Joining #NT2t chat from Maryland to talk about a new start as a teacher. Meanwhile, here's an article posted today based on last week's chat: https://t.co/eUYIItx86F
Welcome to #Nt2t! Today’s topic is “A new start as a teacher - at school or/and on Twitter”. Questions for today’s chat are here & on the photo cards. #nt2t
We will be using Q1, A1, Q2, A2 (question 1/answer 1) format. Please include the A & question number in your reply (A1, A2, etc) #NT2t
Please make sure you include #NT2t in your response as well so we all learn from each other.
Today @seni_bl will be moderating the chat - feel free to ask any questions! #NT2t
To follow the moderator, open @seni_bl profile in a new Twitter window or as a new column if using TweetDeck. #NT2t
This is Tim from Lake Village Arkansas. I am not a new teacher but I teach students who want to be teachers at the university level. I hope you don’t mind that I’m stopping in for the chat. #nt2t
Hello friends! I‘m an ICT and Native Speaker Teacher in Vienna, Austria. I also coach and train teachers on topics related to digital competence. #Nt2t
Good morning from the US east coast (noVA)! Hannah, former 1st grade T, and the biggest topics in my district were SES, student diversity (ELLs), and teacher retention. #Nt2t
John from STL MO... been teaching a while... our district has slowly been switching to standards grading; now rolling out new math focus; social/emotional learning also taking a larger role #Nt2t
Love making time for #Nt2t, my PD in PJs. :) She is happily playing in her bouncer while Daddy makes breakfast and talks to her...such is a happy little babe!
A1: I had a scary begiinning a few years ago when there was a staff reduction and I was told I would have to go into the classroom as a grade 3/4 teacher.All my previous experience was as a French specialist. Thanks to colleagues I was able to learn and grow and now love it #nt2t
A1: Last year was my scary beginning, with the biggest monster being classroom management. Definitely something you can only learn 'in theory' before doing it! But I learned a lot from difficult situations, and I'm ready to move forward! #Nt2t
A1: I had a scary begiinning a few years ago when there was a staff reduction and I was told I would have to go into the classroom as a grade 3/4 teacher.All my previous experience was as a French specialist. Thanks to colleagues I was able to learn and grow and now love it #nt2t
Before standards, the teachers taught what they felt was important. They usually followed their textbooks. When they gave an assignment, they graded that assignment and it went in the gradebook. At the end of the nine weeks, the teacher averaged the grades. This was my exp. #NT2t
A1 Starting on Twitter with no experience or reference on social media, I started with an all-business approach and got no response. It took a bit to catch on to the predominantly social part. #NT2t
Hello to the #nt2t family from beaming Rio! Stephan here, English language teacher and teacher coach, co-founder and co-mod of the chat. Hope @seni_bl is treating you all well
A1) Two times in my career I have been hired less than a week before the start of the school year. Luckily, first time was for school where I had student taught in same subjects. Second time was later & had to find child care for infant on fly. #nt2t
A1: A fascinating new beginning was falling into Twitter for prof use (and this chat included); a scary new beginning was leaving 5th grade T after my first 2 years and going to the lower grade (3); was afraid they were too little; now wouldn't go back #Nt2t
Q2: Our chat is for new teachers. What are/were your first impressions as a novice teacher? Could you give some tips to encourage new colleagues?
