What Do You Need When You Start Teaching? 4/21/2010 8:30-9:30pm

Empire State College - Master of Arts in TeachingSecond Life: Brainstorming Solutions

Bilzor - ZamurangBorst – Redwood (Documenter)

Kerr - TribbleShea - Wingate

Here is a nice spot – Look out below!!!!!

Bilzor – Zamurang Shea - Wingate

Borst – Redwood Kerr – Tribble

Ok. Let’s begin. What general areas of

concern do we have on starting our teaching

careers?Dork!

There is a lot to think about. Every school is different … so it’s hard to

give just one answer.

Assume worst case scenario. Your alone and everything must be done

from scratch.

Then I am concerned about how much

time and resources I have available to me in order to set up my labs and lesson plans.

What is the class scheduling like?

What equipment do I have? What

equipment do I need? Do I have a

budget? What level are the students

already at? What does the principal expect or want? What is the local

culture like? Am I “safe” to practice my

craft? What social networks exist if any?

How are parents going to play in this

mix?

That first year is going to be tough, but finding work itself is our first problem. Schools don’t know or understand what Trans

B certification is and some schools don’t consider subbing

or general observation as sufficient!

Help designing labs and lesson plans within an allotted time period in accordance with a principal’s standards is going to require understanding the local culture and using the

support system already in place. What are the parents concerns? Are they happy with the way things are? Are resources shared? Is a school very strict or more laid back? We teach for a test, but do we teach to the test? Test results determine budgets and ensure our continued employment. A student may come a long way in a year yet still fall short of set standards. How are we held accountable for this child's success excluding their

extenuating circumstances?

Dork!

That is a lot to think about, so lets focus our

concerns to just five bullet

points.

Finding work

Support system

Lesson plan design

Lab design

Classroom management

We have identified our concerns, but

what possible solutions do we

have?

Good question. What resources do you think we have at our disposal

right now!

Ha, ha! He’s talking out of his

butt!

Get lab equipment

that is designated as multipurpose.

ESC has career

counseling.

The teachers lounge is a great place

to start networking.

Old lesson plans from

the previous instructor could be

modified to be inclusive.

Teacher placement programs and calling

schools direct also help get your name

out.

Provide NYS test questions daily in order to expose students to test question format, wording, and general

overall design.

Provide the correct

leadership necessary for

the circumstances

at hand.

Establishing expectations on

day one sets the tone on classroom

management.

Don’t forget to practice

your interview

skills.

I think that we have covered some good points here today. Remember that your

fellow peers are also a valuable and renewable resource. Good luck and I will

see you on the other side.

THE END