CPS Teach Chicago Podcast
CPS Teach Chicago Podcast
Teacher Appreciation
It's great to hear "thanks for being a teacher" this week, but Teacher Appreciation as a greater construct is critical for building successful work cultures within school buildings. Listen now as Katie and Keisha talk with Tamiko Nettles, Education Engagement Manager in the CEO's office, on how CPS is looking at Teacher Appreciation from every lens.
Also, listen in on a surprise act of appreciation for both hosts after the interview. You don't want to miss it!
Featured School Bell: Whitney Young Magnet High School
Appreciation Ad Schools: Best of Season 1 Roll
Listener Survey: cps.edu/tcpodsurvery
©Chicago Public Schools 2021
How did you even find them? Don't worry about that. So that is like one of my favorite teachers guys ever.
Speaker 2:Hey, Kesha, I just want you to know, I appreciate you.
Speaker 3:Oh, I appreciate you, Katie. What's got you in such a good mood today.
Speaker 2:Well, you know, it's that one week in may.
Speaker 3:Oh, I suppose it is. In fact, today is the actual day, May 4th of 2021 national teacher appreciation day.
Speaker 1:Woo.
Speaker 2:Real quick to our teacher listeners out there in Chicago, Oak park. Downer's Grove is Springfield, Dallas, Columbus, Atlanta, Ohio, Los Angeles. And of course, Evanston, Wyoming. Did you know, there was an Evanston Wyoming,
Speaker 3:The only Evanston I know is Evanston, Illinois.
Speaker 2:I'm not up on my Wyoming geography apparently. So we have listeners every week
Speaker 3:We do. And of course, we're here each month to specifically speak to. And for those wonderful CPS teachers listening in words of appreciation, they matter for sure. But words are one part in the practice of teacher appreciation and the incredible value it brings to your school building and your greater district. That's what we're talking about today. The value of teacher appreciation
Speaker 2:To do that. We are connecting with someone in CPS whose efforts are centered on that value to Mikko nettles is the educator engagement manager working in the chief executive office of Chicago public schools. And we are so happy that she has joined us here today. Hello, Tamiko. Welcome.
Speaker 1:Welcome. I'm also happy to be here.
Speaker 2:We are so glad that you are here with us and celebrating all things. Teachers,
Speaker 3:Can you just start by Tamika, just letting our listeners and just know like what your role is in the CEO's office, kind of your background, just so they can get a sense of who you are.
Speaker 1:Yes I'm. So I'm so happy this role was created. Um, it was created basically for a need to one, hear from our teachers and also recognize them for what they do. And so since this is a new role within the district, it has been amazing to just come up with new ways, but making sure that between anyway, I really involve educators in that process. And so I am a former teacher, so I taught for about 10 years. Um, but I also coach teachers through and also work with principals across our district on collaboration and also work with parents to get them, to be involved with our students. So doing this particular role within our district has been amazing to bring all of those pieces together. And I'm super excited to be here with you all today.
Speaker 2:So when you reflect back on, let's say day one of this new position within the CEO's office, um, what was it like for you? Where did you start?
Speaker 1:Oh my goodness. Um, so one, I started one with what I knew, uh, what I knew, especially from my time teaching was that sometimes it was very lonely, especially if I was the only teacher of that grade level, teaching a subject. And I thought about individuals and actually had to go back into the classroom as well. But you get about the experience where I was the only teacher in that subject area and how it had been so great. If I had other teachers who were going through that process with me, um, who I can really connect with, but then also because I work with so many educators and principals across our district, reach back out to all of them too, to just do something like a listening tour. But I did that, not only with the individuals that I knew going into this organization and into this role, but I reached out to about 76 now, 80 of our schools across the district and had listening sessions with them to find out what do they want in terms of appreciation? What has their schools done with appreciation? What do they need? Like, what does support look like? What are the things that they want to collaborate around? What do they want to bring voice to? And so from that, um, that was basically like my first three months on the job is doing these listening sessions. And I got in rooms where it was sometimes the entire staff. So like the entire staff of the school came to talk about that. Or it was students that say to me go, these are the things that we know our teachers need in order to be appreciated for what they do. These are the things that, the resources that I think that they need in order to do their work well. And then hearing from a lot of teachers across our district, that same thing. Like you don't have to appreciate me by giving me things sometimes appreciate me by giving me time. Sometimes you appreciate me by just telling me, thank you specifically for what it is or how many years I have been with this district or how many things that I have done to move the needle. All of the things that I heard are things that I carry with me even now. And so being in this role for now almost three, I hear their voices. I hear the students, I hear principals who I've talked to and I'm still working with teachers and educators every single day, um, around this particular thing and things that they won't and they need have not changed. And so, um, you know, I would be interested to hear from you all, what are those things that you, you know, to be something appreciated by, um, or supported by, especially, but those are the things I've heard from them.
