#Ntchat Archive
New Teacher Chat was created to provide weekly mentoring and focus on the needs of new, new to the profession and pre-service teachers. The chat is supportive and practitioner focused.
Wednesday June 15, 2016
For the next hour my tweets are dedicated to talking about Relationship Building & Collaboration .with everyone at .
Welcome to all! I'm the founder and moderator of New Teacher Chat . Join me for this time of learning and collaboration!
Excited to collaborate with everyone in tonights I'll be teaching 2nd grade this fall in KS
Welcome! Thanks so much for joining us!
Our topic tonight is Relationship Building and Collaboration!
To join the chat use Tweetdeck,Tweetchat, or other client with columns. Use the hashtag to join the convo!
Bill!! So great to see you here!! :) Do you have class tonight lurking? ;)
We’re a small, but mighty chat...dedicated to being practitioner focused and supportive to new teachers! https://t.co/YdjDV3M4i6
My entire class on tonight. Hey!
. Hello everyone! I'm George and this is my first chat. I hope I can keep up.
Howdy! Great to have you here. We are a smaller chat so I'm confident that you will be just fine. :)
Let's take a minute to introduce ourselves. Share who you are and where you’re from! Thanks
Tonight we will be chatting about Relationship Building and Collaboration. Key skills for new T's!
Hi, I'm Bill from the Bay Area. Happy to join tonight,
Hi! Tisha Richmond HS Culinary teacher in Oregon
Heyo! Christine Pinto from CA. https://t.co/WwUJa5wi3J
Let's take a minute to introduce ourselves. Share who you are and where you’re from! Thanks
Welcome to ! Great to have you with us!
. Hello , I'm in Indiana. Typing on phone. Advanced apologies for fat finger typos. :)
Christine! I think you are a good friend of my , yes? ;)
No worries! Happy to have you here!
So great to have you here and Welcome!
Hello, I'm George Garcia. I am a tech coach in Santa Clara, California.
Hola! Marie from Riverside, CA- just finished my first year as middle school T
Lisa Dabbs Founder from So Cal. Radio Show Host, Consultant, blogger, speaker, author, Adjunct Prof & former principal.
Lisa Dabbs Founder from So Cal. Radio Show Host, Consultant, blogger, speaker, author, Adjunct Prof & former principal.
Congrats to you! Fantatastice news! so great to have a techcoach in the house!
Hello everyone! Katie from Chicago, math interventionist.
Robin, Teacher Mentor, Teacher from Texas.
Lurking on tonight! My original Twitter fam ☺️ Jamie here, doc student , formerly HS SS teacher in
Welcome and howdy! Great to have you all joining us tonight!
doing my diss on Tedu/PSTs ideas around social justice & tech as tool of social transformation. Psyched for this topic
New Twitter chatters: we do a Q & A. format is Q1: “question here”. You replay with A1: "your response". Don't forget to include :)
Wonderful! All are welcome at
Question 1 will be up on deck in 30 seconds
hiiiiiii!! Haven't seen you in forever. How is life ???
I'm good. Director of Technology up at . Teaching right now. We're on the chat. You?
How can I use Hyperdocs in PE?
you around? (for new & preservice teachers) starting now. Good community / advice :)
almost doc candidate! Teaching Ed psych & working for in tech integration :)
Howard mid sch sci/math. Full inclusion.
A:1 relationships with parents. Specially the parents of challenging kids.
A1: I will jump! I would have to say that as a New T it was my relationships with parents. Was Kinda scary at the start.
A1: in a large school , relationships with colleagues! It's easy to stay in ones classroom!
A1: I think it's difficult to form relationships with the "veterans". It's hard being the new kid.
Ha! We are on the same page!
I think it's every 2 wks now. is the founder / moderator. Soooo valuable to me my first yrs!
A1 Some veterans who are not big fans of the change you bring. Focus on working together to embrace change https://t.co/EI6b1d46PO
A1: I would think it is difficult to become friends with teachers that are not in your subject area?
A1: By far the most important is with the custodial and office staff. They can answer all questions about almost anything.
A1 As a very young teacher, it took a while to get comfortable with being on par with the parents rather than the students!
A1: Relationships with other teachers. My school is HUGe and after Day #1 it's a blur.
A1 Parent relationships are trickiest. Definitely.
Good one! I also remember this well. I felt SO much like a fish our of water around the vet teachers. https://t.co/CkOYoC5arV
A1: I think it's difficult to form relationships with the "veterans". It's hard being the new kid.
A1 ELL students and parents, overcoming the language barrier can be a daunting obstacle for nts
Rad! It’s been fun seeing the UCLA Instagram pics.
