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vic - Is this the place for student/beginning teachers.
HamOn - I was just gonna ask you the same thing
HamOn - must be then
vic - Which one are you
dc1 - According to their schedule it is.
vic - Next week is my last week for student teaching
HamOn - I call myself a beginning teacher, because after more than ten years in the profession I still feel (really) like I'm just beginning to get it
vic - wow what grade do you teach
HamOn - 6,7,8 music and computers
vic - great, I interned in a fifth grade class but, I really want to do primary
HamOn - if you're male and interested in primary, you're in the definite minority in Ontario
vic - yeah I know
HamOn - vic, what has been the best part of doing grade 5
vic - I am not sure there was alot of kids in this classroom. I guess it depends boy you see more of an attitude. After thirteen weeks though the kids really grow on you. I myself like teaching math. I learned alot about our fcat testing we do in Fla. I don't know if you know about that test
dc1 - Is the fcat anything like the mcas
HamOn - Is school enrollment tied to the test results?
dc1 - with the mcas teacher retention is tied to the results
vic - The fcat is a state test given to fourth and fifth graders. It is given on three days math and reading. It has alot of critical thinking thinking skills. The kids not only have to come up with the answer but, they have to tell how they got their answer.
HamOn - Gotta go. Best of luck to you both. Teaching is where its at.
dc1 - the mcas covers all subjects 4-8-10th grades
vic - Do you know when the next beginning teacher chat is. I am a little disappointed that there were not that many people since I have been waiting for this chat all week. I was hoping to hear from other interns.
dc1 - no, i was hoping more people would be here too
vic - I guess we could look on the schedule.
dc1 - i don't see one anytime soon
vic - Hi smileytm. and mini mac. Are you interns or beginning teachers.
smileytm - This is the first chat session that I have entered here
smileytm - I have been teaching for four years
dc1 - What grades
vic - wow what grade do you teach
dc1 - I'm ending my first year of teaching
dc1 - hi teachninaz
teachninaz - hello
vic - I can't wait until I have my own class.....
teachninaz - I have been teaching for four years, how about any one else
dc1 - Just finishing my first
teachninaz - what grade
dc1 - grades 1-4
teachninaz - wow where if i may ask
dc1 - CT I teach in a multi-grade classroom
teachninaz - i teach 1st grade here in arizona
dc1 - They're a lot of fun
vic - wow first that is a tough grade to teach I would like to teach second
teachninaz - very we went on field trip today and was emotional roller coaster
dc1 - What kind of field trip
vic - how many kids do you have
teachninaz - i have 22 students
teachninaz - 5 are reading at 2nd grade level
dc1 - i have 20; 8 fourth graders, 6 third graders, 3 second and 3 first graders
teachninaz - 8 are reading below and rest at grade level
dc1 - how many reading groupd do you have
teachninaz - wow you must have an interesting day
dc1 - it has its challenges
teachninaz - i have 5 reading grou[ps
vic - my daughter is in first and there are 20 in private school Is that the norm How about the older classes In the class where I am interning there are 36 kids
dc1 - but it's a lot of fun too
teachninaz - we have low ratios but surrounding cities have 30 or more students
dc1 - here it depends on the district
wizzlewolf - Hi all...I am not a beginning teacher, so if you want you can throw me out!
teachninaz - our principal has made a lot of effort to keep numbers low
teachninaz - our school dist is unified k-12
Darcy/K - our makes sure our numbers are high.
