Tom Schmidt

If we believe the reasons for student behavior are outside of our control, we are more likely to spend time admiring the problem rather than solving it. But if we believe we have influence over student behavior we are more likely to search for solutions. 💚 #studentbehavior

Injustice survives when "DEI-minded" people defend purely individualist solutions. I say, "Antibias training alone can't eliminate institutional racism," they say, "Why are you against antibias training?" I'm not. I just know its limitations w/o institutional work. ( 1/ )

🎓 If a #student with an #IEP is struggling with an assignment, the assigning #teacher is the best person to help. We are wasting the resource of our special ed #teachers when we use them for assignment help. #LeadInclusion #EdLeaders #UDL #TeacherTwitter

There was a time that we were limited to one text because that's what we had access to. Times have changed. We have technology and online resources, so as educators, it's possible to rethink this traditional approach to assigning one text for all. #StudentLed

Hard, direct, critical feedback related to inequity is an invaluable gift, not an affront. It should be received with gratitude. In most organizations leaders view that feedback as an affront and reward silence and complicity with inequity, often under the guise of "community."

If superintendents don't trust principals enough to run a school autonomously then don't hire them. Principals can't focus on staff/ school needs, if they're constantly looking over their shoulder. School stability is key to student success & stability begins w/the Principal!

As someone who has experimented with one class doing an activity on their Chromebook’s, while having another class complete the same activity while writing in a packet— the class that used a packet scored 15 points higher on the assessment.

My colleagues led a good PD yesterday. 💯 Try this out.

We spend 50% more hours in school than Finland. They get 15 mins of recess every hour. They have NO standardized tests except for PISA in HS and they outperform us every time. When we can’t give students more recess, physical activity & Arts then we don’t understand education.

As adults, we cannot expect children to know exactly how they should respond to every situation. They’re learning. They’re kids.

@plcEvangelist Yep, but I feel that it's really only the people with the active voices in the space.

🗣️Let's talk about #GreatTeaching. ▶️17 videos describing each of the elements from the Model for Great Teaching. 👥Use them with colleagues to facilitate conversations about teaching and learning. Free via this link 👇 hubs.la/Q01qsrPS0

Year 8 in education and title change to Student and Family Engagement Specialist. Also teaching AVID 9. Ready for a fulfilling year!

Even being a virtual training #AVID4Possibility always gets me pumped for working in education!

#AVID4Possibility is inspiring me to lesson plan. Advice for teaching the AVID 9 in a block schedule are welcomed :)

So excited to bring #AVID4Possibility to BHS and to teach the AVID 9 Elective Course. Day One of AVID DigitalXP tomorrow!

Listen to the radical dreams of students. It is energizing, inspiring, and transformative. The quickest way to work toward equity is to slow down, listen, and be led by those who have eyes for the things we don’t yet.

To the extent that special educators become inclusion specialists who codesign instruction with UDL, there will be less specially-designed instruction needed for individual students.#LeadInclusion #edchat #edleadership

A1: UDL is all about firm goals and flexible means. Some goals focus on completing work independently while others focus on collaboration. When we are intentional about outcomes we can address potential barriers. Purpose is everything. #UDLchat

The pull to focus on deficits and loss in schools is stronger than ever. This is a dangerous trap if working toward equity is our goal. Resist this and lean heavily into imagination and the opportunity this moment presents. The best learning is based on what’s possible not fear.