This is the official Twitter account for #OklaEd, thehashtag that brings OK educators together. #OklaEd is not political & promotes constructive dialogue.
Welcome #OklaEd ! šI am April Gustafson @april2383 (School Climate Specialist for OKCPS) and I am super excited to be moderating our twitter chat! Please introduce yourself & let us know you're here!!
Wish the general public and all of our politicians respect and honor the hard work of educators who are helping to prepare students for their future careers and being good citizens My Teacher Appreciation page https://t.co/Na1OVD5ByX#oklaed#edchat
Oklahoma teachers, ESPs, and state employees: This is a call to solidarity, a challenge to wear your employee identification / badges / lanyards everywhere, all the time. Wear your ID with pride in the grocery store, at church, going for a walk, and even on the weekends. #oklaed
Shari Gateley, 11th Grade ELA, Putnam City Schools - Iām actually at school supervising hall decorations for our big cancer carnival week, but couldnāt miss my Sunday evening peeps. #oklaed
Welcome #OklaEd ! šI am April Gustafson @april2383 (School Climate Specialist for OKCPS) and I am super excited to be moderating our twitter chat! Please introduce yourself & let us know you're here!!
I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY INSERTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FUNDING FOR OTHER COUNTRIES, FOOD,SHELTER, HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION, ON BORROWED MONEY! @SenSchumer@SenFeinstein#education#BREAKING
WHILE CALIFORNIA HAS A HOMELESS CRISIS AND MILLIONS IN POVERTY!
John Bennett, Emeritus Engineering faculty, now in Midlothian, Virginia. Strong supporter of Oklahoma education, teachers, and upcoming strike if thereās no Legislative step up on Education funding!!! #oklaed
Gretchen Pitts, 2nd grade, Morrison Public Schools. Itās been a long time since Iāve caught an #oklaed Sunday night! @ElemPrin52i006@sup52i006 Hope you will join me!
Jason James, Supt of Alex PS - husband to an amazing educator, @451Flame - Son to a retired 5th grade T, proud of being described as too loud too often. #oklaed
A1 School climate is the feel of the school. How supported do Ss, Ts, As feel? Do people look forward to going? Does communication happen? Does everyone get along? School climate is the general vibe. #oklaed
A1 - School climate is the feeling of the building. It is what tells a student that this is a place I can succeed or this is a place that doesnāt care about my success. A positive climate is the MOST important factor in determining student success. #oklaed
A1: School climate is what the school feels like - what a visitor will pick up about the attitudes that abound if they spend a little time there. #oklaed
A1) It's defined as the quality & character of school life. It is based on patterns of Ss, Ps' and school personnel's experience of school life; it reflects norms, goals, values, interpersonal relationships, teaching and learning practices, and organizational structures. #oklaed
A1: School climate is the environment in which your school is made of. It's how you feel when you walk into that school. Do you feel included or excluded? Is it a welcoming atmosphere or does everyone seem angry or disgruntled? #Oklaed It's what you want it to be.
A1) SC is making school life more personal and contributing positive reflections so other school personnel and Ss can gain personal growth and more positive behaviors. #oklaed
A1: Itās the āwhatās up?ā Of the building. Involving those inside the walls, and outside the walls. Perception, feel, āword on the streetā of the school community. #oklaed
A1. Agreed. I do A LOT of observations at schools and it is always so telling how a school can make you FEEL (welcomed) when you walk in. Climate is in the details: school pride decorations, cleanliness, student reactions to visitors, check in procedures, admin available #OKLAED
#OklaEd A1: The schoolās facilities, outreach, and interactions / discussions associated with the schoolās culture and vision for learning success.
