Cindy Gaston
@gastoncindy.bsky.social
Lifelong Learner, Public School Educator, Instructional Coach, Believer, Mom in Chattanooga, TN
#JoyatSchool #PaideiaLearning
#JoyatSchool #PaideiaLearning
Pinned
Cindy Gaston
@gastoncindy.bsky.social
· Nov 17
I’m an Instructional Coach at a K-12 public school where #PaideiaLearning gets kids and teens talking, thinking, reasoning, and creating. I am determined to look for, celebrate, and cultivate #JoyAtSchool. I’m here to learn! #LifelongLearner
Reposted by Cindy Gaston
Hey institutions that host professional development, podcasts, ed news, ed conferences, etc:
Educators are desperate to hear from other educators about what’s working in their classrooms TODAY. Find the practicing educators and give them resources to teach other educators.
Educators are desperate to hear from other educators about what’s working in their classrooms TODAY. Find the practicing educators and give them resources to teach other educators.
October 26, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Hey institutions that host professional development, podcasts, ed news, ed conferences, etc:
Educators are desperate to hear from other educators about what’s working in their classrooms TODAY. Find the practicing educators and give them resources to teach other educators.
Educators are desperate to hear from other educators about what’s working in their classrooms TODAY. Find the practicing educators and give them resources to teach other educators.
Reposted by Cindy Gaston
✨ It’s here! National Paideia Seminar Day ✨
Today we celebrate the heart of the Paideia philosophy—the Seminar. Across the country, students and educators are coming together to practice thoughtful dialogue, ask big questions, and grow as lifelong learners.
#NationalPaideiaSeminarDay
Today we celebrate the heart of the Paideia philosophy—the Seminar. Across the country, students and educators are coming together to practice thoughtful dialogue, ask big questions, and grow as lifelong learners.
#NationalPaideiaSeminarDay
October 1, 2025 at 11:09 PM
✨ It’s here! National Paideia Seminar Day ✨
Today we celebrate the heart of the Paideia philosophy—the Seminar. Across the country, students and educators are coming together to practice thoughtful dialogue, ask big questions, and grow as lifelong learners.
#NationalPaideiaSeminarDay
Today we celebrate the heart of the Paideia philosophy—the Seminar. Across the country, students and educators are coming together to practice thoughtful dialogue, ask big questions, and grow as lifelong learners.
#NationalPaideiaSeminarDay
Our small group of alumni & retirees had a lovely conversation tonight for #NationalPaideiaSeminarDay. We discussed the poem Shoulders by Naomi Shihab Nye. Let’s take care of each other! #JoyAtSchool @paideiacenter.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Our small group of alumni & retirees had a lovely conversation tonight for #NationalPaideiaSeminarDay. We discussed the poem Shoulders by Naomi Shihab Nye. Let’s take care of each other! #JoyAtSchool @paideiacenter.bsky.social
During seminar at @WeAreCSLA today, a kindergartener said, “Sometimes we don’t agree with each other. That’s OK.”
Their second seminar ever, and they already have the basics! #NationalPaideiaSeminarDay #PaideiaLearning #JoyAtSchool
Their second seminar ever, and they already have the basics! #NationalPaideiaSeminarDay #PaideiaLearning #JoyAtSchool
October 1, 2025 at 9:18 PM
During seminar at @WeAreCSLA today, a kindergartener said, “Sometimes we don’t agree with each other. That’s OK.”
