Monday 9-10 p.m. EST. Building a Culture of Learning. "We invite all educators, parents, students and any member of a school community to join our mission of moving away from compliance to create and foster a true COL."
Welcome to the first #COLchat of 2019 - Things That Matter.
Who is here?
Where are you from?
What is your role in education?
We are going to go just beyond a half hour tonight.
Good evening! I’m Frank Bellomo, an Elem. Principal in Macomb, Michigan. I'm looking forward to learning with you guys in #COLchat as we talk about Things That Matter! #COLchat
Welcome to the first #COLchat of 2019 - Things That Matter.
Who is here?
Where are you from?
What is your role in education?
We are going to go just beyond a half hour tonight.
Ryan in MI - 6th Grade Social Studies. I’ll be chatting from the treadmill.
Just started a podcast this week and would love to have you take a listen to the quick 4 min intro and subscribe. Thanks for considering!!#COLchathttps://t.co/fwoGq2farv
Ryan in MI - 6th Grade Social Studies. I’ll be chatting from the treadmill.
Just started a podcast this week and would love to have you take a listen to the quick 4 min intro and subscribe. Thanks for considering!!#COLchathttps://t.co/fwoGq2farv
A1. Heading into the 2nd part of the year, it’s important to remember why we do what we do. Student growth both academically and socially is our goal. We are here to engage, inspire, connect with, grow, and serve our students. The whole child! #COLchat
A1: I have a picture of my kids on my desk, look at it daily to remind me that my students come first #colchat Focus in their needs and help them on their learning journey
A1: As the instructional leader my plan is to approach everything with an open mind and optimistic that it’ll work. I have to analyze what worked, what didn’t work, adjust and improvise. #COLchat
A1. We will continue to build relationships w/ Ss & families. Our culture is in a good place, now we need to focus on the academic growth. Is it moving how we would like? Bow can we improve it, what tweaks must we make? #COLchat
An open mind is definitely best. I could not imagine not being able to rely on our team for their ideas especially when the differ from mine because at times they are better! #COLchat
A2. As a staff we should be working towards the same goals. Our students need to connect with their goals so they can have an ownership to them. Students owning their own goals will allow them to feel accomplishment when they near them or reach them. #COLchat
A1: I have a picture of my kids on my desk, look at it daily to remind me that my students come first #colchat Focus in their needs and help them on their learning journey
A2. We can support our teammates and students when they work towards their goals as we recognize their efforts, reminding them of the Power of Yet, lending a hand when they need it, and helping them up when they fall. #COLchat
A2: Goals are best established one on one when you start with reflections on strengths and weaknesses then pick a weakness to improve as a goal with steps and checkins to support #colchat
A1 I’m gonna do what I like to call Wong 101 - as in Harry Wong. Procedures/Routines and reminders. I also plan to meet social emotional needs and check in with a state of the classhome. #colchat
A1. We will continue to build relationships w/ Ss & families. Our culture is in a good place, now we need to focus on the academic growth. Is it moving how we would like? Bow can we improve it, what tweaks must we make? #COLchat
A1: For me, the key is stillness. It's hard to prioritize without slowing down and taking stock first. I'm not an inexhaustible resource, so I need to be acutely aware of my limits. #COLchat
A2: Each student has academic goals since the beginning of the school year. Each child is monitored throughout the year. Since students learning is directly tied to teacher performance, teachers and staff also have goals directly tied to their students. #COLchat
A2. I am planning on being more transparent. I want to post my goals for all to see. W/ staff I'm not afraid to admit mistakes or failures & ask for help. I want to challenge others look for the positive in all situations. #COLchat
A3. At times it feels as if there are an unreachable amt. of standards. 1st we need to decide which standards are most important. Various assessments along the way can help us know how we are doing. Common assessments should be measuring standards we are working towards. #COLchat
A2. As a staff we should be working towards the same goals. Our students need to connect with their goals so they can have an ownership to them. Students owning their own goals will allow them to feel accomplishment when they near them or reach them. #COLchat
A3: Progress monitoring though daily and weekly informal monitoring. Using the data to adjust instruction and provide interventions to students in need. #COLchat
A2: Goals are best established one on one when you start with reflections on strengths and weaknesses then pick a weakness to improve as a goal with steps and checkins to support #colchat
A3: Move to a standards-based grading philosophy in order to truly convey OUR progress toward learning. Where it is challenging, pull together as a TEAM of pros willing to struggle for what is best. #COLchat
A3: The key lies in seeing them as individuals first and meeting them where they are at. The end is the same, but the journey doesn't have to be. #COLchat
A2: We started midway through the 1st term on how to write SMART goals related to our needs. Then we reflect throughout the year in our evidence journal. #colchat
A1: For me, the key is stillness. It's hard to prioritize without slowing down and taking stock first. I'm not an inexhaustible resource, so I need to be acutely aware of my limits. #COLchat
A3. Various modes of assessment. We currently have common assessments in math. We need to be communicating as a PLC to ensure we're meeting ALL Ss needs. I told our staff day 1 this year that there are no egos. If you need help ask, if you have advice, give it. #COLchat
A4. We need Maslow’s Hierarchy before Bloom’s Taxonomy in any classroom. It can’t be the other way around. We help Ss succeed both academically & as the whole child when we care for them, believe in them, instill a Growth Mindset and teach them resiliency. #COLchat
A3: Doing progress checks and having conversations with Ss to get an understanding of where they are at and provide feedback to meet the needs. #COLchat
A2: Each student has academic goals since the beginning of the school year. Each child is monitored throughout the year. Since students learning is directly tied to teacher performance, teachers and staff also have goals directly tied to their students. #COLchat
Lead with standards and constantly check in. We are primary, so, I also like to break them into manageable pieces. The check in with fingers on their chest:
0 - what is this?!