A2) School climate is what often keeps Ts - good Ts - where they are. If you like going to work, you stay. Ss also can tell when Ts enjoy being at school. Climate is essential for happy Ts and staff. #OklaEd
A2 Climate sets the tone. If everyone is happy to be there, productivity and learning and all things good will ensue. Positive school climate means less complaining, happier Ts and As. Collaborating > complaining, eh? #oklaed
A2: it either empowers Ss & Ts or tells them their voice is not valued. Ts set a tone to one another and to Ss. Admins do the same to all including families. People should feel seen & valued. #oklaed
A2: If the School Climate is healthy and positive it certainly makes the inevitable "negative incidents or circumstances" a lot easier to overcome and address when and if they occur. #oklaed
A2 Climate greatly impacts learning. Positive climate promotes safety, which leads to greater learning. Negative climate promotes disinterest and disengaged Ss & Ts. Everyone is just putting in their time. #oklaed
A3: I have kids. I donāt want them to go to school in a place that feels... off. Kids need to WANT to be at school, makes everything easier after that. #oklaed
A2 - Climate is what keeps everyone going. A positive climate provides students with a community they know supports them and will do whatever it takes for them to be successful. If a climate is negative, students will fall through the cracks and that is UNACCEPTABLE! #OklaEd
A2: Since school climate is like the attitude of the school, it's contagious like attitude - if you are surrounded by cheating, it must be okay; if positivity abounds, it must be the expectation. The people involved tend to reflect the climate. #oklaed
A2) Students learn in environments where they feel comfortable and welcomed... teachers and admin thrive in those same conditions... parents want their students to be in and be apart of the school #oklaed
A2) According to NEA, a positive school climate is recognized as an important target for school reform and improving behavioral,
academic, and mental health outcomes for students
(Thapa et al., 2012). #oklaed
A2) Climate trumps everything else. Once a positive, caring, consistent climate is established, the sky is the limit on what the school can accomplish. Without it, the wheels are just waiting to come off! #oklaed
A2: A positive school climate, one that encourages students to take risks, for staff to invest and for parents to participate creates a strong and stable learning environment #oklaed
A2) According to NEA, a positive school climate is recognized as an important target for school reform and improving behavioral,
academic, and mental health outcomes for students
(Thapa et al., 2012). #oklaed
A2) School climate is important because it will drive the overall performance of the school. It will welcome students, teachers, and staff to a place that promotes safety and acceptance. #oklaed
A2: It is important because it is the pink striped polka-dotted riding on roller skates elephant in the room. It can be hidden in whispers in the hallway or shouted from the rooftops. If it is good, everyone shows it. If it isnāt, everyone knows it. #oklaed
A2: It impacts the success of students....if the adults donāt get along, the students probably wonāt either. They are watching, they know who truly cares. #oklaed
A2) A great SC creates a family-atmosphere between teachers, thus pouring over to the students. Itās learning about each other and enjoying each other. It creates caring. #oklaed
A2: School climate includes everyone. Ts, Support staff, Admin, and most of all Ss. If we want our school to be a positive place, where our Ss feel safe, where our Ts feel heard, where our Admin feel respected, Climate is important. It's on all of us! #oklaed
A2: The overall climate is important because it's extremely hard to expect students to learn and teachers to teach unless they feel like it's "their" school. A good climate is one that's based on a school family approach! #oklaed
A1: Itās the character and culture that makes up a school. Itās the tone and interactions between Ts, Ss, families, and even the community. #oklaed
School climate has a very direct effect on T, S, community relationships. Climate can be the difference in T and S feelings of success, freedom to innovate etc. #OklaEd
#OklaEd A2: IF my answer to Q1 is consistent with prevailing definitions, school climate is important in that it represents the cooperative efforts of all involved in facilitating the Effective Learning skills development of the schoolās students. (I like my definitions anyhow.)
A2: School climate is an important element for schools to keep track of how the Tās, Pās and Sās interact with each other- and how those interactions affect teaching and learning. #oklaed
A3) We do not use PBIS as in the program, but #OklaWE does our best to focus on positive reinforcement of behaviors using the RCA 55 elements as well as celebrating the amazing work Ts & Ss do. We also try to implement Love and Logic when discipline must occur. #OklaEd
A3: We do use PBIS. I am new to my district this year so I am learning. My former district did not use PBIS. I like that it focuses on restoring the relationship. It's important for our Ss to know that we still love you. This was just a thing. We are still okay. #oklaed
A3: I've used PBIS. It works. I have also used BIST and Capturing Kids Hearts. Every system I've used has emphasized relationship building. That is everything. #oklaed
A3: There seems to be more buzz right now about "Love and Logic." Personally not one for packaged climate building. I am partial to the resources of @Tolerance_org#oklaed
A3- We are in the process of implementing PBIS at our high school. Iām excited to see how good it will be with a full yearās worth of expectations. But, we started changing climate by working through implicit bias. #OklaEd
A3) Yes, I'm in the same district. However, school climate is more than a program or system. It is treating all with the respect that they are doing what they feel is right and that there is no alternative motive. A focus on the positive instead of the negative. #oklaed
A2: school climate sets the tone for learning. If you rally around a "can do" attitude or "Growth mindset" half of the motivation battles are won. #oklaed
A3: Iām not in a district anymore. I encourage Counselors to contribute greatly to the pbis teams or whatever leadership is focused on climate. Cs are HUGE!! #oklaed
Exactly! You cannot be an effective educator without building positive, nurturing relationships with your students and colleagues. #oklaed Education is a partnership.
