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Expert Tips for Virtual Teaching

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Virtual teaching is new to many teachers. At this moment, teachers everywhere are scrambling to figure out how to set up instruction on-line. With little warning, and not much planning time, teachers are being asked to put instruction on line for several weeks to a month.

This morning, one of our Teacher Warriors, Carley Strid,  who teaches at a virtual academy,  offered help to those who might be less familiar with teaching via distance.

We reached out to her and she graciously agreed to write out a few tips based on her experience with virtual teaching.

Here is Carley’s insight for teaching your students on-line:

My school uses Zoom for live lessons, and Florida Virtual for our curriculum. I teach K-3, so parents are very helpful to getting everything set up initially, but my students are very quick to pick things up!

Some hints and tips I would suggest: 

1. Be prepared to get creative. Not all families have reliable wi-fi, or a printer, or a scanner, or a knowledge of google docs, or a webcam, etc. work together with them to find solutions that work for them!

2. Don’t let perfect get in the way of good.

3. Be honest with families about how experienced and comfortable you are with virtual teaching! They’ll be comforted by both your expertise AND your admittance that this is new for you too, and that you are all learning this together.

4. Parents need to keep an eye on their children’s screens. Kids are really good about finding their way into YouTube.

5. If doing live-lessons, set up firm expectations from the very beginning and hold to them. The first lesson will probably be just that. Things like background noise, distractions, not pointing the camera up their nose the whole time, eating, getting up and leaving randomly, all need to be addressed.

6. I always save the last 5-10 minutes of a live lesson for share time. It’s usually pets or cool toys. Kids are eager to share their home life with you, and it gives them something to stick out the lesson for.

7. Brain brakes!! I usually play a GoNoodle or make them do Simon Says or something at the beginning of a lesson and if I notice them getting squirmy.

8. Setting up a good work space at home is huge. Stay away from distractions, keep good posture, keep good lighting, keep it tidy.

9. Work with and share with the other teachers are your school!! I have shared fun, silly kindergarten lessons with high school teachers! You’ll be amazed at what cool stuff your team has come up with!

10. Check in with students and parents often!! I do mandatory check ins with parents twice a week, but tell them to email me whenever they need me.

My big three questions are: “What is going well? What has been a struggle? What can I do to support you?”

We want to thank Carley for sharing her tips and ideas.

For more discussion of virtual teaching, head over to our free Facebook group Teacher Warriors.

Our best,

Paula and Michele

Carley Strid is a primary teacher and assessment coordinator at MetroEast Web Academy in Gresham, Oregon. She has taught in a virtual setting for two years, and previously taught in traditional classrooms for seven years.

How to Stay Motivated When You’re Struggling

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If you find yourself struggling to stay motivated this time of year, you are not alone. Some days there just isn’t enough coffee to keep you going.

Perhaps it is the colder, darker days when sunlight and warmth, which boost happiness, are in short supply. Maybe you’ve had too many days of indoor recess and students are extra restless. Maybe you are suffering from a post-holiday letdown. When you have looked at the calendar and your next break is months away, it can seem like forever until your next break.

Whatever the reason, we’ve all faced a lack of motivation from time -to-time. Short term dissatisfaction doesn’t have to lead to long term misery.

Here are some suggestions to boost your motivation and help you get back to your purposeful, energetic teacher self:

 Remember your purpose.

Think about the reasons you went into teaching. Teaching is a calling, and something about it spoke to you. Getting reacquainted with your purpose can help you to stay motivated. How are you helping students be better people?  Who needs you on your A game?  What have you achieved that you are proud of?

As a teacher, you have great impact. Sometimes impact is seen in the moment, but often you will not know for years the impact you have had. Every veteran teacher can tell you about former students coming back to them years later sharing how they were positively influenced by being in the teacher’s class. It is also highly probably that you will deeply impact someone and never know about it. Know that your impact is measured in the long term, not just in the short term.

Find and spend time with positive people.

