1. The TedX video stressed 4 things: time, plan, encouragement and correction. Time and planning are the basics, what you must invest into this process. But the meat and potatoes so to speak are the encouragement and the correction. I think back to my early years as a teacher and days where it was tough and encouragement did or could have gone a long way to helping through those days. Correction is also needed for all professionals, but especially for young teachers. We know we all have to find our own style. But if a teacher is making a fundamental mistake in how they're planning, how they're delivering instruction, etc, correction is vital. As in anything, once something becomes a habit, it is hard to break. It is important to give guidance to younger professionals so they establish the right habits and hit the ground running the best they can.
2. The self assessment caused me to think about my mentor and what that experience was like...and how I can borrow from what was effective for me from that experience and what I can add to it to make for a positive mentor experience with me as the mentor. My mentor was mostly positive. I was not a new teacher at the time, I already had a decade of experience. He wanted to make sure I knew how to do things the "Sweet Home Way", how to fit in, who to lean on and really just be a sounding board for any questions or concerns I had along the way. I think I can offer a similar experience to teachers new to our district, whether they are new to the profession or just new to Sweet Home. New to the profession teachers may need more guidance on actual teaching and delivery of instruction. Experienced teachers that are just new to Sweet Home may be similar to how I was when I joined the district...not that I didn't need any guidance on the teaching part...I'm never a finished product...but it was more helping me get comfortable in the district, getting answers to any questions I had about anything. I can provide a positive mentor experience no matter if the teacher is new to the profession or experienced but new to the district.
3. What do I feel I'll need help with as a mentor in our district? I can't foresee any issues of concern yet, but if things come up where I need help with a situation as a mentor, I am friends with multiple colleagues on our staff that are and have been mentors in district. I feel I have a good network I can rely on and ask questions of as they come up.
2. The self assessment caused me to think about my mentor and what that experience was like...and how I can borrow from what was effective for me from that experience and what I can add to it to make for a positive mentor experience with me as the mentor. My mentor was mostly positive. I was not a new teacher at the time, I already had a decade of experience. He wanted to make sure I knew how to do things the "Sweet Home Way", how to fit in, who to lean on and really just be a sounding board for any questions or concerns I had along the way. I think I can offer a similar experience to teachers new to our district, whether they are new to the profession or just new to Sweet Home. New to the profession teachers may need more guidance on actual teaching and delivery of instruction. Experienced teachers that are just new to Sweet Home may be similar to how I was when I joined the district...not that I didn't need any guidance on the teaching part...I'm never a finished product...but it was more helping me get comfortable in the district, getting answers to any questions I had about anything. I can provide a positive mentor experience no matter if the teacher is new to the profession or experienced but new to the district.
3. What do I feel I'll need help with as a mentor in our district? I can't foresee any issues of concern yet, but if things come up where I need help with a situation as a mentor, I am friends with multiple colleagues on our staff that are and have been mentors in district. I feel I have a good network I can rely on and ask questions of as they come up.