#RuralEdChat Archive
#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).
Tuesday October 18, 2016
Here we go! starts now. Please introduce yourself and share one of your passions.
Bill Adams, Superintendent at JWP in MN. Without question, personalizing learning opportunities.
I'm Brad and I'll be co-piloting alongside the one and only this evening.
Good evening . Eric from north-central Kansas. Principal . Popping in and out during PT Conferences.
Welcome Tammy! Things are looking up.
Sounds like a plan, Eric. Welcome to .
That's good. Always look up, you may just help someone else look up as well.
Hi ! Natalee from Maine. I'm passionate about literacy & about reforming high school!
Eric, welcome to So glad you are here, even sporadically.
Hey Brent from Western KS Ind. Tech teacher
Hi! Pre-service elementary/special ed teacher from Grove City College, PA.
One of my passions is cultivating creativity & innovation. Love seeing kids learn/thrive in a manner that's relevant to them.
Nice. Sounds like a tall order. Excited to hear some steps your team has taken to HS reform.
Welcome to Brent. Got a passion?
John Martin from up here in New Hampshire. Dir of Innovation & Tech for the school district.
My latest passions are competency based learning w/ a student-centered approach.
Q1. How are you sharing your school's vision and story? (Please share a sample or resource.)
Valerie! Seems like I just saw you yesterday. LOL
Baby steps right now, but I have big dreams!
Hey, ! Jay, principal from Merton, WI checking in to learn with and from the awesome .
Hi! Elementary principal from Grand Forks, ND. Becoming an innovated and connected leader!
A1: District newsletter, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and any opportunity at in-person engagements.
I love when pre-service teachers build their PLNs and engage in chats like . Let's all give … https://t.co/yQDRjenrMX
Hi! Pre-service elementary/special ed teacher from Grove City College, PA.
Glad they called in the heavy-hitters. Excited to learn with you this eve, John.
A1: In person meetings. Still trying to refine our vision & figure out how to tell our story.
Thanks so much! I'm eager to learn more!!
John from Jersey arriving late. I live in Jersey but live amongst the bears....had my garbage cans taken last night.
We've started using in SM. Students have picked it up in Instagram and others.
A1) Twitter, Instagram, Facebook. Really pushing the for ALL staff to share the awesome things in their classrooms.
I thought it was the other way around, Jay! So glad you're here.
Linda from Upstate NY. Do edu publishing. Passion for teaching nonfiction writing and teaching teachers to teach NF
What is the question right now?
Sounds legit. You're amongst friends with John. :)
Hey ! Todd, Elem principal in CA. Big fan of and
Glad to be here, Brad. Need a push to get a drone to make videos to share in our story.
Any insurance issues with the drone?
A1 work hard 2 share vision by being visible in the community & lately we have had some good press from regional papers
A1 through ps see real work, real fun, real reflection in real time
We'll move to a new Q every 5 minutes, so take time to interact, review resources shared, and follow-up after the chat too.
A1 Finally took a leap to create student newscast using greenscreenapp and imovie!
Would love to see it! Do you have examples?
A1: We use our school hashtag so that the community can share the awesome
Q2. How do you use forward-thinking to address the enrollment challenges that rural schools face?
A1: We are currently learning to use resources such as for posting and communication w ss and parents
If you cut your finger you can't pitch in a division series game in the playoffs.
This is something I would love to get going in our school.
We post to FB and Twitter and use the hashtag
A2: We are an exception as we are experiencing enrollment growth. We are using a facility study for future planning.
I want my schools to allow Twitter in their vision for social connections
A2: We are combining efforts w/ a nearby district to offer classes the other doesn't to extend our ability to provide variety.
A2: We are bursting at the seams. This little 6-12 rural school needs more space.
A2 We are a choice school district and offer programs to Ss like Mass Media, STEM, Health & Life Sciences
A1. We empower students to help share their learning and stories. Here's a recent student podcast. https://t.co/0ZYBzb6mNK
yes I do will find link to webinar I did.
A2: Too many schools in NH are facing declining enrollment. New stresses but also new opportunities.
Super solid, John! (Sign me up for that!!)
A2: We have large Ss pop in one of poorest counties in FL. We seem to struggle with the Charter school/virtual movement here 😢
A1 Don't work in a school. Know little about what local school does. Mainly here tonight to visit friends!
A2: Trying to use FB & email newsletter to spotlight events & get out story out. Have to refine our message & target audience.
Then just do the opposite of what everyone shares tonight, Tammy. LOL
Would love to see examples of Ss work if available.
