In what ways can you relate to the information shared?
I think that even veteran teachers go through parts of the Phases of First-Year Teaching-just in a different way. I know that I feel excited with the anticipation of meeting my new students and their families every September. I also can get some jitters trying to anticipate their needs and how I'm going to meet them. Although veteran teachers usually have familiarity with the curriculum they will be teaching, and a toolbox filled with skills and strategies they can use in their classrooms, Sept-Dec. can still be very overwhelming (Survival Phase). There's so much to do/set up and it's usually when I get sick! Because I've had many years of experience & successes under my belt, the Disillusionment Phase is much easier to deal with. We still get challenges thrown at us, but we're better able to deal with them. Everyone feels better after Winter Break and we're able to go back to school, eager to start the second half of the year. The end of the year still brings opportunities to reflect on what went well and what needs to change for next year-that's an on-going process for me.
Where do you strengths lie?
I am a very reflective person-always striving to do better for my kids. I'm still doing this after 29 years of teaching. As teachers, I feel that we never stop learning and modeling that new learning for the kids. I'm always trying new ways to reach my struggling learners.
I also am a good listener and I take time to really think about something before I give a response. I also know how hard it is, as a new teacher, to expose your self-doubt and admit your mistakes to experienced teachers. When I was new, I wanted to come-off confident and for everyone to think I knew what I was doing, when in fact I struggled. I understand how important it is for a mentor-mentee to have trust in one another or this won't benefit anyone.
In what ways do you think you can support a new teacher?
I feel that I can help facilitate connections with faculty and staff in our building and help the new teacher better understand our school culture. Because I am a SpEd teacher, I am good at meeting kids where they are and building their skill level, along with their confidence. I can do this for a new teacher as well. I hope to help them develop their capacity, competence and self-confidence so they can make their own informed decisions.
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I think that even veteran teachers go through parts of the Phases of First-Year Teaching-just in a different way. I know that I feel excited with the anticipation of meeting my new students and their families every September. I also can get some jitters trying to anticipate their needs and how I'm going to meet them. Although veteran teachers usually have familiarity with the curriculum they will be teaching, and a toolbox filled with skills and strategies they can use in their classrooms, Sept-Dec. can still be very overwhelming (Survival Phase). There's so much to do/set up and it's usually when I get sick! Because I've had many years of experience & successes under my belt, the Disillusionment Phase is much easier to deal with. We still get challenges thrown at us, but we're better able to deal with them. Everyone feels better after Winter Break and we're able to go back to school, eager to start the second half of the year. The end of the year still brings opportunities to reflect on what went well and what needs to change for next year-that's an on-going process for me.
Where do you strengths lie?
I am a very reflective person-always striving to do better for my kids. I'm still doing this after 29 years of teaching. As teachers, I feel that we never stop learning and modeling that new learning for the kids. I'm always trying new ways to reach my struggling learners.
I also am a good listener and I take time to really think about something before I give a response. I also know how hard it is, as a new teacher, to expose your self-doubt and admit your mistakes to experienced teachers. When I was new, I wanted to come-off confident and for everyone to think I knew what I was doing, when in fact I struggled. I understand how important it is for a mentor-mentee to have trust in one another or this won't benefit anyone.
In what ways do you think you can support a new teacher?
I feel that I can help facilitate connections with faculty and staff in our building and help the new teacher better understand our school culture. Because I am a SpEd teacher, I am good at meeting kids where they are and building their skill level, along with their confidence. I can do this for a new teacher as well. I hope to help them develop their capacity, competence and self-confidence so they can make their own informed decisions.
.