OpenAI’s ChatGPT is a hot topic lately, especially among teachers.
In my role, I’ve been fielding a bunch of questions, and having lots of conversations with teachers and administrators. How does it work? Have you tried it? What does it mean for the future? Can our students access it? However, what most conversations boil down to is how students will use AI technology to cheat.
As teachers, we employ many strategies to monitor and assess student learning. Not all assessments should require a written product, but many do. I created the video below (for my teachers) as a way for them to use Google Docs to analyze student work and indicate whether a piece of writing might be a Copy & Paste job, rather than a Think & Write product.
Do teachers have to do this for every student? Absolutely not – don’t even try ! This strategy is one educators can use when a student turns in work (on Google) that activates Teacher Spidey-Sense. You know… something seems off, and you’re not sure why.
While I understand the concern that comes to mind when hearing about a tool like ChatGPT, I am wired differently… I see AI tools as potential teachers, or at least as a teacher resource. After spending time using the ChatGPT, I’ve observed the generated responses are pretty consistent, and look a lot like exemplars we use in classrooms. The products are diplomatic and organized in their presentation, yet lack the true voice of a writer. What would students notice, if given the chance to compare AI-composed essays with those written by humans? What would stand out to them? What would spark their own Spidey-Sense?
Teachers are smart and creative. Letting our students know we are aware of these tools, and demonstrating their potential for good is just as important as letting them know a HUMAN is their audience. Ideally? A questionable assignment can be a great conversation starter and learning tool to support students. After all, aren’t we helping them learn they can do Hard Things?
PS: You’ll always know I’ve written something myself because I still can’t get out of the habit of a double space after a period. I try, but my high school typing teacher did too good of a job on those Royal typewriters. 😂
I loved this online event. It was held Friday, November 4th, hosted by Melody McAllister and Rachelle Dené Poth on their Thrive in EDU / Thrive O’Clock live video cast where I was a panel member. I was able to chat with other awesome educators like Sarah Thomas from EduMatch, Jon Corippo from Eduprotocols, and both John Walter and Andrea Cook from Leanlab Education.
What did we talk about? Twitter! Well….. sort of. If you don’t live under a social media rock, then you know know Twitter is going through some changes. What does this mean for educators? Those of us in K12 education have many choices when it comes to connecting with others online. Tune in to the recording to hear more about what everyone was/is thinking!
….and then #ContinueTheConversation here and THRIVE at K12Leaders!
If you are a new teacher who has just been hired by a school district at the last minute, then you may be feeling a little overwhelmed right now. Don’t worry – you are not alone! Every year, thousands of teachers are hired in this way. It can be challenging to adjust to a new job and a new school district so quickly, but with some preparation and organization, you can make the transition relatively smooth. In this blog post, we will provide some tips for not only surviving, but thriving as a new teacher hired at the last minute.
Find a Mentor- One of the most important things you can do as a new teacher is to find a mentor. A mentor is an experienced teacher who can provide guidance and support as you transition into your new role. If possible, try to connect with a mentor before the school year begins. That way, you will have someone to turn to when you have questions or need advice. Many school districts will match you with a mentor or guide. In best case scenarios, this mentor has experience helping new teachers, is familiar with your new role, and is easy to connect with. If you experience some disconnect, reach out to your principal or the Mentor Coordinator for guidance.
If you haven’t been matched with a mentor in your school or district, here are some easy steps you can take:
Ask- Your curriculum director, department lead, or principal should all be familiar with the concept of mentoring. If you’re feeling alone or a bit back-on-your-heels, your first stop should be with your supervisors.
Search online- you can also find mentors online (like right here in our New to Education Group on K12Leaders!!) or on other social media sites.
Go Back to School- Try reaching back out to your certification program. Most schools of education are more than happy to stay engaged with their alumni, and this is a great way for them to do that!