Speaker 2:I love that. You also talked to students. I was going to ask that too, if you had any student input. And so I think that is wonderful because I feel like even our youngest students can share ways in which they can appreciate their teachers and amen to not giving us things as a way of appreciation all the time. I think as teachers we're good on the school logo, apparel could think we're good with that. I mean, I see today, none of us are wearing our school apparel, so, Oh wait, just kidding.
Speaker 3:I mean, I'm all, you know, I usually do rock Randolph gear. I'm just saying,
Speaker 2:That's why I was like, usually Kesha has, you mentioned
Speaker 3:We are very branded schools, so I don't know that we get it as a thank you. I think we get it because it's a part of our building. Culture is a part of our, our community. Like there are times when everybody on the staff, every adult, every seeker, every parent worker, we will all have on the same shirt. And it's just the sense of unity of what, you know, what we have. But when I do think about the teacher appreciation, I do think that there are two words that we just don't hear enough and that's thank you. Right? I think that there are so many things that we do and it, nobody even recognizes the fact that we do it because we're going to do absolutely what we're supposed to do for students, because that's why we got into the profession. Right. We want it to be able to have relationships with students and see these outcomes with students and create change for students. We do that because that's what we have a passion to do. Right. But outside of that, there is so much more that every teacher I know does, you're not just the teacher when you sign up, right. You're a teacher, you're a nurse, you're a counselor. You're the doctor. You're the therapist. You're the grandma. You know, it's been times like when I was in the class and somebody was like, ma I mean, Ms. Lee, and I said, girl, babies, come calm, come whatever. Whatever's going to make you happy.
Speaker 2:I say, call me teacher mama. Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 3:And sometimes it's like, you know, you've done 10 things for 15 other people. And then, you know, you just get an email and it's like something else. You're just like, Oh my gosh, is there even recognition of those 10? And so I just think that sometimes something that's free is really just that appreciation of, you know, what, thank you so much because I know that that took a lot or you went out of your way to do it. That means a lot. Hey, extra prep time, every teacher I know, would love some extra planning time to get things done. Okay. If you can find some extra coverage to say, you know what you've been doing? Great. I want to reward you with an extra prep. I don't know many teachers don't say, I don't want it pick. They gonna say, thank you. I'm gonna work a little hard because maybe I can earn this again. Right. And so sometimes I, I totally agree. It's not always about stuff. Right. Um, we have a of stuff and we can get our own stuff. It's really about knowing deep down that administrators care that you really appreciate, um, the work that teachers are doing and all of those extra moves
Speaker 2:And Tamika, um, based on what you were telling us about, um, your listening tour, it sounds like you just got a lot of information from all stakeholders involved in education about what is really important, but I'm wondering if anything else came out of those listening tours that maybe influenced the work that you are doing right now.