You know who they are- the people who are always positive and help you to feel positive too. You also know who the energy vampires are- the people who suck all the life and fun out of you. Don’t let people drag you down into the muck with them. If the teacher’s lounge is full of negativity, stay out of it. Avoid the teacher who is always miserable. Misery loves company and they will seek to suck you in.

Seek out positive support, whether from another teacher, a friend or a partner. You can also find lots of positive support on-line is teacher groups such as Thriving Young Teachers or Teacher Warriors.

Switch it up!

Sometimes our lack of motivation is caused by boredom. Boredom can sap our energy and enthusiasm.  Try a new teaching activity. Rearrange your seating. Add in an element of fun such as a learning game or simulation. Bring in some novelty by dressing up like a book character or famous person in your content area. Even a fun new whiteboard timer can inject some energy into your classroom.

Repeat your favorite teaching activity.

Think about your favorite lessons or activities. Then try to repeat that activity, perhaps with a different context. Alternately, repeat the students’ favorite activity. For example, if they loved making clay models of the digestive system, they will probably enjoy making clay models of cells. Think about how you can adapt your most successful lessons to use in a new way.

Don’t let angry parents shut you down.

We have all had an unpleasant interaction with an angry parent. At some point, you will be criticized.  Parents may attack verbally or in writing, or even worse- go straight to your principal. They may misunderstand or misinterpret your actions or words. They may be working with knowledge of only half of the story or one point of view.

Take in the information. Look for any useful feedback and let it help you grow. We all make mistakes, and it although hurts to be called out for them, if we are working with a growth mindset, we can use it to become better.

Sometimes a parent will rattle your confidence and cause you to doubt yourself. Get some feedback from your principal, instructional coach, or another teacher than you respect.

Respond calmly and acknowledge their concern. Acknowledge that you are both working on the best interests of the student. Explain what you did and why. Offer a solution. If you need time to think things through, set up a future meeting.

Once you have addressed the issue, you have to learn to let it go without completely derailing your love of your job.

Do a series of quick, easy tasks.

Sometimes we get overwhelmed by all the things we have to do and reach the point of immobilization.  A quick antidote is to batch several things that can be done in five minutes or less. Then tackle them.  Make a phone call, file a paper, and organize a stack of papers on your desk. Accomplishing a group of small things will help you to cross some things off your list and build momentum.

Watch a great teacher movie or read an inspiring teacher book. 

Sometimes we just need to get inspired.  A couple of hours spent with a great teacher movie can do the trick. The same is true of a good teacher book.  If you are in need of some inspiration, check out these posts:

13 Inspiring Teacher Movies for your Binge Watching Pleasure

25 Great Books About Teachers that Every Teacher Should Read

Teach Like a Superhero

Focus on the positives in your day.

It is easy to focus on things that go wrong. Our brains are hard-wired to focus on the negative far more than the positives- it kept our ancestors alive when they learned to run from the tiger that was chasing them.  You will pay attention to the sound of an ambulance or the fire drill warning, but quickly brush off the friendly greeting or positive comment.

Refocus your attention towards the positive. What is going well?  What have you accomplished?

Every day for a week, write down two or three positives things that happened in your planner or lesson plan book.  It will remind you that you are doing great things and getting positive results.

Another idea that we have talked about frequently is to keep a “Notes for Days I Really Need Them Folder.  You can learn more about that here.

We hope you can use some of these ideas on those days or weeks when you are struggling to stay motivated.  We’d also LOVE to know your tips and tricks for staying motivated! We always love it when you send us an email or comment on the blog or in our Facebook group or page.

Our best,

Paula and Michele

 

 

 

How to Reduce Parent -Teacher Conference Stress

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Do you dread parent-teacher conferences?  Stay awake at night worrying about them?

If you have ever felt anxious about conferences, we’ve got some ideas to ease your mind.

Parent-teacher conferences bring up a mix of emotions from anticipation to dread on the part of students, parents, and teachers.

Students fear what teachers might say about them, and that their faults or abilities will be openly discussed by the adults who are the power players in their lives.