Wow! So you are right. Big schools are overwhelming.
So true!! Legit the most imp ppl in a school. They r sometimes deeply connected to commty too https://t.co/7TmsyuKVVt
A1: By far the most important is with the custodial and office staff. They can answer all questions about almost anything.
parent interaction was also difficult, not addressed in Teacher prep programs
Yes! Just finished a half year assignment. VERY blessed parents were supportive. won't always be the case https://t.co/a4wqEp4606
A1 Parent relationships are trickiest. Definitely.
That's awesome to hear. Not always common.
A1: Relationships with parents are probably the most difficult at first.
A1: interesting you wrote 'build' I read 'deal with'. Demanding/competitive type situations are tough.
A1: The relationship with your principal can be hard because you need to figure out what their expectations are for you.
A1: w/mid career tchrs for me. Many treated me like I was 'doin too much' &made them look bad 😐
I know, right? This is why I started this chat 6 yrs ago. Needs of New/preservice T's dont always get support at Uni.
My mom gave me that advice my first year. Good advice.
A1: but def learned how valuable their exp was &tried to be resource for them on tech &such
Oh yes! Our new teacher exuberance often is not appreciated! lol
Teaching in an actual classroom is quite different than the suggestions (requirements?) from college.
A1 I remember my parents warning. The first/loudest T to greet you may not be the best choice to trust. Suzanne in Arkansas.
A1: I think even being a veteran teacher; building relationships with all the changing laws and standards is a constant challenge
The flip side is that when a vet gives you a compliment it is GOLD! They have so much power to encourage! https://t.co/SpcuUtuD3c
Good one! I also remember this well. I felt SO much like a fish our of water around the vet teachers. https://t.co/CkOYoC5arV
A1: I think it's difficult to form relationships with the "veterans". It's hard being the new kid.
A1: I think it is difficult to establish reliable relationships because it is difficult to discern motives and character w/out time.
truth! Trying to balance strong relationships w/Ss & parents as a young tchr should be address in TEPs!
I can see that being the biggest issue in HS.
Agreed. My first year in any new place is LOTS of listening.
True. As a former Principal I had to make sure to meet with all T's to be sure I was as transparent as possible.
Such great thoughtful responses, you all! Lets get ready for Q2!
Yes! A good librarian is a secret weapon!
Legit hard for me was dressing the part / looking responsible. I'm 30 but look 18, so imagine what i looked like at 21 in 1st yr!
I am going to intentionally get off of my island this year. We need to grab the newbies and help the flourish.
A1b: I think that the roles of the people in a relationship are not as significant as the effort to establish and maintain it.
Q2: What strategies can we use with students and parents to build positive, Proactive relationships? https://t.co/vvbYptZjyX
I ended up building grt relationships w/most veterans, but it was big time of transition in DC
&i represented all those changes, so it was less about me than that I think
A2: Get your syllabus out as early as possible.
A2: A good strategy might be to communicate weekly with a email/newsletter. As opposed to only through grade reports..etc.
Yes! Good start to getting all the info out there. Let's be sure to be transparent ourselves! https://t.co/IHyNEX2H4n
A2: Get your syllabus out as early as possible.
U work so hard 4 Ss but find ourselves needing their approval as well. Tough balance. Well worth the effort tho
. Making sure parents hear lots of good things about their child. Positive notes, emails, etc.
Debby 1st grade teacher from NY dropping in a bit late.
A2 Sharing what we're doing in class on & class Twitter acct is a huge step towards proactively building relationship w Ps
A2: Be honest, good humored and even keeled. They listen when they know you care.
Yes...I love this one! https://t.co/nnwXpH6phW
A2: A good strategy might be to communicate weekly with a email/newsletter. As opposed to only through grade reports..etc.
A2: call home to introduce yourself in 1st wk. break list of Ss into chunks & call for as many good as bad calls home each wk
A2: Make positive calls whenever possible! Then when the negative calls come, Ps know you're looking out for their kid.
A2 I communicated through to send updates & messages to parents about happy moments at school https://t.co/CtMWZFsH9b
Q2: What strategies can we use with students and parents to build positive, Proactive relationships? https://t.co/vvbYptZjyX
A2: Be honest and open about your goals in the relationship. Express clearly why the relationship drives student success. Listen.
Yes! A postcard home before school starts also goes a long way, at least for elementary... https://t.co/Lhhfh7xukx
A2: call home to introduce yourself in 1st wk. break list of Ss into chunks & call for as many good as bad calls home each wk
A2: Make a positive relationships by having as many positive interactions with both before any thing that could be controversial.