#NT2t
A1: Besides supportive colleagues I discovered Twitter at that moment and found a lot of supportive people who helped me adjust to the classroom environment. It opens up a vast world of resources .#nt2t
Colleges do an inadequate job for preparing teachers for their first years. It's only partially their fault, but they need to focus more on developing support systems for new teachers. #Nt2t
A1 It can be quite scary when you first start teaching. You have learned so much at the University and now you’re trying to put it into practice. Sometimes you feel as though you’re not prepared. You learn a lot from experience. Beat the fear and try new things. #nt2t
A1 One thing I am trying to do is introduce sketchnoting to my students. It’s scary for me because I do not feel like I am a good artist. But I’m going to overcome the fear, jump in the water, and do it. I know the students are going to love that strategy. #nt2t
A2 - be sure that follows, likes, retweets, etc are "brand appropriate". In other words, do they represent the reputation you want to portray. It often takes some thinking! #nt2t
I had a lot of difficult behaviors, as well as a student with special needs that required a lot of attention until he was placed in a better learning environment. Plus pregnancy, sickness, first year of teaching...it was a lot of learning, and just keeping my head up. #Nt2t
A2: I found my first hours exhausting. I wasn’t used to using breaks to eat, rest or drink. I’d advise newbies to pace themselves, pack healthy snacks, and take beaks where you think about other things as work. It can be overwhelming ... #nt2t
A1 - anyone interested in my sharing of a fascinating and scary Beginning at the same time? Going back into the classroom to teach kids and teens on Monday, after more than five years away. #Nt2t
A2 Whatever your profession, you need to get acquainted and interact with new colleagues. Mostly, that's in person, which can lead to carry over into social media. #NT2t
A2) I was tired all the time but luckily was surrounded by supportive teachers who encouraged me to find some balance between work and relaxation. #nt2t
A2: When I started way back when, it was very scary because you really had no support and you were expected to know it all and few people at that time would help or mentor you. What a big change nowadays with supportive colleagues and Twitter #nt2t
A1. I love new beginnings! I've started over in 7 schools (3 countries, 3 states) Proving yourself can be hard and learning the culture of the school and place are challenging but worth it for me! #Nt2t
A2: Failure is your friend... not your enemy. Don't worry about being perfect or doing it right. Focus on learning from everything that comes at you in year 1 and 2 and sponge from the experts all around you (students included) #nt2t
Which is why support from a team, co-teachers, and admin is so important for first year Ts. Not just learning how to use systems and policies, but handling behavior. So much grace needed. #Nt2t
A3 We have a “golden book” with things and people to know, where to get which forms etc. We have a picture wall so we can see what teachers look like. There’s also a welcome coffee get together 😊 #Nt2t
I had a lot of difficult behaviors, as well as a student with special needs that required a lot of attention until he was placed in a better learning environment. Plus pregnancy, sickness, first year of teaching...it was a lot of learning, and just keeping my head up. #Nt2t
A2: I found my first hours exhausting. I wasn’t used to using breaks to eat, rest or drink. I’d advise newbies to pace themselves, pack healthy snacks, and take beaks where you think about other things as work. It can be overwhelming ... #nt2t
Agreed. We use a mentor program where the new T has an assigned mentor but really a new T should be seeking out the help/wisdom of any and all around them when navigating management (or anything else) #nt2t
A2: What I still see is that some principals are not doing their job in supporting new teachers or are not assigning mentors to the new teachers. That really has to change if you want a successful learning community at your school. #nt2t
A2: Failure is your friend... not your enemy. Don't worry about being perfect or doing it right. Focus on learning from everything that comes at you in year 1 and 2 and sponge from the experts all around you (students included) #nt2t
A2 My impression as a new teacher was that everyone around me knew so much more than I did. This is not true! Yes, they may have experienced situations and have advice on handling, but they do not know more than you. Trust your heart and always do what's right! #nT2t#EDL577UM
A3: At our school we have a group of teachers who are all very supportive of new teachers and who will go the extra mile to help out. We have a principal who is there to support everyone. #Nt2t
As a recent grad, I was observing and practicing in classrooms since my fresh year. However, I'm aware this may not be universal. I know in private schools "fellowships" have become a new tool to help new teachers.