Parents fear that they may hear comments about their child that are hurtful or focus on their child’s faults. They may even feel that their parenting skill will be questioned.

Teachers fear negative reactions from parents, which often puts them in defense mode.

The best way to avoid any unforeseen uncomfortable discussions, and to ensure you are prepared with both positive statements and suggestions for growth for your students, is to have information prepared before the meeting.

Grades are certainly part of conferences, but often the most important part of conferencing is not the grade, but the story behind the grades. 

More than just a number in the grade book, parents want insight.

What is the student learning?  What skills has the student mastered?  Which areas of curriculum or social/emotional growth is the student still working on?

Don’t focus on numbers, be ready with your stories and examples.

We have written an extensive post about how to get ready for parent-teacher conferences.  Parent-teacher conferences don’t have to be stressful!

Read more about conducting successful conferences here.

We have also created a template that you can use to prepare for conferences. It will help you think through what to say and stay organized.  Grab our template by filling out the form below and we’ll send it to you.

Whether you are preparing for upcoming conferences or already had your conferences and hope to make them better next time, we hope you find this information helpful.

Happy conferencing,

Paula and Michele

 

 

4 Reasons to Attend Students’ Extracurricular Activities

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extracurricular activities matter to students
photo by stjohnsdallas via Flickr Creative Commons License

Do you support students’ efforts in extracurricular activities?  Do you attend their sporting events or geography bees or Spanish club dinners?

This week both of us had the opportunity to attend middle school musicals. Both shows had all of the elements that you would expect in a student performance. There were students who forgot their lines and awkward pauses when someone didn’t enter stage on time. There were singers who missed the high note and more than a few bumbling dance moves. In typical school musical fashion, the girls outnumbered the boys five to one. It isn’t Broadway, but who’s complaining?

We loved every minute of it.  We can forgive the missteps and forgotten lyrics because we understand that there is a higher purpose.

Middle school musicals are not about perfection, they are about getting in the game. They are about exploring a new side of yourself, about trying something out and seeing if it is a fit. It is about having fun and learning to do something that is outside of your comfort zone. It is about spending hours in rehearsal to take your chance on stage. It requires that you learn to be vulnerable and develop confidence in yourself.

These things are true of all extracurricular activities. Developing life and social skills is an important part of the process. Students learn to work together. They strengthen work habits and have opportunities to develop leadership skills. They get to engage in physical movement while challenging themselves in new ways.

This is why, in an era of budget cuts, people fight to keep extracurricular activities in the schools. It is why teachers and coaches spend countless hours for little pay guiding students to develop skills that have little to do with standard curriculum. It is why, despite the outcome and despite whether students win or lose, their activities matter.

Students often care deeply about their extra-curricular activities. Attending students’ extracurricular activities can help teachers to build positive relationships and earn respect in the process.

How do teachers benefit when they attend students’ extracurricular activities?

When you see students outside of the school day you get to see a different side of them. 

Who knew that quiet boy in the back row could be a ham on stage?  Who knew that the little girl who forgets her homework is a star on the balance beam? You’ll often be surprised by which students are the leaders and which students have talents you didn’t even know they had. Sometimes it is easier to see students’ potential in areas other than academic achievement.

Students love it when you are there to witness their shining moments. 

Sometimes kids do hit the high notes, or break a speed record. They win championships and have their artwork displayed in exhibits. When we watched those middle school students taking their curtain call, we witnessed their pride in their achievement. Even the students with the smallest parts were beaming. When the back stage crew came out, took each other’s hands, and bowed dramatically, they got a standing ovation. These are special moments for kids and they will be proud that you witnessed them at their best.

You have the opportunity to interact with parents in a non-threatening and positive environment. 

Unlike parent teacher conferences, you don’t need to prepare for discussion with parents at school events. You are all there for the common goal of supporting the students. They will likely be happy to see you and remember your efforts in supporting the school. You become a part of the community and one of “us” which lessens any potential adversarial relationships.

