TNedchat is a way for educators in Tennessee to share thoughts, resources, and information. The weekly chat is moderated by Jessica Warner (@jessawarner) and Samantha Bates (@sjsbates).
#tnedchat#shiftthis and #champforkids. Hi all! Kristen here. I teach 6th grade science. One of my ss gave me these today. How can you be crabby with these things on?!!!
A1 Be intentional about looking at things as a problem to solve instead of a problem to lament over. It helps me to focus on the details instead of being overwhelmed by the big picture. #tnedchat
A1: Stay positive. Even if they are “terrible” there are still good things to find. Build relationships with the ss and staff. Talk about problems in a Way to find solutions rather than just to complain. Stay away from negative people. #tnedchat
A1) Try to find the source of the problem. Do I have unrealistic expectations of them? Am I not challenging them enough? Dissect it like a science problem and try to find the variable that is causing the issue. #TnEdChat
Q2: Sometimes our fears of change allow us not to see the benefit on the other side? What do you do to keep your perspective focused on the positive #TnEdChat
A1) Try to find the source of the problem. Do I have unrealistic expectations of them? Am I not challenging them enough? Dissect it like a science problem and try to find the variable that is causing the issue. #TnEdChat
I'm generally pretty positive. As a coach, I'm removed from a lot of PLC drama. But it's so disappointing to watch otherwise excellent teachers be drawn into the negativity of others. I always try to 'shine the light' and refocus the negativity. #tnedchat
A2: Don't want to get too religious, but honestly..praying always helped with keeping me positive. I'd much rather be a Pollyanna than a complainer
#DeadEnd#tnedchat
A2 Remind myself that there is a learning curve with anything that often means more work/more time but if I know what the WHY is and know what the benefits can be I try to keep my eye on that prize. #tnedchat
Q2: Sometimes our fears of change allow us not to see the benefit on the other side? What do you do to keep your perspective focused on the positive #TnEdChat
A2: Consider everything to be a learning experience. We'll never know if something will work out for us or not if we aren't willing to try (and fail)! #tnedchat
A2: Acknowledge that change in and of itself is often difficult, regardless whether it's perceived as positive or negative. Find a buy-in and allow it to be a process! #tnedchat
A2: I have the benefit of having had multiple jobs and careers before teaching. The grass is rarely greener. Perspective, patience, and gratitude yield lots of positivity in my life and career. #tnedchat
A2 Start small. Avoid pressuring self. Find one way change can benefit your daily professional life. Connect. Lastly, find joy in the reason for entering a classroom daily - the students and relationships that come with a career in education. #TnEdChat
A2 I refocus on my goal by reading over my plan, chatting with likeminded colleagues, visit classrooms and reread professional resources that got me focused on this goal in the first place #tnedchat
A2) I try to listen and seek the wisdom of others when there is fear of change, but then I think of how great things have become because of change. Be Great Because You are Great... you have to stay positive to be GREAT. #TnEdChat
If I ask this of my students, to struggle with growth and change, then I have to be willing to do the same. I often tell my children that nothing good ever comes easy, but it’s always worth it. #tnedchat
A2 I’ve had a lot changes the last few years. The way I tackle them is looking for likeminded folks and trying to connect. I can only control my reaction so why make myself summer. Grateful for the #TNEdChat and #chaedu pln. 🤗
A2: Consider everything to be a learning experience. We'll never know if something will work out for us or not if we aren't willing to try (and fail)! #tnedchat
A2) It’s values for me. Why am I in education? To try to help people become the best versions of themselves, so will this change help that? Then I’m in. If not? I’ll pass. #TnEdChat
A1: come on here. And I talk to the ss instead of adults. One kid put glasses on and spoke with a British accent- called himself Alexander the third all day. Kept calling him the 4th, 5th, etc. made my day. Their antics always cheer me up and have me laughing! 😂 #tnedchat
A2: I love change. I fear stasis. I realize for many, it is the opposite. Knowing how to read who needs what and when is critical in academic leadership. #tnedchat
A2: I love change. I fear stasis. I realize for many, it is the opposite. Knowing how to read who needs what and when is critical in academic leadership. #tnedchat
A3 Hum.... Anytime it has happened anywhere I have been, the biggest problems have always occurred from rushed delivery and poor communication. #tnedchat
A3) I cannot list specifics; however, there is a feeling when change is made for change sake without proper research. It’s like blindly walking through a foggy meadow right into a river. Everyone around seems overwhelmed and confused. #TnEdChat
A3: often we try little pieces of what is needed and call it quits because it doesn't work. If a program or plan is implemented correctly it will go more smoothly. #TnEdChat