Head to the Library (or Amazon) – There are a number of great books on the topic, including “The Modern Mentor” (disclaimer, I’m the co-author) and “The First Year Matters” by Carol Radford
Build your Community- Another valuable tip for new teachers is to build community, both inside and outside of your school. When you feel connected to the people around you, it can make the transition into a new job much easier. Get to know your colleagues and try to find ways to connect with them on a personal level. Reach out to your students before the first day of school in some way – whether that is by email or by a social media post showing your excitement!
Despite some of the risks, many teachers find valuable communities through Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. And K12Leaders is designed <specifically> for educators to make those connections without some of the hassles that come along with those other sites. You can read more about the social media landscape for educators in Michael Bronder’s post “Safe and Professional Social Media for K12Educators in 2022.”
Preparing your classroom – is another task to take on before the school year begins. If you are hired at the last minute, there is a good chance you will not have the time, energy or budget to make your classroom “Pinterest Perfect“. Remember, the classroom is a community for all learners and should grow organically with that in mind. Let your students help to create their own surroundings. Teacher-created materials can be beautiful and helpful, but student-created materials will be more meaningful. Don’t worry about how your classroom is decorated, even if you were hired at the last minute. The environment will evolve over time while you focus on more important elements.
Plan- Another essential tip is to get organized and create a plan for the first few weeks of school. When it comes to building up your own confidence, nothing helps quite as much as feeling prepared and in control. Talk to your mentor or another experienced teacher about what to expect and what resources are available to you. Then, create a schedule and plan for how you will use your time each day. Your school or district will have a library of lesson plans in a variety of forms… they may be collected in shelves of plastic binders, or they may have a curriculum management platform or learning management system like Canvas or Edsby that makes it easier to structure your classes and sections.
Stay focused on your students- we are back in the classroom this year because we know relationships with our students are essential to effective learning. While you’re likely to be under pressure to cover content quickly, you will find that much more effective once you’ve developed some understanding and trust with your students.
Those first few weeks are ALL ABOUT building a classroom community. If you rush right into content without building relationships, you will have to try twice as hard to do so later in the year. Don’t skimp on community-building ideas in your plans!
Keep in mind that you are not alone! Many new teachers feel overwhelmed at first, but with some preparation and organization, you will be able to thrive in your new role. If you need help or support, reach out to your mentor or another experienced teacher nearby. Join a site like K12Leaders.com to connect with other educators. With some hard work and dedication, you will be able to successfully transition into your new role and have a rewarding year.
Self-Care is Essential- Finally, try to remember to take care of yourself both mentally and physically. You are entering in to a demanding profession and it is important to maintain a healthy work-life balance. No matter how many hours you have available to get work done, there will never be enough. Carve out time for meals, sleep, personal connections, exercise and relaxing.
Don’t fall into that mind-set that “self-care” is all about massages and meditation… Often the most effective regimes involve things that require some self-discipline such as exercising when you don’t want to, reading and continuing your own learning when you’re tired, socializing with colleagues when you’ve already “had enough” for the week. The better you take care of yourself, the better you can take care of your students.
Do you have any tips for new teachers who are hired at the last minute? Share them in the comments below, or join our New to Education Group on K12Leaders and share with us there!
For most of us, it’s that time of year again…. Back to School time! I’ll bet you are gearing up for another school year… Or, perhaps you’re just starting off in education, or in a new district. Perhaps you’ve moved to another field related to education, or you’ve left altogether. As a district, perhaps you’ve ramped up your mentoring or training or orientation programming. Perhaps you found ways to recruit the best and the brightest to fill openings in your schools.
No matter what we’ve experienced individually, be aware many eyes will be on K12 education in the coming months. By now, The Great Resignation is common terminology, and increased numbers of professionals leaving (or gone already) mirrors other industries. This “Education Emigration” is more than concerning. As Carl Hooker shared in one post from his Forward to Different – A Blog Series on How School Will Operate After the Big Quit,
“The Great Resignation, or “Big Quit”, is happening across multiple industries. Education has been in the cross-hairs of this movement for the past several years, but now the pandemic has amplified it.”.
