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Mentor Teachers Chatboard

Sara's mentoring observations

by Declan Flynn

Nov 28, 2011

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 pup...See More

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Sara On 11/28/11, Declan Flynn 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 bo...See MoreOn 11/28/11, Declan Flynn 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.

I think I might say the best classroom environments come from experience but a new teacher can have a good classroom environment. Of course, what we consider a good classroom environment varies from school to school and I bring them up to new teachers. There is more than one type of school and different ways to teach and different classroom environments. What's the philosophy of your school? My school wants each teacher as well as each student to find their farther horizon - to find what works best for them - though it's also clear that we want learner-centered classrooms.

Does your school have an embracing philosophy of education that your new teacher informed of? When I mention 'democratic schools' (we're not one) to new teachers as a matter for reflection when considering classroom management, most look back at me in disbelief. Most teachers assume the differences between teachers derive from personality alone and have not reflected on the idea that we all have underlying philosophies and beliefs that are guiding our interaction with students and our teaching.

But to sum up, I'd still say - I've seen some new teachers who have good classroom environments from the 'get-go'. They too improve with experience but they demonstrate qualities that serve to quickly build rapport with students and are most often open to student input. Their style of teaching is not lecture-based and they are generally people of charming warmth which also lends itself at least here to a good classroom environment.

They have to make their mistakes to learn what works for them and what doesn't work for them. What works for one teacher doesn't necessarily work for the next teacher.

Dec 1, 2011

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Letter of Recommendation

by Jeff

Dec 10, 2011

Hello,

I just finished my mentoring/supervision of a student teacher, and he has requested a letter of recommendation. I've written letters of rec for my students, but never have I written one for an aspiring teacher. For those of you who have written letters, what information is normally included?

I was thinking of writing abou...See More

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Portfolio Question

by Martin

Dec 24, 2011

I have some questions about teacher portfolios and wanted to get some opinions.

I have about 10 years' teaching experience, from teaching middle-school Language Arts to subbing for years, directing two GED programs, teaching ESL, teaching college English and Journalism, tutoring, and more.

I've never been asked for a portfolio; ...See More

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Leah You MIGHT get an idea from the following short list

Dec 29, 2011

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BOCES Question

by Martin

Dec 24, 2011

I have a BA in English with a writing emphasis, about 10 years' previous teaching experience (in different capacities), am certified in secondary English through my state's alternative license program.

Whenever I go to job fairs and talk to hiring principals and assistant principals, they always tell me they have no alternative license pr...See More

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Please help!

by lisay

Apr 14, 2012

I have been following this group and value your comments! I would also like to ask if anyone would please take this short survey (less than 5 min)concerning special education teachers only (past or present) it is necessary for my master's research. We need this information to move forward! Thank you! [link removed]

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How would I go about starting my own school?

by subteacher86

Apr 25, 2012

Hi,

I really want to teach, and I do have a teaching license and a bit of teaching experience, but I just haven't been able to find work here. Also, some of the schools do not appear to have strong discipline policies in place. This is probably only for information right now, but what would I need to do to start my own legitimate school? ...See More

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subteacher86 Okay,

No, I'm serious; I really do want to research starting my own school or help someone start his or her own private or charter school, because I have not been able to find a position, and the schools are making choices that simply do not make sense. I care about education, and I would like to have a shot at giving students another wor...See More

May 12, 2012

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simplest advice on starting a school On 5/12/12, subteacher86 wrote: > Okay, > If a charter school, you'd need to check out the process for your state because the process to open a charter school varies from state to state.

As to opening a learning center with classes, you'd likely start that as any business starts. Find a place, put out your shingle, and try to get the...See MoreOn 5/12/12, subteacher86 wrote: > Okay, > If a charter school, you'd need to check out the process for your state because the process to open a charter school varies from state to state.

As to opening a learning center with classes, you'd likely start that as any business starts. Find a place, put out your shingle, and try to get the word out to potential customers for your classes.

> > No, I'm serious; I really do want to research starting my own > school or help someone start his or her own private or charter > school, because I have not been able to find a position, and the > schools are making choices that simply do not make sense. I care > about education, and I would like to have a shot at giving > students another worthwhile option. > > If not a full school, what about a learning center that has > classes? I just want to remain hopeful that I will get the > opportunity to teach, eventually. I'm discouraged. > > > > > On 5/09/12, it takes some effort, time and research wrote: >> On 4/25/12, subteacher86 wrote: >>> Hi, >> >> Your best bet now is to try to start a charter school - but >> that can depend on where you are. The times for starting any >> school are not good.There are a ton of online schools - check >> them out. Visit charter schools in your area. >> >> Your post reads like a homework assignment actually. Some >> private schools have started in church basements or an empty >> classroom in a college - but you'd do best to find some other >> like-minded teachers to join up with. The easiest way to start >> a school is to find a church or a community center that does >> not have a preschool operating in it and open up a preschool. >> But these days even that takes a fair bit of organization and - >> insurance. You need to be covered by insurance and that's not >> inexpensive. >>> >>> >>> I really want to teach, and I do have a teaching license >>> and a bit of teaching experience, but I just haven't been >>> able to find work here. Also, some of the schools do not >>> appear to have strong discipline policies in place. This is >>> probably only for information right now, but what would I >>> need to do to start my own legitimate school? Could I start >>> a school exclusively online, or would I need a physical >>> building? Who would I need to hire? Where could I find >>> funding? What would I need to know to be successful? Please >>> post start-to-finish guidelines.

May 18, 2012

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Advice, please

by subteacher86

May 3, 2012

Hi,

My observations during student teaching were not really productive for a lot of reasons. Now, I'm finding that I'm having trouble keeping control of classses. Right now, I've only worked as a substitute teacher, but I can't seem to gain the middle school students' respect. High school makes a little more sense. I did most of student t...See More

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What's going on?

by ysh

May 10, 2012

Hello.

I'm studying elementary education right now and i have about 2 more years to go. I know many curriculum are cut off and many teachers are laid off too. I've been googling to see follow ups/any news relating to boards and such but I don't know how much to believe when it comes to media...

I've heard rumors that they cut te...See More

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Teacher uses yellling to manage students

by hiatt

Jun 4, 2012

I am working with a first year teacher who is yelling at the children when the won't stop talking. She is not consistent with what is put in place but she is a great little teacher.

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Leah She needs some assistance. Perhaps share the following with her:

Jun 28, 2012

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Required reading for teacher mentors and their mentees

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Jun 6, 2012

Required reading for ed profs, mentors, mentees, future/new teachers: Confessions and Concessions of a Compassionate Teacher. Please share in print and through Twitter.

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