The Breakfast Club – #BFC530 – is a 15 minute, 1 question Twitter chat every weekday. We chat in 4 timezones Mon-Fri – 5:30am Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Times. The mission of BFC is to empower participants to make a difference in education by engaging in consistent reflective practice in a supportive community that inspires and challenges one another.
My Education Reform page https://t.co/eU08F03mrB “When it comes to the future, there are those who let it happen, those who make it happen, & those who wonder what happened.” #bfc530#edchat
I'm in NJ. 65% of our districts are underfunded at some level. The town where I live is the most underfunded district in the state. Hoping our governor will help rectify this situation. #bfc530#FairFundingNow
In reply to
@jxjarvix, @carlameyrink, @BFC_530, @BrianHerb17
Good morning everyone! So thankful for this morning crew - life’s been so hectic lately that I have been missing all my regular PM chats 😳. You guys are helping me to stay on track 😘 #bfc530
My best experience has been through advocacy organizations that empower teacher voice: @HopeStreetGroup@teachingquality@gatesed. Bottom line: Your voice matters...find a way to elevate it! #bfc530
IMHO all it requires is the wisdom and experience you gain from being a classroom teacher. That makes you an expert on how policy personally impacts the most important people in the education equation: our students. #bfc530
All educators need to know that they are valued and respected, at all levels...not just ‘lip service’ being paid to them. Then they will feel that their voices can make a difference! #bfc530
Although I bring a lot of passion to the table, I need to be better versed in the Quebec Education Act. Without that knowledge, my arguments will fall short. #bfc530
A: I had been a member of @ncae and been a part of the process of how education policy works on the state level. This has been great insight on my own local LEA. #bfc530
I think it is important to have experience beyond the classroom/school. Decisions that impact schools are often hard to understand (and easy to disagree with) until you know everything that went into the decision, what else was considered, etc . #bfc530
To undertand ed Policy, you must
1. read ==> but be cognizant of the biases from the media outlet;
2. volunteer ==> at the association in your state
3. act ==> be part of the change at your school. How can you exercise effectively your voice?
#bfc530.
#bfc530 When we can communicate with #educators beyond the walls of our own #school, we wil have a better idea of what works for #students and #teachers. If we stop following trends, and do what is right, we will be moving in the right direction.
Excellent point! The way to instantly lose credibility is my not knowing the facts...take the time to understand how policy affects you and then let others know: blogs, Op-Ed, letters to your representatives, etc. And be solution focused... #bfc530
So many innovative Americans despite the underfunding. Can you imagine what this country could produce if we actually funded our schools? Watch Out World! #bfc530
With that said, it takes time and care to learn how policy works and how to impact, build effective relationships with decision-makers, gain credibility, and find your voice. But it’s so crucial to effective policy that teachers are a part of those conversations!! #bfc530
#bfc530 Not an experience, but I think you need time to devote to advocacy. I believe that's the main reason most teachers aren't politically active- they put everything into their classrooms and don't have anything left for politics.
As most of my followers know, the Parkland shooting really lit a fire for me. I've been speaking to more people in our school board and even looking at other options to really push for change going forward. #bfc530
Life experience, if you’ve been in school all your life, or have taught, if you have anyone you love in education, you can be a successful advocate! lead change for what your school needs! #bfc530
So true! That's when we take advantage of what @rickhess99 calls a teacher's moral authority! Despite what is said, the public still has significant respect for teachers! https://t.co/uxEr4GJQJW#bfc530
Like many said, you need to be versed on history, but also keep abreast to latest happenings! Be curious (as with any good learning) and ask questions, get involved with your local teacher and union organizations #bfc530
Continuous involvement in local, state levels...commitment to the greater good in terms of research, staying current on issues, attending events, meetings consistently & be certain your voice is heard
To be stronger advocates for education policy, we need to collect our own data so we can tell our own stories. What have we tried? How has it worked out for students? What standards besides “the standards” are we measuring ourselves against?
#bfc530
All educators need to know that they are valued and respected, at all levels...not just ‘lip service’ being paid to them. Then they will feel that their voices can make a difference when it comes to ed policy! #bfc530
I don't have to carry a picket sign to be an advocate for education. Using Social Media to put ideas out there for discussion ...communicating with politicians. #bfc530
Difficult to do though. Taking a role (like dept chair) collaborating with other schools, tuning in to board meetings, staying up to date on state decisions. These all help, but it all takes time that busy teachers often do not have. #bfc530
I think it is important to have experience beyond the classroom/school. Decisions that impact schools are often hard to understand (and easy to disagree with) until you know everything that went into the decision, what else was considered, etc . #bfc530
Agreed. I go to most of the BOE meetings in my home district. You gain a lot of insight on how the board thinks and operates. It's a shame more ppl don't attend. #bfc530
In terms of specific things to keep in mind, you need to have a macro view of the problems we face. It is easy for a teacher to see a problem inside their classroom and not realize that is actually a symptom of a bigger issue. #bfc530
Good morning #bfc530 educators! I'm conducting a research project for a conf on the development of teacher prep programs. I am looking for stories about the early years in the classroom. If you would be willing to share, please consider clicking below
https://t.co/uoB8MBeZ4e
#BFC530 Experience as a lifelong learner and T interacting with Ss qualifies. Stronger advocacy hears the Ss needs and system's disconnects. Stronger advocacy connects w game changing administration.
I think what social media has done, is enable us to gather all of our voices together into a chant instead of a single email/letter to a politician. Easier to put our voice out there. #bfc530
#bfc530 get involved at the state & local levels, stay involved, stay current on issues, keep showing up & let your voice, & the people we represent, be heard. Consistent&continuous involvement is a big commitment and we must be prepared for such 😊
To undertand ed Policy, you must
1. read ==> but be cognizant of the biases from the media outlet;
2. volunteer ==> at the association in your state
3. act ==> be part of the change at your school. How can you exercise effectively your voice?
#bfc530.
It's very hard, since it seems Ts (union members in my state) don't seem to have a good record of voting, our vote and our public education views seem to get overlooked. 😞 #bfc530
I think I need more experience in the political process and how to truly organize to be a stronger advocate ones policy. Luckily have @CaucusofWE in my city. I’ve already learned so much from them... but I still have a long way to go! #bfc530
It’s about being people of #hope as well as #gratitude Chris. Yes, miracles happen everyday, from saving a life through to supporting the S who performs the miracle of getting to school each day! Thanks for sharing! #bfc530
In reply to
@ChrisQuinn64, @StantonAlana, @kathyiwanicki, @valerietilton, @R_CILR, @RitaWirtz, @cpoole27, @itsmeSpiri, @ChristineBemis2, @JenaiaMorane, @BarbaraGruener
IMO it’s a willingness to learn more than anything, which means you have to read & immerse yourself in the policies & how they’re made. In our district, I would suggest reading the board’s website in depth - all policies are posted. Same for our Ministry of Ed #bfc530
I think I need more experience in the political process and how to truly organize to be a stronger advocate for education policy. Luckily have @CaucusofWE in my city. I’ve already learned so much from them... but I still have a long way to go! #bfc530
The willingness to flex "power" over someone that differs in opinion is excruciating. You can agree to disagree, but causing harm is absurd. But how often do we hear about this in an educational environment? #bfc530
In reply to
@ChristineBemis2, @BrysonBridget, @busyteacher17
Totally agree @MrEandre . I need to be at more school board and union meetings. Especially with right to work in the Supreme Court, I need to be more involved. #bfc530
