The #michED chat is a grassroots effort dedicated to giving teachers, students, and parents across Michigan a bigger voice in the conversation about education in our state. We welcome all voices through a variety of projects, media, and social networking. We’re trying to address educational issues through apolitical conversation, spreading ideas and stories of success from Michigan classrooms across the state, and helping teachers and students regain the courage to connect and demonstrate that schools in Michigan are creating amazing opportunities for learning. We want the face and voice of education in Michigan to be a mural of shared experiences and positive examples of connected learning.
The #michED-METS are super excited about this year’s Fall Rally! Come to build a survival tool, connected with other techies, and solve some of the edtech conundrums that we face every day on Monday, October 15th! Register here: https://t.co/WEDzcVLeSz
Q1: According to the quote in this @MLive article, many teacher feel "demonized and demoralized" in Michigan. How do we begin to unpack that statement? #michED
Q1: According to the quote in this @MLive article, many teacher feel "demonized and demoralized" in Michigan. How do we begin to unpack that statement? #michEDhttps://t.co/sCCDZqaWQV
Hi #michED! 1st chat of the new school yr. Cannot believe how busy September was! Sarah from A2, HS T leader & curr coordinator at an alt HS along w/ SEL coordinator for Wash ISD.
A1: I can't say that I have felt demonized by anyone in particular. However, I can see how many feel as though the stream of reforms and evaluation legislation could be interpreted that way. #michED
A1: There has been an attack on teachers and public schools since the 80's. It has intensified lately with NCLB, RTTT, anti-union, and pay and benefit cuts #MIchED
A1) Does it help to think of it in different contexts? For example teachers within the school or district, or how many are viewed by their community and then within the state or society at large? I think it will vary for most of us at those different levels. #miched
This is an interesting thought. How much blame should be placed with the rhetoric around public education reform and debate? Would we feel better about it under different circumstances? #michED
A1 Demonized and demoralized as a result of being devalued in both the media and political decisions. Educators want to be servant leaders but instead are treated as martyrs or worse yet pariahs for societal decisions #miched
A1: Due to the ever-changing evaluation methods and state testing, teachers are losing confidence in 'the system',their leadership, and even themselves. #miched
A1: Demonized maybe too strong; I have not experienced “society” saying educators are wicked or evil; however, educators are demoralized because of how we are treated by “society” in various ways #miched
What if the intention of all this work was born out of true reform, but rhetoric has heated and compacted the issues into such a frenzy that it feels like a concentrated attack? #michED
This is an interesting thought. How much blame should be placed with the rhetoric around public education reform and debate? Would we feel better about it under different circumstances? #michED
This is a really poignant thought. Our public education is definitely a system, and systems thrive under slow, methodical change, not quick and frequent change. #michED
A1: Due to the ever-changing evaluation methods and state testing, teachers are losing confidence in 'the system',their leadership, and even themselves. #miched
Public education in general has not been supported. Schools are asked to do more w/bare minimum. Walk in the shoes of a teacher for a day before pointing fingers at them. Teachers do extraordinary work. Sadly, teachers are not supported. They should be respected. #miched
A1. Public education in general has not been supported. Schools are asked to do more w/bare minimum. Walk in the shoes of a teacher for a day before pointing fingers at them. Teachers do extraordinary work. Sadly, teachers are not supported. They should be respected. #miched
SO true and they SEE other Teachers evaluated by different standards ... SOME districts have all Highly effective teachers while others have none... #michED
A1: Due to the ever-changing evaluation methods and state testing, teachers are losing confidence in 'the system',their leadership, and even themselves. #miched
A1 Demoralized by a state legislators who think they are experts in what HQ educators should be like by forcing an illogical evaluation system that ALL psychometricians say is useless #MIchED
A1 Words Matter and Actions Matter...I am guilty of allowing the failure narrative propagated by some in positions of political power to demoralize me...however, I can also choose to listen to folks like those pictured here...the people who truly matter:) #miched
First let’s acknowledge that not every teacher feels this way every day. It is true, yes, but the majority are dedicated and committed to doing our very best for our kids every day, despite what politicians do to us. #MichEd
IMHO there has been an intentional attack on public education. An agenda of school choice, anti-union, and using testing and "accountability" to justify it. #miched
I think in general we are tempted to see other people's jobs as easier from the outside. The problem with teaching is almost everyone has seen teachers work, but usually when they were too young to be objective. #miched
This is a really poignant thought. Our public education is definitely a system, and systems thrive under slow, methodical change, not quick and frequent change. #michED
A1: Due to the ever-changing evaluation methods and state testing, teachers are losing confidence in 'the system',their leadership, and even themselves. #miched
I think in general we are tempted to see other people's jobs as easier from the outside. The problem with teaching is almost everyone has seen teachers work, but usually when they were too young to be objective. #miched
Teachers feel that their profession is not respected, their voices not heard and they are asked to act in ways that goes against their training by leaders who should know better #michED
This is a great point! The "grass is always greener" attitude. That happens even within our buildings. Teachers don't truly see how difficult administration is, and admin can forget the drag of the daily grind teachers endure. #michED
I think in general we are tempted to see other people's jobs as easier from the outside. The problem with teaching is almost everyone has seen teachers work, but usually when they were too young to be objective. #miched
Respectfully, I think it also has to do with the narrative of media/politicians too as I've also seen doctors and dentists work for a long time but don't think I can do their job nor feel they are the bad guys for the diabetes or gingivitis epidemics :) #miched
I think in general we are tempted to see other people's jobs as easier from the outside. The problem with teaching is almost everyone has seen teachers work, but usually when they were too young to be objective. #miched
A2: I try to rise up, focus on the positive young minds that come in my classroom everyday! #michED Then work for change! advocate, promote better paths, and VOTE!
