Christian Teacher, Public School also offers links to helpful resources for Idaho teachers. Check out the Idaho tab at the top of this page. Know of other Idaho education resources? Please share in the comments!
Showing posts with label mentoring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mentoring. Show all posts
Monday, February 6, 2017
Idaho Coaching Network Offers Resource-Filled Blog For Idaho Teachers
Christian Teacher, Public School also offers links to helpful resources for Idaho teachers. Check out the Idaho tab at the top of this page. Know of other Idaho education resources? Please share in the comments!
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Shoveling a Path Through the Snowdrifts for New Teachers
"The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." --II Timothy 2:2
Record snowfall, sub-zero temps, high winds. . .the perfect recipe for a snow day. My southern Idaho district has had a few of them this year--five, to be exact--and the weather forecast indicates prime conditions for another snow day tomorrow. Some of my fellow teachers are sick to death of snow. And it has been inconvenient. But then, I know a farmer who prays every year for just such an "inconvenient snow" to give moisture for the summer's crops. This year, she sure saw her prayers answered!Yesterday, I uncharacteristically picked up a shovel and cleared a path through some three feet of snow (deeper in places where the wind had drifted it) to the woodshed. The experience reminded me how wimpy I really am (had to take a break half-way through, and by the time the path was clear, I was so tired I didn't know if I could survive the actual carrying-the-wood part). How much more grateful I am today for my wood fire because of the effort I went to to get it.
Now, my three kids can use the path I cleared. This morning they each brought me an armload of wood from the shed--something they would not have been able to do if I had continued to ignore the arduous chore of shoveling that path.
In teaching, sometimes, we need someone to clear a path for us, too. As a young teacher, I often found myself struggling with classroom management, organization, or maintaining student engagement. Teachers with far more experience offered a listening ear and the much-needed use of their tool-kits at the moment when I was most frustrated. God placed compassionate, skilled mentors in my life who had shoveled that path, clearing the way for me to find success in the classroom. I'm so grateful!
If you've been teaching for fewer than ten years, you probably don't feel like an "expert" yet. Maybe you never will, because teaching is a constantly changing world, and wise teachers know they must continue to learn and grow throughout their careers. But even with a few school years under your belt, you have the needed perspective to help someone newer than you.
In fact, you might already have put in the grunt work to clear one of these paths for new teachers:
- Identifying priorities in work and in life
- Aligning lessons to standards
- Lesson planning
- Creating effective plans for subs
- Communicating with parents
- Meeting the needs of diverse learners
- Implementing character education or other program
- Getting the most out of professional development
- Planning for efficient use of prep time
- Using formative assessments effectively
- Reflecting on successes and growth areas
You've been down that path. You had a tough time, and it was work. Real work. Now it's time to take on the role of a mentor and help someone else get through the same snowdrift.
What "snowdrifts" could you help another teacher through? What drifts do you need help shoveling? Share in the comments, then go get that shovel!
Image credit: The Graphics Fairy, a wonderful site for vintage clip art!
Image credit: The Graphics Fairy, a wonderful site for vintage clip art!
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
10 Ways To Be a Teacher-Leader
For some teachers, the idea of being a leader is frightening, so we delay it or even avoid it as much as possible. For others, we know we want to be leaders, but struggle to make wise decisions with the opportunities we're given or to be patient while waiting for leadership opportunities to come our way. To the new teacher, leadership can seem like a distant, hazy prospect always out of reach. "It takes ten years to become an expert at anything," or so they say.
Here are some practical ways to steer toward a leadership course, no matter how many years you've been in the classroom.
1. Read current education news.
You can do this by subscribing to email newsletters such as the excellent SmartBrief from ASCD. Choose an ed-focused magazine or journal in your area to keep up on the latest research, techniques, and classroom technology. If you're a writer, you might eventually try submitting an article to your favorite publication.
2. Hone your public speaking skills.
It's true that you speak publicly in the classroom every day, but let's face it. Those kids don't scare you anymore. Look for opportunities to speak in front of more varied audiences, such as your school staff or the school board. Talk to a parent group or a community group about what your school is doing in STEM or character education. Speaking skills are leadership skills.
3. Take on extra responsibilities (responsibly).
The freshman class needs an adviser. The PTO needs more teachers at their meetings. From selling tickets at the football game to organizing an after school program, there is an infinite number of extra activities you can take on to demonstrate leadership in your school. Learn to take on only what you can handle and to say "no" when an activity is sure to hinder your everyday productivity or sanity. Volunteerism gets noticed. It also gives you needed practice in small-scale leadership tasks.
4. Do the grub work.
A student throws up in the hall. Is your default reaction to comfort the child, to get the janitor, to start cleaning it up, or to cower by the wall until someone else deals with it? All but the last show leadership. Have you ever noticed that secretaries and principals often get stuck doing the grub work, not because that particular task is in their job description, but because they are leaders? Sometimes, serving is leading.
5. Continue your professional education.
Before you can renew your teaching certification, you have to take professional development classes and/or academic classes for your professional growth. Don't ever think the only benefit of these classes is certificate renewal or a pay raise. Continuing your education shows leadership. You prove that you are willing to learn and grow as a person and as a teacher. It also helps you find specific areas of focus for your leadership talents.
6. Try new things.
Just because you're an English teacher doesn't mean you can't organize a STEM field trip for the high school. Never served on the RTI team before? You'll learn fast. Adopt a growth mindset and show your leadership skills.
