Coffee is for being pretending that it's unacceptable to drink Coke at 7 am.
Shelby, secondary math, and lately I've been powered by BTS Cypher 4. #weirded
Paul, 3rd grade from CO. I can’t stand coffee, I have tea every morning. Was shocked how passionate my Ss get when someone mislabels my morning drink as “coffee”. #WeirdEd
Unique perspectives on education that may, at first glance, seem nonsensical and full of gifs, but then, a deeper understanding or thinking arises.... That's #WeirdEd
I am Rebecca, it is past my bedtime, and I run on the power of stories. Especially the ones that involve coffee. I present cake as preemptive penance for when I fall asleep. #WeirdEd
A1: Hm...I suppose it's the tech teachers, and those ones who write grants. Some serve on the leadership team, but I'm not sure what all gets accomplished since I'm not on it. #weirded
Chris in Atlanta, I get birthday pie instead of cake. Coffee doesn't get me going. it gets me feeling like Smokey up in Desbo's pigeon coup #weirded Lack of sleep really gets me going
Well, that one's mine, actually. I don't DJ or coach, really. But the nerdlings and I watch Princess Bride and Can't Buy Me Love and Edward Scissorhands (1990, but whatever) #weirded
A1 Admins drive. I start trouble. We're starting to see teachers take the risk of suggesting things or experimenting, but it's a slow culture shift. Things are very top-down in this country generally. #weirded
A1: Honestly, it’s tough for me to see. Joining at semester, has made it hard for me to gauge how much outside my classroom “really” functions. #WeirdEd
A1: I feel like we are lucky in my school with at least one person encouraging their team to try new things and push new opportunities in class. It’s a mixture of leadership team and just strong teachers. #IHMarchMadness#WeirdEd
We talk a fair amount, staff meetings, teacher led lunch convos, collaborative groups, subject area teams... Teacher ideas drive some initiatives in the building. #WeirdEd
A1: The driving forces is the teacher who supports and encourages the other teachers to be their best. They model integrity and can always be trusted! You know they have your back. They do not need the recognition of being known as a leader. #IHMarchMadness#WeirdEd
A1: I am between two schools and when things are being changed, 99.9% doesn’t apply to me and I’m sorry I don’t pay attention. I do music, tech, and Legos. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd A1 Principal runs a tight ship, there's also very good support between teachers, especially SPED. My Mentor T's a bit of a driving force, considering she's former Director of Teaching/Learning until very recently, so very driven....
A1 The figurative leaders? No.
The real leaders? Sure, just because they are the driving force, so others flock to them
Conservation of energy or momentum or glee or something #WeirdEd
A1- some do it naturally, some do it because it's best for the students , some just want a gold star. Sometimes teacher leaders are great and sometimes I feel like they're the kids controlling who sits where in the middle school cafeteria #WeirdEd
+ And you're reward for doing great things, is that more people want you to do more great things
Not that there's (necessarily) anything wrong with that #WeirdEd
I'm not in all of top circles, but it feels like our leadership team has a lot of great ideas that end up getting stifled or half-hearted support. #weirded
A1) depends on what needs to “go”. I think all of us can lead if we are asked to use our strengths. Leaders lead every day. But the ones who make the day move may not be the leaders I need today. #WeirdEd#IHMarchMadness
A1) Yes, they really would. Our school leaders really drive the main focus at our school, presenting new things for us to try, encouraging us to get out of our comfort zones, etc. A lot of regular teachers encourage the same, but our leaders set the tone.#weirded#IHMarchMadness
#WeirdEd A1 My mentor teacher has had the weird privilege to have been the principal's boss for several years, then being a teacher under the principal.... So, I guess that enables some degree of comfort when approaching principal?
#WeirdEd A1 Principal runs a tight ship, there's also very good support between teachers, especially SPED. My Mentor T's a bit of a driving force, considering she's former Director of Teaching/Learning until very recently, so very driven....