Ditto! These examples are gold to be shared!
can u help this man out with links to webinar we did? https://t.co/i2Stun0LHe
Would love to see it! Do you have examples?
Nice. What's a day-to-day practice people would observe, Todd?
A2: I arrange Parent meetings at local preschools so I can get them pumped about our school instead of enrolling in private.
We try to offer programs unique to our area. Aviation/Logistics/Ag
A2: we're a private school with a specific focus (faith-based). Very specific demographic. Challenging in rural Maine!
A2. Get creative with space-we now have (2) preK sections in our building when our enrollement went down.
A3: How do you involve students, staff, parents, community and others in discussions of expenditure reductions?
Q3. What is one follow-up question you'd like to ask another person in about their ideas from the previous question? Ask them!
This year we are shifting from Parent-teacher conferences to Student-led. We want to have all our parents in our middle school.
How does this work? Are the classes streamed, hybrid online, or asynchronous? How's the feedback been, John?
is now trending in USA, ranking 50
Student led conferences are empowering experiences! Our school does them and the parents & students love them!
What steps are you taking to implement this? Something I'd like to try! (my response to Q3!)
Welcome!! The quality of responses coming from Minnesota participants automatically went up when you arrived.
Great App, easy to use. One post hits a variety of audiences no matter what platform they prefer.
A bit of everything although the most in demand is still F2F. We host some courses, our partner school others.
A3 Do you invite staff and existing families to join you at these meetings?
I am really excited about the shift! It is nerve racking doing something new but so worth it!
Grow your network and PLN as you're interacting tonight on . Follow and others who are participating!
You have any student led conference material you can share. Very interested in this.
Best of luck - change can be challenging but this will pay off huge dividends!
A3: What are some of the ways that you "sell" your school to parents? Any specific details that get ps' attention?
Step one is I surround myself with great people! We worked over the summer to create a handbook for Ts.
it's a game changer opens doors to ps
Next question will be posted in one minute...start thinking about dwindling budgets and innovation.
A1: I use my twitter account and my blog for reflections and story sharing. Pardon my tardiness, Eric from Citrus County Fl
I'm with you there. Where to start, where to find the time???
That's great, John. Sometimes the most obvious answer is still best!
Absolutely...I found that existing families bring authenticity and voice to our vision...they speak from experience!
I'll try to dig some up tomorrow. A lot of it is analog - a pizza box portfolio w/ documented goals.
A4: We couldn't thrive on a "shoe-string" budget & decided to ask voters for a maximum levy to support innovation. It passed.
Q4. How have you ushered in meaningful change on a shoe-string budget?
Student voice! I record & ask kids questions and let their story highlight our school's story!
Another great partner in NH edu is . Let's us extend our offerings to help our Ss reach further faster.
A4: great crowd souced funding website...
A4: I have a really dedicated team and an incredibly supportive principal. Change takes time, but my teachers are willing!
Late!!! But here: A1: I'm Kelley from Kansas/PreK-6th grade principal. I'm passionate about real world experiences for our Ss.
We often fail to realize that our greatest creative, innovative thinking is unleashed under constraints…not unlimited resources
Amen! https://t.co/6UOr5p0gy3
Late!!! But here: A1: I'm Kelley from Kansas/PreK-6th grade principal. I'm passionate about real world experiences for our Ss.
This is a great idea! https://t.co/ojTRfOMd5U
Student voice! I record & ask kids questions and let their story highlight our school's story!
A4: Thankfully, there are small grants, and sites like that supports our efforts.
Ryan Sheehy here from Northern Ca. Elem principal. Better late than never.
A4: Good Q! Our grant that we have been using for PD will be ending this year. Our county reapplies for several each year.
A4: In my prior sch it was partnering w/ a local Uni to get donated desktops for my kiddos classrooms.
A4 Make sure what you are presenting is valid and good for Ss and it is easier for admin to approve spending.
I think I need to make better use of smore! Maybe even invest in a paid account...
A4 It's important to think within the funding box (move money around) to be able to act outside the box. Make sense?
A4: Cheap staff field trip to to their makerspace to inspire. Getting recycled material donated for STEAM projects
A4. I wrote this blog post about meaningful change yesterday. It doesn't require a big budget! https://t.co/WPGaLZm8Mr
The paid account is so worth it!
A4 Demonstrate it! Innovation doesn't just include technology - but forward thinking and engaging Ss thinking
A4. Ask for help-when we started our lego wall we did a drive-received donations from families.
