#memspachat Archive
A chat for Principals, Administrators & Lead Educators. Come join the Collaboration and Learning THURSDAY'S at 8pm ET.
Thursday April 14, 2016
8:00 PM EDT
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Welcome to - I am your moderator tonight.
Let's get started with INTRO's
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Finally back able participate
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MIke Domagalski - Palms Elementary Principal.
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Doug Ammeraal -- Mona Shores Middle School Principal
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Brad Geesaman - Woodside Elementary Principal
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Evening! Allyson Apsey-Quincy Elementary in Zeeland
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Rachel Card, principal of Belle River Elementary in Marine City.
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Tammy Reich Creekside Intermediate Principal in Dexter
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Evan Robb from Va-- Happy to be here
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Molly Funk in and out tonight :)
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Questions starting now on
Spread to word, join the chat, and let's collaborate!
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Jonathan Swegles, limited moments before bedtime!
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Jonathan Swegles, limited moments before bedtime!
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Stephanie Brown - Lawton Elementary. Traveling so I too may be in and out.
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Q1: How is the field of being a School Administrator changing when it comes to innovation and change?
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A1: An administrator must be a catalyst for change, with a clear vision for inspiring staff to innovate toward a core purpose.
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Innovation and change IS learning and schools need administrators to foster and support both
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A1: Our role is 2-fold-- 1) model innovation & outside-the-box thinking 2) allow, challenge, encourage Ts to do the same.
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Good evening, sorry I'm a little late. Betty here from Harvest Elementary in Saline.
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A1: I believe it has become more of a coaching/leadership model. To support staff in student engagement and implementing change
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A1: Expectation 4 innovation is emerging 4 principals around here, starting to hover around. Motivating some and scaring others.
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A1 More welcome 21st century skills- my concern is when schools are doing poor many go back to old school methods
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A1 Great point! Change and innovation based on best practice and research!
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Question 2 coming up on !
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YES. If we are going to talk grit, perseverance to our students, then we must do it/expect it with our adults.
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A1: We must be so much more than a manager of people. We must be the model of innovation & change. Willing to fail forward.
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Q2: What trends are having the most impact of our field, and how likely is it to change over the next 5 years?
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I agree, we must model innovation and support baby-steps or giant leaps!
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No longer room for simply complacent admins yet Admins are pulled in so many directions daily they must persevere to innovate
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A1 Great point!! Grit and perseverance are elements of a growth mindset- important for students and adults!!
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We must give the innovations and change time to work, results are not instant.
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A2: Preparing Ss for jobs that may not currently exist. Focus on information, technology, Wagner’s 21st century skills.
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A1: change is constant but sharing ideas with staff, encouraging risk taking and giving permission to innovate and "fail"
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Rosen-Leacher Love the quote "Willing to fail forward" Good reminder
https://t.co/9DMTNPO5Np
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A1: We must be so much more than a manager of people. We must be the model of innovation & change. Willing to fail forward.
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A2: One trend I like is the evaluation model where we are in the rooms frequent and having constructive feedback instantly.
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A2: Love that Ss voice, empowerment, & allowing them to explore passions is happening. https://t.co/YCOZCIzv7u
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Q2: What trends are having the most impact of our field, and how likely is it to change over the next 5 years?
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A2 Technology is as significant as the wheel or electricity-what a privilege for us to work in this time of change
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A1 Yes! Change is a process not an event!
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A2: Technology..blended learning..we must find/keep balance. Back to thinking, creating, and application. S&T lead, not Govt.
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Honestly testing like it or not is having an impact. My hope is the pendulum swings and we can focus on student innovation.
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Question 3 coming up on . Get ready folks!
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Q3: Which of your existing skills are most useful and adaptable, and what new skills do you feel you need to add?
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A2: agree with , stu choice in PBL, etc.
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A2: Personalized learning will evolve and students will have individual academic needs met - no more teaching to the group
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A2: A focus on equity through and deep thinking using project/problem/passion based learning
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YES!! And what is that impact of testing..positive or negative? ;) More innovation, collaboration, application.
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A2: Could pendulum swing still on sweet spot of listening 2 Ss needs & focus on continuous improvement & innovation based needs?
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A2: 4Cs of Instruction teaching Ss to ask their own Qs and answer them.
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moving towards personal curriculums too! Consider impact on HS requirements?
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A3: I believe the skill of interpreting data is always going to be needed and adaptable because data can tell us so much.
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Accountabily through student presentations of their learning! Check out
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A3. Tech integration in instruction, assessmnt, or 21st century skills are transferable and timeless. Transcend grade & content
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I think in its current state it's more negative. I want more time for students to explore, research, and create.
