This is cross-posted here –> SLOWCHATED.
Now that week 6 is nearly coming to a close, I am ready to publish (the overly long) reflection of Week 5. (Brevity in writing is NOT one of my strong-points. Brevity in speaking is a specialty, so don’t ask me to TELL you about Week 5; you’ll just have to read about it here). Please note: I consider this a draft, but since it is overdue, I’m going to go ahead and hit “PUBLISH” and go back and edit later, which WILL include re-working the jacked up format.
Jeffrey Farley (@FarleyJeffrey) summed Week 5 up best:
@davidtedu @MrLeBrun @morgetron This 1 has certainly been a wild ride: thoughtful, silly, cynical, inspirational, & all between. #slowchatED
— Jeffrey Farley (@FarleyJeffrey) March 1, 2014
During Week 5, we managed to explore this wide topic deeply (& sometimes irreverently) & the moderator (yours truly) was tricky–a cheater really–who had all sorts of sneaky question maneuvers. For example, Question 1 was really two questions. I posted Qs1 with the intention of focusing on the positives we see in education. On the daily, there are so many negative stories in the media that it’s easy to get bogged down with a poor attitude towards our profession. WE know what GOOD STUFF is happening every single day, but it’s a rarity for the media to share it–especially the NATIONAL media.
* Q1.1: Eds-> Tell me something good! In your current position, what brings you joy?
* Q1.2: Edu-Friends-> What are some positive observations you’ve made about education?
The responses to these questions were heartening. Here is a sample. (To see more you can check out the archive. It’s included at the end of this post.) We saw plenty of references to … … supportive administrations:
A1: That my principal is being patient in how I put my rm back together. Redesigning the learning space. #slowchatED pic.twitter.com/j8EiPScqRC
— Seena Rich (@SeenaRich) February 24, 2014
… staff camaraderie …
A1 The fact that this type of behavior is accepted in teaching brings joy to my heart #slowchatED #passion pic.twitter.com/TNk1qRte8B
— Mr. Theriault (@davidtedu) February 24, 2014
… teachers treating students as their own:
… a little system-bucking, here and there:
… and of course, plenty of references to our students:
Day 2 was more practical …
Q2: What are some steps you have taken (or should take) to ensure your work-life balance? #slowchated
Like so many educators, Kevin Ashworth (@SLOlifeKevin) noted that TEACHING is what brings him joy:
A2: It’s funny because teaching IS what I do for fun (outside of family time). I enjoy what it requires of me. #whyIchoseit #slowchated
— Kevin Ashworth (@SLOlifeKevin) February 25, 2014
Plenty of others chimed in with some sage advice as well.
Day 3 was opposite day.
* Q3: What are some factors/habits that guarantee teacher burnout?
In short, if you want to burnout, devote your life to nothing but curriculum and standards, never forgive yourself for messing up, hang out by yourself ALL THE TIME, NEVER HAVE FUN and be sure to grade EVERYTHING.
Day 4 proved to be another day of tweaking the format:
* Q4.1 Edu-Newbs: What challenges have you faced regarding work-life balance?
* Q4.2 Edu-Vets: If you were to give a piece of advice to a newb teacher about work-life balance, what would that be?
I will let the tweets speak for themselves. (Remember the archive has so many more. This is just a sample.)
The Day 5 question was admittedly a loaded question. It made all sorts of assumptions about the #slowchated participants, but it is an open forum, so anyone had the right to challenge it. Some embraced the question and others did question the question, which led to some spirited dialogue.
* Q5: How do you remain positive in a climate of edu-cynicism, edu-ugliness, & edu-enemies?
#slowchated A5 Never take yourself too seriously. And don’t be afraid to call out the negative. They feel safe. Call their bullshit.
— Doug Robertson (@TheWeirdTeacher) February 28, 2014
A5: Stay positive by focusing on what matters – unleashing the power of creativity in the minds of teachers and learners. #slowchated
— Katy Foster (@kfostertweet) February 28, 2014
A5. I’m teaching the future of humanity here. There’s just no room for doom and gloom. Fix problems or get out of the way. #slowchated
— Samantha Bates (@sjsbates) February 28, 2014
A5) My edu-cynicsm is only for those who refuse to live the ethics & demands of our profession. I use that cynicism to drive me. #slowchatED
— Jeffrey Farley (@FarleyJeffrey) February 28, 2014
And I appreciate those who questioned the question …
A5: Disrupt idea that there ARE enemies & Us/Them dynamics. Embrace disagreement as a way to deeper commitment 2 each other/Ss #slowchatED
— Eric Saibel (@ecsaibel) February 28, 2014
@ecsaibel I agree. We can’t see anyone as the enemy. Then, we fall into cynicism. #slowchated
— Travis Phelps (@TravisPhelps80) February 28, 2014
… and the resulting dialogue …
@morgetron @MrLeBrun @TravisPhelps80 @ecsaibel Cynism is giving up. Be critical instead, question everything, like we teach Ss #slowchated
— Ryan O’Connor (@rwoconn) February 28, 2014
@morgetron @MrLeBrun @ecsaibel I agree. We cannot give in to those feelings of anger or resentment. Easier said than done. #slowchated
— Travis Phelps (@TravisPhelps80) February 28, 2014
@morgetron @TravisPhelps80 True. That said, others might disagree w/your practices. This gets to org’s culture/mutual purpose #slowchatED
— Eric Saibel (@ecsaibel) February 28, 2014
@rwoconn @morgetron @MrLeBrun @TravisPhelps80 @ecsaibel Is cynicism giving up? Is there a place for it in ed? #slowchated
— Molly Shields (@ShieldsMolly) February 28, 2014
A5: Going against the tide-> Allow yourself to be bitter, cynical, jaded, but don’t get stuck in those places. Passing waves. #slowchated
— Molly Shields (@ShieldsMolly) February 28, 2014
A5: I am contentedly cynical about some things — that is, unheedingly closed-minded to particular arguments. #slowchated #thatsok
— Molly Shields (@ShieldsMolly) February 28, 2014
@FarleyJeffrey @TravisPhelps80 @ShieldsMolly @rwoconn @morgetron @MrLeBrun “being real” sounds a little less harsh. #slowchatED
— Eric Saibel (@ecsaibel) March 1, 2014
@ecsaibel @TravisPhelps80 @ShieldsMolly @rwoconn @morgetron @MrLeBrun Why, that’s a bit cynical, isn’t it? #tongueincheek #slowchatED
— Jeffrey Farley (@FarleyJeffrey) March 1, 2014
During week 5 this video went viral, which only served to solidify my belief in the sentiment behind the loaded nature of the Week 5 Question:
I was disenchanted to find out via Facebook friends that this exact style of training had been used recently in a Nebraska district. *Sighhhh* (I sent this video in an email to my principal and director of learning begging them to NOT jump on this bandwagon.)