A1: the teachers I’ve observed who made things go the most are often leaders because of the way they’ve taken initiative and supported others (teachers and students) along the way! #WeirdEd
A1.2 our district is big on getting T input in all the committees: PD, wellness, ELA, Math, everything. Ts who sign up want to help develop the outcomes. They're also usually the ones gung ho jumping in first #weirded
A1-2: I am trying hard to not associate driven Ts with those who micromanage. Currently dealing with micromanagement. I said something once and the micromanager responded emotionally. #WeirdEd
A1: I think the reason some of our leaders are leading us into positive directions are because they are extremely capable teachers who know how to anchor the new in best practice. #WeirdEd
A1 Yes. For the most part. However, we have a lot of teachers who are silent leaders and just lead by example and being positive supports for all staff. #WeirdEd#IHMarchMadness
A1: Very fortunate to have a school community that encourages trying new things and letting us steal from each other! The supportive nature helps us all to succeed! #IHMarchMadness#WeirdEd
A1 Yes. For the most part. However, we have a lot of teachers who are silent leaders and just lead by example and being positive supports for all staff. #WeirdEd#IHMarchMadness
A1: I think each staff member at IH becomes a driving force at some point in the school year. We have some strong Ts that are willing to help each other out and lead when needed. #WeirdEd#IHMarchMadness
I think that leaders get asked to do things that take away from their classroom. Our go to people are asked to do the things they are good at, but not everything in the building! #WeirdEd#IHMarchmadness
A1) I would have to go with the Ss; everything we do is for them they drive us to be more at all times: more understanding, more empathetic, more diverse, more exciting. Well & some days they drive us right up the wall. Just kidding I love my Ss #IHMarchMadness#THe WeirdTeacher
But how will I get the rush of frantically refreshing the Twitter app until I see a new Q and rushing to catch up with the conversation when I’m done answering?!?!? I don’t see how the user experience could get much better #WeirdEd
But how will I get the rush of frantically refreshing the Twitter app until I see a new Q and rushing to catch up with the conversation when I’m done answering?!?!? I don’t see how the user experience could get much better #WeirdEd
Like the annual science fair is decreed unto us by TPTB and we get it done, but honestly if we could skip it very very few of us would be sad, I think... #WeirdEd
I’m going to be THAT person, but I still cringe at being called a leader or boss because women leaders/bosses are considered ‘witchy.’ Everything is changing, hopefully, but I still have negative experiences ingrained in my psyche. #WeirdEd
We've actually had some inspiring Ss take the lead this year with forming our new Black Student Alliance and reviving the No Place For Hate student group. They are standing up to make their school a place they want to be every day. #weirded
I've just accepted that sometimes people aren't going to like what I have to say, and that's fine. I've also seen the opposite when women leaders/bosses want to please everyone and end up being pushovers. I'll take bitch over doormat any day. #weirded
I spend too much time trying to think before I speak bc I’m naturally blunt. Sometimes it stings, but most of the time I explain that I needed a point made. #weirded
A2: An iPad initiative. I have so much knowledge on iPads because my previous district was 1:1 that I’m just BURSTING at the seams to use it again! You don’t know what you have until it’s gone! #IHMarchMadness#WeirdEd
Q1: I think people who are able to effectively do the most for students, regardless of title are leaders. People who inspire joy for learning for students of all identities are leaders. #WeirdEd
A2) I would love for every kid in our building to have a mentor. Could be another student, a teacher, or a community member. Someone they could talk with, cry to, and learn from. I would also love to have the struggling Ss find a place they can help. #WeirdEd#IHMarchMadness
A2: Truthfully? I want a comprehensive mentoring program where we talk about racism, sexism, consent, and just generally being a decent human, while also addressing that being a teenager is hard. #weirded
A2: a huge project would be to have the kids to start a good deeds project- like you do one nice thing each day for someone (or more) and put it on a piece of paper, fold it, and put it in a jar in the classroom. or- have the kids stay after and clean up the school!!!!! #weirded
A2: I would want to build a science lab for my grade school to use! We could expand our hands on opportunities by having a better space and supplies! Our HS shop class could build it! #ihmarchmadness#WeirdEd
A2 Something transformative! A whole day with a theme once a month or quarter, all expenses paid for all of the cool props! I have done a construction day, but it would be great to have special days more often-not paid for by me!#weirded#IHMarchMadness
A2: I’m currently working on an El Sistema project- and it’s a huge undertaking. Asking one big Music Corporation for help. This program would dramatically change my music program and it will boost the community. #WeirdEd
I would acknowledge the suicide epidemic and bring professional psychiatrist (maybe multiple) into schools- that were in the schools full time and available. Is that a project? #change#weirded#conversechat
We are about to do the one big project that was the most meaningful to me as a student: Exchange City. Such a great learning experience! Can't wait to see how it goes at our school.