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Hi ! Laura, from South Lyon....joining late, but lurking and learning!
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sorry im late. Probably follow more than participate.
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Buenos noches amigos y amigas! Como esta! Soy Ryan Relken Oaktree El in Goodrich.
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A3: glad to have a + mindset to embrace onslaught of increased job requirements, need extra domes to wear increasing # of hats
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YES! Finding balance would be key for HS requirements - students choose majors like college?
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A3: literacy, collaboraton, thinking, and a focus on growth--maximizing purposeful technology.
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Question 4 is on deck for
Come on lurkers, we know you're out there! Chime in anytime :)
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Q3: Most useful: building community/culture/climate. When we trust Ss/Ts/Community we can leverage learning. Add: letting go!
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The growth mindset is key to adapt to all changes and challenges we will face in education over the next 5 years.
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mindset & GRIT! Gotta have it.
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Q4: How can you better share your expertise with others in your field?
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A3: Communication and tech skills are most useful and adaptable. Need to improve on managing increased demands/responsibilites.
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A3 Existing skills: Mindset, Mindfulness,social skills Need: continue to stay on top of technology and new ways that Ss learn
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A3: Supporting the growth of others around me is a strength. Need to learn how to support project based learning across systems
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A3 I agree we need kids and our staff to develop a growth mindset--- fixed mindsets are a curse
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A4: Let's make commitment to all present at the State Conference! Who's in? Lurkers too!
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formative assessments are useful and powerful. Our current state assessments as is, not so much
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A4: Communication tools, Twitter chat:), professional organizations, seek each other out
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A4 No doubt through social media- allows people to connect and share from anywhere
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A4: PD with staff, Leadership Team, collaboration, involvement, chats, writings, conferences, Social Media, etc.
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A3: current skills: building relationships/culture and establishing a vision. Needed: outlets for stress!
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A4: Continuing to grow , & willingness to reach out and ask for help.
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A4: Appreciate sharing, learning via Twitter, Voxer, blogging. Love MEMSPA learning opportunities https://t.co/kJK8IVwHQ3
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Q4: How can you better share your expertise with others in your field?
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A4. Twitter chats, online collaboration, PLC/PLC meetings r great place to share ideas
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Good stuff when we can support other!
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a4 Well said-- life is not managed through multiple choice
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Love the learning, would love to do more. Thanks to for starting the Voxer group.
Join in anyone!
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A4: Sharing through digital communication is great, but working side-by-side, face-to-face is even better.
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Agree! We need each other and we to share the good work.
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social media under used in education
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Intentionally devoting time to sharing and collaborating-both f2f and virtually. Easy to caught up in
minutia of current "fire".
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A4: Create networks where dialog, visions, and shared problem solving are prevalent.
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I need to learn more about this!
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Agree! Encouraging, modeling, and coming alongside colleagues is essential.
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QUESTION 5 coming up on .
Great collaboration going on. Join in everyone and spread the word!
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A4: Trying to connect more on Twitter and through online journaling. Also at local professional learning opportunities.
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how can principals better manage time to stay in buildings bit still meet f2f with other Ps?
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Alright, you twisted my arm. First night this week I've been home before 7. Where we at?
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Q5: How have you gotten assistance with your needs in the past, and how can you do it differently in the future?
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Twitter is a powerful tool. Been working on our Ts this year to get involved. It's a work in progress.
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A5: Other Ps in district, appreciate that we are not afraid to ask each other ?s, willing to share https://t.co/RPskZIUZqk
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Q5: How have you gotten assistance with your needs in the past, and how can you do it differently in the future?
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A4: Create networks where dialogue, visions, and shared problem solving are prevalent.
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A5 Years I ago I relied on conferences for my personal PD-- now I take responsibility and learn on my own
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Q5: Asking Ps in district or, unfortunately going it alone. That's why I rejoined this year. Forgot what I was missing.
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Yes…this is how we can grow in our own craft as well as support the growth of others…iron sharpens iron.
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A5: I have 2 great APs for collaboration,support,challenging, thinking.District Leaders. Networks.
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A5: At a county level, trying to increase collaboration at P meetings. Need to infuse more social media in conjunction w/ f2f.
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Thank you Betty. I will chime in once I catch up.
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A5: not been a good follower tonight, help in what way?
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A5: As a fairly new principal so I struggled at finding help at first. Building a network of colleagues through is a life saver.
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Us too! Got all Ts on this year w/ a classroom account and a school hashtag.
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Help with Twitter chats? ;) Think just help with whatever you need
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I'm taking the pledge to present at the MEMSPA annual state conference
Great idea
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might check out for free PD. Self paced. We can customize DPPD to meet your needs.
