UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTONDEPT. OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONNEW TEACHER WEBINAR: SUMMER ‘14

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2014 1:00-2:00 PM, CST

Advice for New Teachers

*Recordings will be available of webinars. No names will be visible in the recordings.

The recording will be available on our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/utanewteachers

These are our opinions and suggestions!

The opinions of each of the panelists are their own individual viewpoints.

Our goal is for you to hear a variety of viewpoints to help support you in your first years of teaching! We have been down the road you are going!

Support Respect Dialogue Sharing

MISSION STATEMENT:Teacher Induction Project: Building Digital Community:

The purpose of the Teacher Induction Project is to begin to build "digital community" for current students and alumni of the department as well as new teachers beyond UT Arlington in the global community.

Open-access/mobile access Web 2.0 “Real-world” topics and advice for teachers

Recordings are accessible via the blog and dept. Facebook page

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Tips: Logistics/Technical

To maximize learning & dialogueAsk questions along the way. Main Q/A at the end.Make a list of “Things to Google” later.Use chat window often. We will check it throughout it and respond in “real time” as we can.

SUMMER 2014!JOIN US!

Upcoming Events

July 28 screening of dyslexia movie and discussion, 1:00-2:30 pm

University Hall 108, The University of Texas at Arlington. FREE!

August 2 webinar on dyslexia. Speakers: To be announced. Join link: http://tinyurl.com/UTAdyslexiawebinar

• Thanks for joining us! Please use the marker/pen tool to mark a small x below where you are at. You can also type it in the chat window:

WHERE WE ARE NOW:Use the pen tool to mark your location

Poll question: Where are you in your teaching

career? Select A-E Voting is optional! We will display the results! The drop down polling area is in the participants window next to the “hand” tool.

I am currently a:

A. Pre-service teacherB. 1st-3rd year teacher & UTA graduateC. 1st-3rd year teacher & non-UTA graduateD. 4th year+ teacherE. Faculty or none of the above

Panelists-UTA Alumni

1. Marynthya McElroy

2. Nely Tinajero

3. Ashley Auces

4. Audrey Fowler

Welcome! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.

LESSONS LEARNED

By: Marynthya McElroy

Photo by:

Miss Purple Heart

BACKGROUND My name is Marynthya McElroy.

Certifications: Early Childhood through Fourth, ESL, GT, and Early Childhood Montessori

2009-2010 – 1st Grade and 2nd Grade Internship at West Elementary

2010 – Graduated Magna Cum Laude from the College of Education at UTA

2010 – Current Kindergarten teacher at Como Montessori School

(Public FWISD School)

2013 - Current Graduate School Student at UTA Arlington

2013 – Current Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Summer 2014 – On campus Early Childhood Montessori

trainer.

WHAT HAS GONE WELL? I have been able to teach using traditional methods and

Montessori techniques. I find it important to follow the needs of learners, accommodating them through interventions and adaptations.

In the classroom, I have utilized teaching tools from Gail and Joan, creators of The Daily 5. This is an amazing resource for devising a strong literacy routine. Recently, I have applied tools and techniques from Neuhaus. This is an excellent resource for teaching specific phonics strategies.

I have been able to maintain structure and create a welcoming environment for learners. I’ve had parents tell me that I should teach a parenting class. (I don’t even have children.)

I believe I am skilled at balancing behavior management, allowing freedom within limits. (I had to master the art of being stern, yet loving.)

Picture: Office.com Clip Art

GENERAL ADVICE Be patient: It will take time for you to create your ideal

classroom and teaching style.

Stay connected: Develop and maintain relationships with individuals within education. You may have access to great resources, ideas, and opportunities.

Be a learner: Keep your eyes open for new information, training opportunities, and teacher tools.

Seek guidance: Link up with a mentor or experienced teacher. You’ll need someone to bounce your ideas off of, vent to, and learn from.

Be organized: You will save time and money.

Breathe: You’re not expected to know everything. We are all a work in progress.

Picture: Office.com Clip Art

I WISH I HAD KNOWN… It is important to pace yourself. There are so many

intricate details linked to teaching. Time management is a major factor.

Children will respect you even more for enforcing rules and boundaries.

Being thrifty and inventive goes a long way. It is simple to reinvent some of the teaching tools and materials that are on the market.

I wish I had known that each year after my first year of teaching would get better. (Year one was rough!)

Picture: Office.com Clip Art

SET UP TO START THE YEAR

See your classroom as possible, after being hired. This will give you an idea about

how much space you’ll have when it is occupied.

