Gearing Up for Fall with NYEDChat

Mid-summer is upon us and although NYEDChat is on summer hiatus, the moderators: Bill Brennan, Vicki Day, Blanca Duarte, Starr Sackstein, Tony Sinanis, and I, are gearing up for a new season of connectivity with NYS educators and those from across the states. Last school year saw the relaunch of #NYEDChat as the voice of NYS educators and a partnership of committed moderators grew to a team of six. Every other Monday at 8:30 pm #NYEDChat posed lively discussions. Guest moderators often visited the chats and one of the highlights of the year was a triple state chat #NJNYCOL with ten moderators from #njed, #NYEDChat, and #COLchat. This chat was not only a great collaborative effort but a fast-paced, successful discussion that trended on Twitter. Many connections were made that night. 

Following this was a joint venture by #njed and #NYEDChat, the Showcase of Teaching and Learning, a highlighting of best practices, blogs, and lessons from educators around the globe. The site created hopes to attract educators who wish to globally share their best learning. It will remain open to all who would like to add to the collection of shared practices. 

With its expansion as a professional learning network (PLN), #NYEDChat continues its journey to connect educators from across New York State so that they can add their collective voices to a broader, global connected community.  Vicki Day has taken one step forward to make #NYEDChat a more dynamic and united front. She has worked diligently to construct a new website from the previous wiki site that we have seemed to outgrow. You can see the new look that is under construction at http://nyedchat.wordpress.com/. Today, Vicki and I collaborated on adding a new page to the site and I must admit it was quite an experience for me, a worthwhile endeavor but a frustrating one while learning a new platform. 

Thank you @VictoriaL_Day for creating the new NYEDChat Website



 

This summer educators are reenergizing their personal lives by engaging in activities that are relaxing and a departure from daily school work. The moderating team of NYEDChat wants you to know that we are gearing up for another dynamic year of connectivity, driven by our passion to impact teaching and learning. Remember as Connected Educators: Together We are One. 

Join the first #NYEDChat conversation of the school year on
 August 25, 2014, 8:30 PM 
for a lively discussion, 

"Beginning the School Year on a Positive Note"

In the meantime, enjoy your summer!

Escape the Blizzard Blues-Engage with NYEDChat

By now, most of the country has felt the repercussions of the extreme weather conditions that are causing what some have termed, the Blizzard Blues. 

Yes, WINTER, you hit us hard this year. 

It seems that the constant barrage of snowstorms, freezing ice, and rain has been a source of concern in New York State, as is the case across the country. Hazardous road conditions, dropping temperatures, and potholes are the driver's worst enemy and you even have to watch where you walk for fear of falling.

By now, everyone has a story to tell of the Winter of 2014? 

My short tale is: within the past month, I traveled to Albany during the BIG snowstorm; got hit two days later in Albany with another  BIG storm, and traveled back to Long Island for a few more BIG snowstorms. After one of these storms last week, I backed out of the driveway only to land in one of the snowbanks. Needless to say, I had to dig myself out. There was one brief moment when I thought the big, white, fluffy snowflakes falling outside my window looked beautiful but that thought did not last long because the snowy particles kept fluttering at such a pace that it became difficult to manage a day outside. Sadly but true, snow shovels and salt bags have become the artifacts of the season, replacing the lovely decorations that once graced my front porch. 

-And-

By the way who predicted that the weather station and meteorologists were going to be my constant go to advisors each day? 

So, I am thinking that those suffering from the Blizzard Blues

Need an Intervention

How about a cup of hot chocolate, a cozy fire, and a NYEDChat conversation?

JOIN US 
This Monday, February 24, 2014
for a lively and engaging discussion on 

"Teaching Writing to Children"

with

Peter Catalanotto, Author/Illustrator 

http://www.petercatalanotto.com/

@P_Catalanotto

UPCOMING EVENTS

8:30 PM

Mar. 3, 2014      Chris Lehmann & Kate Roberts, Authors/Consultants 

 "Teaching Reading in New York State: Where We Are Now, Where We Could Be"                      

Other Dates and Speakers for March and April will be announced.

  

Watch for more information about our Live Streaming Event 

Tuesday, May 6th, 8:30 PM 

with Pam Moran and Ira Socol

Teachers as Constructors of Exploration

**************************************************************************

SEND IN YOUR THOUGHTS

Why tweeps should join the NYEDChat conversations.

Some colleagues already responded.