A4: Sometimes we just have to get out of the way of our Ss. Enlist them with funding issues. Gives them ownership.
A4: Creating a transparent school that the needs were known and the community knew all the good things happening helped.
Start brainstorming your favorite books and any new releases you'd recommend...question five is coming right up!
A4. Our teachers are utilizing and we connect with local businesses about our vision.
A4: Utilized free technology to communicate w/ parents and use instructionally in the classroom
A5: Outside of "Renegade Leadership", I want to fit in "Cultivating Curiosity in K-12 Classrooms" to strengthen Ss curiosity.
Q5. What's on your "must read" or "up next" list and why?!
So jealous that you have in your backyard!
using or or youtube videos from my thats power
A4 In our research of high performing schools, Rural schools r sometimes most creative of leveraging time, talent & resources
hugs and coffee (my love language) to you and
We're here for you, always. :-) Thanks for the shoutout!
A5: I have several books on Project Based Learning that I'm eager to spend time with.
A5. Two of my recent favorites include by and and by .
A5: My list of "must reads" gets bigger every time someone asks. Definitely includes a book by this guy named Brad.
A5: Urban Meyer: Above the Line. Lessons in leadership.
Ha, I just won a copy of that at our last competency based learning committee!
Creative Destruction, Surfing At the Edge of Chaos, Creativity, Inc., Exploiting Chaos, Creative Confidence, Collective Genius…
A5: Must reads: ...all come with awesome hashtag discussion groups!
Nice. Have you heard about book coming out on ? I'm so pumped for that one!!
A5: Currently reading Innovators Mindset, Renegade Leadership, and Crazy Like a Fox. All great reads.
A5) In the middle of right now. Must reads are and .
Well I used the wrong account but it went to the right group! https://t.co/Erjn7SnEtG
A5: My list of "must reads" gets bigger every time someone asks. Definitely includes a book by this guy named Brad.
A5: Honestly, Renegade Leadership & An INspired Evolution. I want to learn more about how I can be better for staff & kids
A5: Originals, ReWork, Meetings Suck, Ego is the Enemy, End Of Average
Love all of these! All about doing whats best for kids and getting excited throughout the process.
I haven't; will definitely check it out! In process of applying to grad school for masters in PBL.
A5. Oh my goodness...be sure to read by and too!
A5b: Up next for me is by and
Still need to get & 's Get to see at in Dec!
A5: Now that I have finished going back and reading Harry Potter book 3 w/ my son. It is the best!
A6: We are embarking on creating a system of personalized learning for all students. I am leading the charge.
Really enjoying Focused, Fast & Flexible: Creating Agility Advantage in a VUCA World. Seeing opportunity for the AGILE Model
A 5: I also wanted to read the book that started it all: The country life commission
Q6. How is your classroom or school blazing a trail? In what ways are you being a "Renegade" for kids?!
Thanks! Also make sure to check out Brad's book (and shoes)!
A5 on my must read list: the last 4 novels of the bestsellers 1900-1969 (and write reviews).
Hmmm....I hadn't heard of the fox book. Thanks for the shoutout, Ryan.
A6: I have the only AP-CSP course in our district. Also, I encourage Ts like to use SM to grow.
and blaze a trail w/ their virtual debates. This is our year ladies!!!
A6: Working hard to understand trauma & poverty. Also, on building relationships w/families handling both issues
Sleep much, Glenn?! That's a whole lot of "must read." :)
A6 Starting a club tomorrow after school. Going to be learning right along side the kids. https://t.co/VZrxrpPoSl
Q6. How is your classroom or school blazing a trail? In what ways are you being a "Renegade" for kids?!
A5 I'm attempting to master Responsive Site Designer so old "you can teach writing" site can become 3 responsive ones.
Setting the Standard for PBL, Transforming Schools Using PBL Performance Assessment and CCS, and PBL Toolkit.
A parent recommended and I started reading it. Pretty good and thought provoking about inner city schools.
what's this sleep thing you speak of? I'll do plenty of it when I'm dead.
A5. by is my current read-next up by and
Adding Sphero to my program 2 years ago led directly to Ss wanting AP-CSP. Good luck!
If we are only reading ‘educational’ books…we are severely limiting the amount and breadth of dots we have to connect forward.
So proud to know you, Kelley. Keep fighting the good fight.
Wow that is great to hear! https://t.co/3yGZWfUlV3
Adding Sphero to my program 2 years ago led directly to Ss wanting AP-CSP. Good luck!
