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What a First Year teacher needs to know

What a First Year teacher needs to know. Four things to remember. You are a first year teacher. Mistakes happen. You can make a positive difference in students’ lives. Ag-Ed is growing and needs leaders like you. You are on a probationary contract. Kevin Swor , VATAT President.

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What a First Year teacher needs to know

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  1. What a First Year teacher needs to know

  2. Four things to remember • You are a first year teacher. Mistakes happen. • You can make a positive difference in students’ lives. • Ag-Ed is growing and needs leaders like you. • You are on a probationary contract Kevin Swor, VATAT President

  3. DEALING WITH SUPERVISORS • You are on a probationary contract • Administrators want you to succeed • Communicate with your supervisor weekly • Know what is expected of you • You were hired to teach school Charles Prause, VATAT Vice President

  4. DEALING WITH SUPERVISORS • Be sure your supervisor knows what you are doing and where you are going • Get out of class activities approved • Engage administrators in your plans • Policies need approval by administration or local school board Charles Prause, VATAT Vice President

  5. DEALING WITH SUPERVISORS • Know and follow all policies and rules • Be timely with all requests • Develop and follow a summer plan (extended contract) • Update chapter website regularly Charles Prause, VATAT Vice President

  6. DEALING WITH SUPERVISORS • Advisory committee • Be flexible – administrative philosophy changes when administrators change • Administrators are in charge of the school – follow their directives • Administrators can be friends or enemies – part of that is up to you Charles Prause, VATAT Vice President

  7. DEALING WITH PARENTS • Parents are both a strength and weakness • Tend to be most concerned with their child • Concern yourself with all kids, all the time • Social interaction is difficult with the parents of your students • Be professional in dealing with parents • Inappropriate relationships could damage your career Russell Thomas, VATAT Past President

  8. MANAGING SUPPORT GROUPS • Adult support groups for Ag Education • Booster clubs • FFA Alumni chapters • Young Farmer chapters • Can help or hinder • Do not allow them to control you or your program David Reiley, VATAT Past Past President

  9. MANAGING SUPPORT GROUPS • Follow school rules concerning support groups • Constitution and By-Laws • Do not handle support group funds except as absolutely necessary • Never be in charge of the money (treasurer) David Reiley, VATAT Past Past President

  10. WORKING WITH STUDENTS • Always be professional • Your influence reaches far • Use social media wisely • Be careful how you use the school’s computer and e-mail • All kids need you – some more than others • Never play favorites Charles Prause, VATAT Vice President

  11. WORKING WITH TEACHING PARTNER(S) • You spend a lot of time together • Establish mutual respect • Each teacher carries his/her load of work • Avoid polarizing the department • My kids • Your kids • Our kids • Rise or fall together – share success Russell Thomas, VATAT Past President

  12. WORKING WITH TEACHING PARTNER(S) • Communicate daily • Discuss issues and problems • Don’t be petty • Plan and discuss division of work • Specialization • Contests, stock shows and travel • Partners can allow you to be your best • Mentor – get a mentor, use a mentor Russell Thomas, VATAT Past President

  13. HANDLING MONEY Handle money as if your career depends upon it. It does. Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director

  14. HANDLING MONEYKey Points • Receipt all money, checks, etc. • Never co-mingle your personal funds with school funds • Do not use a school credit card for personal goods or services • Have money counted in your presence when you make a deposit (school activity account) • Keep accurate records (fundraising, etc) Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director

  15. HANDLING MONEYKey Points • Never accept gifts or gift cards that might be considered a “kickback” • Account for materials and supplies used for any personal project • File accurate travel reports – Don’t try to ‘fudge’ • Better to prove innocence than be suspected of wrong doing Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director

  16. STOCK SHOWS and PROJECT CENTERS • SAEs are important – required • Many are stock show animal projects • Many districts have project centers • Management of stock shows and project centers is critical Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director

  17. PROJECT CENTERS • Ag teacher most often manages school barn, farm, project center, etc. • Have policies and rules in place • Establish regular and fair duties • Cleaning schedules • Workdays • Expectations for students and parents • Maintain regular hours Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director

  18. STOCK SHOWS • Show rules • Some are standard – shared by all shows • Some are unique to each show • It is your job to know and understand rules • Validation dates and processes • Registration of breeding animals • Entry deadlines • Entry forms and processes Kevin Swor, VATAT President

  19. PLAN FOR STOCK SHOWS • Plan of action • Develop a plan for each show • Communicate plan to students and parents • Post the plan on chapter website Kevin Swor, VATAT President

  20. PLAN FOR STOCK SHOWS • Include in plan • Transportation plans for students and livestock • Weigh-in, check-in, set-up • Show calendar • Time to meet and leave • Show times for your students’ classes • Release and return time • Chaperones, hotel arrangements • Student expectations • Work schedule, free time, etc. Kevin Swor, VATAT President

  21. Buying livestock for students • School administrative support • Fair distribution system • Handling of money • Be careful about arrangements that appear to benefit you in some way Jack Winterrowd, VATAT Secretary/Treasurer

  22. FFA ACTIVITIES • You are a classroom teacher first • Supervisors may not value some activities as much as you do • Do not let LDE and CDE teams be the focus of your classes • Teach the skills to all students • Train teams outside of class time • Teach what is in the TEKS for that course Jack Winterrowd, VATAT Secretary/Treasurer

  23. FFA ACTIVITIES • Overnight trips • Permission form (medical info, contact info) • Supervise your students • Have approved chaperones • Clear expectations (rules) • Room checks • Be where you are supposed to be Jack Winterrowd, VATAT Secretary/Treasurer

  24. FFA • Program of Activities • Chapter constitution and by-laws • Conduct regular chapter meetings • Help students be successful • FFA degrees • Awards • Individual competitive events • Scholarships • Conduct an ethical program Jack Winterrowd, VATAT Secretary/Treasurer

  25. WRAP-UP • Call VATAT for legal assistance and counsel • Document problems and issues • Make time for your family • Teaching Agricultural Science is rewarding • Congratulations and best of luck Barney McClure, VATAT Executive Director

  26. VATAT 512-472-3128 barney@vatat.org julie@vatat.org karen@vatat.org www.vatat.org Find us on Facebook, twitter and Instagram! Add PPP, PP, P, VP, S/T contact info next year

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