A2: was clear all work from wk before would be graded &in online gradebk by following Friday at latest. Ps &Ss appreciated reliable
A2 smile, psychological sandwich, use their name, positive and open body language are all useful strategies
You are way ahead of us! Love those tech apps to support relationship building. So good. :) https://t.co/TLe6yO48S7
A2 Sharing what we're doing in class on & class Twitter acct is a huge step towards proactively building relationship w Ps
A2: Get to know Ss-share stories. Build relationships w/ families through communication & inviting them into classroom.
Yes...call home! Make connections early ! https://t.co/g0frcwKiDm
A2: call home to introduce yourself in 1st wk. break list of Ss into chunks & call for as many good as bad calls home each wk
A2: can't tell u how much calling all 150 parents that first week saved me later on in the yr. I did 15 during prep & 15 after schl
A2: Get a website up and running with all your assignments and different ways to contact you.
This is SO true! Do the work early to build the relationships and it will pay off.
A2: Everyone has a device so we should use it and show off our students. Brag on their accomplishments.
A2b: Establish a rapport that engages and affirms the value of the other people, especially parents and students, in your life.
A2: Think being in hallway, waving hi to student btwn classes, learning names /stories early = show Ss u care
A2 We use & to keep students and families in the loop, & try to keep them fun, positive spaces with some personality.
Yes...reach out. Be a good listener. Learn to be present.
A2: A classroom Twitter account is another great way to build positive relationships with families. Keeps families connected.
A2: be a good listener and make positive phone calls home! Next yr I want to incorporate monthly newsletters
So good and so important! https://t.co/kYlE3PhrAq
A2: Think being in hallway, waving hi to student btwn classes, learning names /stories early = show Ss u care
Positive contact in the first few weeks starts the year off right. I 1st contact Ps of Ss who may be an issue. It pays dividends.
A2: Going to as many school events as possible. It let's the parents and students that they matter outside of the classroom.
A2: loved to use "artifact intros" to tie Ss names to info about their likes, easier to get names early in HS
A2 This year I started a twitter, FB and IG account for the science lab - this way Ps can see what is happening
Yes...love the "sandwich" technique. :)
A2 For example, you can embed a on your page so users can brainstorm about a class topic or school event.
I like the idea of a monthly newsletter. I feel that's more reasonable for me than weekly. :)
We are rocking and rolling tonight! I love all the great energy! Q3 on it's way in 30 sec!
we had a class blog that parents could get email updates-helped me not have newsletter b extra wk
Digital. Easier to make sure it gets home to middle school parents.
Q3: How can we as new T's connect with staff at our schools to create collaborative relationships? Ideas? https://t.co/dLkkD2g51s
The past two years I've created Digital Newsletters with Ss. Families and Ss love this
had Ss pick something they had on them (pencil, App, notebk, sticker, skatebd, whatever) &explain why it's imp to them
I love the idea of including kids in the newsletter creation!
A3: Introduce yourself to everyone. At the copy machine, in the hall, lunchline...etc.
A3 Simple, but occasionally awkward: take time to talk to staff.
other yrs intro myself by bringing in 'historical artifacts' they had to write a story from &then revealed they were mine
A3: Visit the lunchroom (I know, sometimes it's scary!). You'll get to know more Ts and get a feel for who you can connect with.
A3: I let my grade level team know right away that I had much to learn. I asked to be able to sit with others to lesson plan.
A3: Bring chocolate as well as your new idea to next teacher meeting. Really it works. 😉
! Want to use it as a home/school connection activity
A3: Planning with a colleague is a great way to connect. Also inviting folks in for informal observations and feedback is great.
that yr they brought their historical artifacts &wrote mini histories of each other
For Ss, community building circles are awesome. Fist bumps at the door build stronger relationships than I could've ever imagined.
A3 If you're at an independent school, know that the staff works SUPER HARD to keep the school running. :)
Uuuu...I like it! Smile, extend a hand. Let them get to know you. Can be hard, but necessary. https://t.co/QvSlthUFEb
A3: Introduce yourself to everyone. At the copy machine, in the hall, lunchline...etc.
A3: I am thinking that the seasoned T's need to take the initiative and bring at least one new T under their wing
A3: don't stay in your room during lunch/prep. Wander, explore, say "hi" (note: these are all tough for me :)
how is it distributed ? Email or website?
They reflect on their learning by writing the script, then broadcasting. Great fun.
