful lot of time together each day...better for it to be mostly happy time! #amirite#DitchBook
Q2: I feel that happiness is important in education because if we as educators are "happy" that will translate over to the atmosphere in the classroom!! Happy students will be more open to learning - right??? #ditchbook#aedu209trolls
#DitchBook
A1: The "work" feels like a gift or a privilege, rather than an obligation. Being content and at peace with what is. Not living in the "Land of Shoulds."
A2: people ALL people dwell on the negative to one degree or another is something upsets us or makes us unhappy that’s where our focus is i.e. not on he lesson! #ditchbook
A2: Great question! Students and educators are humans and human beings need a positive environment that is a safe & caring place to grow. No happiness = limited growth. #ditchbook
A3: As selfish as it may sound, work on your own happiness first. Once you are happier, it will be contagious to others. On bad days, do your best to exude happiness #DitchBook
Happiness improves your mood and increases your positivism. Being in a good mood and always keeping a positive attitude increases the chances of learning for students and staff! #ditchbook
#DitchBook
Q2: when Ss are happy, their brain can function at a mkre complex level...engage in more critical thinking and learning than if they are operating in a stressed or threatened state.
Same for Ts.
A2: Mirror neurons are at work, which causes others to respond and react the way you initially act to them. Your smile brings out their smile 😀 #ditchbook
A3 Make up our minds to invest in our #happiness. Let regret & bitterness go. Heal. Take time for ourselves so we can take care of others. So much of #happiness is in our own hands & hearts, we just have to grab it. #ditchbook
A3: Attending to my own learning can help with my own happiness. Attending #EdCamp or other PD or participating in Twitter chats helps to rejuvenate my spirit and push me to be a better teacher
#DitchBook
A3: Take care of yourself to ensure you can take care of others. Sleep, diet, exercise, spend time with your family ...and take time for yourself. #ditchbook
We can use more multimedia resources. Incorporating more technology is always a great start. This generation thrives with tech. So, why not add more? Online review games, assignments, etc. Gather their feedback to see what works. #ditchbook#aedu209trolls
A3- I feel happier when I know I have made others happy, or have succeeded in something. Our students feel the same way. They are happy when they succeed, and make their parents and teachers proud #DitchBook
A3: give Ss more choice. This year I have added quite a few more flexible seating options and have added music to transition time. Kids love to dance as they come to the read aloud area. #DitchBook
But don't you think that fulfillment also comes from doing what you're passionate about? I think we need to teach younger generations how to understand who they are and where they can use their talents the best. #ditchbook#aedu209trolls
A3: Continually surround yourself with positive people and others that want the best for students. That can only translate to further happiness and student success! #DitchBook
A3: How can we increase our happiness?
Smile.
Laugh.
See our students for who they really are.
Play. (It's OK to do that.)
Stop to enjoy the moment.
Add some music.
Add a bitmoji or a GIF.
#DitchBook
I struggled with this for a long time because of some backstabbing that took place in my life, but it is important to build those relationships, well said! #ditchbook
#ditchbook We can increase happiness by allowing individuals a sense of control of their work, a display of the "fruits of their labor", and a progressive level of complexity.... Am I supposed to tag the moderator in these things? Don't know Twitter etiquette yet haha
A3: I think to increase happiness, we have to first make sure we are happy. My Ss have fun in my room bc they know I'm having fun and care about them. #DitchBook
A3 sounds simple, but sometimes we need to intentionally focus on our happiness:
-give time to ourselves
-cut away the unessesary
-spend time with the people you WANT to spend time with
-do something nice for someone
-smile
#ditchbook
A2. Kids need to be reassured that #happiness can be achieved even outside of perfect circumstances. Also, giving Ss a sense that they have accomplished something, especially when they struggled to do it. #ditchbook
Q3: Throw it around like its confetti!
Encourage and support each child as much as possible.
Supply children with the tools needed to cope with different issues.
#ditchbook#aedu209trolls
A2: It’s so hard to do anything if you’re not happy! Spreading happiness makes learning fun! It isn’t easy to learn from an unhappy teacher! #Ditchbook
A3: To increase happiness in our students I think that we first need to make sure that when we are teaching we are looking and sounding happy and excited to be there. Teachers positive attitude can help change students attitudes. #ditchbook#aedu209trolls
A3. Balance is key! Make sure you are well nurtured in all areas of your life mentally, physically, emotionally/socially.. Surround yourself around people who love you #ditchbook
A3: Make learning fun!!! Give Ss choices and be excited about your teaching. Always remember that even if you’ve taught a lesson a billion times, your Ss haven’t seen it at all! Make it exciting to spread the happiness! #Ditchbook
A3: Building a stronger community & better Culture in your building. Make sure it's a positive culture. 1st line of our application states:
Ideal candidates will:
* be joyful, flexible, communicative, etc... #WeAreMarian#DitchBook
We need to be positive in our roles, and try to give out lots of compliments to students as well as co-workers! Even leave little handwritten notes, or a little treat to those who may be having an "off" day! #ditchbook#aedu209trolls
A3: I fake it til I make it for my Ss. Generally, it's real for me, but not always. The happier I am or seem to be, the more annoyingly happy I am toward Ss. They will grin at me now and I seem to be winning them over. Happiness is CONTAGIOUS! #DitchBook
Right? Just like the oxygen masks on an airplane! Self care allows us to take care of others and as Ts we tend give and give- we have to remember to replenish our supply! #DitchBook
A2: We are not dealing with an object or a product, but children who have emotions. Ss need to have fun while learning. Happy Ss, happy learning. #ditchbook
Your gif made me realize I am happiest when I can slow down a little. When I get too busy or too stressed, I don't alway appreciate the good things and worry takes over #ditchbook
#DitchBook
A3: Seek joy. Record our gratitude in some way. Journal the journey. Find the good & share the discovery.