Indeed, we are seeing unprecedented numbers leaving K12 education. Whether moving on to an early retirement, corporate education opportunities, or away from education altogether, we understand. The pandemic was a game-changer in many ways. We don’t blame you if things didn’t work out.
However, we cannot stand at the rails blowing kisses and wishing our departing colleagues well when there is still a ship to sail. Though many have left, a multitude more are still here, with new shipmates arriving daily. Smart, educated, devoted, talented, flexible, organized, adaptable educators ARE STILL HERE . We must find ways to retain them, lest we lose them, too. Teachers are highly sought after. Their skill-set is valuable in all industries, so believe me when I tell you MANY teachers are in a position to leave. To change lanes. To switch districts. To reinvent themselves. What concerns me more is a recent survey done by K12Leaders.com where author Michael Bronder shares:
“88% of respondents report that they would give less than 1 month notice if they found another job…. While 4 weeks notice may seem more than reasonable outside of education, educators are in the habit of announcing career moves well ahead of time. Retirements are deliberate and well-planned, and both teachers and administrators generally announce intentions to move-on in the spring before summer break. That over 10% of respondents say that they would “leave immediately” is unheard of.”
Teacher retention cannot rely on optimism alone. Hope is not a strategy. We need concrete ways to appreciate, support, defend, develop and hold fast to these professionals we work so hard to hire. Are you a district or school leader looking to support rock stars? Let me offer some advice, suggestions and resources from some colleagues I think can help.
Have you heard of Amber Harper? She is a Kindergarten teacher, author of Hacking Teacher Burnout and CEO of The Burned In Teacher. Her specialty is supporting those struggling with the burdens associated with teaching, especially through the Covid pandemic aftermath. I attended an online webinar with Amber and was instantly drawn to her energy and dedication to helping teachers. I reached out to her about writing this article and to thank her for the important work she is doing.
I particularly love this quote from one of Amber’s blog posts:
“There are certainly many factors that can be happening around us that can make teaching life very hard and unpleasant. But, there are also many things that we can do both internally and externally to pull ourselves out of this cycle of depression and burnout. If you want or need support, the The Burned-In Teacher Podcast Facebook Group is ready and willing to give you that support. We’re here for you. No matter what.”
Imagine if a school district shared out Amber’s work as a source of support; recognizing that we all could use strategies to Burn-In, instead of Burn-Out!!?? If you visit Amber’s website, or Facebook group, be sure to check out her free workshop. She is an engaging presenter who gets right to the point and wants to improve education for teachers and students alike. These are “DO NOW” tips and strategies!
Lucky am I to have known Jennifer Sabatini Fraone since we were in grade school…. I have followed her contributions for years at Boston College as Director of Corporate Partnerships in their Center for Work & Family have found many parallel connections to our work in K12 education. She recently provided resources for me to share with you:
“Living through the past two years of the pandemic has led to a lot of soul-searching and introspection about how people are living their lives and how their career fits into that plan. Employees are looking not only at their compensation, title and benefits but they are seeking employment that connects to a mission and purpose that is meaningful for them, and a community that recognizes and appreciates their work and contributions. They also seek a culture of trust, empathy, flexibility and support. Workplaces in all sectors need to evolve to meet this moment or they will be more likely to lose current talent and struggle with attracting new candidates.”
As Jennifer said, this is definitely a hot topic that is getting more attention. Here are a few other articles she shared with me. Again, I believe some of these can be great to share in mentoring and onboarding programs as a springboard to productive conversations.
Interesting 威而鋼
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My brilliant friend Charity Preston from The Organized Classroom understands the challenges of being a teacher, and creates systems and processes to make our role in education a bit easier.