This!! Even our LDS teachers who don't drink came out &we had soooo much fun &built personal relationships https://t.co/JktNUiPLwP
A3 Go to staff events, each lunch in the staff room, and talk and listen to other teachers.
appreciation will take you far!
https://t.co/8d81huR6Vc
A3 If you're at an independent school, know that the staff works SUPER HARD to keep the school running. :)
Be part of the team: go to staff outings (organize it yourself if you need to), join "secret Santa"... https://t.co/Eqjfrgs4bT
Q3: How can we as new T's connect with staff at our schools to create collaborative relationships? Ideas? https://t.co/dLkkD2g51s
Ha! Love it...Food the great equalizer. ;)
A3 Goto social events with other Ts - TGIF etc. Go to the staffroom at lunch-those papers can be graded later-form the relations now
A3: Baking was my self-care so I brought goodies to staff rm, secretaries &custodians.
Oh yes! A brave move. Let them in! https://t.co/z3F784Bfbe
A3: Planning with a colleague is a great way to connect. Also inviting folks in for informal observations and feedback is great.
A3: Make eye contact and say hello. Just because it is your first year does not mean you don't add value to convo. Don't shy away.
A3: Social functions. Happy Hour doesn't hurt to warm everyone up to communicating/collaborating.
I post link on my webpage and on our classroom Twitter account.
A3: New teacher mentors help this, but expressed interest to establish collegial accountability (rather than flattery) is important.
A3: Generosity. Give stuff away.
A3 Remembering that collaboration takes effort. Ask, Connect and Collaborate. There are no silly questions... Just answers waiting.
. Great idea! Our district does cooperative planning which is the same thing. Excellent way to collaborate!
A3: social club! & always greeting other staff!
Good idea. yes...we may want to just hide in our rooms. But...we have to let peeps get to know us. https://t.co/32fwQYOKv7
A3: don't stay in your room during lunch/prep. Wander, explore, say "hi" (note: these are all tough for me :)
Agree! Make the time to interact with other Ts! The sooner you do this the better. They become your support! https://t.co/McmkGtRGe9
A3 Goto social events with other Ts - TGIF etc. Go to the staffroom at lunch-those papers can be graded later-form the relations now
Lunch in the staff room helps a lot! T's like to decompress
A3: asked colleagues if I could observe or just grade in their rms during my prep to see how others taught. Low stakes
Amen to that! Mentoring is so important! https://t.co/5qqm2TCfRK
A3: I am thinking that the seasoned T's need to take the initiative and bring at least one new T under their wing
A3 take advantage of plan time to collaborate and share ideas
A3: we also had staff rms on each floor at one pt &built up fun grps who had prep period together. Made coffee runs 4 each other
Loving all your ideas!! Such good stuff ! Let's get ready to do Q3!
Have to head home so dipping out of . So glad to join this wk! &happy to be resource is any new Ts (esp MS/HS) need friendly ear ☺️
def didn't observe enough this year! Have to next year , many amazing Ts at My site to learn from
I agree! And bonding time is important.
I'd love to, but how do you ask? Most veterans at my school woul
d be hesitant. https://t.co/fYLxEi0pyd
def didn't observe enough this year! Have to next year , many amazing Ts at My site to learn from
we are fortunate to have that model in our district. I learned a lot from the new teachers as well. So much knowledge.
Opps! ===>>Q4:What communication strategies can you employ in your school to build trust?
A4 Inspired by , I try to show my work (and Ss work, and fellow Ts work) all the time.
A4:Have an open door policy. Let new Ts know you're happy to help, answer questions, & share resources. Be an intentional listener.
A4 BE A TEAM PLAYER! Share resources, collaborate, listen, be respectful, be kind, BE YOU! https://t.co/pGtOm6awpG
Opps! ===>>Q4:What communication strategies can you employ in your school to build trust?
Clear expectations and following through with them.
A4: Keep everyone in the know, be on time, and what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
A4: Speak up! Don't be shy about sharing your thoughts and ideas. This is how relationships form and other Ts will get to know you.
A4: When sharing challenges, consider solutions. When uncertain, begin with questions. When communicating, accentuate the positive.
A4: Inspire. Ask questions. Give credit to others.
A4 Say what you mean (but never be mean) Follow through is super important. Do what you say you'll do.
Great advice https://t.co/80rCwHHZaO
A4 Say what you mean (but never be mean) Follow through is super important. Do what you say you'll do.
Yes! https://t.co/yFRW1uNRUn
A4 Inspired by , I try to show my work (and Ss work, and fellow Ts work) all the time.
A4: Try to only say positives. It is really easy to gossip - don’t go there
Follow through is crucial. It's how people know if they can depend on you or not.
A4: Build Communication with Ss by having weekly "family meetings".