A3) I have been at a school where a the teachers were written up if they were late because a couple were chronically late the year before. The rest of us didn't like the punishment #TnEdChat
A3: I wouldn't say school (my former principal was on it w/research), but district definitely made decisions w/o including all stakeholders. #NoBuyIn#tnedchat
A3: I was at a school where we were not allowed to make anymore copies after Christmas. I was a new teacher and had no "stash." It would have been better to see why we were using too much paper instead of a blanket NO to everyone. #tnedchat
A3: RTI. Most teachers weren't ready to share their students in intervention. It was a big cultural shift that forced more collaborative PLCs. Many schools/districts are still struggling with this shift. #tnedchat
A3) I cannot list specifics; however, there is a feeling when change is made for change sake without proper research. It’s like blindly walking through a foggy meadow right into a river. Everyone around seems overwhelmed and confused. #TnEdChat
Hard to say from my “chair” but I’m sure there have been decisions made that would be different if given a second chance. Tends to happen when your system stays on the cutting edge! My dissert. is on 1:1 initiatives and best practices - lots research needed in 2019. #TnEdChat
A3) Hard to say from my “chair” but I’m sure decisions have been made that would be diff. 2nd time around. Tends to happen when your systems cutting edge! My dissert. is on best 1:1 practices - lots of research needed in 2019 #TnEdChat
Agree. Changes often feels random because there isn't always transparency or honesty on the rationale. This has such a negative impact morale and teacher confidence. #tnedchat
A4 I think we have all said "everyone quiet" because of 1-2 students so it starts with me BUT expectations of what teachers can wear due to someone not being professional #tnedchat
It seems like a lot of change in edu, at least at a school level is temporary. The initiative starts out on fire and slowly smolders when something new is introduced. #tnedchat
a4b: I think we, as teachers, do this same thing to students because it's easier than hard conversations on spending time on certain students. This question inspires me to rethink how this impacts me and how i impact my students. #tnedchat
A4) I remember when all the soap dispensers were upgraded after H1N1 happened. I'm not sure how effective it was, but it made everybody feel a little better for minute. I'm always skeptical of these kind of reactive changes. #tnedchat
A5 As someone who has a job of troubleshooting problems, this is one of my pet peeves. Share with me the details so I can fix them, complaining without a chance to resolve is just whining. When I hear these comments I ask for more details. It helps all get perspective. #tnedchat
A5) I have to walk folks through the process to show them that that person is not evil... it is not difficult with assistance... It's easier if you have a relationship with the person and don't jump to the negative. #TnEdChat
A5 Compare and contrast lists after full study. Then, make a determination on what you believe is best at the Current time with current faculty, students, and community. #tnedchat
A5. If something is important/needed to be embraced then we have make the “the positives are so loud that the negatives are hard to hear”. #@gcouros #InnovatorsMindset#tnedchat
A5) Growth Mindset baby! Behold the power of "YET". I ask my teachers to look and try as many things as possible. They don't have to implement them immediately. But let it simmer. #tnedchat
A5: Acknowledge that people experience different things in different ways and maintain your own openness. Can be easier said than done depending on your environment! #tnedchat
Yikes. Too many districts taking too many liberties with teacher and student's privacy rights. I really feel we need to pump the brakes on this issue. #tnedchat
A5) Having one word that stimulates growth. Being congnizant of hat word daily. Mine is GOOD (@jockowillink). Helps reset, refresh, and stay positive. #TnEdChat
Using Myers Briggs personality info to see things from other people’s perspectives - not everyone thinks/reacts/feels/experiences life the same way. #tnedchat
Using Myers Briggs personality info to see things from other people’s perspectives - not everyone thinks/reacts/feels/experiences life the same way. #tnedchat
A6) I'd be hesitant to give any principal advice since becoming a coach. I have a completely different perspective on their jobs than I did as a teacher. There is so much nuance to their position that I couldn't see from the classroom. =) #tnedchat
A6 Have a professional conversation about it. Share comcers and bring solutions. In the end, you can disagree with the decision and still be respectful #TnEdChat
A6: School leaders have intense jobs. I try to interact with them in situations that give them different perspectives; have them come paint with 5yr olds, or interview them for the newspaper I also write for. #tnedchat
Q6) Talk with the students and really listen to them, and then do the same with teachers. Spend time in the classroom and remember where the focus should always be. 💚 #tnedchat