A3: I am not familiar with PBIS, but in my building we encourage a sense of family, we build relationships, we encourage investing in each other, we pick up each other when we fall, and fight together when necessary #oklaed
A3 Iāve been in meetings about it with my last District but itās hard to start something new when thereās so many other things going on. Just important to remember tomorrow is a new day and Ss (& Ts) make mistakes, itās what we do next that matters #oklaed
A3: We do not have packaged program we use, but the ideas are the same. We stress building relationships and mutual respect. We also focus on expectations for our students, and we expect great things! #oklaed
To those who arenāt sure if your school is implementing PBiS, believe me, you will KNOW! Because done right it involves everyone and is a building wide lifestyle! #oklaed
A3 I guess I'm from the old school. I speak and engage with every person on our campus. That includes fellow teachers and all support staff. I know each of them and something about their lives and what interests and concerns them. I'm the same way with students. #oklaed
A3) Iām not sure I know what PBIS is. To create a good climate at Clinton Middle School, teachers and support staff try to learn about each othersā families, plan activities, and let ourselves be a bit vulnerable to our students. This has created a very caring atmosphere. #oklaed
To those who arenāt sure if your school is implementing PBiS, believe me, you will KNOW! Because done right it involves everyone and is a building wide lifestyle! #oklaed
I was honored to speak at an OEA press conference regarding Oklahoma education and teacher pay raise. My heart is so full and Iām so thankful for everyoneās kind words of support.This is for our future!Were in this togetherš #oklaed#oklaedwalkout#oklahomateachers#OKwalk4kids
A3) The elementaries in our district focus on Leader in Me, but we donāt really have anything like PBIS, especially in at the secondary level. #oklaed
I will be there. I will stand witness. I will look lawmakers in the eye and speak of my Grands who have never attended school in a fully - funded #oklaed classroom
A4: not "officially" using them, but Ss really respond to nice! I hubs tells me all the time, that once emotion is involved logic is out the window. Thanks @tbarnes211#oklaed
Speaking of school climate...the way we speak with legislators should reflect the way we speak with each other in our buildings with the awesome climate. Hammering these people accomplishes nothing. We are pros and should present ourselves as such. #oklaed
A4) when I see relationship building in a classroom (no matter the program) I see students engaged in an environment they feel safe and loved in #oklaed
Yes!! We are sending all TU teacher ed May 18 grads to week-long Great Expectations trainings this summer & incorporating it into our new course on classroom engagement. #oklaed
Speaking of school climate...the way we speak with legislators should reflect the way we speak with each other in our buildings with the awesome climate. Hammering these people accomplishes nothing. We are pros and should present ourselves as such. #oklaed
A4: Biggest transformation for us was a common language, common expectations that are posted throughout our building, DISCUSSION, and acknowledging student respect and responsibility rather than dwelling on the opposite. Allowing kids to learn from the good they see. #oklaed
A4: Ask any one of the people in my hall and they will tell you we are a family. Ts who build relationships with their kids have less discipline problems and better classroom management. And when you have friends where you work you tend to stay. #oklaed
A4: We are seeing many of our students take ownership and getting involved in ways where they are intentionally trying to add to our climate in positive ways. #oklaed
A4 I use logical consequences in my classroom. Ss understand that they are in charge of their actions. They know their choices have consequences. #OklaEd
A4) I cant speak for everyone at our school, but many of us consider it a joy to arrive at school. Teachers care, the support staff feels important, and Ss are learning. Itās success each day in different aspects at CMS. #oklaed
A4) In my school, I see a common language (eg. Respect, responsible, Safe) with a set of expectations being used in most classrooms. When we let students know what behaviors are expected, then reinforce those behaviors, the climate in the classroom improves. #oklaed
Yes, it's a process that promotes & focuses on set expectations & acknowledgments that promote positive student behavior. There are additional processes for discipline & collecting data ThePBIS process is more a guiding template so each participating school has autonomy. #oklaed
