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Mentor Teachers Chatboard

My experience as an "official" Mentor Teacher

by K. Fair

Jun 19, 2011

What a rewarding experience! My team teacher this year was required to enroll in California's BTSA beginning teacher training program. We just completed year one of a two year program. The program was set up because years ago, many young teachers would focus so much on working hard that they would almost isolate themselves from their school's learn...See More

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Janine Spiess On 6/19/11, K. Fair wrote: > What a rewarding experience! My team teacher this year was > required to enroll in California's BTSA beginning teacher > training program. We just completed year one of a two year > program. The program was set up because years ago, many > young teachers would focus so much on working hard that > they ...See More

Jun 20, 2011

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mrsd In Illinois, mentoring is required. So, we DO have mentors who make sure the new teachers know the "rules," where everything is, how to order supplies, how to use the grading program, and all those other practical things. When I started teaching in my building, I had the experience as an aide and substitute to know how many things were done. Howeve...See More

Jun 23, 2011

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Did you receive training to become a mentor teacher?

by Jace's Mom

Jun 19, 2011

Are mentors just veteran teachers who are willing, or do they also receive training?

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meep In one district, we received extensive training. In my current district, we received training, but it was not as involved as my previous training. I don't work as an "official" mentor right now, but people still come to me for suggestions and I also go to others! We all share! :-)

Jun 23, 2011

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Declan Flynn On 6/23/11, meep wrote: > In one district, we received extensive training. In my current > district, we received training, but it was not as involved as my > previous training. I don't work as an "official" mentor right now, but > people still come to me for suggestions and I also go to others! We all > share! :-) Eventhough I am in ...See More

Nov 28, 2011

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Mentors

by AJ

Jun 19, 2011

Not all mentors want to be in the position of mentoring. Unfortuantely, they are afraid to say no and then agree. They have great intentions, but are not always able to fulfull what is needed. If you want help you just have to ask, most people are wiling to help if you find the right person to ask the right questions to.

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judy5ca Another good point. We're all better at some things than others. I get observed a lot--especially by experienced teachers--during reading, writing, and math. No one in their right mind would ask me to demo singing because my colleagues all know I can't carry a tune in a bucket. Judy

On 6/19/11, AJ wrote: > Not all mentors want to be in ...See More

Jun 19, 2011

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hardest part of being a mentor

by HootOwl

Jun 19, 2011

Being a great classroom teacher does not necessarily mean that I will be a good mentor. It's a very different skill set. What do you find to be the hardest part of being a mentor? What mentoring skills have been the hardest for you to develop?

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Declan Flynn On 6/19/11, judy5ca wrote: > The hardest part for me is not telling. There's a lot of > discovery that goes along with being a reflective teacher. > It's much easier to say, "I think you might find..." than "What > do you think you could do about that?" I remind myself that > the person I'm mentoring needs to be guided just like we g...See More

Nov 28, 2011

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Declan Flynn On 10/22/11, Tell her exactly what the students are saying wrote: > instead of just listening to their gossip about her behind her back > and sizing her up according to a bunch of children's expert opinions. > > Maybe she doesn't trust you. Don't put it past the kids to say > things like, "Well we've told Ms. 63 all about you!" etc.,...See MoreOn 10/22/11, Tell her exactly what the students are saying wrote: > instead of just listening to their gossip about her behind her back > and sizing her up according to a bunch of children's expert opinions. > > Maybe she doesn't trust you. Don't put it past the kids to say > things like, "Well we've told Ms. 63 all about you!" etc., in which > case she may feel like you're taking their "side" and thus > encouraging the mincemeat. If you know she needs help, sit in on her > class and help. Pass out papers, make some copies, point out to the > bratty kids that their behavior is unacceptable, walk the worst > offenders to the office, BACK HER UP, that sort of thing.

