New Teacher Excitement!
Today I was able to present for our county's New Teacher Orientation. I was a facilitator for the Science Department, and I was able to share with many teachers "The Gwinnett Way" when it comes to science. As I rotated from class to class, I was able to see teachers that were brand new to the profession while also seeing teachers that have moved to our county from another place in the state, and even in some cases, from another state. All of these individuals had one thing in common, excitement!
The excitement seemed to be mixed with a "sprinkle" of nervousness from all of the teachers participating. I wouldn't be completely honest if I didn't admit that I too get nervous at the beginning of each school year. I've often wondered why I get so nervous to meet my new students. While teaching at Fowler Drive Elementary School in Athens, Georgia, I would work with student teachers each year. I remember telling them a great lesson that I also learned while student teaching. I would say, "On the first day of school the kids will come in. All of your morning routines will be over, and you will shut your door. You are going to look at them, and they are going to look at you. And somebody's gotta do something!" It is that "something" that seems to bring a sense of excitement and nervousness at the beginning of each school year.
At the end of each session, I could see the nervousness in the eyes of the new teachers. This made me think about the importance of a quality induction program at the local school level. While starting at both of the schools that I've worked at, I did not feel as though the new teacher induction process was "fully operational." Because of these experiences, it is my hopes that as a leader, I can implement a quality induction process for new teachers with fidelity. New teachers bring a sense of excitement to the school year. I couldn't help but become excited while presenting to the next group of teachers that will inspire the students that enter their classrooms in a couple of weeks. It is my belief that as a leader, implementing an induction process that carefully places trained mentors with new teachers is a great way to spread the enthusiasm that new teachers bring into the building at the beginning of every school year.
The excitement seemed to be mixed with a "sprinkle" of nervousness from all of the teachers participating. I wouldn't be completely honest if I didn't admit that I too get nervous at the beginning of each school year. I've often wondered why I get so nervous to meet my new students. While teaching at Fowler Drive Elementary School in Athens, Georgia, I would work with student teachers each year. I remember telling them a great lesson that I also learned while student teaching. I would say, "On the first day of school the kids will come in. All of your morning routines will be over, and you will shut your door. You are going to look at them, and they are going to look at you. And somebody's gotta do something!" It is that "something" that seems to bring a sense of excitement and nervousness at the beginning of each school year.
At the end of each session, I could see the nervousness in the eyes of the new teachers. This made me think about the importance of a quality induction program at the local school level. While starting at both of the schools that I've worked at, I did not feel as though the new teacher induction process was "fully operational." Because of these experiences, it is my hopes that as a leader, I can implement a quality induction process for new teachers with fidelity. New teachers bring a sense of excitement to the school year. I couldn't help but become excited while presenting to the next group of teachers that will inspire the students that enter their classrooms in a couple of weeks. It is my belief that as a leader, implementing an induction process that carefully places trained mentors with new teachers is a great way to spread the enthusiasm that new teachers bring into the building at the beginning of every school year.
Comments
Post a Comment