I am a Teacher… Now What?

1. I am a Teacher…Now What? Jason Parsons Director of Curriculum and Instruction Canton Union School District #66

2. Know What You Don’t Know • You might not know • Professional Responsibilities • The Community • The District • The School • The Culture • The System • The Staff Ask Your Mentor Questions!!!

3. Professional Responsibilities • Certification • Professional Development • Professionalism as an Employee • Professionalism as a Teacher

4. Moving From an Initial to Standard Certificate • Four Years • Complete Professional Development Requirement • Advanced Degree • Approved Induction and Mentoring Program • NBTPS Certification/Process • 12 Hours of Graduate Coursework • Subsequent Illinois Certification or Endorsement • 12 Hour Professional Development Certificate • Requirements for becoming NCLB Highly-Qualified in another area • Exam (Currently does not exist.) • 4 Hours of Graduate Coursework in Self-Assessment or NBPTS Certification preparation • 60 CPDUs • Complete Four Years of Teaching

5. Certificate Renewal • Every Five Years • Advanced Degree • NBTS Certification • 8 Hours of Graduate Coursework • Subsequent Illinois Certification or Endorsement • Requirements for becoming NCLB Highly-Qualified in another area • 120 CPDUs

6. Be a Good Employee First • Adhere to the daily schedule • Dress Appropriately • Follow Rules • Complete Tasks on Time

7. Be a Good Teacher Next • Curriculum • Instruction • Student and Classroom Management • Parent Communication

8. Know what you have to teach… • Illinois Learning Standards • Performance Descriptors • Illinois Assessment Frameworks www.cantonusd.org/curriculum

9. Assessments • State Assessments • ISAT, PSAE, and ACT • Local Standardized Assessments • ISEL (K-2) • Achievement Tests • Classroom-Based Assessments • Pre and Post Testing • Testing Drives Instruction

10. Report Cards • Classroom grading should support what goes on a report card. • If other items factor into the report card grade, have documentation to support it.

11. Classroom and Behavior Management • Have a plan • Follow through • Ask for help • REVISE if it is not working!!!

12. Parent-Teacher Conferences

13. Schedule Another Conference • Schedule follow-up conferences with parents of students with whom you have concerns. • Update parents on progress since the last conference. • Do not make any promises you may not be able to keep. • Do not diagnose problems that may be outside your realm of expertise. • State behaviors you have observed. • Do not surprise parent with new problems. • Make sure parents have received notes and/or phone calls prior to the conference.

14. Be Receptive as an Employee and a Teacher • Ask Questions • Observe and Be Observed • Offer Ideas and Receive Ideas • Volunteer

15. Peer ObservationsProtégé and Mentor

16. Evaluation Focus is on the individual Predetermined criteria Determines employment status Judgmental Performed by an administrator Peer Observation Focus is on the classroom Criteria is not completely predetermined Does not affect employment status Non-judgmental Performed by a peer Peer Observation Vs. Evaluation

17. What areas may be focused on during a peer observation? • Teaching and Learning Environments • Instructional Strategies • Learning Opportunities • Student Responses • Student Work • Progress Achievements • Assessments • Student and Classroom Management

18. Observation Options • Videotape your own lesson • Choose when and what will be observed

19. Final Reminder... • Confidentiality is imperative!!! • It must be a safe process for you, the protégé, and your mentor.

20. Until Next Time… • Questions • Comments