A4: It's important when your Ss get into trouble that they know the relationship hasn't been damaged. My school works hard to ensure that each student realizes this. #oklaed
A4: Can implementation precede the challenging of implicit bias and serious anti-racist work? Can Ts behave their way toward a full embrace of tolerance? Honest question. #oklaed
Again. I'm a parent all in favor of what Oklahoma Educators are doing. We need to fund the future of our children. They are worth the investment. #oklaed
A4 When you have a climate in your school/class that everyone can be great and that you love all your kids, they will start to believe in themselves. They will learn, and they will grow. So will you. #oklaed
A4 The key to climate, whether you have a packaged program or not, is the mindset. Ask, "Do you go out of your way to make people feel like you want them around and that you value them?" Either you do or you don't. It starts in the front office and flows outward from. #oklaed
A4: We are seeing many of our students take ownership and getting involved in ways where they are intentionally trying to add to our climate in positive ways. #oklaed
A4) punishment is not part of the equation. I tell Ss, "It's my job to teach you, not to punish you." so consequences are not punitive but part of their education. #oklaed
When I send a kid to the office (last resort), I go with him/her if possible at that moment, if not I go later, and we sit and have a discussion with admin... then I'm like we good? let's go back to class. With a hug or something. #oklaed
If I understand what you are saying, I believe you are asking if we have to have those issues figured out first?In my opinion, while working through the PBIS process a lot of those biases or culturally sensitive Qs, ideas, & thoughts become forefront & should be addressed #oklaed
A4: It's important when your Ss get into trouble that they know the relationship hasn't been damaged. My school works hard to ensure that each student realizes this. #oklaed
Speaking of school climate...the way we speak with legislators should reflect the way we speak with each other in our buildings with the awesome climate. Hammering these people accomplishes nothing. We are pros and should present ourselves as such. #oklaed
A4: We work on relationships in my district. There isn't anything formal in place at the high school. Unsure what is in place at the Arts Academy. #oklaed
This is Clinton Middle School. Ts want to care; our support staff is valued just as much as we are; this care pours into the lives and learnings of our students. #oklaed
A4 The key to climate, whether you have a packaged program or not, is the mindset. Ask, "Do you go out of your way to make people feel like you want them around and that you value them?" Either you do or you don't. It starts in the front office and flows outward from. #oklaed
A5) One of the challenges I see is getting everyone on the same page can be difficult. It is a mindset shift from a punitive environment to one that is focused positives, encouragement, and relationships building. #oklaed
A5 Sometimes the pressure for everyone to succeed on academic metrics gets to me. I want them all to do well, and so I push. Then Ss push back. I need to learn to breathe a little, and let them breathe a little, too... #oklaed
Remembering it is all about training for positive outcomes. Consistancy and equality is key. I hear sories from Ss regularly that Ts treat so and so different bc _____. PBIS should level the playing field. #oklaed
A5 As a school...consistency in discipline can be a challenge. It can be difficult to get different personalities on board for one discipline plan/program. #oklaed
A5 - At the high school level, it is buy-in. I think sometimes HS Ts believe that all-or-nothing discipline teaches responsibility & so talking about PBIS is hard. But, like @bakerleft said, I think it goes back to talking about bias and tolerance in the beginning. #OklaEd
A5) I believe more teachers and support staff need to ātake the reignsā and fully buy in to what caring and personal involvement can do to make a fabulous work place. #oklaed
I was curious what I would make if I were to move to a bordering state and work as a teacher. So, I looked up the salary schedules for a few of the larger cities in states bordering Oklahoma. Here's what I found:
A6: I don't see any challenges bc I always focused on relationships even before I knew about PBIS. Maybe I don't use the wordage exactly right, but I do my best. #oklaed My school has frequent faculty meetings over PBIS to help us out.