Speaker 1:Yes. Um, a lot of it has came out. I know for me, since I am in this role, I didn't want this to be what Tamiko thought, you know, all the time, uh, because that matters, but it doesn't matter, uh, as much as individuals who are going through the process every single day. And so for me doing the listening to her, I think was the first step. It was the first step to one sharing what this role is like, especially in policy around appreciation and then also collaboration, but then also doing something with what it was. And so from there, as a result of the listing tour, there have been several things that have happened as a result. So one in terms of appreciation, um, I was like, I need a taskforce. I need some, some educators who can work with me around appreciation for like a year long plan of what this looks like, because appreciation is bigger than just one month. You know, there, there are times where educators and Oh in March is the day that we don't have days off. And I know that they need more, um, on, you know, especially during that time. So what can we do? But these educators who have been part of the task force that first year have been amazing. And it was only a team of nine, but they were the best team of nine I started with, um, because out of them came so many ideas and all of those ideas we put into place. So one thing that they said it was Tamiko. You did all these things for appreciation. We have raffle, we had all the things we didn't believe it. I'm like we need to put all these things out. Um, and so it was like, we need to have appreciation champion. So out of the taskforce came appreciation champions. Um, one of your principals is an appreciation champion, which is awesome. You have a teacher at your school, who's an appreciation champion, which is awesome, but it all came out of the work of these educators. And so now we have a hundred appreciation champions who are putting together something right now, as we speak for all of the educators at their school are all of the networks. So they are associated with, but that came out of this arm of appreciation also out of that arm, because a lot of educators talked about voice. We have an appreciation policy that is up for review. Is it still going to be up for review at this time? But it was done because there's a teacher appreciation policy team. And this is a team composed of not just teachers, but as principals is assistant principals is counselors and seekers. It's, ISLs his network, chief assistance. A lot of people came to the table because they want to give their voice for that. So that was one piece out of the appreciation arm also because educators say it that they want to see educators who look like them in their schools, across the district that are doing phenomenal things every Monday, uh, we are tweeting out motivational educators, every meet me Monday. And so all of these educators who've been nominated by school-based staff, non school-based staff by parents, by teachers, by students are being featured every day as a result of what came out of that. Listening to, or also out of listening to our educators, said that we want to collaborate around things that involve us being socially, emotionally stable, like trauma informed practices, professional development opportunities to push their craft. They also talked about times to just talk and connect other educators that's in their network or in their grade level. And so all of that has come out of it. The other piece is the transformative teaching cohort, because there are educators who said that they wanted to not necessarily mentor, you know, someone else, but they want it to be around individuals who also thought the same thing that they did around student agency as to invoice. So that came out of this listening tour, the importance of having people together to just talk and build community, but then also build practices as well. So it was a lot, I know I said, but a lot of that work came from the listening sessions, but also came for this, the need to hear back from individuals who are within our district that are doing amazing things and whose voices just need to be amplified in different ways, because not everybody wants professional development, not everybody wants, um, you know, accolades on their back all the time. There's some people who just want to be acknowledged for what it is that they do and want to be heard from that as well.
Speaker 2:I know that you had said you spoke with admin with students, with teachers. Did you have any interaction with any parents or LSes or friends of to get feedback?
Speaker 1:Oh my goodness. So during the first listing spore sessions there, I asked principals at the schools that I went to to invite anybody in the room. And so I never knew who was going to be there when I showed up. A lot of times it was, you know, staff at the school building. And sometimes it was exactly who you just see it. So it was parents that were there. Sometimes it was the entire group of individuals that were associated with the school. But then also throughout my time within this role, I have constantly interacted with each. So, um, in terms of parents, yes, working with the family and community engagement team, you know, there's been different things that have been done, especially around appreciation where we have had the opportunity to go and meet up with parents so that they can do those things for their, their teachers. I haven't done as many things with the friends of group, but I have done a lot with our community partners, especially those that are really related to teachers. So I'll teach plus[inaudible] Chicago foundation for education. The list goes on and on, but they're all thought partners in this process, either Chicago public education fund, cause they do a lot for principal appreciation. They've been very beneficial and talking about what we should do. And then also I've talked to a lot of districts as well that have a lot of teacher appreciation things that they do when asking them for advice on how we do it here has been very helpful as well.
