Hello #idedchat although sometimes I feel like I'm bailing water out of a leaking lifeboat, I also try to give my district's students/staff/admin all the #edtech they deserve/need. I'm finding myself being more & more critical of what we do. Oh, & I love connecting.
Hi Rachel! Glad to see you tonight! I need to meet with you and Val - i have an insight in how you can use Mastery Connect for very quick formative assessment (for PLC work). #IDedchat
Seems like a common theme for many of us. Take time for yourself and your family, dude. Awesome on the robotics and maker fair! Sounds pretty cool! #idedchat
A1: I really take a second, slow things down and find a good balance. I know I can't do EVERYTHING, so I try to figure out what I CAN do to get to the top with as much as I can. #idedchat
Hi friends. Kevin from @LCHSBears. I’m struggling with my AP class I’m teaching. Not having taught the material in years and never having taught AP, how do I know if I’m preparing my kids adequately? #IDedchat
I get some quality family time in there, but the list is never ending. I'm adding a digital Capture The Flag event to the robotics event thanks to these guys: https://t.co/0KTSaG03Eg#IDedchat
Hi Kevin! That is a great question - I know that I after units, we used to go through sample assessments as small groups - it helped bring up questions they were fuzzy on. #IDedchat
A1 It never seems like enough, but empowering people BEFORE you get stressed leaves people to cover for you when you are mired in other things. Never be content with the size and quality of your circle. #IDedchat
This looks fantastic! Do you get the "there are not enough hours in the day" feeling when seeing all the cool stuff we can learn/try? I get this every day. #idedchat
My problem is also - I would like to spend the majority of my time learning/trying new things. THEN that water starts running downhill again. :-) #IDedchat
I've got YouTube and https://t.co/AbCtOc4ELM access and I can't ever get to a billionth of the cool stuff I want to do...or want others to do. #IDedchat
A1: This is my first time ever in a twitter chat! As a future educator I would begin by standing back, reviewing the situation, and begin working away at resolving the issue. #IDedchat
Honestly? I struggle with this because I'm OCD & a perfectionist. I struggle with "good enough" so empowering is fine, but I really want things done well. #idedchat
This is when I start to struggle with the public school system... at least the restrictions we place on student learning. It's ironic that now that information is ubiquitous, we double down on "standardized tests" & "accountability." Ugh. #idedchat
I appreciate the section of @gcouros Innovator's Mindset that talks about innovating INSIDE the box. #IDedchat - constraints can sometimes be freeing rather than stifling.
Thank you for having me! I thoroughly enjoy your question because it can be used in several situations in life. I'm curious on what you believe would be the best way for moving forward when you feel like you are pushing water uphill? #IDedchat
With ubiquitous information, our kids need the affective stuff more than ever. Instead we force feed them antiquated lessons & ramp up testing & "remediation." #weredoingitwrong#idedchat
Reprioritizing. I actually have worked to do this with intention this week. What "thing" the item that will make the biggest impact - work on that. #IDedchat
Too many people wait for the box parameters to change instead of going over/under/around/through obstacles. The Innovator's Mindset book has started liberating some stuck people. #IDedchat
As a new educator, you would certainly hope that there is an experienced educator right next to you, behind you, little bit ahead of you to help you along the way and share the load. #idedchat
You never truly let it go. I always took things personally. You deal with discipline issues, you take it personally. You get used to it. That’s why you need to do things outside of the day. #IDedchat
I think this needs to start with administration though. Good administrators bridge that gap for their teachers & take the burdens of the box so their teachers don't have to. It takes courage & not being held hostage by "school report cards," & mandates. #idedchat
You wouldn't take this approach as an ELA teacher when going over rough drafts. In a lot of situations, I'd take 80% wrong and 100% empowered because those people are coachable and engaged. #IDedchat
And this wasn't even a big deal. I felt like someone went over my head about a petty issue and I took offense to it. I guess I care too much? #idedchat
I think the 4Cs and the Universal Design for Learning are where it is at. The other stuff can all exist under those tenets. STEM, STEAM, Design Thinking, PBL, Mastery, you name it.... #idedchat
I think that when you take it personally, it shows you are passionate. At my last admin job, this happened all the time because the sup was the principal of the building before I was. Never could shake it. #IDedchat
Absolutely! The Essential Question piece in UDL helps move from teacher to learner centered instruction - which allows for innovation. It is that switch that can be the toughest. #IDedchat
If you can remember to not take student behavior personally.... :-) It all comes back to relationships...and seeing those adults as people who have needs that need to be met. Behaviors all have motivators. :-) #IDedchat
I think just honest reflection, and authentic relationships go a long way in helping this. But be careful... going too far that way can be mentally exhausting. Be real & find a balance. Teachers will see that and respect it & rise to the challenges for you. #idedchat
I've seen both extremes. Admins who are like problem solving robots who treat people like objects & admins who give so much of themselves to others they have nothing left for his/her self. It is a unique balance and if you find it you will rock. #idedchat
Oh agreed. Make sure you have a support system that goes beyond the walls of your building. Non educator support system is important as well. Family and friends. #idedchat
In reply to
@goodn3rd, @BrandonHinterl1, @averyteach
I am slowly finding that out where balance is key and learning to say no, and prioritize and knowing what you can and can't get done in a day. #idedchat
Hey #IDedchat it has been really cool to reconnect with all of you. I have bedtime stories to read to some little ones so I'm out. Please reach out/connect if you need anything. I'm always glad to connect!
Saying "No" is a weakness of mine. I had to say "No" to a great group of educators I have been learning from just yesterday - hard, but healthy. #IDedchat
I am slowly finding that out where balance is key and learning to say no, and prioritize and knowing what you can and can't get done in a day. #idedchat
I have a portal with a dynamic Google Doc embedded. "EdTech Updates" I avoid overloading their email inboxes and I instead email and say "edtech updates!" I'll send you a copy. #idedchat
A3: Farming metaphor - I own when I have not ensured that the "water got down the row." @rachelacraig that is one of the reasons I am going to the HS to meet with anyone willing about Mastery Connect. Reboot time. #IDedchat
A3: When I get extra cranky with my students/colleagues I know that I need to "reboot". Depending on why I need to reboot I might share that out. Sometimes I just need 'me time'. #idedchat
A3: You know when you know. Hopefully you know before it's too late. You address it by stepping back for a minute, collecting your thoughts and self, and jumping back in. #idedchat
A3: When I was in the classroom - I owned my mistakes with students - it was important that they saw that I was human. Monitor and adjust while teaching. :-) #IDedchat
When they see that you're not a "robot" it breaks barriers down and they see you for the real person that you are. Relationships build and they respect you more. #idedchat
True....but I see my responsibility and check that those barriers get out the way. LOL! Follow up is key (I was too stretched to follow up - hence my saying "no" to some things recently). #IDedchat
Agreed. I told my students that I am off limits and I "unplug" from when I leave school (whatever time that is) until 7pm when I put my son to bed. After that, I'll reconnect and focus on school. That time is for family. #idedchat
A4: So many moving parts trying to get to the end of the semester. Wrapping up a simulation, getting through final chapters, and prepping for exams. Chaos really. But organized. #idedchat
