Chapter 2 Developing as a Professional Read the scenario in the orange box. What do think will be some of the first items you will have to deal with as you start your first day of teaching?

Beliefs of Preservice and Beginning Teachers This I BELIEVE. For each item, circle the number that best represents your thinking. Use the following scale as a guide. 4 = I strongly believe the statement is true. 3 = I believe the statement is true. 2 = I believe the statement is false. 1 = I strongly believe the statement is false. This I BELIEVE!

1.When I begin teaching, I will be a better teacher than most of the teachers now in the field As I gain experience in teaching, I expect to become more confident in my ability to help children learn The most effective teachers are those best able to clearly explain the content they teach their students This I BELIEVE!

4. I will learn about most of the important aspects of teaching when I get into a classroom If I thoroughly understand the content I’ll be able to figure out a way of getting it across to students. 1234

Item 1: I will be a better teacher than most… Preservice teachers are both optimistic and idealistic. Realities of classrooms shock sets in and then “nobody prepared me for this”. 1 in 4 quit by end of second year. 4 in 10 leave within the first 5 years. Item 1

Item 2: more experience, more confident… Struggling teachers become less confident in their abilities… After an initial decline confidents, as they become more experienced and knowledgeable, their confidence increases for successful teachers. Teachers leave because they are unable to survive the often bewildering classroom. They fail to become more confident and competent. Item 2

Item 3 Item 3: most effective… clearly explain content It is not all about “telling” or explaining content. Lecturing to young or unmotivated students is ineffective. Read one intern’s experience in the yellow box page 36. What do you take from this students experience?

Item 4 Item 4: learn the important things when you get in the classroom… Studies show that teacher who go through a traditional teacher preparation program are more successful and satisfied.

Item 5 Item 5: know content and figure out how to get it across to students Knowledge of content is essential but a lot of additional knowledge is needed to teach effectively. Check your Understanding page 36.

Entering the Profession Traditional Licensure Teachers are required by law in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to be licensed by a state department of education before they can teach in public schools. Licensure is the process by which a state evaluates the credentials of prospective teachers. The state certifies that a teacher is competent in subject-area content, possesses professional skills, and is morally fit to work with young people. Licensure

A bachelor’s degree required to teach General education components (history, English, math, and science) and education classes designed to develop professional knowledge. Students are required to pass competency exams in these areas. (Praxis Test) A secondary teachers are also required to earn a specific number of hours in their content area and pass an exam in the content. (Praxis Test) Licensure requirements differ from state to state so check ahead if you are move. Licensure

Alternative Licensure Alternative licensure provide a shorter route to teaching for those who already possess a bachelor’s degree. (currently 45 states have programs) Nationally, 1 of 4 new teachers enters through an alternative certification program. Teach for America – Bachelor’s degree and commit to 2 years of teaching for modest federal grants, college loan deferments and salaries. Man Many other alternative programs are available state to state – Troops to Teacher Licensure

Making Yourself Marketable More than a teaching degree and certificate Developing a professional reputation Read student’s experience page 39. What do you need to do, even in high school, to get positive letter’s of recommendation? Marketable

I need to: Attend all classes and be on time Turn work in on time Participate in class Learn from experiences Turn in a high quality of work consistently This is being professional. If you sincerely attempt to learn and grow, your professional reputation will take care of itself. I need to …

Broadening your Professional Experiences Acquire as much professional knowledge and experience as possible. Your college education will take care of your professional knowledge. Experiences

Suggested Experiences Develop a minor areas of study in a high-need area. Get a minor or double major. Target clinical work in diverse schools and classrooms. Tutor a child Seek leadership positions Do volunteer work (after school programs) Become an aide Join professional organizations. Experiences

Building a portfolio and a Résumé Read the story from Shelley in the orange A professional portfolio, a collection of materials representative of one’s work, provides an effective way to document your competence and qualifications. Digital portfolio -a large amount of information in a little space that is easily edited to share with a prospective employer. Portfolio

A résumé is a document that provides a clear and concise overview of an individual’s job qualifications and work experience. When constructing your résumé, simplicity and clarity are the guiding principles. An effective résumé includes these components: Personal data Professional objectives Education Teaching experience Work experience Extracurricular activities Honors and awards references Résumé

Creating a Credentials File A credential file is a collection of important personal documents teachers submit when they apply for teaching positions. Background information about you Your résumé Type of position sought Courses taken Performance evaluations Letter of recommendation (3 or more) Credential file

Writing a successful letter of application This is the cover letter for your résumé. Clearly state the position you are applying for Highlight the key elements of your résumé Close with a statement detailing your availability for an interview Use of correct grammar, punctuation and spelling is an absolute. This is usually your first impression to the employer. Have one of more people proofread all of your materials. Letter of Application

Finding a Job Where are the jobs? A lot of times it is who you know. Each school district posts jobs on their webpage The KDE webpage Career Placement Center at your college You may have to relocate to get a job. There are fewer candidates for secondary. There are the most candidates for elementary. If you can coach a sport or take on a club due to experience, that will make you a better candidate. Finding a Job

Most needed teaching positions: Special education English language learning as second language Spanish Math Physics Chemistry Technology Least needed teaching positions” English, history and physical education Most needed …