> I am finding the opposite-both my trainee student teachers come and ask for advice all the time, but I have been in the position in the past where the student wouldn't come near me because he/she thought that they knew better than me > Remember, too, that "not asking for help" is not necessarily a > problem. It could mean that she doesn't need as much help as you > think she needs, or that she doesn't want YOUR help, or that she's > getting help elsewhere, or that she'll ask when she truly has a problem. sometimes knowing when to help is difficult as a mentor. With 1 student this practice i have had to sit in and insist on helping as it was necessary in terms of discipline issues > > Beware of wanting her to ask for help simply because you want to be > recognized for your many years of whatever. That would be your > problem, not hers. i am finding that this is a fine line to tread as a mentor > > > On 9/05/11, novel648 wrote: >> Another hard part - the newbie is 24, thinks she knows everything >> and doesn't need to ask a 63-year-old for help! I check on her >> every day or so, ask if she needs anything, and everything is >> always "fine", but from student gossip, I know that some students >> are making mincemeat of her. How do you help when she refuses? >> On 7/22/11, AnneCT wrote: >>> My biggest problem is when the newbie does not come to me or >>> ask questions. As I am a support person, I cannot just barge >>> in. Opening dialogue with that teacher can be difficult if >>> they are shy, want to be perfect, etc. They may also feel I >>> might be evaluative even if I start off by telling them I am >>> NOT! I am a resource, a sounding board, a friend to help you >>> and nothing more. I make time to listen. >>> >>> With those really closed people. I do set up a regular meeting >>> time so they have to touch base at some point. I also use >>> criteria the state will check on as talking points. That helps >>> to focus them on their professional obligation at least until >>> they are comfortable enough to just let it all hang out. >>> >>> Good Luck!

Nov 28, 2011

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I love being a mentor!

by Nicole

Jun 21, 2011

I love being a mentor! In my district, we are required to attend a one day seminar/conference with our new teacher and we work on mentoring activities together. It really is a lot of fun. But I think what I enjoy most is not only that I get to help out this new teacher, but new teachers come in fresh and with great ideas. I feel like they always re...See More

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K. Fair On 6/21/11, Nicole wrote: > I love being a mentor! In my district, we are required to > attend a one day seminar/conference with our new teacher > and we work on mentoring activities together. It really is > a lot of fun. But I think what I enjoy most is not only > that I get to help out this new teacher, but new teachers > come i...See More

Jun 26, 2011

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Declan On 6/21/11, Nicole wrote: > I love being a mentor! In my district, we are required to > attend a one day seminar/conference with our new teacher > and we work on mentoring activities together. It really is > a lot of fun. But I think what I enjoy most is not only > that I get to help out this new teacher, but new teachers > come i...See More

Nov 28, 2011

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Mentoring for long term subs

by callyb

Aug 6, 2011

I completed a long term leave assignment(exceeding 30 days). The State Dept. of Education states that any extended leave position (for certified teachers) must be mentored. I spoke to both the principal and mentor teacher to confirm this and both assured me they would look into it. I was asked to attend mentoring meeting with other candidates but, ...See More

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Need Help!

by bbsouthfla

Oct 1, 2011

Hi there, I am currently a Clinical Educator for a college/student teacher. I feel that this is the one way I can give back and make another difference in education. However, my student teacher lacks motivation, "withitness" and leadership. I am not sure if you can instill that in someone or if that is a just gift.Teaching is my passion not my job....See More

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Sara On 10/01/11, bbsouthfla wrote: > Hi there, > I am currently a Clinical Educator for a college/student > teacher. I feel that this is the one way I can give back > and make another difference in education. However, my > student teacher lacks motivation, "withitness" and > leadership. I am not sure if you can instill that in > so...See More

Oct 13, 2011

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Leah Great, helpful comments.

Articles that you may want to discuss with her are: Successful Teachers, Ten Keys to Educator's Survival, Words Can Inspire, What Will Your Students Remember? and many others at the following site

Oct 27, 2011

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changing

by Gen F.

Oct 1, 2011

Hi everyone,

do you think mentoring is connected with age? do you think it is something that is simply natural or can one learn to be a good mentor? Gen F.

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Sara On 10/01/11, Gen F. wrote: > Hi everyone, > > do you think mentoring is connected with age? do you think > it is something that is simply natural or can one learn to > be a good mentor? Gen F.