CONVERSATION CORNER: 
Why Join NYEDChat?

I truly enjoy NYEDChat. It is one of my favorite chats on Twitter. This group generates a real feeling of passion, energy, and positivity in education. There is clearly a love of teaching and children. Thank you for coming together and creating a space for collaboration with such wonderful moderators and educators throughout NY and beyond!

-Lisa Davis @ lisaodavis

I look forward to the NYEDChat and its connections because I can connect directly to colleagues in NY who are juggling similar demands and can often find solutions and inspirations from the shared approaches.

-Lisa Meade, @ LisaMeade23

NYEDChat expands the school walls. My PLN (colleagues & friends) are there to support, teach and guide me at any time, anywhere!! I have learned so much from NYEDChats & look forward to expanding that on Monday night. Thank you NYED moderators!

-Emily Peterson, @emilyhpeterson 

NYEDChat features a distinct brand of educators who are tenacious, focused, and have a "New York State of Mind" - just what the circumstances call for in best supporting success in our schools today.

NYEDChat is the perfect supplement to the face-to-face relationships we nurture daily - a community of committed educators, dedicated to providing the support, enrichment, and nourishment our professional spirits need, to meet our challenges...with success...together.                                                                            -Dennis Schug, @DJrSchug

See The Power of the Professional Learning Community for Carol Varsalona's thoughts on why NYEDChat?

Please send in your thoughts on why you joined NYEDChat for a future posting.

My co-moderators, Bill Brennan, Vicki Day, Blanca Duarte, Starr Sackstein, and Tony Sinanis, and I look forward to connecting with you online to make NYEDChat a strong voice for the educational community.

East Meets West: Transcontinental Chat Magic

Shiver me timbers! When could be more entertaining that a dress up party for the launch of the first transcontinental NYEDChat and TLAP online chat last night. It may not have been the Golden Globes or the Bammy Awards, but it was a celebratory event just the same.  The lead pirate, Dave Burgess, author of the well-know professional text, Teach Like A Pirate, brought together an amazing cast of pirates from coast to coast to sail his PIRATE ship. Along with Dave, three members of the moderating team, Vicki Day, Carol Varsalona, and Blanca Duarte, dressed in high seas' garb, brought a sense of revelry to the launching of the East meets West online connection. Co-host, Tony Sinanis of the Bammy Award for Elementary Principal fame, charted the course while the moderating team of Bill Brennan and Starr Sackstein cheered from their quarters on land. 

When East met West on January 27, 2014 there was no ceremonial golden spike as on May 10, 1869, the day that marked the completion of the first transcontinental railway. What occurred last night during the linking the #nyedchat and #TLAP professional learning communities was a celebration of educational Voice. Fun was in the house. Rapid fire conversations, cross-tweeting, and an amazing flow of thoughtful answers were the fare of the day. While the Twitter chat flowed online, the team in the photos above enjoyed "hanging out" on Google as Dave's first mates and firing replies to the parade of questions posted by the evening's moderator, Tony Sinanis. As the ship set sail, Shipwreck Tag was offered to lure tweeps on land to join the conversation. Pam Moran, among others, heard the call and jumped on board, while Tom Whitby could only send his regards. 

Throughout the chat, technology rocked the ship back and forth with Tweet Deck, Tweet Chat, and Twitter providing the platforms for the firing of Qs and the reporting of A 1s to A 6s. To navigate the sea of responses that were floating in the Twittersphere, multiple screens were used by the crew, a phenomenon unbeknown to the pirates of yesteryear. Thanks to the craftsmanship of the lead pirate, Dave Burgess, the ship that set sail at 9:00 pm EST disembarked one hour later, laden with a rich bounty.  Gold coins were not plundered during the trip. Instead, golden words for a week of charting new waters in education were captured from the take away booty. East and West Coasters left, voices linked in unison and map in hand to chart new waters to bring passion to the classroom.  

History.com notes that the linking of the east and the west upon completion of the first transcontinental railroad was the "realization of a dream." So too, the virtual connection of East and West Coasters was the realization of a linked world of passionate and committed educators who look beyond the dream to reality.  

Aye, I believe all would agree that our sail last night was worth the trip and that a pirate's life is grand. Signing off, until we meet again. 

