#caedchat is for California educators, by California educators. All are welcome as moderators and participants discuss issues that emerge in California education, which are generally applicable to other regions of the United States.
Welcome to tonight’s chat about FEAR! Lets start by telling us who you are, where are you from, and what movie monster did you FEAR the most as a kid? #caedchat
Reminder: I, the moderator @JoeMarquez70, will post questions with Q1, Q2, Q3. Participants respond with A1, A2, A3, etc. make sure to include #caedchat with every tweet
Karyn, Inland Empire area, Dracula. For some reason, I remember a commercial that Dracula was in the Black Hills and my grandma lived in South Dakota. #caedchat 🧛♂️
Hi everyone! Fourth grade teacher from Tulare. I didn’t have any monster fears. Mine were more around being afraid of people breaking into my home. #caedchat
#caedchat Erin English. Live in Bonsall CA. Work at the San Diego County Office of Education in the new Innovation Division. Glad to be here. I feared frogs in the movie "The Frogs." Not too many monsters. Oh, and the monster that lived under my bed!
Hi #caedchat I am Joe Marquez, an educator out of Clovis, CA. When I was a kid I was so afraid of clowns because of the movie IT! Right now I am fearful of losing participants because of the World Series :)
Welcome to tonight’s chat about FEAR! Lets start by telling us who you are, where are you from, and what movie monster did you FEAR the most as a kid? #caedchat
Karyn, Inland Empire area, Dracula. For some reason, I remember a commercial that Dracula was in the Black Hills and my grandma lived in South Dakota. #caedchat 🧛♂️
Hi everyone! Fourth grade teacher from Tulare. I didn’t have any monster fears. Mine were more around being afraid of people breaking into my home. #caedchat
#caedchat And Slugs. That movie was and still is one of the scariest movies - AND "The Mad Room." The first scary movie I saw on a gym floor with about 100 kids. I was paralyzed with fear.
Q1. When you were young, what did you fear? How did you overcome or #DitchThatFEAR? Did this fear change who you are today in some way?
#caedchat@CAedchat
A1: I think I feared being alone in new places/situations. As an adult, I use Google to get the lay of the land and map it all out before I go somewhere new. #notspontaneous#caedchat
@CAedchat#caedchat Q1: I always feared death, seriously I wrote about it in my diary! As I grew though I love nothing more than to be excited about life and put myself out there!!!
#caedchat - A1 - I feared being singled out by the teacher and publicly told I was doing something wrong. (I was also fearful of that monster under my bed but I learned to jump from the doorway to the bed when the lights were off so I did not get eaten.
A1 Not being accepted. By the time I was 7, we had lived in 4 states. Moved a lot. I think it made me want to be liked, sometimes trying too hard. In the last few years, I've gotten to the point where this is me, like me or not. :) Age does wonders! #caedchat
A1: My biggest fear was someone breaking into our 🏡 . I didn’t live in a bad neighborhood but for some reason that was my fear. I feel like I got over it with age but I’m still cautious. I don’t watch the news because of this fear! #trustissues#caedchat
A1: I was deathly afraid of meeting new people and absolutely terrified of having to stand up and speak to a group of people, large or small. It wasn't until college where I realized If I could control my FEAR I could amplify my voice. #caedchat
Q1. When you were young, what did you fear? How did you overcome or #DitchThatFEAR? Did this fear change who you are today in some way?
#caedchat@CAedchat
A1: When I was a kid I feared PE! I hated it. I was always afraid of making a fool of myself. I overcame that fear when I met Beth Love 7th grade whose father was a tennis pro in my town . She gave me courage and encouragement to learn #caedchat
That's me before a conference (and most vacations)! Where are the sessions, where is the hotel, where are the things to do, and where is the good food?! #OneNote to the rescue for conference planning. #caedchat
YES! Absolutely! This fear always trickled into my teaching, as I always found a way to give every student a way to amplify their voice in their own way. #caedchat
#caedchat - A1 - I feared being singled out by the teacher and publicly told I was doing something wrong. (I was also fearful of that monster under my bed but I learned to jump from the doorway to the bed when the lights were off so I did not get eaten.
