#RuralEdChat is a chat that focuses on the needs of the rural educator. This chat has been revised by Tammy Neil (@MathNeil), John Martin (@edventures) and Natalee Stotz (@nataleestotz).
Hello, I'm Tammy. I teach Comp. Science in Suwannee County, FL. Tonight I will be moderating our #RuralEdChat conversation. Let's get things started with the introductions.
** Q2 **
How do you handle the inequity that occurs between those students that can afford to provide teacher appreciation gifts and those that can't?
#RuralEdChat
A2: the times I've gotten gifts I've never made a show of accepting them. I'll thank the student, and maybe again privately after class. Other students don't need to know what I got, or from whom. #RuralEdChat
** Q2 **
How do you handle the inequity that occurs between those students that can afford to provide teacher appreciation gifts and those that can't?
#RuralEdChat
A2: Our annual system is - the Boosters (PTA/PTO) club uses money from it's funds & donations of food from Booster members to do a breakfast for us on Mon & a lunch for us on Fri. Then they buy one useful thing 4 the staff room like an electric stapler or laminator. #ruraledchat
In years past, my school has had note-writing stations so all Ss could express their appreciation. Our library also has free cards and envelopes for Ss. #ruraledchat
More controversial here is how our Board treats this. They used 2do food or gift until decision that was against laws/ethics. Last yr, they went 2a lot of effort 2 craft lovely proclamation & turn it into a suitable 4 framing/hanging thing, then forgot 2 give it 2us. #ruraledchat
A3: I feel like parents often are more closely connected to these teachers, and this is something that usually comes from a parent's thoughts or wallet. As a HS student, I loved some of my teachers, but couldn't have afforded gifts myself. #RuralEdChat
Much sturm und drang over that - at a highly charged & public board mtg. This year they were much more careful to ensure we all saw their proclamation & appreciation. #ruraledchat
I feel like if I set a limit, I'd first have to mention that gifts are a thing I get sometimes, and then I'd be trying to have control over them. Two things I'd rather not do. #RuralEdChat
Not only closely connected, but unfortunately, seemingly more interested in the goings on of the classroom. Of course, not 100% true, but still something I've experienced. #ruraledchat
A3: I feel like parents often are more closely connected to these teachers, and this is something that usually comes from a parent's thoughts or wallet. As a HS student, I loved some of my teachers, but couldn't have afforded gifts myself. #RuralEdChat
** Q4 **
This will be our last question. Have a great Teacher Appreciation Night.
Tell us about a teacher you appreciated when you were in school.
#RuralEdChat
It's funny you should ask this, only because we were just talking about this in reference to a similar, but different kind of teacher appreciation. The staff-based Teacher-of-the-Year awards. #ruraledchat
As not a parent, I don't envy trying to find the balance of being involved on their education while also helping them become independent. Though, I think many approach that decision without enough intent. #RuralEdChat
Another similar-related-but-different thought: I run into this economic inequity issue with the commercial stuff at school like book fair, jingle bell shoppe, and V-Day shop. You guys have this? #ruraledchat
A4: Mr. Dudley. He taught me a lot of indirect lessons - building student/teacher trust, taking responsibility for your actions, and emphasizing learning over completion checkboxes. Mrs. Loudon, you're high on this list too. #RuralEdChat
** Q4 **
This will be our last question. Have a great Teacher Appreciation Night.
Tell us about a teacher you appreciated when you were in school.
#RuralEdChat
Funny. We (I'm elem) talk about this & related phenomena all the time. We believe it's often the same with B2SN & Open House & other stuff. We even see it decline from K to 6. Parents seem to get less invested/participatory the older & more independent the kid gets. #ruraledchat
Yes, my limit is don't spend anything if it is not a donation 2 classroom supplies. You want to show me appreciation? Show up. Be engaged. Get something done. Learn. Grow. Participate. Engage. & keep the drama at home. That goes for all parties. #ruraledchat
Seriously, you should have seen their shock at the board meeting the following year during contract negotiations when they discovered none of us had seen or heard of the proclamation & had thought nothing had been done by the board for teacher appreciation. #ruraledchat
I don't like'em. I'm odd man out, but I send a letter 2 the parent/families at the beginning of the year saying I don't do'em & if they want their kid 2 go then parent needs 2 come & take the kid. Our shops R in the library & I just don't take the kids 2 the library. #ruraledchat
I'd better watch out. I keep encouraging people from my district to join us on #ruraledchat One day I'm gonna get my wish & have to be less "free to be me on the interwebz" ;-)
Speaking of income inequality, can we talk about being a poor teacher w/ hundreds of children bringing you expensive fundraisers to buy into? Eeek! Have I mentioned my love for @DonorsChoose lately? #ruraledchat
Sorry all for missing tonight. Just now able to check in on #RuralEdChat but have to check right back out. Will go back through the threads later. FINISH STRONG!
