Episode 57 – School Climate

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Podcast Hosts and where to find us on Twitter:

OklaSaid: twitter.com/oklasaid
Erin Barnes:twitter.com/ebarnes73
Scott Haselwood: twitter.com/teachfromhere

Who hosted the #oklaed chat and where to find them on Twitter:

April Gustafson (Mrs. G.) @April2383

Overview of chat topic

School Climate

Questions from the chat:

• 1 – What is school climate?

A1: School climate is the energy that flows within the school. This energy can be positive or negative. A school's climate can make or break a school. #oklaed

— Chong Si Lor- #INFP (@chong2087) March 26, 2018

A1. Agreed. I do A LOT of observations at schools and it is always so telling how a school can make you FEEL (welcomed) when you walk in. Climate is in the details: school pride decorations, cleanliness, student reactions to visitors, check in procedures, admin available #OKLAED https://t.co/cjVquIGGW2

— Lara Searcy, M.Ed-NBCT (@MrsSearcy112) March 26, 2018

• 2 – Why is school climate important?

A2: School climate is an important element for schools to keep track of how the T’s, P’s and S’s interact with each other- and how those interactions affect teaching and learning. #oklaed https://t.co/TCgkOlXeQ5

— Shane A. Sanders (@edu_sanders70) March 26, 2018

A2: School climate is important because you want students to walk in and have them feel like they are accepted and that they belong there. #oklaed

— Danielle Saile (@MsDaniSaile) March 26, 2018

 

• 3 – In our district, we utilize PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and supports) to support and improve school climate. Doe your school or district use #PBIS?

A3) We do not use PBIS as in the program, but #OklaWE does our best to focus on positive reinforcement of behaviors using the RCA 55 elements as well as celebrating the amazing work Ts & Ss do. We also try to implement Love and Logic when discipline must occur. #OklaEd

— Amanda James (@451Flame) March 26, 2018

A3b: I think the big divide over school climate right now is between restorative discipline practices and zero tolerance policies. #oklaed

— Aaron Baker (@bakerleft) March 26, 2018

• 4 – What successes do you see happening with PBIS implementation or the tools and methods your school is using?

A4) punishment is not part of the equation. I tell Ss, "It's my job to teach you, not to punish you." so consequences are not punitive but part of their education. #oklaed https://t.co/XEoIfhUKDd

— Carrie Akins (@cakins0101) March 26, 2018

A4 The key to climate, whether you have a packaged program or not, is the mindset. Ask, "Do you go out of your way to make people feel like you want them around and that you value them?" Either you do or you don't. It starts in the front office and flows outward from. #oklaed

— Rick Cobb (@grendelrick) March 26, 2018

A4) when I see relationship building in a classroom (no matter the program) I see students engaged in an environment they feel safe and loved in #oklaed

— Stephanie Hinton (@thestephhinton) March 26, 2018

• 5 – What challenges are you facing with #PBIS implementation or your school’s chosen tool/process?

A5: any process that impacts school climate has to fight the 999 changes that occurs to 1) stay consistent 2) realize fair is not equal and equal is not fair and 3) internal and external pressures you can't account for. #oklaed

— Jun Kim (@MPSTechnology) March 26, 2018

A5: Most new school-wide practices are confronted with great hesitancy simply because of their novelty. Collective buy-in school-wide is needed in that case. Challenge=buy-in. #oklaed https://t.co/cGZBHyXpGQ

— Wm Stubbs (@WmStubbs) March 26, 2018

• 6 – What are the differences in behavioral techniques between elementary and secondary, if any?

A6) The major difference is brain development. Younger students may not have the cognitive ability to appreciate the effects of their actions. We also have to remember that the secondary student is still developing behavior and are not thinking equally to us as adults. #oklaed

— Jack Reed (@jlreed2011) March 26, 2018

A6 I know that in secondary, you have to partner with the Ss. You have to let them know that you want them to succeed, and that's why you're asking for a behavior change. They have to know that you care, not that you're just trying to get them in trouble. #oklaed

— Michelle Waters | #INFP 📚 (@watersenglish) March 26, 2018

• 7 – Does your school have a school climate/positive behavior team or PLC? How does it operate?

If yours does… include your COUNSELOR!! ❤️ #oklaed https://t.co/oYGm4Q2GMp

— kristin atchley (@KristinAtchley) March 26, 2018

A7) My school has a PBIS Team that includes teachers and admin and a School Climate Team that includes students and admin. Both teams work together to affect the behaviors in the building. #oklaed

— Jack Reed (@jlreed2011) March 26, 2018

• 8 – What are some examples of support from district administration in regards to #schoolclimate? What additional supports would you like to see?

A8: I'm so fortunate to work in a district where Admin is proactive, visible, and invested in ALL of our successes. I wouldn't trade that relationship for anything. #blessed #oklaed

— Renee Bell (@Biobellrocks) March 26, 2018

A8 I think that the authenticity and strength of relationships between As/Ts and Ts/Ss are the most significant drivers of school climate. If you trust each other, for the most part, things will work a lot better than if you don't. #oklaed

— Allen Lehman (@allen_lehman) March 26, 2018

Boomsauce tweet(s) of the night:

 

Scott:

big difference between punishment and discipline. #oklaed

— Jun Kim (@MPSTechnology) March 26, 2018

Next week on the #oklaed chat

#Oklaed Walkout – with moderator to be determined…

Join us at 8PM CST

Join us tonight for #OklaEd w/ @April2383 moderating, School Climate. 8PM CST

The following two weeks are TBD pending #oklaedwalkout 👈🏻🏃‍♀️👩‍🏫 pic.twitter.com/GofhMv04qi

— Anne Beck ✌🏻❤️& 🔲 (@MrsBeck25) March 25, 2018