Remember to set your room up with adequate space for walking patterns and

reserve an area for independent work.

Take pictures to help you visualize the set up. (You’ll be thinking of this long after you leave for the day.)

Don’t label seats or workspace until you know the personalities of the students.

(Please label all lockers and cubbies.)

Have a specified location for school supplies. They will come pouring on the first days of school.

Picture: Clip Art

GET PARENT COMMUNICATION STARTED BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS

I send parents a welcome (aside from the one devised by the grade level). I want parents to know a little information about me and recognize that I take interest in their child’s learning.

Send parents important forms that will expedite time, ensure safety, and create lines of communication (ex. emergency contact, “How Does Your Child Get Home?”, child information sheet, background check, volunteer interest survey).

Send a project that students can complete. I send a paper doll with an explanation. Students and parents are free to decorate them, as they wish (the goal is to express the interests and personality of the child).

-These are used as icebreakers, on the first day of school and put on display.

Be sure parents have access to your e-mail address for future questions and concerns.

Education and certification: Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in

Literature (in progress) Bachelor of Art in Child/Bilingual

Studies Bilingual EC-6 Certified

New Teacher Adviceby: Nely TinajeroBilingual Prekindergarten Teacher

What has worked well in your teaching?Getting to know my students and their

needs has led me to learn and modify my instruction as necessary. (Every year is different).

Being an avid reader helps to find ways to integrate books in my lessons. Reading has been key in my students’ vocabulary development and love for reading.

Having good communication with parents has been key to students’ success in school.

Working closely with my team ensures greater alignment of curriculum.

Where do you help at work if you have questions about teaching?My go-to person my first year was my mentor. Most

teachers are eager to learn from you and they are willing to share their teacher moves also.

Don’t be afraid to ask if they can demonstrate how they do a strategy, (I’m a visual learner so this has really helped me).

The next person to go to is your grade level leader or fellow team members and, finally, the assistant principal.

If you have a big problem, ask the assistant principal first and ensure your principal is also in the loop.

It’s also a good idea to know the instructional coaches if they are in your campus. They are there to support and guide you!

What helps me get my classroom set up is……..Preview my classroom and getting an idea of what

centers you need to have and where you want them.Check the resources in your classroom; sometimes you

inherit things that are useful.Make a list of the things you need and your theme.

Don’t go to the teacher store without an idea of what you want because you will more than likely overspend.

Once you have a game plan, get some friends or family to help you set up…it’s much faster and fun!

Have your classroom done before your staff development days. These days are often used for training and you will have less time to work in your room.

What general advice do you have for new teachers?Don’t stress out; ask for help. I’ve been there,

done that, and it’s not good for you. Observe other teachers in your team in action.

You can learn many things from their teaching styles and strategies.

Become familiar with your campus and introduce yourself to the staff.

Within the first week create a roster with all your students emergency contacts and keep handy.

Three people that I always call for help are the school nurse, the librarian and the custodian (make sure you know them)

Things I wish I knew before….Do all your pre-planning with time (July is a

perfect time to start).Read books about your areas of interest or

where you need help.I check dollar stores first for stickers, tape, and

back-to-school deals. Wal-Mart, Target, and Staples have school

supplies out by the last week of July. I suggest stocking up in some glue, crayons, pencil boxes and homework folders. These consumables run out quick and they are always needed, so stock up and save.

Ashley Auces

Pre-K 3 and 4 year olds Teacher, ESL & G/TUTA Graduate 2011

Currently enrolled in MBE Master’s Program

How to get a job.

• Sub

• Paraprofessional

• Experience Matters

• Volunteer• Library- Literacy House• H.O.P.E Tutoring• Tarrant County Outreach Program

Get Organized!

• Color Code, Color Code, Color Code!

• Keep Assessments in 1 spot always.

• Planner, Calendar, Notes. I LOVE THIS PLANNER!

You Are a Professional

Trust in you knowledge of teaching

Stick to your schedule

Stick to your Rules.

You can handle anything.

If you need help ask a mentor, other teachers,

anybody. Your not alone.

Keep it Simple

• Daily 5 is great for small groups.1. Listening to

reading

2. Working on writing

3. Library Time

4. Word Work

5. Teacher Table

• Math Small groups• Puzzles• Counting• Sorting• Addition/

Subtraction• 4’s only EOY

• Number recognition

• Shapes

Behavior ManagementMonthly Calendars for

Parents

• Positive Reinforcement

“I like how Tom is sitting and ready for a story.”