A6 Entp. class is allowed to work on passion project. The group is developing mobile maker space w/ hopes to rent or sell
Thanks, Tammy. Hoping to get a group that wants to get really into coding.
Also, Learning to Choose, Choosing to Learn, Cultivating Curiosity in K-12 Classrooms, A Mindset for Learning.
A6: want more Makerspace/mindfulness/and meaningful learning
A6. We're learning how to create our own videos. Instead of students consuming we want them engineering it!
David Wolff in rural MN, principal on the White Earth Reservation coming in late
A6: Putting focus back on the students. Building trust, relationships, innovation, and progressing
Q7. How do you bring the community into the great work being done in your classroom or school?
A7: We work with civic organizations, businesses in the district and county, and foundations to create momentum and support.
so honored to include you in my PLN!
A6: Concentrating on the process of technology, not the device. Creating a place that no one wants to leave.
Love it Brad! Would love for your Ts to teach our Ts. You have a PD in January? https://t.co/dfLxEhbSAS
A6. We're learning how to create our own videos. Instead of students consuming we want them engineering it!
Margie, PK-5 Principal in western IL. Late coming, just taking in convo for tonight. Great chat!
A6 trying to get teen next door to push for selling health fundraising products. She hates junk food, but is timid
Welcome, David! We just started talking about community partnerships.
A6 Venturing into personalized PD for staff & learning aside kids in technology club with 6th graders (better late than never)
A6: I'm trying to move focus off grades to learning, boost student voice, and teach inquiry.
A6: Ojibwe language and culture sets us apart from all schools in the area; turning our focus to be the #1 school of choice
Nice to hear so many new voices here on tonight! Thank you all for swinging by! Ready to finish strong w/ !
We have parents coming in next month to see what school is really like for our students.
A6 Have important conversations, even when it's hard
We should have it up and running by then. Lots of incremental learning and "solution-seeking" at this point, John!
A6: We started R own version Mystery Skype called Mystery Flip Grid this yr 2 collab w/ other schools https://t.co/XTSZP8lPId
A7: use of , email https://t.co/zn2gvqJxnF
Q7. How do you bring the community into the great work being done in your classroom or school?
A7 Have ss present to local clubs/groups about what is going on in class and school.
A5 Next up in my reading cue is Excited to get a Voxer book group going!
A7: Got parents to speak to my College & Career seminar to share about their careers.
A7: We post pictures on our Facebook site. I tweet pictures out. Once or twice a year Ss share their projects with Sch. Adv.
Always love learning from you Brad! We could offer you SLC or shifting to S-centered learning?
A6. Intentionally utilzing technology to enhance teaching of learning targets at the preK/K level.
I try to have student presentations right before dismissal & put up photos displays or newsletter
A7: Transparency in everything. Twitter, Classroom Visits, and Visibility are Key. Be present and build community relationships.
A7 This is a goal for our work this yer and next - looking forward to others answers on this one
A7: build some positive community partnerships
Let's dig deep and do this ! Here comes question eight in one minute...
Love it! --More than a typewriter! https://t.co/FSEo2iERdX
A6. Intentionally utilzing technology to enhance teaching of learning targets at the preK/K level.
Those tough conversations can be the most powerful. Bring all of those back to the kids. https://t.co/kx1FXLDE7l
A6 Have important conversations, even when it's hard
A7: Today Bio class went to local pond to take samples & meet 2 scientists there taking samples for a research project!
Epic idea and great use of time!
A7) Community Newsletter each month, student presentations at BOE Meetings, Parent Group involved in all events.
A6: in our small k-12 building we have four Ojibwe specialists working on revitalizing the language and culture
Those must be some stylen' shoes!
Q8. Why is school pride so important? Share an idea your team has tried to build culture/climate.
A7. We have an amazing reading buddy program with Corporate volunteers read weekly with Ss.
A8: Pride in the school creates support from all. We spend a lot of time on social media promoting what is great.
A7: real world projects out in the community is the goal
Love. Make it until becomes that it's even being used.
A6. Intentionally utilzing technology to enhance teaching of learning targets at the preK/K level.
has been some great learning for all of us-and completely worth it!
A8: pride = ownership, belonging, family. We have a spirit flag
We have monthly assemblies to recognize excellence in all subject areas.
A7: partnerships! Most recent is partnering with Girls&Boys club to create wrap around services til 8pm every night!
A8: Pride in school connects to ownership & engagement. Something we're struggling to improve.
A8) Schools are the center of small communities. Branding the awesome things within our walls will create pride community wide.
A8: School Pride creates a rallying point. Helps create an "us" instead of a "them".