Beyond the Dream Lies the Reality

Yesterday, Twitter surfing was a fascinating venture of finding just the right links to gain knowledge and broaden my educational perspective. Continuing with my #nerdlution to grow as a learner, one tweet led to another, then to a blog, and so on - a continual cycle of learning. Facts and thoughts for future blogs, tweets, or training sessions became my treasure, while last minute links to multi-modal tools for young writers rounded off the experience. 

 

The word, dream, surfaced several times during the afternoon, allowing me time to ponder on that one little word. I was intrigued to note that January 13th was “Make Your Dream Come True Day.” Although I never heard of this event, I thought of those who have looked beyond their dreams for opportunities and open doors. Albert Einstein once said, "Nothing happens unless first we dream." Thinking back on Monday night’s experience as a co-moderator for #nyedchat, I reflected on the amazing conversations among educators from around New York State and Connecticut that led to the realization of a dream, to make NYEDChat a linked community of practitioners on Twitter and the voice of New York State educators. For me, this act of connecting with like-minded people to hone my craft as an educator became the benefit of joining the NYEDChat professional learning network. 

As with any fast-paced, engaging chat, tweeters popped in regularly while newbies slowly made their move into the threaded conversation led by co-moderator, Blanca Duarte, and me. Retweeting and greetings were handled by the moderating team of Bill Brennan, Tony Sinanis, and Starr Sackstein. It appeared that everyone enjoyed the new activity created for the chat, tagging one more voice to join the conversation. This hook became the highlight of the night when Tom Whitby and Chris Lehman, both recognizable names in the Twitter world of education, came into the house. The choir of many voices and the desire to link with others brought the vision of a connected community to life. At the end of the chat, the last NYEDChat moderator, Vicki Day, returning from a lengthy Board meeting, spent time post-convo archiving the chat with Storify so that all the tweeters could remember the event that rocked New York State ed world conversations. Needless to say, this chat broadened our membership to include more than the original dozen or so voices. 

On Monday night, the NYEDChat moderators found that beyond the dream lies the reality of New York educators freely conversing on educational topics, regardless of regional boundaries.

When we are dreaming alone it is only a dream.

When we are dreaming with others it is the beginning of reality.

Dom Heller Camara

As we move into 2014, consider joining #nyedchat every other Monday night at 8:30 pm (or designated time for that session) to link with colleagues as we become the voice of New York State Educators. I, along with the other moderators, invite you to look beyond the original dream to the endless possibilities that await us, for in the horizon lies the reality of a connected educational community in New York State. 

The Power of the Professional Learning Community (PLN)

What is the power behind professional learning networks (PLNs) that are everywhere to be found on Twitter? The simple graphic organizer created using the tool, Text 2 Mind Map, forms the basis for a conversation, The Power of the PLN: Making NYEDChat the Voice of NYS, that will air on 1/18/14 at 8:30 pm EST. Tune into Twitter and search for the hashtag label, #nyedchat, to either join the conversation or listen to the exchanges. Kicking off the New Year with this topic is part of a campaign, to build a network of dedicated educators committed to impacting teaching and learning in New York State. The NYEDChat moderating team of Bill Brennan, Vicki Day, Blanca Duarte, Starr Sackstein, Tony Sinanis, and Carol Varsalona have been working on a variety of topics and inviting guest speakers to bring lively discussions to the NYEDChat learning community.

You may ask, "What is the value in joining NYEDChat on Twitter every other Monday?" For those seeking ongoing learning experiences or new to Twitter, this PLN will allow for online professional development opportunities that can affect teaching and learning on a daily basis. Below are additional benefits that #nyedchat will offer to educators.  It will provide:

• A connected network for NYS educators and those joining from other states
• Discussions on current topics that impact teaching and learning
• Avenues for immediate advice and support
• Information on educational technology, teaching, learning, educational leadership, and other topics of interest
• Inspiration 
• Links to other networks, chat groups, and educational leaders

Educators who involve themselves in online networking opportunities with PLNs find the experience worthwhile. The NYEDChat Moderating Team invites you to collaborate and learn with fellow educators every other Monday. We encourage you to tweet the information to others so that NYEDChat grows in numbers to represent New York State in the Twitter community of educators across the nation. 

The true power of the PLN is in its collaborative opportunities that shift mindsets and promote a collective consciousness.