#WeirdEd#IHMarchMadness
A2: Coming from a para background, where I got to float around the whole school, I would love to do some sort of teacher exchange where teachers swap classes and/or team teach across grades. Build relationships with the Ss across the school and with colleagues. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd I wanna rephrase Q2 slightly-
What Big Project that could reasonably be done would you do? So some, like outdoor classrooms or doing away with bells, are cool as hell, but are more than I meant.
A2 There’s so many things I wish I could do! If only I had more time with each class or grade level. I would like my lessons to be able to meet their specific needs more and do something crazy to make it come to life for all of them! #WeirdEd#IHMarchMadness
Well, WeirdEd- It's like this! Our Principal thought some of the old dogs should learn new tricks!!!
So- she created a PD to encourage us.
#IHMarchMadness#WeirdEd
#WeirdEd I wanna rephrase Q2 slightly-
What Big Project that could reasonably be done would you do? So some, like outdoor classrooms or doing away with bells, are cool as hell, but are more than I meant.
#WeirdEd A2. Watch Black Panther. Discuss why Representation Matters. From there, jump off to issues w/Colonizers, self-identity, also "Where the hell are my Asian superheroes?" Or, do a Museum Night, each student creates an exhibit showcasing their own cultures.
By the way.. I'm Grant. It's my first time tuning in for WeirdEd. Prescribed ADHD medicine gets me going Mon-Thu. Coffee all the other days. #WeirdEd
A confession: I always spell weird wrong. Maybe that's what's been keeping me away..😂
#WeirdEd A2 I'd try to get every kid to start a blog where I can follow the RSS feed, and have them write their exit tickets on it, explaining what we did in class in 20 or more words, then slowly increase the min word count
Bonus for pics.
My school did this one day. We all drew names and had to go teach that grade for the day. It was fun, different perspectives and new respect. But with all the high stakes on testing and getting through curriculum, no time for fun stuff anymore. #WeirdEd
Kind of. Only one class at a time and family members participate... I don't talk at the adults much beyond a welcome about standards and goals and a wrap up #weirded
A2: Besides creating an after school music program (El Sistema), I am 12 VGA to HDMI converters away from an electronic music lab. SO CLOSE. Ughhhhhh. #weirded
A3: Field trips are super onerous. So have to think outside the box. Do them after school, with small groups. Have parents sign comprehensive lasting permission slips. Get a van company to donate hours. #weirded
"Oh...we don't have time for that."
"Oh...we don't have room for that."
"Oh...I don't want to do that."
"Oh...but what about testing?"
So...Imma go with no, based purely on my own assumptions. #weirded
A2 We are having high school art students come and paint our refocus room with calming colors/scenes. Also having them paint clouds on our ceiling tiles. #WeirdEd#IHMarchMadness
#WeirdEd A3 Well, Black Panther is Rated PG13, not PG... Also, doing a Museum Night as state tests close in may not sit well. Too much prep, we're all busy tryin' to get our Ss to grade level.... PLUS MY DAMN EDTPA.... GRRR
A3- I would love for Ss to engage with complex topics (racism, politics, mental health, etc) from a statistical viewpoint. Some staff would not be receptive. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd + Now this could be a net plus -- more subjects doing it, so get on board -- or a net minus -- more entries to make on a blog in a given day or week
#WeirdEd I wanna rephrase Q2 slightly-
What Big Project that could reasonably be done would you do? So some, like outdoor classrooms or doing away with bells, are cool as hell, but are more than I meant.