Darcy/K - One K class has 36 kids.
teachninaz - at our school site is k-3
teachninaz - we have 10 -12 teachers per grade level
dc1 - we have problems with racial quotas
Darcy/K - wow. that is a lot per grade, nina!
dc1 - we're only allowed a percentage of each race, this cause redistricting all the time
teachninaz - wow i will quit complaining about my # now
Darcy/K - what do you mean, only a percentage? Is it a public school?
dc1 - yes
teachninaz - we are on edge of Indian reservation which makes for huge busing area
Darcy/K - interesting
dc1 - they feel that too many students from one race causes problems
Darcy/K - my school is 100% African American. If we had quatas, we wouldn't have any students.
teachninaz - that is why a lot of cities have dropped busing
Darcy/K - that's kind of narrow minded of the administration, dc.
dc1 - Tell it to the politicians
teachninaz - scary is better word
Darcy/K - Hey George W.! Spend a day in a classroom before you make decisions! lol
pacermak - hi everyone
dc1 - most teachers don't like it, but the state enforces it
teachninaz - Darcy/k how long have you been teaching or is this your first year
dc1 - I would like to see some of these politicans spens a week teaching, bet they's change some of their policies
Darcy/K - It just doesn't make sense. We would call that racial profiling in my neck of the woods.
pacermak - <---high school English teacher in Florida, just started my 2nd year in Jan
Darcy/K - 2nd year. Gonna kick me out?
teachninaz - nope
Darcy/K -
pacermak - me too Darcy
teach1st for now - what is the topic tonight
pacermak - any high school teachers here?
teachninaz - four for me dont kick me out
teach1st for now - well, I will be next year
wizzlewolf - Sometimes racial quotas are not the fault of district administrators. Our district has been under court order to maintain racial balance. We will be out of that order in three more years.
pacermak - you will teach1st?
dc1 - I know. that's the situation we're in
Darcy/K - ah
teach1st for now - well, I am slated to teach high school math
teachninaz - really where may i ask
Darcy/K - wow, that's a big difference!
teach1st for now - teach nin who are you talking with?
pacermak - what's everyone's biggest challenge so far?
teachninaz - myself i guess
dc1 - discipline
teach1st for now - keeping the parents happy
pacermak - mine is planning.
Darcy/K - parental neglect and indifference.
teach1st for now - just curious I did not want to ignore you iof you were talking to me
pacermak - I teach on a block schedule and it's hard to make sure you cover everything in such a short per. of time and yet be thorough
teachninaz - time management in a multi leveled room
dc1 - how do you deal with parents that don't care or blame you because their child is not doing well
pacermak - I dont seem to have a problem with parents much, discipline either really - although I've had some battles in that respect
teach1st for now - get the principal involved
pacermak - document everything DC1!
teachninaz - is ok threw it out for anyone, teach1st
dc1 - I've done that and the principal as well. Doesn't help the student though
Darcy/K - welcome to my word, dc1!
pacermak - well what specifically is your problem dcI
teach1st for now - yeah but even if that is the case then at least you have CYA
pacermak - CYA is definitely a PRIORITY!
dc1 - It's hard to motivate a student when they know the parents aren;t going to do anything if they don't succeed.
teach1st for now - pacmak LOL
Darcy/K - What is CYA if I may ask?
teachninaz - thanks was wondering
pacermak - dc what do you teach - what subj. and level?
teach1st for now - COver your A.S.S.
pacermak - Cover Your Arse
pacermak -
Darcy/K - ohhhhh, hah hah hah
teachninaz - gottcha
dc1 - I teach all sunjects grades 1-4
teach1st for now - pacermak - I like your spelling better
pacermak - thanks
pacermak - dc1 you teach 1-4?? That's weird, most elem. teachers teach a single grade and all subjects
Darcy/K - are they paying you in gold, dc? Is it mentally gifted program or L.D.?
teach1st for now - the more difficult thing is if the parents really want to help but can't because of education or language
dc1 - The school is trying an experiment with multi-grade teaching
teachninaz - same here teach1st
teach1st for now - ick - no way - to they think it is working?