Interviewing Effectively Opportunity to show that you are a knowledgeable and committed professional. Prospective employers look for: Knowledge of content area/how students learn Understanding of how to organize and manage a classroom Ability to convert state standards into learning experiences Sincere interest in making a difference Variety of life experiences to contribute Ability to work with others Adaptability and flexibility Interviewing

Frequently asked interview questions How would you answer? Why do you want to teach? Why do you want to work in this school? What is your philosophy of education? How would you plan for classroom management? How would you handle an incident of misbehavior? How would you organize a unit on a topic in your area? How would you involve parents or caregivers in their children’s education? Interview questions

Guidelines for Interviewing Effectively Be on time. Dress appropriately. Speak clearly and use standard English grammar. Cell phone should be turned off.(leave in car) Sit comfortably and calmly. Communicate empathy for children and a desire to work with them. Interviewing

Start writing out answer to these questions before the interview so you have something planned out to say. Read specific response in orange box page 46. What did this person stay to indicate they are knowledge? Interviewing

What to look for in evaluating a school as a workplace? Teacher morale and efficacy Commitment and leadership of the principal School mission School climate The physical plant Student behavior community support An induction program for teachers. Evaluating a School

Private School Employment 12% of students attend a private school Three-fourths of private schools are religiously oriented Attract affluent students, fewer learners with exceptionalities, fewer minorities Pay is about 30% to 40% lower than public schools Private School

Read The competition for Minority Teachers pages Answer questions to consider page 49. Minority Teachers

Check Your Understanding Answer questions page 49 Check your understanding

Your First Year of Teaching Read passage in orange box page 49 to hear what one teacher has to say about his first year of teaching. Do you feel sorry for him or are you ready for your chance for a day like this? Why? Your First Year

Knowing your students Knowing your students’ names is important Knowing about the students is important Showing that you care enough to know about them is essential Teachers can use a questionnaire or game to learn about the students Know your students

Induction and Mentoring Programs Read about Mrs. Landsdrop. What teacher of yours reminds you of Mrs. Landsdrop? Why? Most teachers are hired at the last minute left isolated in their classroom given little help left to sink-or-swim That is why about 30% of beginning teachers leave during the first 2 years. Induction and Mentoring

Induction programs – Professional experiences for beginning teachers that provide assistance to ease the transition into teaching. Mentors – Experienced teachers who offer guidance and support for beginning teachers. Both programs aim to provide technical and psychological assistance and support to reduce the failure rate for beginning teachers.

Teacher Evaluation Teacher evaluation has two primary purposes: formative, which is the process of gathering information and providing feedback that teachers can use to improve their practice and summative, which is the process of gathering information about a teacher’s competence for the purpose of making decisions about retention and promotion. Teacher Evaluation

Basically, research shows effective teachers have well-established classroom routines use instructional strategies that produce high levels of student involvement quickly identify and eliminate sources of disruption Check your understanding questions page 53 Effective teachers

Page Read the article “ Taking a Stand in an Era of Reform: Merit Pay ” You take a stand by taking a position on the issue. Is merit pay an effective way to increase the quality of our teachers and their instruction. List facts to support your view. Be ready to support your view in a class discussion. Merit Pay

Career-long Professional Development INTASC: A Beginning Point for Professional Development. Created in 1987, the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium was designed to help states develop better teachers through coordinated efforts of support and assessment. It is based on “core” standards organized around 10 principles. See page 56, Table 2.3 INTASC

Membership in Professional Organizations One of your first steps in your professional growth should be involvement in the professional organizations in education. Professional development (PD) Professional publications Conferences Resources about professional issues and problems Provide politicians and policy makers with info about issues facing education Arranging school-business partnership School-to-work activities Professional Organizations

National Education Association (NEA) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) are the two largest teaching professional organizations. See page 58, Table 2.4 for a list of Professional Organizations for Educators – includes website links and mission of each Many organizations offers affordable student rates for their publications and conferences. NEA and AFT

Designing and Conducting Action Research Action research – A form of applied research designed to answer a specific school or classroom related question. Four steps guide teachers as they plan and conduct action research studies 1.Identify a problem. 2.Plan and conduct a research study. 3.Implement the findings. 4.Use the results to generate additional research. Action Research

Read about Tyra and how she implemented action research in her classroom. Page 59. List the 4 steps she used in implementation of action research in her classroom. Attaining Certification: The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). This board sets voluntary professional standards for experienced teachers to recognize those who possess extensive professional knowledge.

Attaining Certification: The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). This board sets voluntary professional standards for experienced teachers to recognize those who possess extensive professional knowledge. View Table 2.5 page 61 for propositions and descriptions of the NBPTS.

Check Your Understanding questions-page 62 Read “Decision Making ”- page 62. Would you take the job if offered? Why or why not? Discussion Questions -page 65 Choose 4 of the 6. Write out the questions and give a complete answer in sentences.

Discussion Questions page 65. Choose 4 of the 6 questions. Write the question then give a complete answer. Be ready to discuss your chosen questions.

Open Armored Penguin ArmoredPenguin.com Set up an account and make a crossword puzzle with 12 of the concepts listed on page 64. If using 2 words for an answer, do not leave a blank between the two words and at the end of the clue, put “2 words”. Save in armored penguin because if not it saves only on the computer used and you can not get back to it on another one.