Mentoring Newsletter
A guide to working with mentees at your school site
September 21st - October 4th, 2020
Hello, BPS mentors.
I can't believe I am writing the word "October" already in this edition's focus. Some days feel like they won't end, and others are flying by, right? I think we are all in agreement that it's not just the brand-new teachers who are feeling challenged -- it's affecting all of us. If you or your mentee need some rejuvenation -- a dinner out, a night away, a socially-distanced roller coaster ride -- check out the link below for Florida's "Just For Teachers" discount page. Please share it as well!
Next, take a look at the "phases of first-year teachers" graph below. New teachers are in survival mode and heading toward the disillusionment stage. I always share this graph with new teachers and it truly helps them feel like they are not alone.
What new teachers are realizing right now is that their enthusiasm for the start of the school year is not enough to do all of the work necessary for students to learn well -- especially in this challenging environment. You might hear statements from new teachers that sound like attitude problems. But they are mostly expressions of frustration over how to address their lack of knowledge or skills.
At this extraordinary moment, it is so important for us to be active listeners -- to really hear what our mentees are saying (or not saying). We have to build up their confidence and find their strengths.
So let's frame things a little differently. Let's think about what our new teachers often say while in "survival phase" instead of focusing on the mentors' thoughts. Consider these hypothetical quotes to start the conversation:
1. Personal:
- "When will it get easier? I feel like I am going insane."
- "I appreciate all of the advice and suggestions, but how about some feedback on what I do is right?"
- "Do you have tips for how to stay relaxed and positive with my coworkers when I'm super stressed, running around, and distracted?"
2. Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment:
- "How many days should I plan at a time?"
- "I need help planning for five preps!"
- "Where do I find materials needed to teach lessons? I am spending hours and hours searching for materials for my lessons."
- "How do I possibly get ahead in planning, grading, and copying?"
3. Organizational Systems:
- "I am drowning in email messages. How do I organize all of them?"
- "Please help with grading procedures and systems. How many grades should I be giving? How often should I review grades with students?"
- "How do I keep track of assignments being turned in -- some virtually, some on paper?"
4. Students:
- "How do I get kids to work together who don't get along?"
- "How do I motivate the kids who say they don't want to learn, care, and refuse to participate?"
- "How do I get kids to take responsibility for their learning?"
5. Colleagues:
- "I need time to plan with teachers in my area but I can't seem to find the time."
- "How do I plan with my push-in teacher?"
6. School Systems:
- "How can I get more resources for my classroom without having to spend my own money all the time?"
- " I ask four different people the same question and get four different answers. How do I know what answer is correct?"
7. Parents and Community:
- "How do I get the parents to understand that I can only do so much, their child needs to be responsible for something?"
- "How do I handle confrontational parents who think their child is not at fault or responsible for the grade they have received?"
- "I need suggestions for managing parent contact. It seems to be taking a lot of time."
Thank you. You mean more to your new teachers than you will ever know! π
-Bridget Reed
reed.bridget@brevardschools.org
Breakdown and suggestions taken from Paula Rutherford's Just Ask Publications