Speaker 3:Yeah. Sounds like you definitely get a wide range of voices in your listening tour. So you made sure it wasn't just one population, but you really reached out to everybody that can have a voice that way you had more input. So it does seem like the program is evolving. Where has the work taking you in this role over the years? Like how has it growing and continuously transforming, um, as it continues to be a new position, if, I mean, as we go into almost a year,
Speaker 1:Yes. I feel like because our educators are changing because even the need of teaching right now is changing. This role has to evolve. Appreciation has to evolve. Like when I first started, we did not have remote and hybrid. Right. We were doing appreciation where it was in person, like where we had food to appreciate our staff, right? Like those were things that I know a lot of principals did for their staff. There were notes that was put in everybody's boxes, you know, that people would come through, they would decorate, you know, the school buildings. But now, because we are in this different state of now hybrid, we've had to think about how to do that differently. How does virtual forms of appreciation? And I know every year we do a school leader toolkit, uh, to aid our principals and appreciating their staff that we keep away from you as teachers. Um, but you know, those, we had to pivot and even our approach. And so I feel like the fact that we are not doing things, how it used to be, we're always evolving because I think this practice keeps on evolving the innovation part of it is something that excites me. And I think that's something too that, that science educators as well, like it's something new, but still once you get it, it's just like, Oh my God, we did it. And now we can do anything because this is happening. I feel like it's been that way with appreciation as well. Just knowing that it's a move now to virtual and still doing some appreciation regardless of how it looks and how it is, um, brought through as well.
Speaker 3:So as we get ready to like teacher appreciation coming up, like what aspects of teacher appreciation have you been focused on?
Speaker 1:Um, the one part I've been focused on recently has really been around this policy and making sure that we put this policy up so that it's not only appreciating our educators, but also all of our employees across our district. Um, because that's also a focus that we have a lot of people contributing to the success of our students. So that has been a huge focus. Other part is really making sure that we are figuring out ways to keep our educators happy and content and, and here. So, um, one, I think that definitely has a lot to do with listing, but then also another part with finding, you know, organizations and finding resources to put in front of our educators. Um, and that has definitely been a very collaborative effort, like working with so many teams and working with so many groups across our district and even outside of our district to bring that in front of educators, um, and bring it in a way that they can see it as not overwhelming, but it's like, this is a support for them and their growth
Speaker 2:By the time this episode comes out, it will officially be teacher appreciation week. So I don't know if this, if you have to keep this a secret or anything, but how will CPS teachers be appreciated this year?
Speaker 1:I think it's going to be really, really great. The thing that I've heard so much from educators is you need to see us and you need to tell us exactly that we are appreciated. We matter. And so, um, one of the things that I know educators have said a lot is do more than just a certificate, do more than us just getting something every single time, do more than just telling us thank you. And I think that's what you all said before. Show us that by giving us some specific recognition by pulling us to the side and telling us what that is. So that's what I'm going to give you. Um, but I think that I hope that we have that in terms of the district, um, piece Dan, but I think it's going to be something really beneficial that your principals and your school leaders do as I think their voice matters a whole bunch more than ours does. And so, um, I would be very interested to see how your principals and your school leaders appreciate you this year. Um, and then seeing whether or not the specificity of it all really mattered, uh, in the end.
Speaker 2:Well, I'm excited,
Speaker 3:Right? Let him go. Now I'm looking forward to may to see just how specific it it'll be.
Speaker 2:Right. And I'm like, is that, so by the time it comes out, I'll I'll know, but I'm just curious. Um, but I can definitely tell Tamiko why you're such a good fit for this role, just your energy and your passion. Um, it just really, it makes me happy and it makes me feel appreciated just listening to you for these 20, 30 minutes. And I really like how you were discussing the idea teacher retention and how feeling appreciated and seen and heard can be such a critical piece for retaining teachers within our district. Because I know that's been something that, you know, we're always discussing and always thinking about. So I appreciate you mentioning that. I appreciate it.
Speaker 3:And it is good to just know that there is, you know, we hear about so many other departments in CPS and honesty. And for me, this was like my first time learning. There's like, you know, an entire section, I mean this fully focused on it. Right? And I think the teachers need to know because sometimes we do feel like, you know, nobody really cares. So to know that there is, there is someone whose job is dedicated to, you know, being able to appreciate teachers. I think that for every teacher listening this alone is going to put a smile on their face. To know that there is somebody who is thinking about how I can be appreciated. So Tamika, thank you so much for being on with us today
Speaker 2:To have our paths cross again. And if you ever need any insights or thought partners, I know Keisha and I will. We'll always be available.
