Mel Ching

Thank you for joining #EduSkyChat. ❤️ Be sure to follow everyone in the chat and join us next week!

A3: Play lives in our team chats: dropping GIFs, celebrating tiny wins, or just LOL-ing. It keeps things light when the work feels heavy. Those moments remind me that delight has a place in serious work, too. One last resource from Edutopia! www.edutopia.org/blog/changem... #EduSkyChat

Q3: Where does play live in your learning life these days? What would it take to invite it back in? Don’t forget the #EduSkyChat hashtag!

#EduSkyChat - A1: Play is key. If we are playing we do not even realize we are learning. It just seems to come more easily. It is like learning and engagement come together in a beautiful harmony. When play is involved there are so many opportunities to grow in ways we do not even realize.

If the word "vigor" caught your eye (and ear) in A2, here is an article by jdeborahklein.bsky.social on vigor vs rigor. #EduSkyChat www.principledlearning.org/post/languag...

A2: Play feels risky because we’ve been taught that real learning should look serious and measurable. But joy, creativity, and vigor can and do live in playful spaces. Here's an article in The Creative Post on integrating play in higher ed! www.creativitypost.com/article/beca... #EduSkyChat

Q2: Why does play feel risky in older learning spaces? What stories or pressures are getting in the way? Don’t forget the #EduSkyChat hashtag!

A1: Play is a way of moving through the world. It shows up when we feel safe to follow our curiosity, ask wild questions, or try without knowing the outcome. It's magic! Here's a white paper by the LEGO Foundation on Learning Through Play. cms.learningthroughplay.com/media/wmtlmb... #EduSkyChat

Q1: How might play be welcomed not as a tool, but as a way of being for learners to explore, question, and stay open to possibilities? Don’t forget the #EduSkyChat hashtag!

Hello #EduSkyChat, friends! My name is Mel, & I'm the Global Knowledge Curator at @WhatSchoolCouldBe. Although I'm not in an elementary school setting anymore, my ❤️ is still with the littles, where I worked for over 20 years. Play was a HUGE part of learning there (as it should be in all spaces!).

How to participate in #EduSkyChat: ✅ Use the #EduSkyChat hashtag in all posts & replies 🚫 Do not use OTHER hashtags when in the chat ✅ Look for the Q1, Q2, Q3 from the moderator ✅ Start a new post and respond with A1, A2, A3

Welcome to #EduSkyChat! 👋 Tonight’s topic is "The Importance of Play for All Learners" 🛝 with ME as your moderator. Please introduce yourself by sharing your name, role in education, & why you're here tonight. Be sure to include the hashtag #EduSkyChat!

GET READY!!!
 #EduSkyChat starts in 15 minutes.
 I'll be chatting with you all about The Importance of Play for All Learners.

⌛ 30 minutes until #EduSkyChat
 The topic is The Importance of Play for All Learners, with me, Mel Ching!

🚨 Join us later this evening for #EduSkyChat
 I’m moderating 💬, and the topic is The Importance of #Play for All Learners! 🛝 I'm excited to connect with more of you in the #EduSky community. This will be fun!

Such an honor to do this with you, Barbara!

A3 I heard something about community recently that stood out to me. In addition to all things we usually think about community providing, a true community also "refuses to support our harmful internal patterns." I love that and wish I had the source to cite! #EduSkyChat

A2 Administrators can be intentional about taking one thing off the proverbial plate when adding something new on. Name it, put it in a box, and don't take it out until/unless something else comes off. #EduSkyChat

A1 One simple thing educators can do to prioritize their own well-being is to be very clear about personal boundaries. Everyone is different in terms of bandwidth & time & responsibilities, so it won't look the same for each person. Communicate them to others firmly and clearly. #EduSkyChat

Hi #EduSkyChat! I'm Mel with What School Could Be signing in from Hawai'i. Excited to learn from all of you!

A2 This almost feels like a "safe answer," so Iʻm truly looking forward to hearing everyone elseʻs! Having clear, consistent routines is important. Predictability lowers anxiety and provides structure. When routines are clear, there’s less room for power struggles. #EduSkyChat

A1: Easier said than done, but when gen ed & SPED teachers can actually sit down together, even briefly, they can anticipate challenges, differentiate more intentionally, and build stronger support systems. Admin has to find the time for them to do that! #EduSkyChat

When I taught 3rd grade, I invited guest readers to bring stories to life—some visited in person, while others shared through recorded videos. One memorable moment was a parent reading traditional Ukrainian folktales, which we absolutely loved! #EduSkyChat

A3 Storytelling apps have always been a part of my toolkit. Holding space for students to share their cultural heritage, traditions, and lived experiences creates a climate of respect and belonging. #EduSkyChat

A2: I think for me it’s important myself and the students family are on the same page as far as communication. Some of my colleagues will translate emails to make sure it says what needs to be said #EduSkyChat

A2: Some of my go-tos include----> TalkingPoints – Two-way translated messaging. Google Forms – Collect feedback in multiple languages. Canva – Create translated visual newsletters. Screencastify – Record videos with captions for support. #EduSkyChat 🗣️🌍