Reflect, Connect, and Collaborate with NYS Educators

We reflect on past practices. We engage with colleagues. We discuss. We collaborate. We push our thinking. We move to the next level. We become a collective voice of the information age. Gone are the days of the factory model when doors were closed and teachers worked independently of each other. "Technology has taken us to an new level where we can collaborate beyond our wildest imaginations." (Tom Whitby) So, it is time to get connected, build a PLN, and grow as a lifelong learner. Connected Educators is continuing its October campaign to help educators thrive in a connected world. Be part of the movement to connect, collaborate, and build your personal learning network. Be like our students who are asked to notice and wonder. Find a topic, explore your thoughts, and be bold enough to join the conversation. 

Yesterday, I joined the moderating team of Tony Sinanis, Bill Brennan, Blanca Duarte, Vicki Day, and Starr Sackstein to relaunch #NYedchat. The conversation was buzzing about what being connected means and why it is important. Before the conversation started, I read that Twitter has become one of the must-have tools in the educator's toolbox. Stay tuned, stay informed, stay connected slogans to drive conversations are everywhere. So I ask myself, why is Twitter a must have tool? With fast-paced conversation via 140 characters it provides asynchronous professional development. It has opened my doors, impacted my thinking, teaching practices, and learning. Twitter has become a constant source of information and new ideas to examine. Further, it has given me the opportunity to discuss timely topics with educators around the globe. Conversations are fast, articulations well-crafted, and my network is broadened each day. I am humbled by the experience of co-moderating topical conversations that link educator to educator.

If Twitter is a source of information for educators, what is needed is a growing body of educators to become connected. It has been noted by Tony Sinanis that NY educators are under-represented on Twitter. Research did not provide this thought. It is based on his exchanges and connections. Will #nyedchat be able to turn the tide and draw more educators in to the conversation? The moderating team hopes that this will become a reality. As we draw closer to the next NYedchat, please mark November 4, 2013, 8:30 pm on your calendar. Out-of-state educators and parents are welcomed to join the group as was the case with the relaunch event. 

As a collective group of impassioned New York educators, through #nyedchat we can open doors, go beyond the walls of our classrooms/buildings/districts, and bring back fresh ideas. We can engage with a broader range of educators. We can connect with current and new colleagues to learn. In addition, we can join conversations that validate our beliefs and bring about change in daily practice; learn from each other; allow global conversations and perspectives to frame new thinking about education. With one purpose, we can rise like the phoenix, a fire bird igniting the flame that connects us all to the one reason why we came into the profession. 

Join the NYedchat moderators as we soar throughout New York State as one committed body of educators ready to build the next generation of critical thinkers, resolute decision makers, and creative problem solvers. 

Comments are welcomed and can be posted below or on #nyedchat. 

Collaborate, Engage, Stay Connected with NY Educators

Networking is about collaborating, actively engaging, and connecting with colleagues to learn, validate your beliefs, or affect change in daily practice. It is going beyond the day's work to spend time growing as a professional. In today's connected age, real time conversations happen every day in a Twitter environment. There is no face-to-face talk but there is threaded conversation found in 140 characters. Ten years ago, when I founded the Reflective Pathway community of committed district educators, collegial conversations were face to face or with a small circle of critical friends conversing via a listserv. My conversations today have moved to a more global level through blogging and tweeting where there are no boundaries and no limits to the potential of thoughtful conversations. 

I once again give credit to Tony Sinanis and JoEllen McCarthy for introducing me to the world of 140 character conversations. I "lurked" before cautiously committing to tweeting and blogging, knowing that my thoughts would be in the public domain. But due to the trusting environments of various PLNs, I have moved forward as a connected educator with a small network of educators in New York State, across the states, and even across the seas. 

Beyond these steps, I have now journeyed to become one of five co-moderators of NYedchat. Tonight at the kick off brainstorming session, high energy was felt and a structured approach to developing collaborative talk was discussed. The launch of the 2013-14 edition of #NYedchat is now ready to air on Twitter on October 21, 2013 from 8:30-9:30. I invite you to join Tony Sinanis, Bill Brennan, Blanca Duarte, Vicki Day, and me twice a month to discuss timely topics of interest for New York State educators. With the goal of connecting educators across New York State, NYedchat hopes to build a culture of open conversations, collaboration, and purposeful talk to grow connections and push educators thinking. 

As a group of committed educators, 

we can make a difference. 

All you need to do is tune in to Twitter twice a month on Monday nights to be connected to #NYedchat and share the vision. 

 

If you are new to Twitter, get a handle (mine is @lady1890) and tweet out replies to various questions posed by moderators.