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A5: Used to rely on calling/talking to people in my organization, but now I constantly communicate/access info digitally.
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A5: Assistance for my needs comes from trusted stakeholders. Use coaches, teachers, and students as soundboards for new ideas
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Thanks has been a huge help! and I are working on a time to do some Twittercolab!
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Agreed, teachers show me the way, all the time! Ss suggested music tomorrow morning, so we will rock out https://t.co/ws48dfRlUX
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A5: Assistance for my needs comes from trusted stakeholders. Use coaches, teachers, and students as soundboards for new ideas
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You've built, and are still building, a great network!
Thanks to for introducing me to twitter
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Question 6 is on deck. Let's get more specific on
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A5: In the past, I would Google it. Now I look on Twitter.
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You're welcome buddy. Colleagues, ideas, and feedback packed in your pocket whenever you need it
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Q6: If you were asked to diversify more, or specialize in 1 particular area in the education profession, what would it be & why?
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Need to pick your brain about AR soon!
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Exp ts have seen a lot of ideas, can provide insight into idea effectiveness and implementation for success
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absolutely agree. Moving forward is a must. "OK to be where we are at, not okay to stay there."
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A6: Curriculum, it is always evolving and to have that strength you can be a huge support for teachers in developing their craft
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A6: Elementary curriculum integration infused with technology is a specialty that interests me. Personalize learning for Ss.
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A6: Instructional coaching and leading professional learning for Ts.
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A6: I would continue to deepen my learning on PBL and supporting innovation across a system
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A6: Trying to figure this one out! Feel like jack of many trades & master of none! T feedback/coaching? https://t.co/caHdOyvuhl
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Q6: If you were asked to diversify more, or specialize in 1 particular area in the education profession, what would it be & why?
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Q5: Used to feel pressure to have all the answers. Created 2 way support networks county wide with Admins and utilized memspa.
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A6: I would specialize/continue to learn and grow in Culture...this will DRIVE everything else and provide FOCUS.
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I too lean on teachers. I always say they are my frontline experts.
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A6: Challenging to choose just one :) Personalized learning for admins, teachers and students
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A6: Always literacy instruction. We must continue to improve practice in classrooms and help Ts. https://t.co/9QwEw1DYLY
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Q6: If you were asked to diversify more, or specialize in 1 particular area in the education profession, what would it be & why?
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A6: Would love opportunity to specialize more in student supports. Not likely, though, in age of multiple hats
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A6: Continue to specialize building community not just @ my building but so it reaches across boundaries.
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Question 7 coming up fast, next on
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Q7: Thinking innovative, what new job could you create in education and what would some of those responsibilities be?
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A6: would love to do more in depth study of and training on creating positive school climate/culture...
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A6: As Drucker says, "culture eats strategy for breakfast."
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A6: Special Education/ELL: There is an increase need N ensuring that we R providing "intentional" instructional practices 4ALL.
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agreed! and let it spread to other buildings & districts.
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A6: I want to better respect other perspectives. I too often get locked in on my view and forget how import diverse views r too
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A7: Want to win lottery and spend year developing PBL ELA program that incorporates SS and SCI curric https://t.co/0I2eNUdY5Q
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Q7: Thinking innovative, what new job could you create in education and what would some of those responsibilities be?
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A7: Curriculum integrationist? Designs tasks/opportunities for Ss to utilize knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines.
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A7: Technology/Literacy "Coach" for each content area. Focusing on maximizing and supporting Ts and Ss with both. Balance.
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asking for, listening to, and integrating staff thoughts and ideas into the process
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A7: I would create a student led position to bring their voice in designing equitable experiences for all
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A6: Crazy as it might be, P of Climate & Culture. Maybe tie it to Division P of Innovative Teaching & Learning.
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Whose voice is the most important
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Let me know if you need any help! ...and I should probably start playing the lottery!
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A7: "Transitions Coach" help Ss w big changes ex. ele to ms, ms to hs, hs to college/work, balancing real and digital lives
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A7: some sort of community liaison position that puts S in position to implement + change in community and be accountable for it
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Q8: Please share a resource that can help others if they are interested in innovative changes in their school or district.
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A8: "The Innovators Mindset" by - Ha, beat everyone to it!
LOVE THIS BOOK!
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A8: We would love to have anyone come to CW to see visible thinking in action! Also look at for free resources on PBL
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A8: I would recommend the Leverage Leadership training with Debbie McFalone, great information to begin change in a building.
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Love idea! Within realm of possibility bcuz Ss work 4 pizza, empowerment& to make difference, not salary https://t.co/Ph1BCqTo6m
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A7: some sort of community liaison position that puts S in position to implement + change in community and be accountable for it
