Episode 86 – Celebrate Our Successes in #Oklaed

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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:

Dr. Jason James, Superintendent at Alex Public Schools @james409jason

Overview of chat topic

Celebrate Our Successes

Questions from the chat:

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Q1). Everyone has a success story to tell. No matter if you are an #oklaed T, a member of #okleg, a bus driver, a custodian, a cafeteria worker, teacher’s aide, cross walk volunteer, a P, a grandparent, or a S. Don’t be embarrassed. It's OKAY; Please share your personal story.

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) October 15, 2018

A1: Saying I found my passion, my purpose, my thing by becoming a teacher is my success story. #oklaed

— Jessica Robinson (@JessRob) October 15, 2018

A1-Every time a S comes to the library and tells me how much they love reading, how much they enjoyed the book I helped them pick out, they tell me they love coming to the library because it’s a safe space, it’s a success. #Oklaed https://t.co/qwulrGSfA1

— Jennifer Newkirk (@TeacherJenn2013) October 15, 2018

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Q2) #oklaed T success stories added to Ss success stories all add up to tell your school’s success story. Please share one thing your school does successfully that needs to be told. What should those not in your school know about the great things going on at your school?

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) October 15, 2018

A2 #cpsreds is focusing on ‘All Means All’ we are shifting to a PLC model to ensure that our Ss’ needs are met. We offer tech, makerspaces, AP courses, concurrent courses, etc. Our district has done an amazing job of bringing in grants. #oklaed

— Natasha Jefferson (@jefferson_first) October 15, 2018

A2) Most of my help this year has been w/ the students at Capitol Hill High School – one of many schools utilizing a food pantry. They utilize resources through the Regional Food Bank AND a strong community to make sure students don't go home hungry. #oklaed https://t.co/SNgYt7I9C0

— LaVelle Compton (@LaVellexCompton) October 15, 2018

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Q3) Do you know of a Ss success story? One that you are willing to share with us. Be the voice those Ss need. #oklaed

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) October 15, 2018

A3) Honestly, there are too many to single one out. The number of first gen college Ss who are rocking it in college makes my heart burst!!! Kids who wanted to give up & didnt. Kids who overcome more than most of us could imagine!!! I ♥️♥️ my Ss so much #oklaed https://t.co/fVHMGG0kDu

— Shari Gateley (@ShariGateley) October 15, 2018

A3) I had a S enter 4th gr. math on a 1st gr. level. We worked our tails off that yr and she finished at 3grade 8mo. She made more progress in 1 yr than most of her peers had in 2 yrs. In elementary we plant the seeds & hope they sprout. #oklaed https://t.co/B6RvCBLfMT

— Carri Hicks (@hicks4ok) October 15, 2018

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Q4) It has been my experience service minded people, especially #oklaed Ts, are uncomfortable telling their success story. BUT they love to tell success stories of others. Share 1 great thing a colleague of yours does to make a positive impact on the lives of their students.

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) October 15, 2018

A4 I have a colleague that is always striving to be a better teacher, she is constantly talking to me about what we could do better, how she wants her students to be happy, she is not an attention seeker, so she goes unnoticed, but I see your love for students #OklaEd

— Tara Tyler (@MrsTaratyler) October 15, 2018

A4) I was sharing some hardships of a student in one of the classrooms I have been observing and one of my teachers went out and bought a resource that he could use in the classroom to help him succeed. She has no relationship with this student, just saw a student in need!#oklaed

— Mackenzie Stevens (@mackenzies24) October 15, 2018

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Q5) I've always been amazed at how easily & fast #oklaed failures find themselves being told or repeated. Why do you think failures move at the speed of light while our successes stay untold? How can we balance the stories being told about ourselves and our school?

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) October 15, 2018

A5) Part of that is on us. How many times have you asked the press to a school event? Sent a press release? Written an editorial? A blog focused on the best of your classroom? Even a social media post. They don't know what they are missing because we don't tell them. #OklaEd

— ChrisParadise (@ChrisParadise) October 15, 2018

A5 (1/2) #oklaed Honestly, I don't feel this way at all. The print and broadcast media outlets in OKC have been pretty fair to us. I don't always want coverage when there's a negative story, but I don't blame them for reporting things that are newsworthy. https://t.co/wRLLoRV2PY

— Rick Cobb (@grendelrick) October 15, 2018

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Q6) Social media has made it much easier for #oklaed to share their successes, but it shouldn’t be the only outlet. Share a best practice that doesn’t include social media on how you or your school tells their story.

