I am presently on cloud nine! I have managed to connect with two teachers who want assistance. What I was surprised about was that they like my approach--not authoritarian or critical. I pull from them what they hope to do and than ask what I could do to assist them in accomplishing their task. This includes everything from finding supplies and websites to co-planning to team-teaching. Tomorrow I will finish a complete coaching cycle with one teacher so I will be planning my first post-observation dialogue for Wednesday. I am trying to treat each teacher as a peer/colleague s/he is so I offer my spin only if asked. So far, so good:)
I have two more teachers to see for pre-planning this week--one in science and one in English. I hope it goes as well as the other meeting has gone so far!
Again, please offer other strategies if you have the time.
Denise
Two of my teachers completed the first coaching cycle. I was amazed at how open they were to support and new ideas. I have a way to feel comfortable here in this new position. I tap into my skills as a former CTA (California Teachers Association) trainer, state CLAD teacher, and now part time instructor in the teacher credentialing program at National Hispanic University. I validate their years in the class and the wealth of knowledge they bring to the classroom. I show respect because that is what I would like from them. My evaluations from CTA, SCCOE, and NHU have been excellent so I know that I can make this work. With the high number of D's and F's the ELLs have at my site, I need to help teachers see what isn't working and devise some new approaches to reverse this trend. Populations have changed and so must approaches to teach. Again, the teachers I have met with so far really want to make a difference in the lives of their students. So far so good, but what will I do when I discover that ONE teacher who basically shuts a door in my face. I know it is coming and I don't know how I will handle it.
ReplyDeleteHelp out there please:)
Denise