A2: Every year around this time I revisit my "manifesto." It's a list of realities that I want to embody and create each day. It's in front of me on my office wall, and keeps me focused on positive actions. #michED
A2: I'm very curious about the responses to this question as a future teacher, I definitely want to know how on the "rough" days, how you keep yourselves motivated? #miched
A2: i connect with activities or colleagues that lift me up. Last spring I was having a really rough time. Lots of convos with my squad of T friends and bonding with my leadership kids helped a lot. #michED
Our schools each day manage and care for 100s of students. All school staff teach them, care for them, protect them, and love them. These Ss are our future and we’ve entrusted them to all of the people in our schools. Society as a a whole needs to shift the mindset. #miched
A2 Change the narrative! I with some great friends put on an event for politicians and policy makers to show teacher leadership! https://t.co/mtavKisEMg#miched
A2: Stay motivated by bringing your passions into your classroom & sharing them with your Ss. Keep growing and attend PD outside of what your district offers. Surround yourself with other Ts who are excited about the profession and the limitless possibilities #miched
A2: I also workout regularly and don't check my work email later at night. Helps channel the bad things in a productive way and gives me a brain break...#michED
A2: Control what I can control .. the demoralization only comes around when I worry about evaluation process or test scores... I have decided those things REALLY don't matter #miched
A2: I made a decision to let my "nerd flag" fly at work a few years back when it comes to LEGO. It helps put people at ease, and reminds me on a daily basis why I got into education. #michED
Unfortunately the lack of respect, being demonized and demoralized (as well as low pay) leads many teachers to consider leaving the profession. Our Teacher Burnout page https://t.co/CrZ01VrhyE#miched
A2: I go to Conferences and join Twitter chats to find ALL the awesome that is happening right now in EDUCATION #michED It is the BEST of times during the WORST of times
A2 Maintaining a balance; taking care of family, hangin' out w/my wife & girlfriend (same person), eating healthy, exercising, disconnecting, listening to podcasts of people way smarter than me; goofing off, humor, and most important being Christ focused on all of life! #michEd
A2 Change the narrative! I with some great friends put on an event for politicians and policy makers to show teacher leadership! https://t.co/mtavKisEMg#miched
A2: The constant refrain about T shortage is a bit demoralizing—I think we have the best job in the world! I’m frustrated by Ts who go out of their way to tell Ss that they wouldn’t recommend T as a career. However, I’m energized by new Ts who are doing great things! #michEd
Q3: In most cases, it's typically the constant stream of news about the state of education that can demoralize us. What can you do to combat that stream? #michED
Teaching is awesome if we focus solely on the teaching! It is when we allow all the BS to get in the way it has issues ... Time to CUT the BS out of ED #miched
A2: I go to Conferences and join Twitter chats to find ALL the awesome that is happening right now in EDUCATION #michED It is the BEST of times during the WORST of times
A3: We need more positive stories about EDUCATION like this one https://t.co/yVbcvNajgW About a friend's wife... Every paper should spotlight classrooms weekly #michED
A3: celebrate and advertise the positives. We are the champions of that story. Be active on social media, promote the learning happening in your school and find orgs & events that can allow you to showcase even more! #MIchED
I think that it's so easy to get caught up with what society says, but if we remember why we do what we do, and the good memories, we can combat these negative thoughts #miched
A3: Tough question. I try to balance good things with the negative politics. I don't want to ignore them because it is important to know and speak out on these issues too. #miched
Q3: In most cases, it's typically the constant stream of news about the state of education that can demoralize us. What can you do to combat that stream? #michED
A3: Overwhelm the narrative with the positive! I like the term “relentlessly positive.” Use social media, print media, and good ol’ word of mouth to share all of the great things going on. Promote kids, promote Ts, promote the school. Become a great storyteller! #michEd
Q4: Candidate Whitmer talked with @MLive about bolstering pre-service teacher numbers with incentives. If you were running for Governor, what would you propose? #michEDhttps://t.co/sCCDZqaWQV
A3: When around family/friends, talk about the in-depth discourse your Ss participated in, what the architectural genius in your class built with your STEM materials, the creative masterpiece your aspiring author wrote...instead of complaining about your 4th observation. #miched