We were broken into a few times as a kid, once when we were home. (Got scared off when my dad yelled from the 2nd floor in his bathrobe. 6'5" man yelling would scare anyone!) As an adult, I have dogs and they bark at EVERYTHING! (which helps) #caedchat
PE was never something I looked forward to as a kid. I didn't care about sports and I certainly wasn't any good at them. This intensified in middle and high school. #caedchat
A1: I was afraid of “improv”. Which somehow always found its way into my life- not good talking “on my feet”. I somehow always found a way out of it. That fear carried on with me until about a year ago. #caedchat
Q1. When you were young, what did you fear? How did you overcome or #DitchThatFEAR? Did this fear change who you are today in some way?
#caedchat@CAedchat
A1 Growing up, I dreaded -- perhaps even feared -- talking on the phone. I can tolerate it now, though resorting to email/text may be my chief present-day method of overcoming. #caedchat
I use to feel the same way and now I’m so happy for being different. I wish my students realized that being different is amazing and that someday they are going to want to be different. #caedchat
In reply to
@Filibuster3, @JoeMarquez70, @CAedchat
The huge gorilla that lived under my bed. I was safe if I laid in the middle of the bed because he not could get his arms around the bed to grab me. #caedchat
Were you scared as a young child as well? I think of kindergarten students who love show and tell and not many deny their time to show and tell to the whole class. I wonder what makes us change? Peer pressure of fitting in? #caedchat
Q2: When I first started teaching i was fearful of a lot, the unknown of teaching outcomes and unsure of myself in particular. What caused you anxiety during your first year of teaching? What helped you #DitchThatFEAR? #caedchat@CAedchat
In Chicago, our hotel room was across from one of the planners. She said it was difficult finding a space large enough and that the locations are booked years in advance. #caedchat
A2: Just the pure unknown- credential program didn’t prepare me. I was blessed to have started with a great group of teachers in K- it was back when we had 1/2 day- so I was able to observe them. #caedchat
Q2: When I first started teaching i was fearful of a lot, the unknown of teaching outcomes and unsure of myself in particular. What caused you anxiety during your first year of teaching? What helped you #DitchThatFEAR? #caedchat@CAedchat
A1: I am so thankful I had a strong team my first few years of teaching. There were five of us with varying interests and talents. They helped ease a lot of fears I had. #BetterTogether#caedchat
A2: The parents really scared me...just a few of them. I was 22 and just didn’t have enough tools in my tool belt. I had 14 parent volunteers who stepped up and helped me. My colleagues also talked me through handling situations #caedchat
A2: doing a calculation wrong and having the kids lose trust. What fixed it was messing up and the kids not making a big deal/showed them my humanity. #caedchat
A2: I was so afraid of being judged about my teaching and if I was doing enough for my students. I over worked myself that was unhealthy. Fear drove me to an unhealthy balance! #caedchat
A2: Oh boy, there were times when I would be in front of my class and think to myself "How am I the adult in this room" haha. I mean I would talk and at the sometimes question everything I was doing. That first year took a lot of hair #caedchat
Q2: When I first started teaching i was fearful of a lot, the unknown of teaching outcomes and unsure of myself in particular. What caused you anxiety during your first year of teaching? What helped you #DitchThatFEAR? #caedchat@CAedchat
A2 My 1st yr in public school, I was an RSP tchr assigned to 3 elem schools. #SpEd Luckily, one had THE mentor teacher for RSP & she was amazing! I told her, "Don't try to put it in a pretty package. Tell me when I'm doing something wrong." We got along GREAT! #caedchat
I was in speech and drama most of my school years- I had no problem being on stage in front of strangers- but I wouldn’t “practice” in front of people I knew. I still don’t “practice” before I speak. #caedchat
A2 Leading cause of steadily gnawing fear from my 1st year teaching: "Am I going to be ready tomorrow? What will happen if I'm not?" Over time, positive experiences as well as surviving failures mitigated (most of) anxiety. #caedchat
A2: I was young, I was a single mom with little to no self esteem. I always worried that the parents of my students would expect me to know everything about kids. Have all@the answers. Age brings wisdom #caedchat
A2: The parents really scared me...just a few of them. I was 22 and just didn’t have enough tools in my tool belt. I had 14 parent volunteers who stepped up and helped me. My colleagues also talked me through handling situations #caedchat
A2: The Rabbi's! I taught at an Orthodox Jewish school. There was no curriculum and the year was 1990. The bomb threats and devices left at the school did not help my anxiety level either. #caedchat
A2: #caedchat teaching is still scary!!! Constantly in my own mind on how can I engage my students, how can I meet their needs, how can I expose them to real world learning!?!? My goal is always to try to educate myself to be the best for them!