We also had a mentor program, but I feel like I didn't know what I didn't know. It was helpful for the first part of the year, but it kind of fell by the wayside the second half, when I still needed lots of help and felt like I could start making changes. #Nt2t
Think that’s a feeling every new teacher knows. But you are growing. And circumstances are changing - so it’s a never-ending process of learning. #nt2t
As a parent I’ve found no relationship between a teacher’s years of experience and how much they connect with my child and with me. And those relationships are most important of all. #nt2t
A2 My impression as a new teacher was that everyone around me knew so much more than I did. This is not true! Yes, they may have experienced situations and have advice on handling, but they do not know more than you. Trust your heart and always do what's right! #nT2t#EDL577UM
A2: It can be overwhelming but support from colleagues is so important. I had a great teacher take me under her wings. I would like to do the same for others. #Nt2t
A2: It can be overwhelming but support from colleagues is so important. I had a great teacher take me under her wings. I would like to do the same for others. #Nt2t
A3 My school system has a mentor program for new teachers. I was fortunate to serve as a mentor to a new teacher last year. It was a wonderful experience. We always have a"book" as others have mentioned stacked with important info! #nT2t#EDL577UM
A4: As for Twitter... DO IT! I'd have at least an account for PD use and possibly one for classroom use with Ss... there is more than you can ever learn out here on Twitter to make you better #nt2t
A4: Don't be afraid to ask questions AND contribute. Teachers who are on Twitter are here to help each other grow...you have unique experiences and perspective to add! #Nt2t
A3 - I am currently serving 4 schools with the same district. I am often shocked by the huge difference in this area! From massive support system to none at all! #NT2t
Not directly for new teachers but I often work in a teamteaching context. It has really helped me to work with so many difft educators and observe them directly. If you don’t teamteach, then simply ask someone to join his/her class to observe. You’ll learn a lot. #nt2t
A4: I would recommend finding Twitter chats like #nt2t to make connections with those who can help you learn and grow. The grade groupings chats are especially helpful.
A3) When I started teaching back in the day, our state had a mentor program for new teachers. We got time for subs so we could observe other teachers, meet and discuss, etc. It was awesome (as was my mentor). #nt2t
A4 My Twitter Pages collection https://t.co/Hyuw8zkz1S has pages for Twitter for Beginners, How to Chat, Twitter Chats, Educational Chat Schedule, Educational Hash Tags (#), Tweetdeck, PLN, Netiquette and more #nt2t#edchat#edtechchat
A4 New to Twitter, don't get intimidated by mystique. Chances are you're already on social media such as Facebook. Don't overthink, and just do it. Twitter is an ongoing cocktail party that traffics in conversation by anyone. Respect is the byword. #NT2t
Chats are the power it seems to Twitter PD... so glad I was invited to this one a few months back... allowed me the chance to learn chats and then branch out into others #nt2t
Then you have done the first step - you are here. You will see Twitter is one of the best #PD ever. Follow like-minded people, ask question, read blogs - Twitter is full of knowledge. Just waiting for you! #Nt2t
Going back to A2: Give yourself grace. Ask for grace from others. Be humble and willing to learn. Your Ss will learn from you, even if it's not what is in the curric. It will all be okay in the long run. (1/2) #Nt2t
A2 cont: My first year, very few of my Ss were 'on grade level' by the end of the school year, but all of them had gone up a substantial amount throughout the year. I had to learn before I could teach them, but they did learn. (2/2) #nt2t
A5. Mine were in a PD session with my then Direcor of Teaching and Learning. Can't remember exactly. Probably no hashtags... Definitely not personal stuff. #nt2t
A5: I have two first tweets: One was a personal account I've since deleted (waaaaay back when). The other was professional, but was probably still skeptical. Don't remember it...3+ years ago! #Nt2t
For the most part yes... I do follow two or three concepts on FB for reading/writing PD... but that is it. And Twitter is almost all professional (except for the occasional STL Blues hockey tweet) #nt2t
That really is the big sell, haha! I know I love drinking my coffee, watching my hubby play with the baby and living the mom life, but still being connected to the professional world in my own way, on my own time. #Nt2t
A6) If you participate in chats on a computer, highly recommend Tweetdeck (though I wish they would make it possible to add GIFs easily). I use my phone some but prefer the computer. #nt2t
Q5: My first tweet was a required assignment for my Masters program. I'm on this chat now because it is part of an assignment. I needed that nudge!. !#nt2t
A6 use Tweetdeck, use and follow teaching-related hashtags, create lists of people/accounts to follow. It’s really important to filter out stuff otherwise the neverending flow will overwhelm. #nt2t