A2 Not a tech tool, but strengthening trust between home and school is necessary. Validating students reading and speaking in their home language is so important. #EduSkyChat

A1: Microsoft/Apple Translate – Help MLs access content in their language at their pace. Brisk/MagicSchool – Differentiate course content. iPad Accessibility Tools – Spoken content and live text. These tools ensure all students can engage, learn, and express themselves equitably! 🌍✨ #EduSkyChat

A1 I used Google Translate a lot! I’ve found the translation tool in Canva to be quite good, as well! #EduSkyChat

Hi #EduSkyChat! I’m Mel, the @whatschoolcouldbe.bsky.social Global Knowledge Curator. I’m a former tech coordinator & coach, so I’m interested in following along with the chat!

My beautiful team at @whatschoolcouldbe.bsky.social listened to the episode this morning, and they have been sending me love all day. 🥰 I couldn’t ask for better humans to do this work with. Thank you for creating this space for me, @bbray27.bsky.social ❤️

A4: 💡 What if wellbeing wasn’t an extra thing to squeeze in, but the foundation of how we learn and teach? 💡 Why do we question the validity of learning when it is "too much fun," as if nothing of importance can be learned with joy and wonder? #Rethink_Learning

A3: 💡 Why do we celebrate teachers for sacrificing themselves instead of creating systems that sustain them? 💡 What if we built systems of care and invested in educators in all roles? We have to start with the humans that hold our learning spaces together. #Rethink_Learning

A1: 💡 What if learning wasn't contained by policies, restrictions, or mandates, but instead thrived in community? 💡 Why do we keep trying to control learning instead of nurturing it? Learning shouldn't be "done to" students. It should be something they actively create. #Rethink_Learning

A1: 💡 What if we designed learning spaces that heal rather than reinforce harm? 💡 What if our purpose was to cultivate belonging before achievement? I would love for relationships, care, and justice to guide our decisions. #Rethink_Learning

Your questions inspire us to ask more questions. Join #Rethink_Learning today at 2/17/25 4PT/7ET @mrsholdcraft.bsky.social @dhasty01.bsky.social @julishively.bsky.social @melching5.bsky.social @techsavvysupt.bsky.social @travistrue.bsky.social @pammoran1.bsky.social @glenngrobbins.bsky.social

I just started watching The Morning Show on Apple TV+, and I’m riveted. Tell me, how did I miss this?

Hey, #EduSky! Here's your friendly reminder to set your timers for next Tuesday and join us for #EduSkyChat! Next week's topic will be "The Path Forward: Preparing Students for the World Ahead" with me as your moderator! Hope to see you there! 5:30-6:00 PM Pacific / 8:30-9:00 PM Eastern

A3: Schools must build reflection into the process. Carve out and protect time specifically for reflection, not just during class/planning time, but in faculty meetings, PLCs, coaching sessions, etc. Going back to Q1 - encourage different methods of reflection. #EduSkyChat

A2: In my experience as a teacher, reflection and inquiry opens up new perspectives, responses, and creativity. Without it I often become more stuck, brittle, repetitive, confused and disconnected #eduskychat

A2: reflection is the best (only?) path to authentically understanding your values and the way your actions as a teacher align with them Reflection is the glue, in a way—and without it we can depart from our values. #EduSkyChat

A2: There are lots of reasons to reflect: improving instructional practices, staying committed to growth, encouraging innovation. But reflection also helps us identify and embrace moments of joy in our work, which can be incredibly challenging. #EduSkyChat

A1: I think it is all of the above, and the preferred method varies for each person. I like to first think, then discuss to help me process. #EduSkyChat

Hi #EduSkyChat! I'm Mel the Global Knowledge Curator at What School Could Be. Excited to be participating tonight!

I am really looking forward to this new book, "Challenge Accepted," by Chris Balme! Illustrations? Short chapters? Choose Your Own Adventure? Yes, please. 😀 #EduSky #WhatSchoolCouldBe #StudentAgency chrisbalme.substack.com/p/challenge-...

Ooh...so many! 🎵 Lose Yourself (Eminem) 🎵 Better When I'm Dancin (Meghan Trainor) 🎵 Can't Stop the Feeling (Trolls Soundtrack) 🎵 Pump it (Black-Eyed Peas) 🎵 Live Your Life (T.I.) 🎵 Gladiator (Zayde Wolf) 🎵 I Love Rock n Roll (Joan Jett) 🎵 Astronaut in the Ocean (Masked Wolf) #Rethink_Leaning

A3. I live for iteration. Everything is in beta and feedback is essential. I am at my best when learning and brainstorming with others, then have the time to reflect and take new action. #Rethink_Learning

A2. I know it sounds crazy, but striking a "super hero" pose with your hands on your hips, taking up space, & breathing deeply helps to manage nerves and anxiety. I also surround myself with positive, curious people that cheer you on madly. (and I try to be that person for others!) #Rethink_Learning