Speaker 1:We can try with love that one more time. We can join the listening tour. Yes, please. Well, look, if y'all want to be a part of appreciation champions or a taskforce, you just let me know I'm serious. We're always welcome. You can always find it on the teacher appreciation website. Y'all know about that. To tell us the teacher appreciation website. So it's www.cps.edu/teacher appreciation. And so on there, you'll see the promotions and events for may and June. You'll see the raffle that's going to be coming up. That's going to be open this week. And also all of these events that are going to be happening, all you have to do is show your CPS ID. And then you'll see all the people who are a part of the champion team. All the people who are part of the policy team, there's even a teacher corner for you to put in there, like words of wisdom, books that you're reading, all of that for other teachers, please check it out. It was created for you all there. Well, I'm going to go check it out. Now. These are well, we really,
Speaker 2:I really, really appreciate your you taking time out of your busy schedule to talk all things appreciation. And um, I appreciate you doing that. I don't, can we get a count on how many times we said appreciate in this episode, I want, I want someone in the comments to say it
Speaker 1:It's been good. It's good. I think we need to hear it more and more times.
Speaker 3:Hey everyone. A quick announcement to all those CPS high school teachers listening in right now. Do you want to host this show? Well, next season, meaning next school year, there are two open hosts chairs and need a view. cps.edu backslash pod host. One thing about this show that we haven't discussed much is that every new season, like every new school year should bring new voices to the front. Katie and I did our tour. Now it's your turn to take this show and run with it. cps.edu, backslash potholes. And for anyone asking the question out loud, yes, you will be compensated for your time as a host. Again, we're looking for two high school teachers to be our season two hosts, cps.edu, backslash pod hosts, fill out an interest form today.
Speaker 4:Hello everyone. This is Colin. One of the producers of the show before we get to our extended ad roll students, appreciating their teachers, Jennifer and I wanted to let you all in on a surprise. We plan to for Katie and Kesha. It's a fabulous truth that working in a district, as large as CPS Lindsey, the opportunity to connect and reconnect with people who made a positive impact on you at different points in your life. So we got two individuals from KNKX past to jump in on a schedule, show meeting without their knowledge to appreciate them. Hi, I'm Nikki Milberg and the chief of network six.
Speaker 5:I was the former principal of Mitchell
Speaker 3:Elementary school. I know Katie
Speaker 5:Because I hired her to be a kindergarten teacher,
Speaker 4:B Harris assistant principal at Whitney young high school. I was Kesha's eighth grade teacher. This is that audio and much appreciation. And thanks to all the CPS teachers from the show.
Speaker 5:Well, don't worry about that. Oh my God. So that's like one of my favorite teachers guys ever, you know, you're smart. You got gotta get together. And here I am now in the classroom as a student, I had to check sometimes if I was the teacher, if she was the teacher, Hey, how are you? I am well, Oh my God.
Speaker 3:Jump in and say, Hey, I appreciate you. Oh my gosh. So Mr. Harris was my eighth grade teacher. He was the one that told me that, you know, being smart is just not enough. You got to sometimes push yourself in other ways, like attitude matters. Like all of those things that, you know, those lessons that go beyond the classroom. So I, I appreciate you. How about that?
Speaker 6:Thank you. Thank you. This is separate pleasure. A joy to see your face and see all the successes that you've made. Um, I'm not surprised. I'm really not surprised because I've always been smart. I go get her take charge kind of person. Um, so, um, you know, I had to, when given this opportunity, I had to stop by and say, Hey there. And I do appreciate you. Congratulations. And you know, I think, you know, one of the things, when I think about you, I think you embody, um, that affirmation that you probably have to probably about fourth or fifth grade, where you all learn good, better, best,
Speaker 3:It's better.
Speaker 6:The better gets best. You're one of the best Kesha.