Yes Brian, I had anxiety my whole first year not knowing if I was prepared enough. Took me a long time to realize you are never prepared enough because everyday their are new challenges and fun experiences to mix things up just enough #caedchat.
A2 Leading cause of steadily gnawing fear from my 1st year teaching: "Am I going to be ready tomorrow? What will happen if I'm not?" Over time, positive experiences as well as surviving failures mitigated (most of) anxiety. #caedchat
A1: First year teaching was 3rd grad. I plunged forward even though I scarcely knew what I was doing, afraid that I wouldn't be able to make it thru the week. Felt overwhelmed. Serious conversations with my wife made me realize I could not quit. I sought mentors #caedchat
A1 Hey all #caedchat. Jumping in late. My swim coach's son convinced me one of my trophies was the "plaque of Bloody Mary" and he would chase me with it, repeating "the plaaaquue, the plaaaaque." No idea why I was so scared. Obvi, I wised up. 🤣
Yes! I have realized that is not FEAR, it is passion and motivation to make a positive impact! Caring so much that we are always looking for the best ways to motivate and engage our students. #caedchat
A2: #caedchat teaching is still scary!!! Constantly in my own mind on how can I engage my students, how can I meet their needs, how can I expose them to real world learning!?!? My goal is always to try to educate myself to be the best for them!
I think a little, manageable amount of fear / anxiety is good. Keeps you on your toes. Just make sure you've got your people to help you out. #caedchat
That’s true because if you don’t have that fear and anxiety you could think you are already at your best and I feel like as a teacher we can always improve. Each year we have different students so we can’t be perfect. #caedchat
A2 my first principal had been my school principal as a student. The first time she came in to observe me, I FROZE. Also, I had some scary parents that first year, my colleagues and mentors, one of whom was also a parent of a S, really helped build my confidence #caedchat
I always say, everyday should feel a little bit like your first year teaching. This is because you should always be trying something new, and not really be sure of its outcome. Great teaching is not perfect teaching. #caedchat
I think a little, manageable amount of fear / anxiety is good. Keeps you on your toes. Just make sure you've got your people to help you out. #caedchat
Q3: Now with a few years of teaching under our belt, what keeps you up at night? How do you plan on attacking this fear? #DitchThatFEAR#caedchat@CAedchat
A3: (few= 25 LOL) When I was in the classroom I feared not meeting all my students’ needs. I knew I was doing what I could with what I had...but still gnawed at me. Even as a TOSA, I fear not meeting the needs of my teachers! #notbeingenough#DitchThatFEAR#caedchat
Q3: Now with a few years of teaching under our belt, what keeps you up at night? How do you plan on attacking this fear? #DitchThatFEAR#caedchat@CAedchat
A1: The effect of screen time on developing brains frightens me. We are developing a serious problem with serious consequences. This coming from one who values the benefits technology can bring to the classroom. #caedchat
A3: I think what keeps me up most is wondering if I am doing what is best for my students. Am I reaching all of them and providing ways for them to be engaged at their level. #CAEdChat
A3: I think about my students well being. Who looks like they may need something like a backpack, clothes or food. I do think about teaching when I see a reoccurring issue and how I can solve this issue through literature or other educational means. #caedchat
A3: To me it is not about fear, but about trying to do whats right for my students by staying at the top of my game. Always looking for ways to stay relevant to my students and fellow teachers as well. Sometimes it feels like I am running on a treadmill #caedchat