A5: Tired... everyone is mentally tired. The stress of Oklahoma is wearing everyone out. Implementation of PBIS means being full in, full on, and prepared to fill buckets all day every day. Not for the faint hearted! #oklaed
A5: any process that impacts school climate has to fight the 999 changes that occurs to 1) stay consistent 2) realize fair is not equal and equal is not fair and 3) internal and external pressures you can't account for. #oklaed
A5) The largest challenge in my school is getting everyone on the same page. I'm reminded often by my staff that traditional methods did not work for our students. My response is, "Then why do you insist on the use of traditional discipline?" #oklaed
A5 - I was named principal of my school on the 2nd Monday of Feb. 2018 My challenge is how to implement a school wide approach at this time of year. Starting with the cafeteria tomorrow.. #oklaed
A5: Most new school-wide practices are confronted with great hesitancy simply because of their novelty. Collective buy-in school-wide is needed in that case. Challenge=buy-in. #oklaed
A5: Teachers have to speak with one voice. It doesn't matter what your district has implemented and how awesome it is if Ss know that they can get away with whatever with some then it is rendered ineffective. #oklaed
A1: School climate is the energy that flows within the school. This energy can be positive or negative. A school's climate can make or break a school. #oklaed
I know from personal experience that ZERO TOLERANCE DOES NOT WORK -- unless you're just trying to get rid of kids. If you're wanting to teach kids though, you must build and help them maintain relationships. Restorative discipline practices do this. #oklaed
#OklaEd āTaughtā is so very overemphasized and used with higher than realistic expectations, especially in this case. IF any teacher says the ārightā thing (rather than living the ārightā thing), that teacher has been bullied or mandated to do so ... OR just cares not!!!
A6 This is going to be interesting, because I don't know many Ts who have worked in one and moved to the other. I think that elementary or secondary is encoded in each Ts DNA. #oklaed
Lol. I guess I should have been clearer. The tough kids always have some type of common ground we can connect on. It's the grown ups that make the struggle real #oklaed
Discipline should change behavior, there is not a one size fits all, but you also have to show consistency. It can be a difficult balance for sure #oklaed
A3: I have never heard of PBIS...but every teacher at my school has welcomed me with open arms. The principal has welcomed me with open arms...If you want to recruit people to stick around, treat them well. That's how my school has convinced me to work there! #oklaed
A6) The major difference is brain development. Younger students may not have the cognitive ability to appreciate the effects of their actions. We also have to remember that the secondary student is still developing behavior and are not thinking equally to us as adults. #oklaed
A6 I'm not sure...but my techniques teaching 3 were much like K. Lay out expectations, practice procedures...explain logical consequences. Most Ss don't need clip charts or rewards. #OklaEd
A6 - I donāt know the differences in technique, but I would say there is a huge attitude difference with secondary Ss. At the secondary level, I feel there is less patience and more labeling. āThat kid is going to end up in prisonā type of comments and that š”š”š” #OklaEd
A6: IDEALLY? Nothing should be different. The choices MOST kids make, k-12 and older are based on emotions. Thats why they have babies, get behind bars, or are buried. yes extreme. The point, luv'em all and teach them and be consistent as possible. #oklaed
A6) Iām honestly not sure. I believe that seventh and eighth graders know right from wrong. Choices, whether good or bad, have to be realized that they hinder or help others. I would think that in elementary school the students are more guided toward their choices. #oklaed
A6 - I just moved to elementary, my 20+ prior years have been in JH or MS. Let me just say that a kindergartener running with scissors or throwing a fit is not the same as an 8th grader on any level. either way the goal is to change the behavior. #oklaed
A4: I have never heard of PBIS...but I do not need a program to get me to generate and foster a healthy and positive climate where I teach. I do it everyday, and my student's feedback shows this. #oklaed
Your mindset with discipline starts with your view of the rules. Typically, they fall in four categories:
1) Safety
2) Preserving instruction
3) Image
4) Tradition
All of these matter. 1 and 2 matter more than 3 and 4.