This question definitely brought out my inner-snark. I get so disheartened when I see report after report about how those in power are attacking our profession under the guise of accountability, so I am at some times swayed into negativity. It’s what gives me my fight though. It’s what keeps me here–because I believe that I can do some good and I can advocate for our profession and my colleagues and my school. My tolerance for policy that is NOT GOOD for students is NIL, so I have to be here to change it. Giving up to the incessant cynicism directed towards our profession will not do anyone any good though it does serve a purpose, I suppose. It forces us to think critically and reflectively about our own practices AND justify them when necessary. Entertaining our own cynicism from time to time can keep us sharp. It can keep the fire burning to fight the good fight.
Question 5 sparked deeper thought from another #slowchated participant as well. Ross LeBrun couldn’t stick to the 140 character limitation, so he wrote this–> HOW MUCH PENCILS? in response to the DAY 5 question.
Day 6 brought us full circle and focused us back on THE GOOD STUFF because THERE IS SO MUCH GOOD STUFF IN EDUCATION!
* Q6 (is not really a Q): Tell us about something you recently witnessed IN YOUR SCHOOL that you consider a POSITIVE ED STORY
I will leave you with another mere sampling of stories that will make you feel good about our profession. Check out the archive for others AND look for them in your own school. You WILL FIND THEM!
A6: When the temp. dropped to single digits, basketball coach gave new hoodie to S w/ holey jacket. #slowchated
— Samantha Bates (@sjsbates) March 1, 2014
Had a Ss I taught 2 yrs ago tell me lots of stuff he’s covering in his AP class, he knew from my class. #slowchated
— Andrew Rowe (@amcrowe5) March 1, 2014
A6) I’ve watched my student T present an authentic lesson to my roughest Ss and seen them respond with vigor #eduwin #engagement #slowchated
— Jeffrey Farley (@FarleyJeffrey) March 1, 2014
A6 why am I finding this hard to answer? Too many positive things to choose from?? #slowchated
— Robin Dubiel (@RobinDubiel) March 1, 2014
A6: I led students in an activity yesterday that involved sharing something/someone they were grateful for. Inspiring to hear. #slowchatED
— Peter Strawn (@lit_teacher) March 1, 2014
A6: Met with my 5th graders about treating each other kindly. 2 boys voluntarily apologized to class and pledged to do better. #slowchated
— Suzie Estes (@jsbe333) March 1, 2014
A6 French S cut from basketball team. Crestfallen at first, but then creates this spoken word piece. #slowchated http://t.co/kXoYnf3v4L
— Eric Démoré (@EricDemore) March 1, 2014
THIS is a positive ed story from my school: http://t.co/LjxOk9b7cv #slowchated
— Jodie Morgenson (@morgetron) March 2, 2014
My drama students put on a wonderful drama workshop for elem + jh Ss … on a Sat! #slowchated #positive! pic.twitter.com/Gr8mbFz1ug
— Jodie Morgenson (@morgetron) March 2, 2014
So inspiring! RT @morgetron: An anonymous group of students started this Twitter account: @PHSkindness. #positive #slowchated
— Nick Giacobbe (@richmanlobster) March 2, 2014
A6: Ss very nervous abt presenting in class were encouraged & supported by their peers. Made them feel safe. #cohesive #slowchated
— Kevin Ashworth (@SLOlifeKevin) March 2, 2014
Just had a game night where students got to sing / dance / play. Parents/teachers/kids gathered around mic singing songs. #slowchated
— Craig Yen (@craigyen) March 2, 2014
And here is the ARCHIVE:
Thank You so much for this great chat topic and your awesome moderator skills! It was fun to learn about everyone’s work/life balance, the positives and negatives, and to think about the newbie/vet teacher. I think you covered just about everything in this chat! Thanks for using some of my tweets and the pic of my classroom–which is embarrassing at the moment–but reality. Great connecting and learning from you via twitter. Thank you!
You are welcome. It’s easy to lead a good conversation on Twitter, if you find the right group of chatters. 🙂