And if we are struggling, seek help. There is no shame in needing support. People need people. #mirrorneurons
A3 How to Increase Happiness☺️: smile, sincerely laugh😝, show interest, ask questions❓, listen, 🤔reflect and have others do so too, dance💃, breath... the list goes on #ditchbook
A3 We can increase our own happiness by spreading it like wild fire. I'm trying to learn to not hold back, not be shy, not be reticent. Smile, say hi, show joy. #ditchbook
I believe that question 3 and 4 are intertwined. We can increase our happiness when we understand the things that bring us happiness. In understanding who we are as individuals we can begin to value ourselves daily or weekly. #ditchbook#aedu209trolls
Running, gratitude journal, random act of kindness, volunteer ... the top four on this list for "happiness boost."
There's something to that! #DitchBook
A4: I think we begin to value ourselves when we step back and focus on the positive things that we've accomplished. Educators tend to be too detail focused: what can be improved on a lesson, how they could have handled a situation differently. Focus on the positives! #DitchBook
✨A3: TRY NEW & FUN THINGS! #TLAP HOOKS + GIFS = HAPPINESS Learn how to use GIFs to up the fun factor and happiness! Get Your GIF On!! https://t.co/KYHPsSbRM3#DitchBook ✨
A4: I have a hard time with this. It's much easier for me to build someone else up and help them to see their value/worth. I need to work on this #DitchBook
A3: being present and enthusiastic. I show up everyday ready for the challenge of impacting my students. That challenge makes me happy and I think my student feed of off that energy #ditchbook
Sorry for the late entry. Love the topic. Happiness is a prerequisite for teaching and definitely for learning. Think about sitting in a PD session that’s boring and not helpful. That isn’t making us happy. No different in our classes and schools. #DitchBook
A4 Reflect on what you're thankful for, what has blessed you. That is always a place to start. Then, take some TIME for yourself. It is more valuable than anything material. #ditchbook
A4: I feel that some think it’s rude or “bragging” to think about the good you’ve done... IT ISN’T!!! Take the time to be proud of all you’ve accomplished. I don’t think you can value yourself until you do that💕 #Ditchbook
A4. Reflect back on all the positive things in your life, How far you've come and where you're heading. Don't be too hard on yourself! Remind yourself that you are fearfully and wonderfully made :) #ditchbook
A4: Understand that we aren't perfect and that's okay. Cut ourselves some slack when we make mistakes. See eaach day as a new opportunity & each failure as opportunity for growth. Spread the joy & love of learning & life throughout our classroom, hallway, & building. #DitchBook
A4: getting past the self-doubt, believing in myself. Helped to hear a keynote from @carloliwitter about how I was enough to do things I didn't think I could like teach PD for our district
#ditchbook
#DitchBook
A4: Be known and know others. When they are given, accept compliments and praise from others...do not try to diminish them or dodge the good others note about us. Believe you are enough.
A4: develop a growth mindset, not getting down if a lesson fails, etc. Elevate. Advocate. Amplify-- see yourself as valuable and use your voice to create positive change. #ditchbook
Have you found the #DitchBook podcast yet?
5 minutes every school day of tips, tricks, ideas and inspiration.
More info and how to listen here: https://t.co/PHz9hxOWwf#ditchbook
A4: We have to accept our realities for what they are and not judge ourselves. Once you accept yourself you love yourself and value yourself and what you have to offer. #DitchBook
Preach it Kyle. This is exactly what I teach others. You must fill your own cup up first, put the oxygen mask on yourself first, etc. #DitchBook#StrobelEd
A4: Know that you are valuable, regardless of what others say or think, and something I learned a few years ago, stop caring what others think, if it's right, it's right, no matter how unpopular it may be #ditchbook
A4: I think that often we take everything we do for granted - it's what we do and we think it's normal. I think conscious reflection would help beginning to value ourselves - think about what would happen if you didn't do what you do! #ditchbook
We value ourselves by taking time for ourselves and shutting things down sometimes too. Very tough to do in today's culture & as a T, but so worth it. #ditchbook We have retreat tomorrow for that reason.
R4: I’m sure every individualist different but I have a terrible habit of canceling on myself. I block off time in my calendar for something-but then also let others book said time slot. 2018 challenge = value myself enough by limiting how often I do this #DitchBook
Accepting compliments without self-deprecating is so difficult! I try to teach this to my interns so they can own their successes. It is especially difficult for teachers for some reason. #ditchbook
Have you found the #DitchBook podcast yet?
5 minutes every school day of tips, tricks, ideas and inspiration.
More info and how to listen here: https://t.co/PHz9hxOWwf#ditchbook
A4: It is important that we as teachers value ourselves in our personal life. This will carry over into our professional Life. Then, we can teach our students to value themselves by being role models #ditchbook
