Building the Bridge: transitioning from a Student Teacher to a First-Year Teacher

1. Building the Bridge: transitioning from a Student Teacher to a First-Year Teacher Presentation by: Marisa DiFronzo & Josh Gardner

2. Presenter introductions/backgrounds • Marisa DiFronzo • High School English Teacher • Weddington High School • Currently Teaching 9th Grade English I Honors, College Prep, OCS Inclusion Class, Co-teach • Employed at the school where she completed student teaching in Union County. • Joshua Gardner • Elementary Teacher • Employed at a different school than where he completed student teaching.

3. Creating a dpi application • The Process: • Step 1: Access the NC DPI job application • http://schooljobs.dpi.state.nc.us/Home • Step 2: Create account • Step 3: Create profile • Step 4: Complete application • Step 5: Submit application

4. Creating a dpi application • Tips • Select any counties/Local Education Agency (LEA) you are interested in teaching in NC • Contact references before listing them on the application • Let’s look at the application…

5. Finding a job • Browse jobs via the NC DPI website • http://schooljobs.dpi.state.nc.us/Jobs/Search • Browse jobs via the individual LEA in which you wish to obtain a position • Let’s look at the website…

6. E-mail example • Dear Principal’s Name, • I am very excited to hear of the employment at your school, school name. I have heard wonderful remarks about LEA/school district and after exploring more of school name, I can tell that your school is a product of the exceptionality of the school system. For your convenience, I have attached a letter of interest and resume. I have also completed the NCDPI application, as instructed through the LEA’s website. I welcome the opportunity to speak with you and interview for any employment opportunities you have. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time and consideration. • Sincerely, • Candidate Name

7. The interview • Research the school prior to your first email. If there is something specific you observe, make note of it in your email • Reference anything specific you find out about the school during the interview • Examples: School Improvement Plans (SIP), behavioral support models (PBIS, etc.), socioeconomic demographics, NC Report Card data

8. The interview • You’re a NC Teaching Fellow, who has mastered the concept of interviewing and have set in on numerous Thursday seminars on this subject. You’ve got this!  • As a proper follow-up procedure, send a thank you note!

9. The portfolio • Items to include: • Lesson Plans • Assessments (ISL Project) • Parent Communication • References/Lesson Observations

10. So, now you’ve gotten your job. What’s next? CELEBRATION? Well yeah, but a lot comes with it!

11. Just because you have proven yourself during the interview and during student teaching, it does not mean that you stop trying to impress! Reaffirm why you deserved to be hired each day you are at school! Always behave as if you are trying to impress. Teachers can never afford to have a “bad day.” Each day in the school and in your classroom should be one that you are proud of and would want others to see. Always put your best forward because, as an employee, you are always being watched and little things matter!

12. Professional Development: growing & improving in the profession *No matter how successful your student teaching experience was and how confident you are in the classroom, one should always be actively participating in professional development opportunities offered at your school, within the county, and within the state. *As a new teacher, especially, you will be required to participate in a wide range of professional development events. • *Some of the professional development events you may attend will address: • understanding, planning, and implementing the Common Core in instruction • effective practices in the classroom • globalization in all classrooms/subjects • New Teacher Evaluation Model • collaboration/overlap across grade levels within the content department • data analysis and using data to guide instruction

13. You got the job! it’s summer! Now, what’s expected of me? Things that should be accomplished during the summer before the school year begins: • Sign your contract with an administrator. • Make your presence known. • Introduce yourself to administration and faculty who you do not know. The more the faculty is familiar with you, the more they will be able to assist you throughout the year. • Register for all required county meetings on time; and once attending those, get all of the required paperwork from these handed back in a timely manner. (benefits meeting, effective practices training, meeting with your Curriculum Coordinator, meeting with Licensure, etc.) • Decorate your classroom ASAP so that you can have as much additional time to do other things during your workdays.

14. Mentor/Mentee relationships • Just because you are assigned a mentor by administration, it doesn’t mean that you can’t adopt an “informal mentor” who you naturally click with, otherwise known as your “go-to.” Hopefully, you will naturally “click” with your mentor; but if not, don’t be afraid to seek out help/advice from others! • Share resources! • Collaborative planning • Understanding employment paperwork and legal paperwork. • As a first-year teacher, you will be assigned a mentor who will be there to offer you advice, guide you, and listen to you vent, share your successes, and inquire about your confusions. • Most of the time, your mentor will be someone within your department; however, this is not always the case.

15. Department collaboration & grade level planning • Take advantage of the opportunity to collaborate with your colleagues, especially ones within your content department and grade level. • Tiered approach to planning: Develop some consistency an overlap within grade levels so that students will be able to apply their previous knowledge successfully and develop the skills they already have, as well as the information they have learned. • While we all naturally have our own teaching methods and preferences, don’t be afraid to consider others’ ways, activities, delivery methods, and lesson ideas. Even if it is an idea you wouldn’t implement exactly in the same way, tweak it and make it your own! Don’t be afraid to share!

16. Involvement in and out of the classroom • Show that you are concerned with contributing to your school academically, athletically, and socially. Take on responsibilities and commitments slowly, but surely. Don’t commit to something halfheartedly just for the sake of getting involved. • Ways to get involved: • -teacher leadership/correlates • -clubs/honor societies • -athletics • -curriculum • -professional development • -community events • -tutoring • -school spirit • Your first year will be all about finding and maintaining a balance that works for you. Keep in mind that one person’s idea of “balance” will be completely different than another’s. Do what you can handle and what works for you! Your students need your best every day in the classroom, so make sure nothing hinders you from giving your all to them.

17. Planning for different grade levels & different preps • Differentiating instruction, activities, assignments, assessments…pretty much everything! • Co-teaching in a CP/OCS Classroom (Marisa) • Establishing the classroom dynamic you want • Submitting Lesson Plans to Administration • Personal experiences • Methods that work/methods that don’t • Semester/Monthly/Daily Planning • How we differentiate in our classes currently • Discussion/Q&A Session

18. Relationships are key! • Teacher-Student Relationships: incorporating their interests in classroom instruction • Be approachable at all times! Be empathetic! Understand that students have lives outside of school. • Parent-Teacher Relationships: establish them early, communicate expectations, document everything, consistent updates of instruction, assignments, grades, and student progress. • Teacher-Administrator Relationships • Teacher-Guidance Counselors/Support Specialists Relationships • Teacher-Peer Teacher Relationships • Teacher-Faculty/Office Staff/Custodian Relationships • Teacher-Coach Relationships

19. Question & Answer session! 