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FEATURES FOR TEACHERS |
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Ideas and
Features For New Teachers |
Volume 2, Issue 11
June 2006 |
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Being an intern is an interesting position to be in. The university treats you as a student, making you jump through hoops completing projects and meeting deadlines sometimes seeming totally irrelevant to the internship. The school district you are working in expects you to be a professional educator with all the secrets of innovation and new technologies fresh from the university 'think tank'. Parents think of you as someone who really doesn't know what they are doing yet and don't understand why you are practicing on their kids. They are always quick to point out their perceptions of student teachers when a problem arises about grades or behavior. Hopefully I will provide you with some practical information presented in a no-nonsense form. First and foremost, make sure all of your personal chores and plans are in order before you begin your assignment. Once you start it is vital to focus all of your energy and time into your placement. Secure your housing well in advance and establish a routine of daily tasks. Plan to arrive at school early and plan to stay late. Student teaching is absolutely relentless; you will be exhausted after your first day. The mental and physical strain is unbelievable . Make sure all of your details are taken care of in advance; you don't want anything to interfere with your teaching. Do create some time for yourself or you will self-destruct. You need to keep your mind clear in order to make effective teacher decisions. Plan to have some time each day for your self - it may only be a few minutes, but it is very important. You may think you don't need it, but all veteran teachers will tell you differently.
You have not paid your dues and therefore you are really not an expert at anything. Learn from your observations and reflections; don't be afraid to make mistakes. As you progress and you become more effective, take risks and try different methodologies and teaching strategies. By all means keep in close contact with your mentor and always remember - no surprises. Ask questions before you do something; your mentor knows the ropes and will offer excellent advice. Make it your responsibility to learn the routines and specifics of the district and building you are working in. Don't rely on someone to tell you; find out on your own, take the initiative. You can learn many things from both effective and ineffective teachers. Unless asked, keep your opinions to yourself, being new and having all the energy of youth will be a threat to some, so tread lightly. If there is any down time in your room, ask your mentor for tasks to accomplish. Help out anywhere you can. Ask to take on something difficult and work with your mentor to accomplish it. Save as many artifacts as possible and use them in your professional portfolio. Creative lesson plans and examples of student work are excellent things to have. Ask for feedback and listen and process. Create an open dialog with your mentor; remember that is the person who will be called first when a district wants to know about you. Your mentor will be able to talk about strengths and weaknesses, so what do you want to them to say about you? Finally, enter the internship with the idea there will be a teaching opening that you will be qualified for in the very building you are student teaching. Create positive relationships with staff, parents, and students. You do that by demonstrating professional behavior. When your internship is completed you want everyone to say - "We would really like to have you become part of our team!" Prove to people that you are the type of teacher that would be a perfect fit for their district. School districts are looking for candidates who are 'low maintenance' - teachers who can come into their buildings and have an immediate impact. Confidence, solid work ethic, and exemplary professional dispositions are words you want people to use to describe you. Your internship is an excellent place to begin!
I know what you are thinking: "But I’m a teacher, not a magician". Being a
teacher is what will make this teaching tool successful for you. The magic
effects taught in the book, Houdini in the Classroom, are NOT difficult,
although they will require minimal practice. The real magic happens when
you blend your teaching experience with magic and you see first hand the
powerful learning effect this has on your students. Why Harry Houdini? Harry Houdini is still the most famous magician of all
time, even though he died in 1926. He captivated his audience’s attention
and was a terrific showman and self- promoter. These “Houdini-like”
attributes combined with basic magic effects can be applied to the classroom
to create a fun and exciting learning environment, regardless of the curriculum and grade level.
K12 Academics is a national based education & disability resource center with a community based approach. We cover every county, city or town in the U.S. If you are looking for a website or information on a school, organization, museum, library, camp or support in your area you can find it here. The site also serves as a great resource for teachers, parents, students, professionals & district officials in the K-12 education system.
There are many areas on the website to check out, including information on national directories on websites, resources, educational services, camps, and museums. There are articles, updated daily and written from educational experts all around the country on any number of educational issues. There are specific sections for teachers, from tips and techniques to lesson plans. There is another section for students including major tests and scholarships. There is also a directory of schools across the country. Check this site out, you'll be glad you did. Simply click the link below:
If you think you are beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don't! If you want to win, but think you can't, It's almost a cinch you won't. If you think you'll lose, you're lost; For out in the world we find Success begins with a fellow's will; It's all in the state of the mind. Life's battles don't always go To the stronger and faster man, But sooner or later the man who wins Is the man who thinks he can.
Be sure to check out our website by clicking the link below: It's loaded with great tips and techniques by teachers for teachers. You can find articles from the past newsletters, as well as special reports and 'freebies'.
See more of our Freebies as well as Special Reports on our website by clicking the quick link below: http://www.starteaching.com/free.htm Make sure to BOOKMARK our website so you can keep up with more changes and additions through the year. And feel free to share our site by EMAILING it to a friend.
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In This Week's Issue (Click the Quick Links below): Preparing for Your Student-Teaching Experience (part 2) The Untold Secret to Creating A Fun Learning Environment Themes
on Life:
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