A8: School Pride creates a rallying point. Helps create an "us" instead of a "them".
Hey & must be trending - the follow-bots are coming out!
Students are more invested in things when there is healthy competition! Love spelling bee/vocab.com brings unity & engagement
Love this! It is "us" and not "them". It takes a village and all involved are important. https://t.co/PTIMpPX4i9
A8: School Pride creates a rallying point. Helps create an "us" instead of a "them".
They most certainly are. Block the Bots!
Love that backdrop! How did you create that?
Q9. What is one thing from this that you will try tomorrow? This is a call to action!!
Absolutely! Use SM to breakdown and barriers to P participation. https://t.co/wbYrOlk4lm
A8: Pride in the school creates support from all. We spend a lot of time on social media promoting what is great.
Question 9 has been posted, and it's a call to action! What is one thing you will try that's new from ?!
A8: started active student council this year that has taken over planning events like Homecoming and Halloween dance 💃
A8. Build a community that focuses on kids and having fun while at school. Mascot, music, communication, visibility, and input.
A9: I want to brainstorm with my Ss to see what they want to tackle next. Let's see what they come up with.
I put it together in MS Publisher, and threw it into green-screen. So fun!
A9: I need to look into using effective & trying to do better at getting our story out.
Look for a community partnership https://t.co/s2sXC6aT4w
Q9. What is one thing from this that you will try tomorrow? This is a call to action!!
Oh wow. This sounds amazing. First year trying this, Jay?
Great idea! You may have to involuntarily collaborate with me. (i.e. I may steal that idea!)
https://t.co/6mPIVbzDxj
I put it together in MS Publisher, and threw it into green-screen. So fun!
A8. What said :) will have to learn alongside her on this one! https://t.co/ygYlI4891L
A7: real world projects out in the community is the goal
I am going to vox someday and figure that out. Just started using . Awesome!!
A few thoughts on culture/climate: Build School Morale by Attending to the 5 Cs — Whole Child Education https://t.co/4eaBvDQRSl
Yes! So many want to help but don't know how to plug in. Advertise campus needs. https://t.co/N4kXsZ4wVc
A7: build some positive community partnerships
A9) Very interested in digging into Green Screens and creating a student newscast.
Yup. Inspired by from Northern Kentucky. Started planning after dinner at Portillos.
Sounds great...happy to help. I know a guy who is a Ambassador. ;)
Oohh. Now I need to learn about TouchCast!
Some PLN folks to chat with on this are and https://t.co/v5fypoEDTT
A9) Very interested in digging into Green Screens and creating a student newscast.
Love it, Tammy. Steal away! Kids benefit when educators collaborate via !
We love our green-screens, Eric.
Not sure but looking at a time in February or March when student activities aren't as prevalent.
Great idea! can be a crucial role and real learned too! https://t.co/pnVw3UFsMv
We have parents coming in next month to see what school is really like for our students.
Just started doing this last week. Amazing!!
You're welcome! I'm always happy to share book titles and talk books and learning!
That is my biggest concern as well. Would love to hear how you make out.
That is so cool! I'm very interested in making high school more authentic. What a great opportunity!
Agreed! I went to the school of Mazza. Lucky to have learned from him.
What are some of the most memorable projects you've had your students complete?
We won't know how successful it will be until we give it a try.
A9: emphasize with Ps that even in rural areas, Ss can receive WORLD CLASS education that can rival those in metro areas
Thanks to the entire team, and to my buddy for organizing some engaging questions for us to consider.
Hit me up on Voxer and we can really dive in. Lots of green-screen goodness to share!
For sure! I send you a vox later and let you know what we did.
? More like Rural Ed Pat, amirite?
Thank you both, and for being such great Guest Moderators tonight.
Thank YOU, John. Always appreciate connecting with you!
Such a great way to go into a new endeavor, Jay. Love it.
Such a great conversation tonight. Thank you to & to all our friends old and new!
And even if it's not as successful as we'd like, it's better than doing nothing at all.
The work our kids have done with their Mobile has been pretty inspiring.
Thank you my friend. Great crew.
Preach it, Jay. So true...You're seriously on fire right now!
Great Chat tonight Thanks & for guest moderating! Lots of good ideas and challenges!
can be if and curriculum design done right https://t.co/NFGMIy7XLF
A9: emphasize with Ps that even in rural areas, Ss can receive WORLD CLASS education that can rival those in metro areas
Last year one class researched and wrote the history of our school. Had planned to do a film, too, but didn't.