1 - sorta/kinda/maybe
2 - I’m gettin’ this
3 - I’ve got this
4 - I could teach this #colchat
A4. We need to meet their SEL needs first. Once they trust us, know we're here for them, & they trust their peers w/ the collaborative climate that's established, then learning will take place. #COLchat
A4: We encourage our teachers to teach outside the box and make it fun. If students enjoy lessons by making them fun and engaging, watch what happens. #COLchat
Can’t be afraid to admit mistakes. We are all human. There is always a better idea. Everything is a learning experience. If someone thinks they are above mistakes, I feel sorry for them. #COLchat
A4: I'VE GOT THIS ONE. We need to remember that humans are not computers and certainly don't learn like them. We are all wired a bit differently - and a vibrant, diverse curriculum will ensure each individual brain the opportunity to shine. #COLchat
A5. Remember Your Why. Dismissal time is inevitable. It comes each day. We can’t spend our lives wishing the day away when the present is the GIFT we have been given. Make the time with your students count. Make every minute count because it’s a gift for someone. #COLchat
A5: Providing high quality instruction that allows for opportunities for Ss to build understanding through relevant, engaging conversation and activity. If the Ss are into what you’re bringing to the table, time will fly. #COLchat
A4: The academic development is a critical part of the mission, but it is not the entire mission - honor effort, Improvement and recognize value of each S as a human being = critical to creating that COL that supports growth and learning. #COLchat
A5. The lessons must not only be fun & engaging for our Ss, but US as well! Ts need to bring their passions into their classrooms! Ts MUST #tlap & take the advice of the amazing @burgessdave! #COLchat
A5: Focus on the students and on the work we do with/for them. It's all about helping them to be successful and there never seems to be enough time with that as our focus! #COLchat
Q6: What will you do in 2019 to take care of yourself so that you can better take care those who depend on you (students, colleagues, team members,family, etc.) #COLchat
A5 Be intentional! Let’s the students guide the learning and be excited about it! Our excitement is contagious 💫
Also, get to know your babies. I like to say I want to have a PhD in my students before they leave my care! When you care...you care! #colchat
You are totally right in this. Another key is thinking of the grade level kids as our kids and not my kids and your kids. We need to be a team on this journey together. Teachers, paras, admin….etc.#COLchat
A5 Be intentional! Let’s the students guide the learning and be excited about it! Our excitement is contagious 💫
Also, get to know your babies. I like to say I want to have a PhD in my students before they leave my care! When you care...you care! #colchat
A5: Be present. Minimize outside distractions. There is so much joy in belong allowed to help humans grow - don't miss it. When you do this, you'll find you never has as much time as you want to be with them. #COLchat
A6. It's cliche, especially around this time of year, but I've noticed when I eat healthy & workout early in the morning I am a more effective leader. I need to do this for my Ss, Ts, my family, & myself! #COLchat
A6: My journey for 365 days of one mile or more running. Tonight’s run makes 40 straight. It’ was tough because I’m under the weather and it was day 1 back from break, but I fought through and still got to #COLchat.
Feedback is much more meaningful than a letter grade or any point values! I can’t do anything with a letter or a number, but I can do something with personal feedback. It’s the the same for kids and teachers. #COLchat
A4 - you don’t! You can’t 🥰 the better you know your students the easier it is to teach them. I am a SEL preacher and have seen huge differences in students acadmics one their hierarchy is met! Great question! #colchat
A5: Keep your eye on the ball (Learning). Failure to do so can be a dreadful and slow boring existence. In any event, hit the reset button when needed and a sense of humor helps. #COLchat
A6: I’ll be focusing a lot on making my own art...by doing so it helps me to process my day and let my mind have peace and calm. I’ll also be getting back into yoga and sitting by the water(beach in the winter😁) as often as I can...it’s very soothing for me #COLchat
Trust is key. With trust and a safe learning environment, they will take many more risks and open themselves up to the chance of falling which in fact is how we learn in life. #COLchat
With trust and a safe learning environment, Ss will take risks and open themselves up to the chance of falling which in fact is how we learn in life. #COLchat
A4. We need to meet their SEL needs first. Once they trust us, know we're here for them, & they trust their peers w/ the collaborative climate that's established, then learning will take place. #COLchat
A7: I will spend at minimum15 minutes every evening sketching to let my mind have a chance to decompress from the day while also getting a quick recharge #COLchat
A6 and A7
THIS is my problem, I don’t this well and I need to be better. I am going to commit to being more mindful, eating better and getting outside in nature—my happy place #colchat
Q6: What will you do in 2019 to take care of yourself so that you can better take care those who depend on you (students, colleagues, team members,family, etc.) #COLchat
Thanks for being here tonight so that we can all get better together!
#COLchat#reflection question posts at 9PM EST on Friday (1.11.19).
Next full #COLchat drops at 9PM EST on January 21.
Thanks to everyone for joining us in #COLchat tonight. I have really enjoyed learning with all of you. I wish you the best this coming week and in this new year. #COLchat
Yes, we must enjoy what we do. If we don’t, it’s time to rethink some things. Find out what is missing and what we can do to bring back the fire we had. #COLchat
Thank you both for hosting...wish I had been here from the beginning but it was great nonetheless!!! And @FbellomoB thanks for the reminder in my DM!!! #COLchat
Nothing beats getting into the gym before the school day…….Unless it’s the weekend and you can sleep a couple extra hours and then hit the gym. #COLchat
Any question you want to be up! Especially when you are one of the founders of #COLchat. You step in and we will just hand over the mic. Thanks for dropping in! #COLchat
Thanks for stopping in. I enjoy your daily posts each day. I can see you are doing great things in your school. Your mindset is definitely in the right place! #COLchat