Their second seminar ever, and they already have the basics! #NationalPaideiaSeminarDay #PaideiaLearning #JoyAtSchool
Their second seminar ever, and they already have the basics! #NationalPaideiaSeminarDay #PaideiaLearning #JoyAtSchool
For #NationalPaideiaSeminarDay, 8th gr discussed a political cartoon from Rev War. Discussion was lively. Points were hotly debated. When a student came in late as seminar was ending, the teacher heard her friend say, "Girl, you missed the best seminar!" We are so glad she approved! #JoyAtSchool
October 1, 2025 at 3:24 PM
For #NationalPaideiaSeminarDay, 8th gr discussed a political cartoon from Rev War. Discussion was lively. Points were hotly debated. When a student came in late as seminar was ending, the teacher heard her friend say, "Girl, you missed the best seminar!" We are so glad she approved! #JoyAtSchool
Happy National Paideia Seminar Day! We kicked off last night with a parent seminar: Shoulders by Naomi Shihab Nye. Amazing discussion! So honored to hear varied perspectives of our parents! From strangers to caring community in one seminar! #PaideiaSeminar #JoyAtSchool @paideiacenter.bsky.social
October 1, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Happy National Paideia Seminar Day! We kicked off last night with a parent seminar: Shoulders by Naomi Shihab Nye. Amazing discussion! So honored to hear varied perspectives of our parents! From strangers to caring community in one seminar! #PaideiaSeminar #JoyAtSchool @paideiacenter.bsky.social
My feed needs a cleanse, so here are some things that brought me joy today at Eagles’ Nest, our K-12 school-wide assembly to celebrate our philosophy, #Paideia.
#JoyAtSchool 1/6
#JoyAtSchool 1/6
September 11, 2025 at 12:47 AM
My feed needs a cleanse, so here are some things that brought me joy today at Eagles’ Nest, our K-12 school-wide assembly to celebrate our philosophy, #Paideia.
#JoyAtSchool 1/6
#JoyAtSchool 1/6
We had a district walkthrough in our middle and high school the other day. The feedback was largely about the joy and respectful collaboration they saw all over the school. JOY. In middle and high school! That is worth celebrating! #JoyAtSchool #PaideiaLearning
September 7, 2025 at 12:33 AM
We had a district walkthrough in our middle and high school the other day. The feedback was largely about the joy and respectful collaboration they saw all over the school. JOY. In middle and high school! That is worth celebrating! #JoyAtSchool #PaideiaLearning
This!
Making the conscious decision to teach ethically again this year. This means fidelity to the kids & their learning, not a curriculum.
September 1, 2025 at 11:43 AM
This!
Our librarian just said, “Oh, you guys are 3rd graders. You can get 3 books, not just 2!” The buzz of pure joy that went through library is giving me life! #JoyAtSchool
August 27, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Our librarian just said, “Oh, you guys are 3rd graders. You can get 3 books, not just 2!” The buzz of pure joy that went through library is giving me life! #JoyAtSchool
My district had a session on JOY at the summer leadership institute! Session included brain science and strategies for joy. Each school team created a vision board for cultivating joy. Joy matters! #JoyAtSchool
May 31, 2025 at 11:56 AM
My district had a session on JOY at the summer leadership institute! Session included brain science and strategies for joy. Each school team created a vision board for cultivating joy. Joy matters! #JoyAtSchool
K-12 gathered to honor our first *ever* senior class & 3 retirees: 2 beloved teachers & our principal. I have been a part of this class’s education at CSLA since they were in K, and have had the honor of serving with the principal for 16 yrs. I cried bittersweet tears, but mostly felt #JoyAtSchool!
May 9, 2025 at 11:02 PM
K-12 gathered to honor our first *ever* senior class & 3 retirees: 2 beloved teachers & our principal. I have been a part of this class’s education at CSLA since they were in K, and have had the honor of serving with the principal for 16 yrs. I cried bittersweet tears, but mostly felt #JoyAtSchool!
Have you found any #JoyAtSchool lately? Please share the good stuff happening at your school! We can always use more joy!
April 27, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Have you found any #JoyAtSchool lately? Please share the good stuff happening at your school! We can always use more joy!
Yesterday our 7th graders helped their kindergarten buddies fly kites. Kite Day always is always full of #JoyAtSchool!
April 27, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Yesterday our 7th graders helped their kindergarten buddies fly kites. Kite Day always is always full of #JoyAtSchool!
State testing is hard on everyone, but we found #JoyAtSchool in the middle of it with ArtsFest! There was art and music from elem, MS, and HS. Perfect evening for our school community! (4 photos aren’t enough to show all the awesomeness and joy!)