Verbal Warnings

Think Time

Treasure Box on Friday

wait for reward

Leave work at work. Bring home to school.

• Allow yourself to have a break. • Avoid Burn Out

• Find a mantra to help you get through the difficult days.

• Take a family picture to work with you.

• Grant me the Serenity to accept the

things I cannot change

Courage to the change the things I

can and Wisdom to know the

difference.

Have fun with your students

• Don’t focus on test scores or standardized tests. • If you are encouraging and having fun

the test scores will come.

• If your not having fun your students probably are not either.

• Trust your students and parents.

• Don’t forget why you became a teacher!

AUDREY FOWLER

• Certifications : EC- 6 Generalist, 4-8 Generalist, EC-12 Special Education, ESL supplemental

• I currently teach 6th grade Language Arts and Social Studies at Mary Moore Elementary

• I am currently going to Graduate School at UTA in the Mind, Brain and Education program

• Background:• Graduated from UTA in 2011• Special Education Paraprofessional from 2011-2012• Special Education Life Skills for Severe and Profound teacher

2012-2013• 6th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies for AISD 2013 –

current

HOW TO GET HIRED

• Make sure your resume stands out

• Go to the school that you want to teach at and give them face to face interaction, get to know the staff

• Always dress professionally

• Pursue every opportunity even if you might not want it (I started as a paraprofessional even though I wanted my own classroom so bad! It helped me to learn a lot about my own teaching philosophy)

• Several friends subbed for a year before finding their job

• Student teaching – you are trying to make a good impression 100 % of the time (whether you stay there or not)

WHAT HAS BEEN GOING WELL IN MY TEACHING?

• Implementing Technology in a meaningful way

• Engaging students in active learning

• Extracurricular academic programs

• Graduate School• Being on top of the latest research• Collaborating with others who are passionate about

learning

Different pictures of activities from this

year

SETTING UP YOUR CLASSROOM

• Make sure you can go from small group to whole group easily

• Don’t worry if it is not perfect (the kids won’t notice)

• Have a certain place for everything so kids know where to get it and where to return it

• Use your space wisely

GRADUATE SCHOOL

• Mind, brain and education has given me the science behind being an educator.

• It has helped me to individualize education for my students.

• It gives you a deeper understanding of teaching.

• It changed the way I teach lessons

(discovery-based learning).

• I have brought it into the classroom.• My students are always engagedwhen discussing parts of the brain and the role the brain has in their learning.

ONLINE RESOURCES

• Google Scholar

• The curriculum guide offers many different resources in AISD

• Discovery Education

• PBS

• Teacher Tube/ YouTube

BEST ADVICE

• Create an environment that is comfortable for both introverts/extroverts

• Learn from others and share your own thoughts (they are valuable)

• Give your students choices in their education IF they are old enough to make those decisions

• Establish a firm set of standards for group activities

• Think outside the box, use others advice but add your own touch

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help

• Classroom Management is hard, make sure you have a system in place before you start the year and be CONSISTENT

• Implement technology in an effective way (don’t just use it to say you did)

• Use technology to accomplish things that can’t be accomplished typically

A Round of Applause for our Presenters!

Questions?

What do you think?Optional-type in the chat window!

What information stood out to you from

The presentation?

What questions do you have?

“I hope to explore.…”“I learned….”“I want to know….”

UT Arlington Master’s in Mind, Brain, and Education

Our work at the SW Center for Mind, Brain and Education seeks to advance the quality of teaching based upon insights gained from the cognitive and neural sciences as well as contribute to research in this new and evolving field.

We build collaborative research relationships with schools, develop research trajectories that profit from the strengths of our faculty and students and maintain a working and teaching laboratory for researchers and graduate students.

1. Courses include: Neuroscience of typical and atypical language development Neuroscience of typical and atypical mathematical reasoning Complex dynamic systems Research design EEG research methodology

2. Individual work: Research-based capstone project encouraged - Conference presentations encouraged - Publishing in peer-reviewed journals

For more information on the Mind, Brain, and Education Master’s degree, please contact Dr. Marc Schwartzschwarma@uta.edu

Thanks to everyone for attending!Have a great weekend and summer!

Be part of the knowledge network!

We hope to see you again on the New Teacher Webinar series! Learn more! Become a better teacher. Stay encouraged. Connect with other educators and UTA

Faculty in an informal, low key online setting! Please let others know about our webinar

series and blog!

For questions or comments, email Dr. Semingson peggys@uta.edu Peggy Semingson