“ Being proactive versus reactive can mean the difference between being miserable in the classroom on a daily basis, or looking at the big picture to frame a positive mindset. Taking proactive steps will lead you to feeling a greater sense of job satisfaction for the future. If you are having more stressful days than satisfactory ones, perhaps it’s time to reflect on your mindset. It’s the one thing we ALWAYS have control over. Believe it or not, those feelings will transfer to your students too. They can sense when you are struggling. Classroom environment and behavior management really takes a hit when the teacher is not on his or her A-game .”
Charity is right. Sometimes improvements to organization or classroom systems can alleviate stress in the school house, for the benefit of students and teachers. Even the most tenured faculty can benefit from fresh eyes observing their age-old systems. Read more of Charity’s work on a proactive approach on her blog here: https://organizedclassroom.com/proactive-teachers-vs-reactive-teachers/
Finally, I am going to go out on a limb here and compare education to baseball. Yes….. Baseball.
Have you heard of the Savannah Bananas ? I have watched endless videos and read many articles about the team who plays Summer League College Baseball and Banana Ball in historic Grayson Stadium. Go ahead and watch the video for the pure enjoyment (it is baseball season, after all!) Then, I want you to WATCH THE VIDEO AGAIN , and substitute the following terms you hear:
Now… Take it easy there…. Don’t take my suggestion to the extreme and think I’m saying we all have to dress like bananas to fix education. Deep down… you KNOW what I’m saying.
Work as a TEAM
Look for NEW ways to achieve goals
Breathe LIFE into the learning environment
Create a workplace where teachers HOPE to be hired
Make kids WANT to come to school
How can something as traditional as EDUCATION change for the good of all our students as well as for those who choose education as a career path? I don’t have all the answers, but I bet ALL of us can come up with some together!
Yes, the education industry is unique. But being unique does not protect us from what happens when work demands outweigh personal wellness. Like the rings of a tree, we will see the scars of this pandemic for years to come. Persevering through this post apocalyptic time with a proactive, realistic view is integral to our students’ future growth.
I am thrilled to be the harbinger of happy news: You don’t have to have a book on the shelves at Waldenbooks to be an author.
You are curious, observant, thoughtful and insightful. You collect ideas, facts, opinions and quotes. You share strategies, reflect deeply, seek feedback and believe in livelong learning.
If you write a book, an article, a blog post or a letter, you are an author. Write a haiku, an editorial or a speech? Yes. You are an author. Here at K12Leaders, we are here to amplify your message and engage our audience…
So, WE are curious…
What makes your writing worth reading??
As authors, we learn to answer that question every day, with every piece we publish. We write, edit, read, reflect…. write, edit, read, reflect…. write, read, edit and write and edit some more….
We would LOVE to see you grow as an author here… on K12Leaders… with us. Your voice matters.
How can K12L help amplify your voice as an author?
Polls: Submit a question you are curious about with a few answer choices. We will run the poll, strip out the personal information and let you run with the results. Share your findings on K12Leaders with others.
Surveys: Everyone wants to know what those in education are thinking. We have the capabilities to send surveys out through our channels. Draft a survey and we can help hone your design. Then? Use those insights to author a post of your own to illuminate those results.
Editing: Posts chosen for amplification on K12Leaders will receive editorial review and feedback. We will help you focus your message and make your writing worth reading!
Social Promotion: As K12Leaders’ social influence expands, so will yours! We will share posts out via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, and of course on our K12Leaders.com website.
Curious to learn more? Are you ready to share your story?
I’ve been thinking…. what is the difference between a Social Media Network and a Professional Network? Is it the difference between enrollment and engagement ? Between addiction and connection ? Between attention and intention ?
