Welcome to #BmoreEdchat this evening! Thanks to @MoralesPattie for moderating! Please intro yourself with your name, role, and location! Thanks for being here!
Welcome to #BmoreEdchat this evening! Thanks to @MoralesPattie for moderating! Please intro yourself with your name, role, and location! Thanks for being here!
Tiffany Ott from Northeast Ohio here! Not sure how long I will last tonight in this chat- I am one tired teacher! But I'll be here for a few questions! #bmoreedchat
A1: Our restorative practice focus and change this year has been difficult as we have various educators at various levels and perspectives. Our kids drive us to get better every single day. #BmoreEdchat
We decided to departmentalize 2nd grade. Difficult change at first since we went from teaching all subjects to 1, teaching 27 kids to 54, but we are seeing great strides from it. #bmoreedchat
A1) we lost a teacher (fired) at the end of May for nefarious reasons. They were a very loved and well respected member of the team. It was shocking and hard for people. #bmoreedchat
A1 Our district has been changing the way gifted services are provided to students over the last several years. Some of you may know that #gifteded is an area often boiling over with strong opinions, biases, and misconceptions. It has been a difficult transition. #bmoreedchat
A few years back we had shifting and rearrangement at nearly every grade level in our elementary school. It was a very emotional, difficult process for almost everyone involved. #bmoreedchat
At first, Ss only viewed their homeroom Teacher as their "real teacher". This was difficult with developing a solid classroom culture. But, we overcame these challenges and have seen improvements 🤗#bmoreedchat
A2. Morale is down. But it’s also November. When admin gave some time to work on implementation, morale jumped. Efficacy leads to better morale for Ts. Which impacts S morale #BmoreEdchat
A2) this particular change was very hard. Teachers were upset at admin, parents were upset with admin, students were confused - and we couldn’t talk with them about it. Made it very difficult for all involved. #bmoreedchat
A2: @AmberKilcoyne already mentioned this...change is difficult because it impacts all staff members in a different way. In terms of our Restorative Practice work, some staff were skeptical. Some resistant. Some all in. Question then is how do we unite?FOR KIDS! #BmoreEdchat
Yes & no. More services offered, which is great! The immense changes, however, have soured some people to the Gifted teachers in the district. Complicate it by changes in state law that threw gifted ed on its head here in Ohio and it has been... interesting. #bmoreedchat
A2: I'm new to the school so I can't speak to what happened last year but in October I noticed that teachers were missing a lot of days from work & that concerned me. #Bmoreedchat
A2 Negatively. It is starting to level out now. But morale took a massive hit (especially on the student side of things) that has been hard to recover from. #bmoreedchat
A1/2: We’ve had a leadership transition at our school— which as @justincholbrook already said, has affected staff members in different ways. Change is unpredictable, so it can be scary #BmoreEdchat
A3 Every single person in the school. It is not the admin's job. Not the teacher's job. It is the job of every adult and child in the building. It is not enough to merely avoid or ignore the toxicity that can seep into schools. We must actively counter it! #bmoreedchat
What prompted the change? Will sixth grade now be at elementary? Being a middle grades educator for the first half of my career and now a 3rd-5th grade teacher, this topic interests me! #bmoreedchat
A3: This is an interesting question. Ultimately, if a school is a true community - everyone is! But, leadership needs to have strong relationships with all and keep an eye on everything! And needs to make sure staff/Ss/fams feel heard & appreciated! #bmoreedchat
A3- Every person that walks through the door. Walk with intention, purpose, and a positive attitude toward learning and possibilities for each day. #bmoreedchat
Q3: Good ques. Everyone in the building, I think. At my school, I feel like I have to remain focused on Ss 1st even if the building is challenging. I'm responsible for my own morale & can't expect others to be solely responsible for boosting me. #Bmoreedchat
A3 Every single person in the school. It is not the admin's job. Not the teacher's job. It is the job of every adult and child in the building. It is not enough to merely avoid or ignore the toxicity that can seep into schools. We must actively counter it! #bmoreedchat
Yes! I think this also helps answer the question about collective morale. Perhaps focusing on the most important pieces mitigates toxicity? #BmoreEdchat
Q3: Good ques. Everyone in the building, I think. At my school, I feel like I have to remain focused on Ss 1st even if the building is challenging. I'm responsible for my own morale & can't expect others to be solely responsible for boosting me. #Bmoreedchat