#oklaed
A6 I know that in secondary, you have to partner with the Ss. You have to let them know that you want them to succeed, and that's why you're asking for a behavior change. They have to know that you care, not that you're just trying to get them in trouble. #oklaed
Q4) Students are finding purpose and passion with the programs weāve implemented this year: Hereās a look at some of the successes EMS is having with PBIS work focusing on the a Whole Child: @careacter@PBISRewardshttps://t.co/UsSd9CxP8U
Watching you and elementary teachers the last 4 years have taught me that there is very little difference, just bigger bodies. even my techs love stickers when they do good. #oklaed
Discipline should be a teachable moment. The behavior that was displayed may be the only action that received the desired result. If we, as educators, take offense then we lose an opportunity to teach a change in the behavior. #oklaed
A6) There are definitely differences. A few years back, I was all 3 buildings everyday and it had challenges in dealing with the different age groups. I think differences also depend on the Tās style and personality. #oklaed
Littles require more practice...but very similar ideas. Ss are leaning to be citizens, we have expectations because they help us to show respect for others and function in the school community. #oklaed
A6: I've only had experience with hs students but I imagnie fairness, consistency and not a small amount of patience makes it more similar than different #oklaed
A5:The challenges (time) with building a positive environment is that my students only see me for roughly 50 minutes each school day. I got to find a way to create a lasting and positive effect on them within this short time frame. Challenge accepted! #oklaed
Every behavior has a root cause. Zero tolerance is a reactionary solution that does nothing to prevent the problem from occurring, it is strictly punitive. To prevent the behavior you must get to the motivation behind it and work from there. #oklaed
Oh my gosh yes. Our reaction to any behavior should be to the behavior itself, delivered rationally, and developmental in nature. If we take offense we make the behavior about us. We shouldn't matter. It is all about the Ss and learning. #oklaed
Discipline should be a teachable moment. The behavior that was displayed may be the only action that received the desired result. If we, as educators, take offense then we lose an opportunity to teach a change in the behavior. #oklaed
I think as long as you have procedures and expectations you are good. I am looking into PBIS now. For me, I think it will help create a building wide common language. There is no magic in any particular plan, its about follow through #oklaed
A6. Elementary school is more about teaching appropriate behavior. Some Ss have not been taught the appropriate social skills from home. Secondary involves teaching to a smaller extent & the focus is more of a prep for real life. #oklaed
#OklaEd A6: MY THINKING WITH NO EXPERIENCE - I think Ss in both basically are looking to either have no effort be accepted or gain attention / special attention. In secondary, these Ss might be seeking expulsion they hope might be seen as undeserved. But again, no experience ...
Last question, Q8: What are some examples of support from district administration in regards to #schoolclimate ? What additional supports would you like to see? #OklaEd
A6) The behaviors have to be modeled. It is okay to say to a student That they need to be kind. However if the student has never seen what being kind looks like - no connection! #oklaed
Q7: We have a team, and meet at least monthly and have worked very hard to help with implementation and learning. Has been tough at times but also worth it. Nice to have the structure of a team to lean on and spread the word and work. #oklaed
A7) My school has a PBIS Team that includes teachers and admin and a School Climate Team that includes students and admin. Both teams work together to affect the behaviors in the building. #oklaed
Right now, I feel like we are the united states with no federal government. Teams/grade levels have plans, but we are not speaking a common language. We need a school wide plan. #oklaed
A6: My school does not have an official PLC, but a lot of us do our best to promote a healthy and positive environment for our students, ourselves, and our communities. #oklaed
Sorry to miss u 2nite #oklaed. Fight 4 what youāre worth. Educated, highly certified professionals deserve to be paid MORE than what youāre asking for.! I know 4 a fact that COL isnāt that different. I couldnāt make it there. I am making more than $70K here and I deserve it!
A8 Bucket Fillers is used in two of #cpsreds elementary schools to promote positive behaviors in Ss. When Ss are caught filling other peoples buckets that get noticed for it and are "rewarded." #oklaed
#OklaEd Gotta jump out a little early. Topic I have no experience with. Great ??? @April2383 ... Need to Consider for my university-level experience!!! Good night, Gracie.
A6: My school does not have an official PLC, but a lot of us do our best to promote a healthy and positive environment for our students, ourselves, and our communities. #oklaed
A8: I'm so fortunate to work in a district where Admin is proactive, visible, and invested in ALL of our successes. I wouldn't trade that relationship for anything. #blessed#oklaed