A6 use Tweetdeck, use and follow teaching-related hashtags, create lists of people/accounts to follow. It’s really important to filter out stuff otherwise the neverending flow will overwhelm. #nt2t
A6: DEFINITELY TweetDeck. Having columns to follow certain hashtags/users has saved me from having to scroll through my entire home feed (although I still do that). Also, something as simple as putting TwitChats on your calendar. #Nt2t
A6 For organization, create Twitter lists. You can sort tweeters whichever way you want, by people, topics, specialties, etc. That saves time squandered by monitoring your main timeline, which I really never see. I work from my lists and notifications. #NT2t
A6: @TweetDeck is my fav method for chats. Make an extra column for the moderator to keep up w/questions and one for notifications to know when ppl are asking you questions. #Nt2t
A6: You can also go old school and bring a 'Twitter Ideas' notebook with you to the computer and write down the ideas you come across on your scrolling. I know that going old school often helps me stay organized, especially with the ever-moving Twitter. #Nt2t
A6 For organization, create Twitter lists. You can sort tweeters whichever way you want, by people, topics, specialties, etc. That saves time squandered by monitoring your main timeline, which I really never see. I work from my lists and notifications. #NT2t
A7) Push or pull factors. Have been pushed out b/c of husband changing jobs (push factor from family) and been pulled away by more intriguing opportunities. #nt2t
I like the emailing tweet idea! When I see links I like, I open and bookmark in 'Teaching Resources'. With my hyper-organization, I would probs make a new email JUST for emailing tweets! #Nt2t
I do like to use lists to make Twitter more easy to navigate when I'm on my phone. I have a news list, for example, so check that when I want to see what's going on. #nt2t
A6 For organization, create Twitter lists. You can sort tweeters whichever way you want, by people, topics, specialties, etc. That saves time squandered by monitoring your main timeline, which I really never see. I work from my lists and notifications. #NT2t
A7 I was heartbroken about my recent new start (change of grade level and subjects). I did not want to move. However, I found my motivation in the fact that my administration had belief in me that I could handle the change and succeed in my new position! #nT2t#EDL577UM
A7 Motivation for change. Push yourself out of your comfort zone. That’s when the magic happens. Very impt for teachers not to trap themselves in ways of doing things. #nt2t
A7 Look at change as a welcome break room the routine or the status quo you rail against. Change is also your chance to make your mark in a system that can outlast your career to the benefit of those you touched and beyond. #NT2t
A7: ...a strong sense of dissatisfaction with a condition that has been on-going. My iner voice says, "OK, this ends now. So, what am I going to do differently?" #Nt2t
A8) I feel like it took me about 3 years to really feel more confident and on top of things in some ways. However, there's so much change in education that we're all always learning all the time (or should be). #nt2t
A5) My first tweet was about a blog post because blogging is what got me on Twitter (as a way to promote the blog). That purpose didn’t last long! Now I’m here for all of you—to connect and learn. #nt2t
A8 In my own personal experience, I feel that it takes about 3+ years to be considered experienced. But.... learning NEVER stops! As an educator, we must pursue ongoing learning! "Be better tomorrow than you were today!" #nT2t#EDL577UM
A8 The trip from novice to grizzled veteran might be long or short, depending on your circumstances. Novices might have to learn and grow up fast if they have to draw on all they learned and adapt quickly to survive -- professionally or otherwise. #NT2t
A8) I feel like it took me about 3 years to really feel more confident and on top of things in some ways. However, there's so much change in education that we're all always learning all the time (or should be). #nt2t
A9: I don't think there is a static destination called "master teacher." I feel like it is a moving target that flows with the situations each new cohort of Ss presents every school year. Every year poses a new learning path for me. #NT2t
A7: ...a strong sense of dissatisfaction with a condition that has been on-going. My iner voice says, "OK, this ends now. So, what am I going to do differently?" #Nt2t
If you don’t grow and thrive...you become unproductive...students deserve great teachers. As long as we keep trying, keep learning, then we’re making a positive difference. Embrace change and always try new things with your students. #nt2t
Challenge: Help a new teacher at your school - best: show him the advantages of networking on Twitter. Share your best practice example here on Twitter. Don’t forget to include #NT2T in your post.
#NT2t
Feel free to go to my profile and check out my lists. You could say they're eclectic. You can subscribe or steal from them. That's how I got started. #NT2t