Darcy/K - too big an age range, IMO
pacermak - there never seems to be secondary educators in here
teach1st for now - ok I am going back to the other room see ya later
dc1 - It has advantages and disadvatages.
teachninaz - dcl your days must be so easy right
wizzlewolf - I teach secondary and elementary
dc1 - The biggest problem is keeping everyone busy.
pacermak - wizzle what do you teach NOW?
dc1 - I wouldn't say easy. Some are fun though.
wizzlewolf - I teach K-12 severely emotionally disturbed. I teach art at a school that is exclusively for SED students.
teachninaz - can imagine dcl hard in 1st too
pacermak - it's easy to keep them busy, the problem lies in making sure that WHAT they do is helping them learn and not "busy" work..
pacermak - I see Wizzle.
dc1 - Yeah, especially when some are ESL
dc1 - I don't believe in "busy" work
teachninaz - 50 % of mine are esl
Darcy/K - Give wizzlewolf the prize! He/She has won the most difficult job award!
teachninaz - no kidding
wizzlewolf - How can any teacher justify "busy" work when time is so precious?
pacermak - I was commenting on the person who said "biggest problem is keeping them BUSY"
dc1 - Good question
Darcy/K - When you don't get a prep period for a week, it's raining, and the kids don't get recess. When parents want a meeting right here and now, should I go on?
wizzlewolf - No Darcy, it is no different than any teacher who is great at what they do. I LOVE behavior disorder kids. They are my life. I love chairs flying at me and very "innovative" language. I live for it!
Darcy/K - If it floats your boat, wizzle! I give you tons of credit. We don't all have the gift to work with special needs kids.
teachninaz - yikes send wizzle an apple
teachninaz - green welcome to the chat
vic - Any advice on how to get to work in a certain school
teachninaz - teaching during chaos is the name of the game isnt it
wizzlewolf - Oh I just kind figure out why everyone doesn't see the "fun" in all those kids that get kicked out of regular schools. They are such a hoot!!
teachninaz - i have a couple that you could borrow for a while
wizzlewolf - Vic, do you mean getting a job at the school of your choice?
Darcy/K - do you deal with violent kids though, wizzle?
dc1 - I worked in a school like that. Some of those kids are very intelligent if they're given a chance
teachninaz - they are an interesting lot
vic - yes
Darcy/K - Is it a big district, a private school, or a parochial school, vic?
wizzlewolf - Oh YES!! I hate to even say it, but quite a few of our "alumni" are at the penitentary right now. It is so sad.
teachninaz - subbing and but kissing vic
vic - it is a big district public schools
dc1 - unfortunately that happens too
vic - I am going to start subbing after I am finished interning one more week
wizzlewolf - VIC, First and Best advice: Get to know the people that work there. The more the merrier. Find out who makes decisions and introduce yourself. You have to show them what you have to offer>
Darcy/K - in my district, they give you a mega-size list of available positions and you pick from it. Individual schools can't pick who they like.
teachninaz - i have also found volunteering a good avenue
Darcy/K - It's a shame, but I can tell who amongst my 5-6 year olds will see the inside of a jail by the time their teenagers.
teachninaz - especially if the school needs classroom assisstance
dc1 - It's hard to help those that don't want it, but we have to try
wizzlewolf - You have the best chance if you have your foot in the door and have met the "decision makers". You need to develop some kind of relationship whether through subbing or just visiting.
vic - volunteering is great but, I need to start making money three months without pay is a long time
teachninaz - idont deny that but making your face known also helps
teachninaz - subbing pays especially in particular school sites you might be interested in
Darcy/K - It's the season for sending those application packets out to perspective districts. Like having to send x-mas cards to the IRS. Same amount of satisfaction.
teachninaz - also make yourself known to the decision makers
wizzlewolf - VIC, I don't know how it is in your district, but subs around here are few and far between. If you know the school you want to work at, drop by there and express an interest in subbing. Then sub there and begin to develop a working relationship with the decision makers. You have to be "visible". (Not invisible like some subs)
teachninaz - application packets connected to a face helps
dc1 - Most schools inour district are desperate for subs. If a sub is good they usually get a permanent job.
teachninaz - very true wizzlewolf
teachninaz - in az you need a sub cert. but is fairly easy to obtain
vic - logging off thanks for the advice
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