Q3: Now with a few years of teaching under our belt, what keeps you up at night? How do you plan on attacking this fear? #DitchThatFEAR#caedchat@CAedchat
A3 The night before a new presentation. My first #accessibility one had about 5 people (including my husband). I just keep going forward, posting tips, sharing #PowerPoints and a #OneNote collection. My Twitter #PLN gives me confidence and encouragement! #caedchat
My biggest fear is that the divisiveness that exists in our country will effect the children’s ability to keep hope alive! As a public school educator I feel a true sense of urgency to teach children to love #caedchat
Q3: Now with a few years of teaching under our belt, what keeps you up at night? How do you plan on attacking this fear? #DitchThatFEAR#caedchat@CAedchat
A3 I'm always worried I'm not reaching all of the Ss, I rehash the day, stress about what will make the diff for "this kid or that." That and social anxiety makes me replay every interaction I have with parents, colleagues, and students in mind looking for my failings #caedchat
I saw a statistic the other day that showed more than 50% of screen time is from passive consumption only 3% is from creation. This is why meaningful uses of technology must be used in a classroom. If it doesn't enhance a lesson, don't use the technology. PD is needed #caedchat
A1: The effect of screen time on developing brains frightens me. We are developing a serious problem with serious consequences. This coming from one who values the benefits technology can bring to the classroom. #caedchat
This is why being a teacher is now the most important job in the history of the world. We are changing the world from the bottom up, we need GREAT teachers to make GREAT citizens. #caedchat.
My biggest fear is that the divisiveness that exists in our country will effect the children’s ability to keep hope alive! As a public school educator I feel a true sense of urgency to teach children to love #caedchat
Q3: Now with a few years of teaching under our belt, what keeps you up at night? How do you plan on attacking this fear? #DitchThatFEAR#caedchat@CAedchat
A3 Gap between what I feel like students & I need to do & time available for us to do it sometimes keeps me up. That fretting though tends to be short-lived because I realize it's not time well spent. #caedchat
I think even just teaching the students the difference between consumption and creation (something they don't just "get" on their own) is really important. Gives them power. #caedchat
A3: I have 25 years in the classroom. As a coach and consultant, I want to be relevant, to continue to be able to offer some insight, empathy or creativity where needed. I participate in PLNs and read widely #caedchat
This goes back to Dewey and should we be teaching citizenship throughout the school year and not just at the beginning of the year. Teaching our students to be good citizens is important throughout the whole year. #CAEdChat
A3: HMW have real conversations about #Equity and how students feel in our classrooms. Are we continuing the same game for our students or are we ready to have a real conversation, even in the face of white solidarity? #caedchat
Q4: What was the most fearful moment you have had as an educator? Did this experience make you weaker or empower you for the future? #DitchThatFEAR#caedchat@caedchat
A4: Fire ravaged our area about 10 years ago. It was horrible thinking about my school not being there. I worried about all my students. I called each family to ensure they were safe. #DitchThatFEAR#caedchat
#caedchat A3 - I fear that our children will think that what is going on in our country now is normal and they will become desensitized. With the environmental issues, and the ethic and moral issues - we have a lot of 'splaining to do.