Perhaps you have seen the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, or YouTube videos teaching us to be wary of social media and big data. You’ve possibly watched more than one and recognize many well-known experts brought into the conversation. Yes, some videos can feel pretty extremist, depending on perspective… easy to spit out and disregard. However, you cannot brush-aside the thought-provoking, easier to digest information provided. These videos contain information ALL of us need to know, and facts we cannot ignore. All too often, these big platforms hawk us as the commercial product being sold. We are not their customers. We are sitting on shelves, waiting to be sold over and over and over again. While we share favorite recipes, lesson plans, cat videos and vacation shots, our value goes up. These videos talk about the addictive side of social media, and how that is by design.
I have watched, too. I’ve watched these videos and documentaries from the perspective of a teacher, of a mom, of a ‘user’.
Until recently, I’ve NEVER watched from the perspective of a creator ; someone helping to design a platform where adults who meet the needs of students can connect with other professionals. At K12Leaders , we are early in the process. We are not collecting or analyzing anything invasive. We have no bots recommending content. We are not employing suggestive technology. We have not sold any access or information to anyone. We are trying to emulate…what is the education term – a least restrictive environment? Minimally invasive techniques?
We remember students — KIDS — are at the core of what we do. KIDS are why we care about what we do. We are so different from other social platforms. We ultimately want to intentionally connect everyone in education so we can lead K12 learning in the best direction for kids.
I keep thinking and thinking about … “If you are not a customer, then you are probably the product”. To our members…. We don’t want you addicted to K12Leaders. We want you connected with K12Leaders. You will never be a “user” to us.
So where do we go??
Here at K12Leaders, we are growing at a rate faster than LinkedIn did in their first year. When it comes to social media, the larger it is, the harder it is to change. We are small and nimble enough to plan and adjust our trajectory now. Our small size allows us to be responsive to the needs of our members. We are in a great position to design technology humanely, as a valuable asset within the education space for years to come.
We don’t want you addicted to K12Leaders. We want you connected with K12Leaders.
You will never be a “user” to us.
We love our URL, not because we only want members with “Leader” in their title to join. We want to be a collective group of professionals who lead all realms of K12 Education moving forward. Together.
We hope you add your voice and ideas to the conversation. We hope you create groups where you can collaborate. We hope you connect on the platform during conferences. We hope you invite colleagues to join.
We are glad you are here. Grow along with us!
We love our URL, not because we only want members with “Leader” in their title to join. #K12Leaders wants to be a collective group of professionals who lead all realms of K12 Education moving forward. Together.
If your district is like countless others across the country, you are facing a time of significant staff departure. Simultaneously, you are working hard to keep your existing staff supported so they can meet the needs of the students and families in your district. At the same time, districts will be competing with each other for the pool of qualified candidates looking for teaching jobs left vacant by those who have retired early or left the profession altogether. Let’s face it, based on recent data, reimagining mentorship in education is essential to support all of us moving forward.
First, let’s start by altering the definition of mentoring you have filed deep in your personal experience. In our book Modern Mentor, Reimagining Mentorship in Education, my friend Matthew X. Joseph and I work hard to put traditional mentoring programs behind us. The days of “new” teachers being paired with the same “seasoned” teachers automatically each year benefits the few, if anyone at all. We all have skills where we excel in our jobs and expertise to share with others. We all have areas where we could grow and improve. Mentoring needs to be seen as an option for support and improvement, not as a box to check for a resume or only to satisfy license mandates. Mentoring is NOT something to endure.
🌀 Who needs mentoring? If you are looking for me to answer that question, then we’re both in trouble. The easy fruit to pick from the Mentor Tree is New Staff, closely followed by Staff in New Roles and Staff on Improvement Plans. However, the education landscape is changing. Don’t rule out mid-career and veteran teachers as well as those in leadership or admin roles. Consider your business office, food service staff, paraprofessionals and administrative assistants, too! Successful mentoring programs are built on trust, positivity and support. Who couldn’t benefit from more of ALL that? Let those in your district tell YOU what they need. While you’re at it, ditch the idea that you are either a mentor OR a mentee. Like dessert choices on vacation…. why not choose both ?