However "impractical" replacing multiple classrooms with the outdoors would be, some people just really aren't into the idea of having kids outside to learn, and that makes me sad #weirded
A3 I feel our staff is SO open to new things right now we could make a lot happen. We already meet across the school weekly and communication is very open. It's a good time to be an Eagle! #weirded#IHMarchMadness
#WeirdEd I wanna rephrase Q2 slightly-
What Big Project that could reasonably be done would you do? So some, like outdoor classrooms or doing away with bells, are cool as hell, but are more than I meant.
We had parents sign up to go to kids’ classes one year. They went to their specials too. I don’t really talk about standards, bc sometimes it’s too much, but I def share goals. Short and sweet. #weirded
A3 I hope staff is receptive to the Refocus Room being painted since it’s happening soon. 😉 I think they will think it’s a good idea since our posters often get torn down and ripped up by students who are escalated. #WeirdEd#IHMarchMadness
A3: Clearly they’d be down. It’s like a madhouse on Twitter for this #IHMarchMadness competition. I’m texting one of my teammates to get some chats done before she goes to bed! #weirded
A3: I think it would be hard to get buy in. We change classrooms and someone might not be okay with those items in the room. We might be able to agree on a few items but not a complete overhaul. #WeirdEd#IHMarchMadness
But how can you Fred Jones your classroom management without sequestering children in precision desk arrangements? 😒
We have parents who say their precious snowflakes can't play outside if it's below 70F because they're "allergic to the cold". #weirded
Q3: I think my co-workers could be into talking about restorative justice. I think I would need a lot of reasons why it's a good thing.
I work in the suburbs and just want to see less students removed from the classroom. This disproportianally effects POCI. #WeirdEd
I teach at a dual language school. I think it’s beneficial but I have also seen negativity towards it too. Parents and students need to be invested to make it work. #weirded
A3: Our 5th grade teachers are working so hard to make our own version of Exchange City happen. Parent volunteers are involved, and I think it will be very impactful to the students. It is such a great, ture to life, simulation.
#WeirdEd#IHMarchMadness
#WeirdEd So much push back and immediate offense with ideas like this. Gotta find ways to press through. I'm bad at convincing buy-in. "It's important, let's go." doesn't work
Q3: I think my co-workers could be into talking about restorative justice. I think I would need a lot of reasons why it's a good thing.
I work in the suburbs and just want to see less students removed from the classroom. This disproportianally effects POCI. #WeirdEd
Last year, a S flipped out because he didn't believe the statistical fact I used in an example of preface question bias in Stats. All I said was "black males are incarcerated at a higher proportion than other demographics." I couldn't even finish the sentence. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd It was something I wanted to approach my principal and VP, but I just feel overwhelemed by everything, so I shelved it... I know some Ss would watch it anyway. I'm actually in Elementary, so the rating gave me a bit of a pause too
Gotta start with educating faculty. We have folks on staff who have never heard the term "microaggression" and are convinced they're fine because they don't "see color" and "don't care if you're white black or purple". #weirded
just make it one REALLY BIG classroom. everyone can bond over their science lessons and mutual weather-related allergies. in this daydream, we will also have a science class revolving around the science of deserts #weirded
But how can you Fred Jones your classroom management without sequestering children in precision desk arrangements? 😒
We have parents who say their precious snowflakes can't play outside if it's below 70F because they're "allergic to the cold". #weirded
How did that conversation go? I get very calm and explain that we can't have opinions on facts (#alternativefacts), but I know it can be tricky. #weirded
A3: One of the things I love about my co-workers is they seem willing to try new things. I think they would be receptive. It’s my own self doubt and inexperience as a baby-teacher that would get in the way. #WeirdEd
Do you want me to share my Hip-Hop curriculum? An elementary music T wrote it with help from the community to make sure she covered social justice without creating further bias. #WeirdEd
A4) willingness to give up something to make changes for the better, desire to try new things, wanting the best for the kids we serve! #WeirdEd#IHMarchMadness
Q3: I think, if the idea was pursued, many people would be supportive. I believe, if an AVAILABLE psychiatrist could make an impact on just one student, that would be worth it. #weirded
I would acknowledge the suicide epidemic and bring professional psychiatrist (maybe multiple) into schools- that were in the schools full time and available. Is that a project? #change#weirded#conversechat
I talked him through the difference between statistical fact/correlation and inference/causation. We got there, but it was eye opening for me. #WeirdEd
A4 Making sure staff is on board and that they fully understand the WHY behind it. If they don’t see the reasoning behind it, they won’t buy in. #WeirdEd#IHMarchMadness
#WeirdEd A5 (I think)
With most new ideas I get a lot of "Ok. You do it/run it/lead it." If it's your baby, you need to be prepared to do the legwork.
