TEACHERS ARE SUPERHEROS
Teaching is a calling. You don't become a teacher with the hopes of getting rich. You shouldn't become a teacher because it looks easy. You most likely don't become a teacher because everyone else is doing it. You might become a teacher because you had a teacher make a significant impact in your life and you hope to do the same for others. You may become a teacher because sharing knowledge and watching the "lights come on" brings you pure joy. The teaching profession is one of the most important professions in our country and also one of the hardest. If you are a teacher or know a teacher, I don't need to tell you the latter, especially in this post-COVID era.
We must do what we can to encourage people with the gifting to teach to do so. We must equally equip those already in the field as they face daily challenges and pressure from all directions. I have a passion to equip teachers with the tools they need to not only be successful in their field but also love what they are doing!! Work is work and always will be, but we can and should experience joy in our work. Let's find joy together!!
We must do what we can to encourage people with the gifting to teach to do so. We must equally equip those already in the field as they face daily challenges and pressure from all directions. I have a passion to equip teachers with the tools they need to not only be successful in their field but also love what they are doing!! Work is work and always will be, but we can and should experience joy in our work. Let's find joy together!!
RELATIONSHIPS MATTER
Theodore Roosevelt is known for saying, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." and I believe this to be even more true in the teaching profession. There have been so many programs built upon this principal and those are all great. However, sometimes we complicate it more than we need to. Relationships are not systematic. They are dynamic. Something you implement one year and have great success with may miserably fail the next. The hardest part... relationships take time and we all know time is precious. There are always going to be district or school-wide mandates that we must follow as educators but we always have the opportunity to build relationships with our students and adjust our environment based on those relationships. I firmly believe that you should "start slow in order to speed up" in regards to your content instruction. The beginning should be a time of intentionally building relationships with your students while moving forward with curriculum at an appropriate pace. When relationships are the foundation, instruction is easier. The beginning of the year is always exciting and often overwhelming. Going from 0 to 100 (summer to 12 hour work days) is not for the faint of heart. I have 12 years of experience and I still feel that rush at the beginning of the year. I believe you can intentionally plan the first 4 weeks of school in a way that allows more time for relationships without sacrificing instructional time for new content. Bottom line... kids deserve it and I believe you will see greater success in the end.
strategies or snacks
Sometimes we need a strategy and sometimes we just need a snack! As teacher leaders it is important to also develop relationships with the teachers you lead and know what they need and when they need it. There have been times in my career when I needed a strategy and got a snack and vice versa. Communicating needs is important and I don't think it is done enough in the field of education. Sometimes a teacher just needs to verbalize their frustration or verbally process something new they want to try. Other times, a teacher needs clear direction for what to do next. Teachers must take time to reflect regularly so that they can identify their needs so that others can appropriately help. And those of us who are routinely called on to help, we must listen first, ask questions next, and then offer solutions or a response. I believe that if we do those things, in that order, we will better know if they need a strategy or a snack, and in some cases, both.
would you like to be mentored??
As a teacher, instructional coach, and department chair with 12 years of experience in both public and private schools I want to help you!! The best part... it is F R E E!!!
My teaching experience is all math grades 7 - 11 but I have experience mentoring teachers in various content areas. I have a passion for helping teachers grow and hold on to the joy of teaching, especially those within their first 3 years of teaching. If you are a teacher anywhere in the United States and would like weekly mentorship that includes encouragement, problem solving, instructional strategies, and classroom management strategies, I would love to hear from you!!! With the mentorship you will receive a 30 minute video call each week (excluding holidays) as well as email/text check ins a couple of times a week.
Please use the contact form below to request mentorship.
Please include the following in your request:
Grade(s)/Content area; Location; Years of experience; Teaching certification details; Areas you need assistance with
I look forward to serving you!
My teaching experience is all math grades 7 - 11 but I have experience mentoring teachers in various content areas. I have a passion for helping teachers grow and hold on to the joy of teaching, especially those within their first 3 years of teaching. If you are a teacher anywhere in the United States and would like weekly mentorship that includes encouragement, problem solving, instructional strategies, and classroom management strategies, I would love to hear from you!!! With the mentorship you will receive a 30 minute video call each week (excluding holidays) as well as email/text check ins a couple of times a week.
Please use the contact form below to request mentorship.
Please include the following in your request:
Grade(s)/Content area; Location; Years of experience; Teaching certification details; Areas you need assistance with
I look forward to serving you!