Yep! Just what I said. I know we all have our roles but we can easily get into the blame game if we don't take ownership of our own morale. I kid you not...Twitter PLC's helped to boost me in the last 2 years when I felt burnt out. #Bmoreedchat
Interesting perspective. I do think that informal leadership can rise above when authority doesn’t. But how much better when our authorities are leaders and honor that responsibility? #BmoreEdchat
As an administrator, I am a firm believer in my power to have a positive impact on my students and staff. It’s my responsibility to help them find laughter and happiness in the midst of all of the hard work. #BmoreEdchat
Interesting perspective. I do think that informal leadership can rise above when authority doesn’t. But how much better when our authorities are leaders and honor that responsibility? #BmoreEdchat
Here is how the change process works with various mindsets and perspectives. We all have different roles and leadership responsibilities depending on our role, viewpoint of change, and morale. #BmoreEdchat
YES! Coordinated a totally staff-led PD. Morale was up because staff was learning from their peers & facilitators felt important/valued. Leadership is all about empowering others to lead! #BmoreEdchat
True. I also think you have to find people in your building who have the same positive mindset you do and spread your energy amongst each other otherwise you'll feel alone. Positive energy can shut down negative energy sometimes #Bmoreedchat
My Twitter PLC is my rock when things are getting tough at school. I can always find inspiration here and support when things are just too much to handle. #bmoreedchat
Totally agree @raleshevich Admins have it hard too...who boosts them when they're boosting others? Have to help admins find laughter too. Doing my admin internship now & I keep thinking...if I was the admin @ my school..it'd be really hard!! #Bmoreedchat
In reply to
@raleshevich, @MoralesPattie, @raleshevich
A4- Positive school morale can help foster positive school climate. Positive school climate can help cultivate and spread positive school morale. They are not mutually exclusive. #BmoreEdchat
ABSOLUTELY!!! Had no idea that social media would help guide me through teaching. Has been a Godsend this past yr especially. I was burnt out! Being connected to educators across the world helped me re-gain perspective on my role as an educator. #Bmoreedchat
Jumping out! I've been sick so trying to get some extra sleep! Night all! Thanks for a great chat, @MoralesPattie, @justincholbrook, and everyone! Enjoyed reflecting & learning w/ you!!! #bmoreedchat
A4: How I feel about a building when I walk in, directly impacts how I treat the people in that building. If I dread coming in, my interactions w/Ss & Ts will be less than positive. If I'm motivated going in, I'll spread that energy around. #Bmoreedchat
A2: Change is inevitable. Your response to change is what counts. Behaviors, standards, and leadership will always be developing and changing. The question is, are you going to let that consume you? Or are you going to show your kids how to respond to that change? #BmoreEdchat
A4: I love how @ToddWhitaker describes culture as the "way we do things around here." Morale has a direct impact on EVERYTHING that happens aka school culture! It matters EVERY SINGLE day too! #BmoreEdchat
A2: Change is inevitable. Your response to change is what counts. Behaviors, standards, and leadership will always be developing and changing. The question is, are you going to let that consume you? Or are you going to show your kids how to respond to that change? #BmoreEdchat
A5: Intentionally plan in time to bond and talk about life. Not just school or our students. We have to create memories as peers in order to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively. #BmoreEdchat
I see this graphic from @AmberKilcoyne as a chart to place staff members on when going through a change process. In other words, it can tell you what they need to jump on board. #BmoreEdchat
In reply to
@MoralesPattie, @_datagirl, @AmberKilcoyne
A5: Intentionally plan in time to bond and talk about life. Not just school or our students. We have to create memories as peers in order to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively. #BmoreEdchat
A5. Analyze the impact on individuals. Adaptive? Listen, support, slow the pace, focus on the why. Technical? Resources & Cheerleading. So basically? Relationships! #BmoreEdchat
A4: How do schools celebrate both students and adults? Making celebrations part of school culture will have a direct impact on school morale. Student work displayed in classrooms. Adult work showcased in meetings and PD sessions. Everyone needs to feel the love. #bmoreedchat
A5: Sorry I was a bit late to the game tonight. Leaders of change embracing and planning with the Influencer Model in mind can save many headaches and heartaches later down the line. #bmoreedchat
CTA) I’m going to go with a suggestion from tonight and show some love to my amazingly supportive admin this week. @jpdropik and @abrazouski are the best! #bmoreedchat
