"Welcome to EdTechAfterDark! Our community was born out of discussions for a rich EdChat type gathering for those of us who are thinking about the digital edu-landscape long after the sun has gone down. For us night owls, when the clock strikes 10PM EST, you’ll find us on Twitter over at #edtechafterdark. All are welcome! Our discussions range from our philosophies about EdTech, digital best practices, and simply sharing our stories." --www.edtechafterdark.com
Tonight's chat looks great but I may not be able to stay too long. For now, Jeremy in Connecticut and lasagna. But it's been a while. Takes too long ;) #EdTechAfterDark
Hello, I’m caitlin. I have a tradition of making cinnamon rolls from scratch for Christmas morning. The entire process is so calming and therapeutic. #EdTechAfterDark
A1 This is a huge question ... had a std once tell me “You were hard on me, miss, but I get it now ... you taught me responsibility.” That spoke to me ... their stories and the stories after our year together. :) #EdTechAfterDark
A1 I think I've left a mark on my students by telling them that not all male teachers are strict and scary. They can be funny, wacky, and sometimes, crazy too. They left a mark on me by challenging me and keeping me on my toes ALL THE TIME #edtechafterdark
A1: I came into teaching thinking it was my job to leave an impact. It took a few years to realize my job was to help my students see the impact they can make on others. #EdTechAfterDark
A1 when I started teaching, I only thought of it as a job -- being a HS T in the Philippines makes you think that -- but when I moved to grade school, I learned patience, caring, empathy, resilience AND GRIT #edtechafterdark
A1: They have left marks on me by being more resilient than I could ever be. They would probably say the same about me and we would agree to disagree about who had a bigger impact on the other's life. #EdTechAfterDark
A2: my pride and stubborn ways led me to believe no resource could do better than me. But the more I learned how to analyze my data and utilize my resources, the more I realized it takes a village—and I have so much support to help my class succeed. #EdTechAfterDark
A2: in education... perhaps it's about realizing how far we have to go to find success and happiness, and realizing that no test can measure that. #EdTechAfterDark
A2 I think when students teach us something or “from the mouths of babes” .. there are times when my students have a better answer than I thought #EdTechAfterDark
A1: I came into teaching thinking it was my job to leave an impact. It took a few years to realize my job was to help my students see the impact they can make on others. #EdTechAfterDark
A2 challenged by this question, but it is also a challenge to ourselves to give meaning and purpose to our activities and the way we teach our lessons. Inject relevance and significance, don't go for the pomp and circumstance, but go for the skills for learning #edtechafterdark
A2) Understand learning is much more about growth than achievement. Not focusing on reaching a destination (a score or grade) but the journey. #EdTechAfterDark
Reminds me of the time I got annoyed with a student who was avoiding all responsibilities. I was about to apologize for losing my patience but the student was like, "No. Don't apologize for wanting what's best for me." #EdTechAfterDark
A1: my students have left a mark on me by the insights they've shared like this one, from a sophomore over 20 years ago, "School is frustrating b/c I spend most of the day waiting," Still gets to me! #Edtechafterdark
A3: Talk to them. You will never like them less after talking to them. And realize that they don't judge you. I dress like a teenager and I have visible piercings, etc. and my students have never once judged me for it. #EdTechAfterDark
A3: try to make it a goal to learn one new thing about a student and colleague each day. You can even keep a notebook of your knowledge. If you make it a goal to get to know others all year, you’ll stop feeling like you already know them enough. #EdTechAfterDark
A3 I judge books ... not students — the harder the shell; greater the person! My philosophy has been “people are more important than philosophies and practices”— when our hearts are in the right place, we can overcome ALL obstacles with humility & kindness #EdTechAfterDark
A3) Recognize the beauty in every child. What may be unfamiliar to you or me is not lesser. The way young people express themselves is not related to their ability. It may in fact demonstrate their creativity. #EdTechAfterDark
A2: Celebrate completion and effort, not just results and percentages. Encourage iterative processes and failing and re-trying not just a score from one day (or series of test days) #edtechafterdark
A4 see A3 .. people are more important than our beliefs ... I don’t have to read what they read, play what they play, etc to respect them ... I want to know their story ... I often ask how their parents named them ... “there’s a story behind your name” #EdTechAfterDark
A4: I mean... my snap streaks are over 300 so... Snapchat isn't ruining anything. We are ruining children by subtly telling them that the things they believe in have no value and that the ways they choose to have a voice are meaningless. #EdTechAfterDark
@JeremyDBond - yes literally.... waiting for learning to begin - amid the noise of all the trivial and the interruptions and the regimentation... such a pensive student - his words echo to me esp at airports and in traffic... #edtechafterdark
A3) Recognize the beauty in every child. What may be unfamiliar to you or me is not lesser. The way young people express themselves is not related to their ability. It may in fact demonstrate their creativity. #EdTechAfterDark
Wow. Makes me think of being a student and having to sit through other kids being disciplined. Thinking there must be a better way than this.... (and no, it's not removing anybody.) #EdTechAfterDark
A4) First, adults can get a clue. 😉
We may put down what we don’t experience. Ask kids to involve you, to teach you. They’ll feel empowered, and you’ll understand a little bit more. #EdTechAfterDark
A5: some people are annoying but it doesn't mean they aren't trying to do what's best for kids. You don't have to like a person to appreciate their intentions. You don't have to eat lunch with them but you can still help kids together. #EdTechAfterDark#annoying
A3: Acceptance... unconditional acceptance. Being grateful for teachers who looked beyond my outsides and instead chose to Look into my eyes and listen...remembering to honor these teachers by doing the same thing #edtechafterdark
A5 That’s a challenge ... esp without becoming sarcastic. I will say that as a lifelong learner, I do sometimes ask “I wonder why they are the way they are ... what fuels their negativity?” Then prayers. :) #EdTechAfterDark
A5: there is a reason they were hired, just like there’s a reason you were hired. Spend the entire year seeking out that nugget of wisdom, experience, personality, and remember it when you get frustrated or annoyed by them. #EdTechAfterDark
I can work with people who are annoying as long as they aren't destructive. Fortunately, most people at least want to do what's best for their students, so I can deal with their other less attractive qualities. Usually. #edtechafterdark
A5) We can’t choose whom we work with, whether in a formal working relationship or not. We grow from the experience of collaborating with different types of people. This informs the experience of kids, who may have to negotiate more difficult behavior than we do. #EdTechAfterDark
A7: recognize students when they make the extra effort to be kind, respectful, collaborative, even when—especially when—working with those they don’t like. Make an award for that kind of behavior. Show them it matters & model it for them. #EdTechAfterDark
YES: “People are more important than our beliefs.” If you choose to work with young people, I don’t consider it negotiable to accept all kids for who they are—not just say you love them in spite of who they are. #EdTechAfterDark
A4 see A3 .. people are more important than our beliefs ... I don’t have to read what they read, play what they play, etc to respect them ... I want to know their story ... I often ask how their parents named them ... “there’s a story behind your name” #EdTechAfterDark
Thank you for joining us tonight! I would be remiss if I didn't thank my brothers @alexstubenbort and @danvkoch for inspiring me daily. Have a great week, and make something amazing happen! #edtechafterdark
A6 One year, I had gang leaders from opposing gangs in my classroom... they respected me enough to now show it & when it came on campus, they both said “nothing is going to happen in your class, miss” ... our respect for each other helped them make wise choices #EdTechAfterDark