7. Mentor informally.
You don't have to be an official mentor to help other teachers find their way. You have areas of expertise you can share with others on your staff, even if it's in a brief chat around the water cooler or a pop-in after class. Watch for opportunities where a colleague is asking for help, but also where you have found a strategy that works and you can share it. When you read a helpful article, pass it on by email. When you've attended a conference, share your notes and handouts. Chances are, it'll open a discussion that benefits you, too.
8. Share gleanings from workshops with your staff.
It may be intimidating, but sharing what you've learned at a PD or academic class can benefit your staff and grow you as a leader. First, determine the specific topic you'd like to present and how long you'll take to present it. For beginners, twenty to thirty minutes is a good max. Second, ask your administrator for time at the next staff meeting or collaboration. Be prepared to tell what you'll be sharing and how it will benefit other teachers. If you're not given time, try again with another topic in future. If your proposal is accepted, prepare a clear and concise presentation that does not go over the time limit you and your administrator have agreed on. Give a minute or two for questions at the end and be sure to thank your administrator for allowing you to present.
9. Inspire your students.
When you capture a student's imagination through story, through vision, through the arts, through tech, through debate, through biography, you show leadership. Parents and administrators like nothing better than hearing that your students are engaged in and excited about learning. What will inspire students? Probably the same things that inspire you. Maybe you'll be the teacher that inspired a student to become a doctor or a software engineer or a writer.
10. Work hard.
A strong work ethic shows leadership more than just about any other quality a teacher can cultivate. Show up on time. Don't leave till the job is done. Take fewer personal days, and only use sick days when you are actually sick. No substitute can do your job as effectively as you can do it. Don't procrastinate about grading papers or writing lesson plans. Complete tasks promptly, especially when they are assigned specifically by your boss. Know your subject. Be faithful to your students and loyal to your school.
It's a long haul, but being a teacher-leader will reap dividends, both tangible and intangible.
Here are some practical ways to steer toward a leadership course, no matter how many years you've been in the classroom.
1. Read current education news.
You can do this by subscribing to email newsletters such as the excellent SmartBrief from ASCD. Choose an ed-focused magazine or journal in your area to keep up on the latest research, techniques, and classroom technology. If you're a writer, you might eventually try submitting an article to your favorite publication.
2. Hone your public speaking skills.
It's true that you speak publicly in the classroom every day, but let's face it. Those kids don't scare you anymore. Look for opportunities to speak in front of more varied audiences, such as your school staff or the school board. Talk to a parent group or a community group about what your school is doing in STEM or character education. Speaking skills are leadership skills.
3. Take on extra responsibilities (responsibly).
The freshman class needs an adviser. The PTO needs more teachers at their meetings. From selling tickets at the football game to organizing an after school program, there is an infinite number of extra activities you can take on to demonstrate leadership in your school. Learn to take on only what you can handle and to say "no" when an activity is sure to hinder your everyday productivity or sanity. Volunteerism gets noticed. It also gives you needed practice in small-scale leadership tasks.
4. Do the grub work.
A student throws up in the hall. Is your default reaction to comfort the child, to get the janitor, to start cleaning it up, or to cower by the wall until someone else deals with it? All but the last show leadership. Have you ever noticed that secretaries and principals often get stuck doing the grub work, not because that particular task is in their job description, but because they are leaders? Sometimes, serving is leading.
5. Continue your professional education.
Before you can renew your teaching certification, you have to take professional development classes and/or academic classes for your professional growth. Don't ever think the only benefit of these classes is certificate renewal or a pay raise. Continuing your education shows leadership. You prove that you are willing to learn and grow as a person and as a teacher. It also helps you find specific areas of focus for your leadership talents.
6. Try new things.
Just because you're an English teacher doesn't mean you can't organize a STEM field trip for the high school. Never served on the RTI team before? You'll learn fast. Adopt a growth mindset and show your leadership skills.
7. Mentor informally.
You don't have to be an official mentor to help other teachers find their way. You have areas of expertise you can share with others on your staff, even if it's in a brief chat around the water cooler or a pop-in after class. Watch for opportunities where a colleague is asking for help, but also where you have found a strategy that works and you can share it. When you read a helpful article, pass it on by email. When you've attended a conference, share your notes and handouts. Chances are, it'll open a discussion that benefits you, too.
8. Share gleanings from workshops with your staff.
It may be intimidating, but sharing what you've learned at a PD or academic class can benefit your staff and grow you as a leader. First, determine the specific topic you'd like to present and how long you'll take to present it. For beginners, twenty to thirty minutes is a good max. Second, ask your administrator for time at the next staff meeting or collaboration. Be prepared to tell what you'll be sharing and how it will benefit other teachers. If you're not given time, try again with another topic in future. If your proposal is accepted, prepare a clear and concise presentation that does not go over the time limit you and your administrator have agreed on. Give a minute or two for questions at the end and be sure to thank your administrator for allowing you to present.
9. Inspire your students.
When you capture a student's imagination through story, through vision, through the arts, through tech, through debate, through biography, you show leadership. Parents and administrators like nothing better than hearing that your students are engaged in and excited about learning. What will inspire students? Probably the same things that inspire you. Maybe you'll be the teacher that inspired a student to become a doctor or a software engineer or a writer.
10. Work hard.
A strong work ethic shows leadership more than just about any other quality a teacher can cultivate. Show up on time. Don't leave till the job is done. Take fewer personal days, and only use sick days when you are actually sick. No substitute can do your job as effectively as you can do it. Don't procrastinate about grading papers or writing lesson plans. Complete tasks promptly, especially when they are assigned specifically by your boss. Know your subject. Be faithful to your students and loyal to your school.
It's a long haul, but being a teacher-leader will reap dividends, both tangible and intangible.
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