🌀 What will mentoring look like? If predictions (including my own) are right, we are looking at the need for VERY nontraditional programs. So why pull up those old slide presentations, mentor handbooks and agendas for your outdated program when we all know they will miss the mark moving forward? Of course, there are legal obligations we are required to follow to meet requirements, especially for our new teachers. Those parameters must be factored into the planning process as a way of monitoring and tracking what your state board of education requires. Beyond that? Let your creativity guide you. Why can’t mentoring include celebrations, movies, games, puzzles, fresh air, exercise and other activities we associate with fun? Let your staff lead this charge to increase buy-in and engagement.
K12Leaders, do NOT wait! Start mentorship planning now so you have something to offer those qualified teachers you’ll be fighting to hire in the coming months. They will be looking for work environments where they will feel welcome, be supported and contribute their own expertise.
🌀 When and Where can mentoring occur? I know – it always comes down to Time. We can mend and make do when it comes to funding, but time is a finite resource we all want more of. Even with early-release days, in-service days, common planning time, prep periods and staff meetings, there is NEVER enough time. Master schedules for the school year are developed early on, so it is imperative to layer in time for mentoring and collaboration. Some creativity may need to come into play, where mentor pairings or groups are scheduled for collaboration time, or PD is designed to support the mentoring program with time and space to work together on district initiatives. However, we cannot rely on district or school schedules to get the most out of our mentor experience. In our book, Modern Mentor, Matt and I suggest you get creative with the space-time continuum! Whether you lunch together, create a collaborative Pinterest board, read the same book, watch the same documentary, spend your prep correcting papers in each others’ room or connect the good-ole-fashioned-way (via text or Zoom!), the time invested will pay off with compounded interest. Again, allow your staff to brainstorm ways to re-define faculty meetings so time spent together in person is dynamic, engaging and valuable. STOP the Sit and Get, Death By PowerPoint and This Could’ve Been An Email madness!
🌀 Why wouldn’t someone want to be a mentor? I am at my best when I am helping others. That proves true whether I am helping a brand-new teacher next door or a veteran instructor across the district. Though helping others requires more time on my part, the investment I make comes back ten-fold. I have to solidify my understanding to guide them. I gain a new perspective through their challenges and questions. I strengthen and grow my practice with every interaction. Being an active mentor often requires me to reach out and seek my own mentors for their guidance, opinions and encouragement. The best mentor relationships continue long after the requisite arrangement; they continue to benefit both the mentor and the mentee for years to come. When you expand your mentoring program beyond the check-box, you are building a community that can depend on one another and grow together.
We can mend and make do when it comes to funding, but time is a finite resource we all want more of .
Mentoring, and being a mentor, is a mindset – not a program. For years, the idea of mentoring meant checking a box, but its potential in education is far more inspiring. When done right, mentoring can uplift new teachers, invigorate aspiring leaders, enhance the skills of sitting leaders and ultimately impact students now and for years to come. None of us entered the education profession for the fame and fortune. We each wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. We CANNOT do that alone. Never underestimate the power a positive mentoring environment can have in your classroom, on your team, or at the school or district level.
K12Leaders, do NOT wait on this one… start mentorship planning now so you have something to offer those qualified teachers you’ll be fighting to hire in the coming months. They will be looking for work environments where they will feel welcome, be supported and contribute their own expertise.
We know leaders in education meet together in various venues across the internet… Teachers find teachers, admins find admins, human resource experts find other human… you get the picture. We think that’s great!
However , K12Leaders.com is a un樂威壯ique community where leaders in ALL roles <犀利士strong> across education come together to collaborate, share, and grow.
If you are a member – we’re so glad you’re here! Invite a friend from across the hall, across the district, or across the country to join our conversations!
I was fortunate this week as an education leader: I spent two full days working with students. Our graduating students are working hard on their Senior Projects, all of which are interesting and impactful. I was asked to help with one senior’s project in particular; training a cadre of younger students to take over running the A/V booth in our performance theater.