April 27, 2025 at 10:50 AM
State testing is hard on everyone, but we found #JoyAtSchool in the middle of it with ArtsFest! There was art and music from elem, MS, and HS. Perfect evening for our school community! (4 photos aren’t enough to show all the awesomeness and joy!)
When your HS science teacher hatches ducklings in her classroom, there is so much #JoyAtSchool!
March 15, 2025 at 3:03 PM
When your HS science teacher hatches ducklings in her classroom, there is so much #JoyAtSchool!
Some 2nd graders learned the hard way that aggressively stabbing a hot sauce packet with a spork is NOT the most efficient way to open it. #LunchDuty
February 5, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Some 2nd graders learned the hard way that aggressively stabbing a hot sauce packet with a spork is NOT the most efficient way to open it. #LunchDuty
I had some first graders rolling with the knock knock classic, “Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?” #JoyAtSchool #LunchDuty
February 5, 2025 at 4:35 PM
I had some first graders rolling with the knock knock classic, “Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?” #JoyAtSchool #LunchDuty
I’m having a healthy debate with a kindergartener about whether or not spaghetti is are pasta. I’m not winning. #JoyAtSchool #LunchDuty
February 5, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I’m having a healthy debate with a kindergartener about whether or not spaghetti is are pasta. I’m not winning. #JoyAtSchool #LunchDuty
I’m working on an online coaching course. One of the reflections today helped me see how well my work aligns with my values. I’m so very grateful! #Paideia #LifelongLearner
January 27, 2025 at 12:04 AM
I’m working on an online coaching course. One of the reflections today helped me see how well my work aligns with my values. I’m so very grateful! #Paideia #LifelongLearner
Reposted by Cindy Gaston
Fostering reading joy isn’t about joyful reading. It’s about co-creating the conditions for joyful readers.
Because joyful readers exist even when they’re not reading
Because joyful readers exist even when they’re not reading
January 26, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Fostering reading joy isn’t about joyful reading. It’s about co-creating the conditions for joyful readers.
Because joyful readers exist even when they’re not reading
Because joyful readers exist even when they’re not reading
This is on the money! I would add that tools need an easy way for teachers to see which students have NOT completed things. It needs to be across various classes so we don’t have to go into every class to check.
💻 A teacher's open letter to EdTech developers: 11 classroom realities that your apps need to address. Real talk about what works (and what doesn't) in today's diverse classrooms. #EduSky
11 Things I Wish EdTech Developers Knew About My Classroom
Lit and Tech helps teachers integrate EdTech and literacy strategies to engage students, spark creativity, and improve classroom learning.
buff.ly
January 5, 2025 at 11:37 PM
This is on the money! I would add that tools need an easy way for teachers to see which students have NOT completed things. It needs to be across various classes so we don’t have to go into every class to check.
💔
i hope i die
warmed
by the life that i tried
to live
— Nikki Giovanni
warmed
by the life that i tried
to live
— Nikki Giovanni
December 10, 2024 at 3:32 AM
💔
A2 I feel more focused this year! Having a coach partner has been a game changer. I’ve been able to do more actual coaching with teachers than I have the past few years. Also finally getting some traction with one particularly resistant teacher. Feeling the #JoyatSchool! #leadlap
December 7, 2024 at 4:13 PM
A2 I feel more focused this year! Having a coach partner has been a game changer. I’ve been able to do more actual coaching with teachers than I have the past few years. Also finally getting some traction with one particularly resistant teacher. Feeling the #JoyatSchool! #leadlap
I’m wrestling with the balance between engaging reading instruction/magical learning and the need for kids to perform well on the (too numerous) standardized tests. I want more magic, but we also have to keep scores up to be allowed to keep doing the magic! #leadlap
Question 1 is up! New to chatting? Answer with A1: then your answer and don’t forget to add #leadlap
December 7, 2024 at 4:08 PM
I’m wrestling with the balance between engaging reading instruction/magical learning and the need for kids to perform well on the (too numerous) standardized tests. I want more magic, but we also have to keep scores up to be allowed to keep doing the magic! #leadlap