In what ways can you relate to the information shared?
It is not shock that teaching is a challenging experience. The combination of emotional engagement, planning, rigor, timing, and performance make it incredibly draining right off the jump. We see reports of teacher attrition and low job satisfaction in the first five years. At SHHS, we have a strong peer-to-peer culture, and I believe the mentoring program is a part of that. Having a designated mentor assigned to a mentee means they have a “person” to reach to when problems arise in case they are not able to form another relationship right away. I believe at our school that mentees find other, unofficial, mentors as the year progresses, but those relationships may not take full shape until halfway through the school year.
In what ways do you think you can support a new teacher?
I believe I can support a new teacher with encouragement, knowledge, and novel ideas. New teachers need encouragement - not evaluation. This struck a chord with me. With lots of encouragement they can gain confidence and build on good habits. I think that many of the challenges are just working through our systems - PowerSchool, Schoology, Notability, iPads, finishing Grades and Progress Reports, PDP, CTLE… This incomplete list gives a hint at what is involved in teaching that is so ingrained after many years, we stop noticing.
Where do your strengths lie?
My strengths lie in communication, kindness, humor and being a great teacher someone could genuinely respect and look up to. Not to brag…
It is not shock that teaching is a challenging experience. The combination of emotional engagement, planning, rigor, timing, and performance make it incredibly draining right off the jump. We see reports of teacher attrition and low job satisfaction in the first five years. At SHHS, we have a strong peer-to-peer culture, and I believe the mentoring program is a part of that. Having a designated mentor assigned to a mentee means they have a “person” to reach to when problems arise in case they are not able to form another relationship right away. I believe at our school that mentees find other, unofficial, mentors as the year progresses, but those relationships may not take full shape until halfway through the school year.
In what ways do you think you can support a new teacher?
I believe I can support a new teacher with encouragement, knowledge, and novel ideas. New teachers need encouragement - not evaluation. This struck a chord with me. With lots of encouragement they can gain confidence and build on good habits. I think that many of the challenges are just working through our systems - PowerSchool, Schoology, Notability, iPads, finishing Grades and Progress Reports, PDP, CTLE… This incomplete list gives a hint at what is involved in teaching that is so ingrained after many years, we stop noticing.
Where do your strengths lie?
My strengths lie in communication, kindness, humor and being a great teacher someone could genuinely respect and look up to. Not to brag…