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) October 15, 2018

A6: Use school marquees, letters to the editor, messaging to parents, speak at local civic clubs. But don't neglect the experience people have when they enter a school building or attend a school event. First impressions stick. #oklaed https://t.co/eSLxoQ2Gj8

— Christy Watson (@Christy_writes) October 15, 2018

A6) Every week our 7th grade news crew produces a 10min show full of positive stuff going on: kindness student of the wk, athletes, hidden talent, and our favorite—the dance move of the week! It’s a huge hit! #oklaed

— Amber McMath (@mrsmcreading) October 15, 2018

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Q7) We all agree it's important to celebrate our successes. Why do you think it is essential, both internally and externally to tell your story? Why is it important for #oklaed to celebrate its successes?

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) October 15, 2018

A7) As someone about to enter the teaching field, hearing about successes is the only way we are going to keep good Ts in #Oklaed and make students want to become teachers. Over half of my cohort will be leaving the state to teach out of state come May. https://t.co/ae90Xg3xc0

— Baylee Anthony (@MsBayleeAnthony) October 15, 2018

A7 Because “the people” & especially their representatives do not really know what happens in our schools and the needs of #oklaed . Pls keep #okleg informed.

— Wendy S. Pratt (@WendyPratt234) October 15, 2018

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Q8) In all things where improvement is the goal, it is essential for stakeholders to evaluate goals, challenges, and obstacles to success. What obstacles to success are currently present making success more difficult for you or your school? #Oklaed

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) October 15, 2018

A8: Too often in education we are comparing apples and oranges. It's difficult to show growth, when the numbers are on different groups and show up a year later. We need to be showing achievement within the same groups #oklaed

— Renee Bell (@Biobellrocks) October 15, 2018

A8) body count: ratios of counselors to students & staff-class sizes that are not where they started when HB1017 first kicked #oklaed

— robert franklin (@franklinMPH) October 15, 2018

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Q9) T shortage & T pay raises. Testing & Accountability. Class size & efficiency. Flexibility & SQ800. #oklaed funding & reform. What policy or legislative issue do you believe will have the biggest positive impact to your success story?

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) October 15, 2018

A9 #oklaed Obviously it's universal sunscreen. This was the big win of the 2018 legislative season (for Johnson & Johnson at least). https://t.co/69ul4lYIOP

— Rick Cobb (@grendelrick) October 15, 2018

A9: Best positive legislation would be funding to educate emergency certified teachers. Fund the hiring additional teachers to maintain and enforce class size limits. Most importantly, OK vote legislators who value public education and willing to support it! #oklaed

— Cindy Johnson (@Johnsonmath) October 15, 2018

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Q10) Is there a policy or legislative issue that you feel would have a negative impact to the #oklaed story?

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) October 15, 2018

A10 #oklaed The voucher wolves are always out there, looking to make their move. We have to be on guard against their narrative, their bills, and their sheep outfits. https://t.co/6W4Yv9kkdL

— Rick Cobb (@grendelrick) October 15, 2018

A9/A10: Makes me nervous either way when anyone says "Trust me", _____ policy/decision will help kids! #oklaed pic.twitter.com/44VCWCV0C0

— Jun Kim (@MPSTechnology) October 15, 2018

Boomsauce Tweet(s) of the Night:

Erin:

A9 Ultimately our success and the success of our Ss is not something that can be attributed to a single piece of legislation. Sure each of them will have some impact, but the T in the room has a greater impact than legislative measures #oklaed

— Jason Bengs (@jasonbengs) October 15, 2018

Scott:

A5: I’ve been involved in one of the worst #oklaED days in our history when 7 of my Ss died. It’s the worst feeling. And now we have so many shelters in schools. Failures have a place in the conversation….

— Kristin Atchley (@KristinAtchley) October 15, 2018

Next Week on the #OklaEd Chat:

Reimagining Discipline @sethmeier

Join #OklaEd at 8PM CST every Sunday on Twitter