That "Ok" also comes with the usual "But what about time/the tests/time?"
A4: An amazing and supportive staff that is willing to take risks and try new things. Parents that are on board sure help too!
@barbmoodyIHK you're right! Anything is possible when you fly with the Eagles!
#WeirdEd#IHMarchMadness
A4: supportive admin makes the dreams come to life. @heathercalvert let’s us be individuals and encompasses our individual strengths. #IHMarchMadness#WeirdEd
A4: I think my schedule gets in the way as often as resources do. I am guilty of trying to get through our content quickly and deeply. I struggle to find time for activities that are just good for the kids but don’t hit a standard. #ihmarchmadness#weirded
#WeirdEd BONUS QUESTION
I feel most staffs are roundly positive, but greatly impacted by the admin's reactions to things. SO, in your experience, how many people does it take to kill a good idea? Is that more or less than it takes to run with one?
A4: Relationships and shared vision. You can be the engine, but you need others to be the rest of the car, and if you trust each other you all know where you’re trying to go, ideas can more easily get off the ground. Buy in is easier with trust. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd Just furthering the conversation regarding representation in media, the colonialism that devastated cultures, including Africa, and badass women of color. XD. The other bit was a Museum Night where Ss can showcase their cultures in self-created exhibits
A3: I think, if the idea was pursued, many people would be supportive. I believe, if an AVAILABLE psychiatrist could make an impact on just one student, that would be worth it. #weirded
I would acknowledge the suicide epidemic and bring professional psychiatrist (maybe multiple) into schools- that were in the schools full time and available. Is that a project? #change#weirded#conversechat
#WeirdEd BONUS QUESTION
I feel most staffs are roundly positive, but greatly impacted by the admin's reactions to things. SO, in your experience, how many people does it take to kill a good idea? Is that more or less than it takes to run with one?
A4- Support from admin, colleagues, and community is essential for success. It's amazing how much influence an individual can have (for good or ill) #WeirdEd
BONUS: no idea. the BOE in my town growing up refused to dedicate the wing of a building to a teacher that passed away and that only took a few mean people to shut down the idea. however, we did it anyways. oops. #savage#weirded
BonusQ: Honestly, I've just stopped asking for permission. I know that's a luxury based on tenure that not everyone has. Occasionally I get, "Why won't you just play along?" but I mean, everyone knows how bad that sounds. #weirded
we have positive and encouraging admin, sometimes Ts get down on things and only see negative. hard to move forward when not everyone can get on board and see positive impact on Ss. #WeirdEd
ABonus: Very few. Negativity spreads quick, and I think we are all guilty of it at one point or another. Once the seed of doubt starts getting watered, ideas can sink before they even can start to show efficacy. #WeirdEd
Bonus A: I have seen more projects scuttled by people who promised support and then didn't follow through. Whiners are annoying but they don't hold things up as badly. #weirded
If I get asked why I don't play nice, I start listing all the things in school I don't agree with that I already put up with: bells. grade levels. dress codes. standardized tests. Man I could go on and on. #weirded
It sometimes depends on the influence and spot a person holds at the school. If a head of the school or a high standing teacher doesn’t agree, the idea tends to die. Not always but happens a good amount
There's a weird culture in Ed that rewards some initiative takers yet crushes others. For every Freedom Writers lady, there are people who aren't put on pedestals, but shoved aside
. #WeirdEd
It definitely depends on the determination/passion of the person with the idea. If they're really determined, no amount of negativity will kill their idea #weirded
I really wanted to start something this year where the more social justice - oriented teachers shared an article and we could respond in a Google Doc or e-mail chain... but it never really got off the ground. #weirded
#WeirdEd I think we like to chose and Example, and then we don't need any others. George Couros is the Innovation guy, so if you want Innovation, call him. And so on. So often room isn't made for the many. The room, if you will.
