Do you remember walking into your classroom as a new teacher on the first day of school? What kind of anxieties did you have? Were you ready for the new school year?
Every year we have more and more teachers (2-5 years experience) not returning to the classroom. As we prepare for the 2008 school year, have we made sure to meet the needs of our new faculty? What kind of support do new teachers need and what can experienced teachers do to help?
Outside of the teaching profession, colleagues support one another. Whether it is working on a project, bouncing ideas off of one another, mentoring, or just building an interactive working community, there is support within offices. In schools it is different. Many teachers are not working together and teaching the same things in each classroom. They aren’t lending each other support. As new teachers start the school year they are concerned with many of issues. Most new teachers are recreating the wheel. They enter their classrooms with no advice, ideas or relationships. They are expected to thrive in classrooms where students need additional help and expertise that they don’t have yet.
New teachers are looking for a mentor to discuss curriculum, problems with students, new ideas, and will give advice. There is a great amount to learn from experienced teachers. Many of the problems that new teachers will face are not new to the field of education; they are just new to that person. Experienced teachers will be able to walk new teachers through processes, share best practices, give them tips, teach/show time management, and help organize classroom and instructional activities. New teachers are looking for a community and shared responsibility for students and the school.
Are you making the effort to help fellow colleagues adapt to teaching? There are many resources that you as an experienced teacher have that can be handed down to new professionals. One is you can have the new teacher observe your class. Not everyone has a chance to experience different ways of teaching. This may give the teacher new techniques and confidence. Another way of helping is to share your experiences and best practices.
There are many ways we can help each other in education. Let’s start working together more in 2008-2009 to make it a fantastic year for students and teachers alike.
Please feel free to comment or answer any of the questions below.
1. What was your experience as a new teacher?
2. What are your expectations for the new school year?
3. Do you have a mentoring program set up for your district/school?
Upcoming Texas ASCD Events:
August 19th, 2008
Success with TAKS: Research Based Strategies and Activities to Improve Student Performance and Teacher Understanding of the TEKS & TAKS
Beatrice Luchin
Mesquite ISD
Exclusive District Retreat
August 21st & 22nd, 2008
Success with TAKS: Research Based Strategies and Activities to Improve Student Performance and Teacher Understanding of the TEKS & TAKS
Beatrice Luchin
East Central ISD (San Antonio area)
Exclusive District Retreat
September 3rd, 2008
Jumping Hurdles and Raising the Bar Toward Achieving Excellence in Science
(for Middle School teachers)
Gloria Chatelain and Courtney Williams
Alvin ISD
September 11th & 12th, 2008
Maximizing Student Success (in collaboration with ASCD International)
Tim Westerberg
Sheldon ISD (Houston area)
NO MORE REGISTRATIONS - COMPLETELY FILLED
September 23rd, 2008
Reading Strategies for Secondary Math Tutorials and TAKS Retesting
Beatrice Luchin
Greenville ISD
September 24th & 25th, 2008
RTI: Teaching for the Next Century and
Don't Teach Harder, Teach Smarter! Differentiation to Meet and Exceed AYP!
William Bender
Beeville ISD
September 30th - October 1st, 2008
Maximizing Student Success (in collaboration with ASCD International)
Tim Westerberg
Northside ISD (San Antonio)
October 19th - 21st, 2008
Texas ASCD 2008 Annual Conference
Moody Gardens Hotel, Galveston
October 20th & 21st, 2008
Curriculum Leadership Academy (Session 2)
Moody Gardens Hotel, Galveston
October 27th, 2008
Success with TAKS: Research Based Strategies and Activities to Improve Student Performance and Teacher Understanding of the TEKS & TAKS
Beatrice Luchin
Mesquite ISD
Exclusive District Retreat