Let’s get this straight – I know about 10 buttons to work the A/V booth. This was not my training. I was there to assist, supervise and observe. Our senior student (assisted by his good friend and fellow Class of 2022 member) designed a full two-day course to teach mentees all they would need to know as production assistants. He developed a schedule, a syllabus and training materials. He provided information, demonstrations and hands-on opportunities for students to learn. Finally, he stepped back and gave them time to use the equipment in a supportive environment.
Lunch as a group
For hours, I worked on my laptop with an eye and ear tuned into their work. I was impressed by the commitment to excellence, the level of respect and the variety of lessons taught. I learned a WHOLE lot more about our A/V capabilities!
After lunch on Day 2, students started working together to run “productions” on the stage. At times the auditorium was filled with the sounds of music. At other times, the theater was so dark, I could only see my computer screen. As students grew in their knowledge and comfort level, I started to see their skills gel and the theater came to life.
At the same time, I was thoroughly enjoying myself. Singing along from my seat, tapping my feet, smiling as students got up, sang and danced to give those in the booth something to track.
Soon… I was starting to think I wanted to get up and sing. It would not be the first time I’ve wished to do something similar. I love to sing. I LOVE LOVE to sing. However? I am not a singer. Since my strokes? I am REALLY not a singer. I usually chicken out and just enjoy the show, always wishing later that I at least spoke up. Today, I went up to the booth and asked the kids if I could sing. After their surprised reaction, they gave me a mic, helped me find the track I wanted and I headed to the stage.
I’m sharing this video with you… NOT because I’m awaiting a record deal. I am sharing because of how it models vulnerability, community building, risk-taking and having fun with students. In my role, I have limited ways to build relationships with our students. During these two days, I observed them coming out of their shell, creating a small community, taking risks and having lots of fun together while LEARNING. I wanted to be part of the experience!
I’ve decided to share the experience here for many reasons… Leaders need to find ways to spend quality time with those whom they serve. Find ways to have fun. Find ways to model vulnerability and facing fears. Laugh at yourself; don’t just TELL students everyone makes mistakes. SHOW them.
It makes me feel wicked uncomfortable and super proud to watch this video. I sound WAY better inside my head. I keep up with the rhythm singing along from my seat. I remember EVERY single word when singing in my car. I felt as silly and awkward and self-conscious as I look on stage. But listen to and watch the students in this video. Teaching and learning is going on all around me, without my having to teach a thing. In the end, this experience wasn’t about me. It was about building the capacity of students.
I think that’s magical.
What are you teaching your students, or your staff, when you aren’t teaching at all?
Simply, Suzy
Want to see part of the song we did together after this?
Talking about SEXTING with teens can make all of us feel uncomfortable.
As #K12Leaders, we must find ways to support staff, parents and caregivers so they can facilitate the conversation with us.
Safety doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when we are aware and equipped with resources to make Informed decisions.
I was recently approached to pull together a team of experts in my district on a presentation for some of our students. We are teaching them about the realities and dangers of sexting among pre-teens and teenagers. Talking about SEXTING with teens can make ALL of us feel uncomfortable. As #K12Leaders, we must find ways to support staff, parents and caregivers so they can facilitate the conversation with us. So, as part of our planning, we brainstormed ideas and pulled together resources.
What came out of it (besides the ongoing presentations we are doing) was a website created for adults as the intended audience. While there are plenty of resources here to be viewed alongside children, pre-tees, and teenagers – I recommend parents/caregivers spending time learning, exploring and choosing beforehand .
I am sharing my site with teachers as well. Some teachers have children who did not grow up during times like these, and some have little ones too young to use devices. However, we all know someone with children who are right in the thick of things – or will be soon enough . The Internet is a vast and ever-changing environment. The better informed adults are, the better we can support our students.
Check it out, provide feedback and share additional resources!
