News for iteachTEXAS Candidates
From Pat Laster, Field Supervisor
Welcome to the World of Teaching!
Thank you for being a part of the most important job in the world – changing the lives of children every single day! I know this is an exciting time for you and your students, and I am here to do everything possible to assist in making this a great school year! I will be your Field Supervisor for iteachTEXAS and will hopefully visit with you before the beginning of school in order to meet you, your principal and your mentor. At that time we will discuss my observations in your classroom and I will be able to answer any questions or concerns.
Before School Starts - Checklist
1. Find out if you have a mentor teacher ASAP.
2. Have plans for your students to be “engaged” from the first minutes that they walk into your classroom. Many schools require “warm-up/bell-ringer” activities for this purpose on a daily basis.
3. Over-plan your lessons. Verify that you have more than enough copies of worksheets, etc. and more activities than you think you will need.
4. Post your class schedule, including tutoring times.
5. Prepare an introductory letter for students to take home to parents; this should include information about yourself along with classroom procedures, etc.
6. Arrange your room, including posting information about you – your degree(s), family, etc.
7. Develop rules and procedures. Remember to teach, reteach, model and practice – daily for the first weeks of school. Determine how these will be taught and reinforced. Anticipate worst-case scenarios and determine what to do in each case. Become familiar with school procedures for tardies, late work, etc.
8. Get class lists; clarify pronunciations.
9. Make sure you have an adequate number of textbooks and/or technology devices. Find out if check-out cards have to be filled out in advance for these items. Practice the use of any technology BEFORE using with students.
10. Meet secretaries, custodians, counselor, etc.
11. Check with a colleague or administrator about school policies on teachers “friending” students on Facebook. Some districts have a policy against this.
12. Prepare a substitude-teacher folder, in case of you are unable to be at school. Include procedures, seating charts, and "emergency" lessons.
13. Don’t hesitate to ASK QUESTIONS from other teachers!
14. Keep a journal that includes specific communication with parents, along with notes about lessons.
Pat Laster, Field Supervisor
A little info about me: I have served school districts as curriculum director, principal, assistant principal, and teacher, and have worked with all grade levels. As a reading specialist, I still enjoy working with students who have difficulty reading. I hope that together we will use my experience to support your first year in the classroom.
Email: pat.laster@iteach.net
Website: http://www.iteachtexas.com/
Phone: 817-291-6005
Thorough Lesson Plans Are Critical!
LESSON PLANNING IS A “MUST.” They will make a tremendous difference in your classroom management!
I WILL NEED A COPY OF PLANS EACH TIME I COME TO OBSERVE.
Attitude Makes the Difference!
“The remarkable thing we have is a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. “ Charles Swindoll