Chris Sarkonak

Physics/Math Teacher. MMT, HST2019, E+2022, Perimeter Institute Teacher Network, PASCO Champions. A personal account - opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Teacher2Teacher @teacher2teacher]

"I’ve noticed that students seem less anxious in my classroom. Students say often that they’ve never taken a course where they learned so much but felt so relaxed."

Check out the strategies and tools T @CSarkonak leverages that make the difference: https://t.co/g8yf4KcwtK

[Teacher2Teacher @teacher2teacher]

🗂️ Portfolio-based assessments
💡 Authentic inquiry
🪜 Supportive scaffolding

Read on to learn how these elements enabled T @CSarkonak to foster a more empowering classroom environment: https://t.co/g8yf4KcwtK

[Chris Sarkonak @CSarkonak]

For anyone looking for some amazing teacher PD that focuses on student-centered practices, check out next week’s Student Power Summit, March 9-10 in LA! It was absolutely amazing to be part of last year and easily the most impactful PD of my career! https://t.co/b20a2Sqnt9

[CAFLN @CAFLNetwork]

Join us on Mon, Mar. 2 for another engaging conversation. This session will focus on student self-reflection. What works in your setting? How do we get students to go deeper in their thinking? Visit https://t.co/ofgYXEJ5IX for registration information. This will be a good one!

[Grow Beyond Grades @GBGEdu]

The presence of grades takes psychological safety away from students, putting them into states of anxiety or apathy, neither of which allow for learning. @CSarkonak https://t.co/y7uwXbjNFD

[Chris Sarkonak @CSarkonak]

Such an amazing program! I learned a lot that I was able to take back to my classroom. I highly recommend this program to all physics educators! #iteachphysics

[LIGO Hanford @LIGOWA]

ATTENTION High School Teachers: Now is the perfect time to apply for the LIGO International Physics & Astronomy (IPA) Educator Program for July 2026!
Application Deadline: Jan 31, 2026
For more info visit: https://t.co/pOeKMKSpyW
#LIGOIPA #GravitationalWaveAstronomy

[Chris Sarkonak @CSarkonak]

@teacher2teacher A challenge question in randomized groups at the whiteboards around the room or I'll pull out one of my electricity or laser demos to get them excited again!

[Grow Beyond Grades @GBGEdu]

Our 2nd Growth, Not Grades contest winner is Sharlyn Barrett!

Her essay explores the connection between body image + grades, showing how perfectionism erodes self-worth, motivation, purpose. She calls for education that values growth, not numbers. https://t.co/f7TELadaif

[Chris Sarkonak @CSarkonak]

@Shapiro_WTHS Thanks Craig! Awesome chat tonight! I look forward to seeing our podcast episode!!

[Chris Sarkonak @CSarkonak]

BA. Being invited to collaborate more and to work with colleagues to help make the school, as a whole, a better place for everyone that is part of it. Talking more with Ss about them, how they think, and how school could be better #teachpos

[Craig Shapiro @Shapiro_WTHS]

Awesome chat tonight. So many fantastic answers. Here is our BQ. for #Teachpos

[Chris Sarkonak @CSarkonak]

A3. I think school becomes less about authentic play and creativity and more about disingenuous tasks and compliance as Ss get older. More is about performance on tests and standardized exams than actually learning. More pressure to secure a future by an arbitrary date #teachpos

[Craig Shapiro @Shapiro_WTHS]

Question #3 for #teachpos

[Chris Sarkonak @CSarkonak]

A2. Everyone needs to feel a sense of belonging. Staff need to feel valued and that their contributions matter. Staff need to be treated like professionals and trusted to be there to care for and help the Ss in front of us. Being treated as human, not replaceable things #teachpos

[Craig Shapiro @Shapiro_WTHS]

Here we go with question #2 for #teachpos

[Chris Sarkonak @CSarkonak]

A1. Build strong relationships, show Ss that you’re side-by-side with them, not judge, jury, and executioner.

Give Ss the freedom to make mistakes and help Ss pick themselves back up after.

Create community in the classroom, show them strength is working together
#teachpos

[Craig Shapiro @Shapiro_WTHS]

Question one for #teachpos

[Chris Sarkonak @CSarkonak]

@Shapiro_WTHS Hello from 🇨🇦! I’m Chris, a high school Physics teacher in the prairies #teachpos

[CAFLN @CAFLNetwork]

Let's keep the conversation going! Thank you to our amazing organizers and facilitators for creating such an impactful event. Great things are happening across this wonderful country of ours. #assessment

[Chris Sarkonak @CSarkonak]

Such an amazing conference this past week! Great conversations and great connections! Anyone looking at assessment change should definitely attend a @CAFLNetwork conference in the future!

[CAFLN @CAFLNetwork]

The Summer Institute has been such an amazing event, with so much more great learning ahead. #assessment

[CAFLN @CAFLNetwork]

Today we gather on Treaty 1 territory to begin our @CAFLNetwork Summer Institute. We look forward to rich, engaging conversations. #assessment #teacherpd

[Chris Sarkonak @CSarkonak]

@CAFLNetwork @KatieWhite426 So excited to be able to attend this year and looking forward to a great week of learning and conversations!

[Chris Sarkonak @CSarkonak]

I previously used the Skills-Tracking Form, but have a couple of ideas that I'm playing around with for the coming year. The last couple years made it very clear how important weekly reflection can be. Thoughts? #iteachphysics #ungrading

[Chris Sarkonak @CSarkonak]

BA: it’s too easy to focus on what others think of us, especially if it’s negative. Focus on what we can control, our own thoughts and feelings, and letting go of what others do. I 💯 agree with Craig that we need to surround ourselves with those that lift us up #teachpos

[Craig Shapiro @Shapiro_WTHS]

BQ for #teachpos see my answer. Also, fantastic chat. Give me some topics for future chats please.