A4: widen the programs that grant Ts their salary yrs if they move districts. Get rid of the T eval laws that focus 40% on test scores. Provide T leadership roles that allow Ts to show leadership and be in the classroom. Could help admin burnout too! #MIchED
A4: Loan forgiveness for working in areas of "need" would be a start. Need to raise salaries to meet education requirements... and fix the mess of evaluation systems the state has now by getting rid of Standardized test scores #miched
A3. Every school should tell their story. People need to see the great things going on in all of the buildings. It’s easy to assume. Collaborate together with other schools, use social media and share your successes. Success can be more than a data point. Share it! #miched
That is tough. I think we have to make sure they know the financial and emotional realities, but we need to inspire the next gen and help them see that the work is more meaningful than comfort and cash. #miched
A4 I'd simply fight for equitable funding models that support the schools and students who need it most. It may not take much 'more' money just a equitable distribution. My bonus platform, standardized assessments as projects only ;) #miched
We need total collaboration and sharing! Districts need to partner with media outlets to provide weekly stories! Most district do so much within their communities #miched
A3. Every school should tell their story. People need to see the great things going on in all of the buildings. It’s easy to assume. Collaborate together with other schools, use social media and share your successes. Success can be more than a data point. Share it! #miched
A4: I want our lawmakers to be required to visit classrooms around the state. It's not fair they make decisions based on their elementary and secondary experience 20-40 years ago. #miched
A4: in terms of incentives... loan forgiveness! Also retention bonuses, higher bar for T mentors. More scaffolding for the first 3 years in the profession #miched
A4: If I were running for Governor, I would steer Title II and Title IV money into "teacher externships." Create a program that allows teachers a sabbatical year or semester to shadow workers in other fields. Let them see what the workplace actually looks like. #michED
YES, They need to SUB in at least a classroom in every level in every school district they represent! #michED Not just visits for the press to see #mileg
A4: I would also love to see more corporate partnerships with schools; encourage managers from all fields to spend 50-100 hours a semester working alongside teachers in classrooms. #michED
A4: No simple answer and it's a big problem. I like the loan forgiveness @blocht574 mentioned. But real wages and benefits have greatly decreased considering inflation while job "hoops" and testing pressures have greatly increased. Teachers need more professional freedom. #miched
Sadly, there are many small districts that get lost in the shuffle ... and collaboration isn't in financial interests of most districts since students represent $$ Need new funding model to solve this #michED
A4: Hi, Lorri from Kalamazoo here. Checking in as I put kids to bed. I have to say that the lack of out of state license reciprocity about did me in. I had to take the SAT this summer. #miched
A3. We have a program called Watch DOGS. Other schools in our district do too. Positive male role models come in on a daily basis. They volunteer and they all leave with a better understanding of the great things going on in our schools. They are shocked at the work! #miched
A4: Hi, Lorri from Kalamazoo here. Checking in as I put kids to bed. I have to say that the lack of out of state license reciprocity about did me in. I had to take the SAT this summer. #miched
Love this program! My twins love it when I am the Watch DOG at their school! Need to happen in more schools ... but hard to take a day of teaching to be the DOG w/ sub shortages #miched
Cast schools in San Antonio have amazing model of STEM, PBL, and great business partnerships. Would love to see this replicated in #michedhttps://t.co/nxHniQWuQI
Q5: Despite any demoralizing thoughts or realities, there are many educators happy to be where they are. Can you share once celebration to end this evening? #michED
A5: I have the opportunity to work in a district where the leadership is focused on empowering teachers and students as much as possible. That's a blessing. #michED
A5) I helped two teachers start a project this week between 3rd graders and MS students. Older students writing stories for younger to encourage grit and reading. 50+ kids excited to learn together. #miched
A5: I celebrate a successful start to the year! Our staff is focus and despite setbacks are thriving together ... Homecoming game this weekend with 7-0 record and division title on line helps #miched@WWTFootball
A5: Working with and collaborating with other educators in my building who care about our kids. We have an awesome staff even though we get paid even less than public school teachers. 💗 #michEd
A5: My leadership kiddos successfully pulled off a pep assembly for 1800 and a dance for 1200 students. They are truly amazing and inspire me every day. @RHS_STUGO#MIchED