You build a positive rapport with students. 

Students know which teachers come to their events. They like seeing you outside of the classroom and will often interact with you. It is a sign that you care about them, not just their classroom work. They will respect you for taking the time to be with them. The result is a deeper connection with students, and that often pays off with a more respectful relationship in the classroom as well.

Your teaching days are busy. You already struggle to get everything done. Your home life calls to you. It is easy to pass up the opportunities to go watch students engage in their outside of school activities. You don’t have to attend everything, but we urge you to make an effort to attend some events. You’ll be glad you did.

So, go on, buy the tickets to the French Club dinner. Watch the track meet. Attend the music program. Chaperone the dance. You will come away with a new understanding of students. You’ll get to engage with parents in a positive and non-threatening situation. And ultimately, your students will gain respect for you as someone who cares.

Our best,

Paula and Michele

 

 

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What Does A Successful Teacher Look Like?

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Successful teaching has many measuresDo you consider yourself a successful teacher? There are many different teacher evaluation systems and districts use many tools to evaluate teachers. The media and the public also have opinions about what it means to be a successful teacher. Everyone has been to school, and as a result, everyone has an opinion of what good teaching looks like.

We know that many teacher assessment tools don’t get at all the things that make a teacher successful.  Some things are more easily measured than others. We can look at your students’ scores on standardized tests easily. It is much more difficult to assess whether you are kind and build an atmosphere of mutual respect in your classroom. Both are important.

What does a successful teacher look like? Consider the following:

A successful teacher builds connections with students.

The teachers we remember most fondly are the ones that knew us well. We felt respected and we knew the teacher cared about us. Students will work hard for you if they know you care. Good teachers know a lot about the students they teach. They listen and talk to them.

Successful teachers know about their students’ lives inside and outside of school. They understand their learning strengths and challenges. Knowing students well means that they can choose the best instruction for them.

A successful teacher knows many teaching strategies and techniques.

Teaching strategies are important. Good teachers know how to choose different strategies for different purposes. They have a toolkit of techniques to help them work effectively. Every class is different and good teachers know how and when to adapt as they teach. Successful teachers also have techniques for organization, and for structured routines and transitions.

A successful teacher has high standards.

The best teachers hold high standards for student behavior and for student learning. They are clear about their expectations and hold students accountable. Good teachers know that they have to teach and model so that students know both what is expected of them and how to do what they need to do to meet those expectations. They don’t just have high standards, thy support students in their personal growth and achievement.

A successful teacher is proactive with parents.

Good teachers keep parents informed about what is happening in the classroom, whether through classroom newsletters or their on-line portals. They make contact with parents and establish a relationship before there is a problem. When there is a problem, they keep parents in the loop and work with them to find solutions.

A successful teacher supports colleagues.

Being a supportive colleague means that you do your part. You are helpful when you can help someone. You come to meetings prepared. You follow through on tasks. You take care of duties and turn in your attendance, grades and other requirements on time. If you take care of business, you will have earned the trust of the people you work with and they know they can count on you. Being valued as a colleague is a sign of success.

A successful teacher knows when to ask for help.

Rather than being a sign of weakness, asking for help is a sign that you are responsible enough to know that you don’t know everything and that you are willing to learn. No teacher has ever completely mastered everything. Asking for help shows a growth mindset, and life-long learning is a trait that successful teachers share.

A successful teacher is involved in their school community.

Good teachers are invested in their school communities. They show up at events. They volunteer for committees in the school and at the district level. They get to know the community around the school by patronizing local shops and restaurants. For example, a teacher we worked with did not live in the town where he taught.  He made an effort to service his car at a shop near the school. “They fund my paycheck,” he said, “why would I not want to support them?”  People notice when you are committed to your school and the community.

What would you add to our list?  What makes you feel success as a teacher?  As always, we would love to hear your ideas.

Our best,

 

Paula and Michele

 

 

Would you like a principal’s take on this?  Check out How to Impress Your Principal During Your First Year of Teaching

 

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