LOL. The speed of change - and the flow of information - can be overwhelming. It is an adventure in learning how to separate wheat from chaff. #caedchat
In reply to
@learnswithzeal, @JoeMarquez70, @CAedchat
A4: I would say my fear of being different had empowered me to be a better teacher because I had to be confident enough to be different then the rest. Eventually people at my school started doing some of the things that were different because of student impact. #caedchat
A4: I recently had a friend and fellow science teacher pass away unexpectedly. He was a great teacher and really resonated with his students. It shook me and reminded me that we have to live each day striving to make the next day better. #caedchat
Q4: What was the most fearful moment you have had as an educator? Did this experience make you weaker or empower you for the future? #DitchThatFEAR#caedchat@caedchat
Cue 2 quotes I remember from @ruha9 & which resonate w/election approaching: "Our job as educators is to incubate a better world in the minds and hearts of our students."
“How do we make our schools laboratories of democratic participation?” #caedchat
A4 I used to teach in a semi-rough area. One morning, there was body tape outside my classroom window from a drive-by. We think they tried to throw the gun into our dumpster, but missed and it was found by a 2 year old on the playground. #caedchat Weaker? Empower? Not sure.
Q5: The Future is always uncertain. Change is inevitable. Do you have any FEARS about the future of education? What can you do to drown these fears?
#caedchat@CAedchat
A4: When students made horrible choices and created a very unsafe environment which was immediately fixed by students in an effort to say "Not our school, we stand for love!" Definitely empowered me to believe in Ss to take on and change the world! #caedchat
A1: Over-reliance on testing is still a problem. Why hasn't education gotten this right yet? It just makes no sense. My daily work focuses on authentic learning, not test taking skills. I'm ready for this pendulum to be ripped off and thrown away. #caedchat
A5: I feel overwhelmed with all the new implementation of things in my district lately. It’s been a lot over the last few years and I just am fearful of more new because I would like to get good at one thing at a time. #caedchat
A4: Things that are out of my control the people in Govt. that make decisions regarding education, what the future of education looks like. I can focus on me and the Ss in my classroom. #CAEdChat
A4: When I was a high school English teacher, I had to try to break up a large melee that flared during passing period. At one point I was down on the ground restraining S who kept on hitting others. Learned one can't be a bystander in face of injustice #caedchat
A5: I think all of you have made a great point about the "NEW" normal. If our students see today as they way it should be, how will tomorrow turn out. We need our teachers to absolutely reinforce equity, differences, equality, and citizenship. #caedchat
Q5: The Future is always uncertain. Change is inevitable. Do you have any FEARS about the future of education? What can you do to drown these fears?
#caedchat@CAedchat
A5 Fears that change will be made for change's sake, not necessarily for Ss benefit, AND the fear that some Ts won't change at all. At a recent meeting, a coach said, "I update my phone every 3 months. How often do you update your teaching?" #caedchat
I can’t agree more! We are even encouraged on authentic learning experiences and do not give authentic assessments. @alicekeeler made a great statement that tests and assessments are not synonyms. Tests are one type of assessment. Which is over used! #CAedchat
It's like there is a split personality with lip service being paid to authentic learning while still maintaining a huge focus on standardized testing. #caedchat
Last question
Q7: I find that false fear is caused by focusing too much on what we deem as our weaknesses. How can we empower teachers to #DitchThatFEAR and become empowered by their strengths? #caedchat#caedchat
A5: I am most concerned about maintaining empathy while developing the power of critical and creative thinking. I want wonder to fill the halls of learning. I want to see quality of content reign over quantity - with a little less testing. #caedchat
I fear our time together is coming to an end. Thanks @JoeMarquez70 and all of you for allowing me to embrace my fears. Energize me so that I can continue to fight the good fight. #Letlovewin#caedchat
A5 fear for funding and lack of support of public education, that a Ss could at any time could be victims of violence at any time. I focus on the positive I can bring to my Ss, build relationships, reinforce equity, value difference #CAEdChat