Speaker 3:Oh, thank you so much, Mr. Harris. Hi Nikki. Hi Katie. I'm Nikki Milberg. I am just dropping by to say how much I love Katie Arbuckle. You're doing an amazing job on this podcast. Uh, heart. Yes. Heart to Katie brings 110% to everything that she does, whether it's teaching bike, riding, cheering on cats or running a podcast. And the energy that she brings to everything is so infectious. Uh, it, it lights up her whole classroom, the whole school, the whole community. And it's been such a pleasure to work with, learn from and be motivated by Katie. Thanks for hiring me, Nikki. That's true way back. Even when I saw Katie's resume, I knew that this was somebody so committed to learning and so committed to teaching kids, to read with like this focus on data. I've never seen a resume speak to me the way that Katie's that. And it also comes out through it all turned out to be true. Her classroom is just an amazing place in any day that I was feeling sad or needed to pick me up. I walked into Katie's room because there was no question. Kids were going to be learning expectations. We're going to be high and people were going to be having fun. So thank you for doing everything that you do. We truly appreciate it. Thanks guys. Thanks for doing this podcast. It's awesome. Take care.
Speaker 7:This episode is brought to you by Ms. Simon.
Speaker 8:She not only helped me with my math skills, but also helped me get through a tough time. Ms. Simon helped me get out of my shell and be more open and less shy. I want to shout out Ms. Hinton, who teaches fifth grade now, but she taught me in seventh grade at Randolph. She helped me stay on track with my math and become a better mathematician. I appreciate Ms. Hill because she's an amazing teacher and one of the best I ever had, she easily understands problems and can make the most of the day fun. She would always gives us more time if we need, she could light up classroom. If you're ever feeling down
Speaker 5:This episode is brought to you by Ms.[inaudible] at Darwin elementary and Messiah finds ways to make a class fun and easy. She pushes us to our best. She makes us and work easier by giving us the support we need. Thank you, miss[inaudible][inaudible] I was telling Ms.[inaudible] Ms. Lee, just such a great teacher, because to me a great teacher,
Speaker 8:It was understanding and really helpful. She's always on us about graduation, about colleges, you know, and everything that's needed, even during this e-learning because sometimes, you know, we miss assignments and she's always on us about that. This episode is brought to by Ms. Ellis[inaudible] Academy. I appreciate it. Amy's Elvis because she helps me with things. I don't know, like science.
Speaker 5:This episode is brought to you by my teacher, Ms. Hernandez at chase elementary school. I appreciate Ms. Hernandez because she helps us code. And she also helps us code beats and make songs.
Speaker 9:This episode is brought to you by Misty events at George West house college prep. I appreciate Ms. Stevens because not only does she care about a student's performance in the classroom, but she takes pride in making sure students become good people. And should they have the integrity to do the right thing when no one's watching these episodes
Speaker 5:Is brought to you by MRSA at King elementary. I appreciate Mrs. Stale because
Speaker 8:She actually helped me overcome my attitude a lot. And when I'm with her, I feel okay.
Speaker 5:Like I can reach any goal. And she's the fun Caesar.
Speaker 8:This episode is brought to you by Mr. Linwood and prosecutor Academy high school. I appreciate Mr. Morgan because he always tries to understand what he's doing as he's going through. And he always tries to help his students so we can affect our classwork.
Speaker 5:[inaudible] the reason why I like these guys is because she's very cool. And she helped us with our work. A lot of times, she waits for us every time when we do other stuff. Every time we watch a video, we watch it and then we learn very good. And she does social studies. Very good. And I liked the reading in social studies too. It's one of my favorite things. Math is too, but I like reading the most because you can read the 20 minutes any time. And that's why I like Ms. Guys. Jeff, the reason why I liked his bed
Speaker 3:Season, one of the teacher cago podcast is Kesha. Katie, Jennifer, and Collin special. Thanks to Tamika nettles for joining us on this episode. And also a huge thanks to teachers, all teachers from CPS and beyond. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Additional, thanks to all CPS students who shouted out our teachers on this episode, appreciation ad roll our belt. But this episode comes from Whitney young go dolphins. Don't forget about season one, listener survey. Let's face it. If you're listening this far into each episode, then you're exactly the dedicated, wonderful much appreciated listener who loves a good listener survey. Take two minutes. CPS that EDU slash TC pod survey see you in June for our season finale and our end of the year recap, Hawaii time really has cloned copyright 2021 Chicago public schools.