I think one can learn to be a good mentor. I think some people are more naturally inclined to be good mentors by virtue of their pers...See More

Oct 13, 2011

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New Teacher Observations?

by Val

Nov 5, 2011

I was asked by my principal to mentor our new Spanish teacher this year. I'm at a middle school, and she's our only foreign language teacher--I teach 8th grade ELA. There was no training. She is going through a private alternative certification company, and they require me to submit 2 classroom observation forms each semester. I've asked, and we do...See More

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Declan Flynn On 11/05/11, Val wrote: > I was asked by my principal to mentor our new Spanish > teacher this year. I'm at a middle school, and she's our > only foreign language teacher--I teach 8th grade ELA. There > was no training. She is going through a private alternative > certification company, and they require me to submit 2 > classroom ...See More

Nov 28, 2011

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History

by Declan Flynn

Nov 9, 2011

I am new to the siteI am a UK teacher and am actually mentoring for the first time as opposed to being in charge of a trainee student teacher. Any advice and tips from experienced teachers would be appreciated.

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Declan On 11/23/11, Sara wrote: > I am finding the opposite of upsetting the teachers in training. They are telling me that they are finding the feedback as quite a useful exercise and that it has helped them with observed lessons when their tutors have come out from college. i have taken your point of refelection on board and getting them to think abo...See MoreOn 11/23/11, Sara wrote: > I am finding the opposite of upsetting the teachers in training. They are telling me that they are finding the feedback as quite a useful exercise and that it has helped them with observed lessons when their tutors have come out from college. i have taken your point of refelection on board and getting them to think about why they are asking the pupils to do what they are doing and why. Good classroom environment is what comes with experience- trying to get the students to reflect on what went well and what didn't without me jumping in is proving difficult to resist but we are getting to the stage of a more collaborative dialogue. >>> >>> Thanks for your advice. I am sitting down with the students as >> often as a full timetable permits. The discusiions are revolving >> around support needed, pacing and planning of lessons, >> expectations, discipine and any other issues that arise. It is >> quite a responsibility and time consuming.I have asked 2 >> colleagues to sit down separately with the students to discuss my >> mentoring and at the end of the placement I will reflect on their >> feed back to see where my mentoring could be improved for future >> reference. I like the idea of letting them set the agenda. I >> don't know about you but during lesson observations especially >> with my examination/certificate classes, i find it very hard not >> to intervene when I think that things are not going well, > > Yes but I never do because it would upset the teaching in training so > much they would have a "chip on their shoulder" towards me and my > mentoring from then on. I wait until the two of us can talk and then > ask why they chose to do it the way they did? I share my concerns but > often this leads - and has to - to philosophical discussions. I find > most young teachers have not given active thought to what they > believe about school and its place in society. They haven't thought > about what's realistic. > > What any teacher does should reflect the outcome of what they're > trying to achieve. That simple truth is lost on many people, teachers > or not. "Begin with the end in mind." > > So I can ask - what outcome are you trying to achieve when you had > them copying notes from the board? Was that just a moment to fill or > did you have a greater purpose in mind? > > I advise young teachers to do the things that build a strong > relationship with the class. But at the same time, I know different > things are possible for different teachers and I'll let them go on a > bit to see what happens. For one example, sitting down. I almost > never sit down when a class is my room - that doesn't work for me. > But it can work for some other teachers. > > Each teacher has to find what works for them with their students - > what fosters a good classroom environment. And many of us have to > learn by trial and error - I may say "I think that's an error to have > them copying notes from the board but let's see." > > >> finding a conflicting mindset with what a teacher would/should do >> and what a mentor should/would do. This is a difficult process of >> trying to steer/facilitate the mentee without actually telling >> them what to do. What about you?? >> Stay in touch >> Declan

Nov 28, 2011

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Declan Flynn On 11/10/11, Sara wrote: > On 11/09/11, Declan Flynn wrote: >> I am new to the siteI am a UK teacher and am actually >> mentoring for the first time as opposed to being in charge >> of a trainee student teacher. Any advice and tips from >> experienced teachers would be appreciated. > > An "open door" policy in so fa...See More

Nov 28, 2011

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