There's a weird culture in Ed that rewards some initiative takers yet crushes others. For every Freedom Writers lady, there are people who aren't put on pedestals, but shoved aside
. #WeirdEd
According to an article I JUST read for a class, the “I don’t see color” thing is racist. Not that you needed that confirmation, but, scholarly articles are even pointing it out. #weirded
In reply to
@shadow_uzumaki, @Sneffleupagus, @TheWeirdTeacher, @GrantBrakob
I’m baaaaaaaack...the number 1 thing I’ve seen that kills a good idea/project is demanding everyone do it and then not giving the time to learn it. #weirded
#WeirdEd My grade level team responds a LOT with that whenever I'm feeling stressed, it has a really positive impact. Or, more like "How can I support you with what you need?"
Bonus question: If I really love an idea and other people haven't convinced me there are better things for students, I'll make an idea happen. It may be on a smaller scale, but I'll make it work.
That said, I TRY to be a listener and hear people out if they disagree. #WeirdEd
EXCEPT book clubs about my books. I love them. Do those. More of them. Invite your friends, make them buy the paperback. I need the money for records and bass stuff.
In reply to
@edutinker, @GrantBrakob, @Sneffleupagus
Oh it absolutely is. And well-intentioned white people may never know if they don't seek out that information because they are "one of the good ones." #weirded
In reply to
@msmusiced, @shadow_uzumaki, @TheWeirdTeacher, @GrantBrakob
This is true, and the Freedom Writers lady is an apt example. It's not "nice white lady teachers" that are getting shoved aside. Prop up your paraprofessionals, after-school teachers, classified staff, interns, Americorps. #weirded
There's a weird culture in Ed that rewards some initiative takers yet crushes others. For every Freedom Writers lady, there are people who aren't put on pedestals, but shoved aside
. #WeirdEd
#WeirdEd For me, the introvert, lacking in self-confidence person I am, it only takes 1 to kill an idea, but more often than not, I just feel the conditions we work in (meeting deadlines, meeting PLC goals, etc.)tend to hamper me, esp w/my relative inexperience
Bonus Q: Having ideas shut down again and again makes us lose confident in ourselves and our vision to create. Unfortunately, I can lose drive for and idea if it isn't seen how I see it. #weirded#conversechat
#WeirdEd BONUS QUESTION
I feel most staffs are roundly positive, but greatly impacted by the admin's reactions to things. SO, in your experience, how many people does it take to kill a good idea? Is that more or less than it takes to run with one?
A5 The same culture that won't let teachers "waste" time won't let students "waste" time. If margin for creativity is not valued and defended with pointy sticks, it will be overrun. #weirded
Big idea: Every single new teacher spends a year as a paraprofessional. It replaces student teaching, fills needed positions, provides a pathway to teaching, develops empathy, increases differentiation, and teaches by example. #weirded#bigproject
Q5: not sure what that is, but we for sure have to show students that things can get done which should in turn motivate them to do something positive #weirded
I’m baaaaaaaack...the number 1 thing I’ve seen that kills a good idea/project is demanding everyone do it and then not giving the time to learn it. #weirded
