Teacher Gossip

From the Star

So, as I have mentioned before, I am going to be working at my same school next year in a primary multi-aged classroom which is so exciting! While I am super excited about the job the "teacher talk" around here is really starting to take a toll.

There is a new school opening up down the road from here and they will be taking around one hundred to one hundred and fifty of our students. With this happening, our school had to cut five teachers. You might remember that I was the last hired. Only three of the teachers from my school volunteered to leave and go to a new school. The other two teachers that were put on the list to go did not want to leave and they were determined to fight for their positions. When all was said and done they were not asked to stay so they took jobs at the new school. While I had assumed that I would be one of the ones to go, since I was the last hired, I was surprised but thrilled to be staying! When the word got out that I had been offered a position to stay at my school, the gossip began....

When I found out I had a primary job at my school for next year, I was floored but just so overjoyed I could barely speak! I was finally going to be working with the age group that I had been wanting. As the word weaved its way through the teacher grapevine, I received a call from one of the teachers leaving. She was really angry. She said that I should not be invited to stay over her because I was hired after her. She went on to say "good luck " dripping with sarcasm. I took the conversation with a grain of salt. I was just too excited. As the next day rolled around that same teacher found me and continued to rant about how she should be staying. I reminded her that being first year teachers, we were lucky to even have jobs for next year! But she said she was still upset about the whole situation. I guess I can understand her anger and I could have sympathized with her. I didn't really understand the politics of it all either, but then she started to slam the team that I am going to be joining next year! I just ignored everything that she said and kept enjoying the fact that I would be working in Primary next year with a team who I have heard from everyone else is amazing and very organized. As the day went on another teacher said that she had worked with the team that I was going to be joining and that it was awful. She said it had been the worst year of her life! I am truthfully amazed when I think of how these teachers disrespected their school and their staff. So in the end I guess I am glad that they will not be teaching at my school after all!

Do all schools have teachers who are so negative and who say such discouraging things? How do you handle a situation when you don't really understand why a decision was made and how do you handle that kind of teacher gossip?

Teaming

From the Apple

I could really relate to your post about teaming. While you have a team of 4 in a "pod," I led a team of 13 Kindergarten teachers. My team was much larger but the dynamics that you talk about were the same. For many reasons, this was the most difficult team I have led in many years. However, I have learned over the years that teams go through some predictable stages. When I sit back and think about my team this year, I realize that this is the way most new teams begin - forming! This stage is where we first meet. Most members are very polite and excited about the year ahead. For us this was a short lived stage (maybe one meeting!)

It's the next phase that is so difficult - storming. Teams go through a phase where they try to figure out how all the pieces fit and especially where their individual piece fits. I think that is really similar to your situation Courtney, where you came in as the new member and felt like the more experienced member's of the team, who had worked together before very successfully, did not always respect your voice. You certainly wanted to contribute and had a hard time figuring out how to do that. You were wise to sit back and watch and try to figure out where you fit. For my team this was a longer, more difficult stage. Some of our teachers had worked together very successfully in the past. In fact, they referred to themselves as "a well-oiled machine." Other teachers coming into this group new felt that they had no voice. In our case, matters got worse because those that were dissatisfied were vocal outside the team, rather than realizing that this is a natural step in teaming. Sometimes things are said that put up a roadblock for moving ahead. My advice to teachers as they join a more established group - Give it some time - observe. Volunteer where there are places, until the team figures out your strengths and how you can best contribute. Learn from their strengths. Be patient. This is a time in a large group that a leader can find out what different members want to do and who is good at what. On my team, for instance, I found out that Laura is a detail person and that was very useful information as I looked for tasks that needed to be done. I found our that Nina has real leadership ability and could hold her own with some of our more experienced teachers so I worked hard to make sure she had opportunities to lead. I depended on the most experienced teachers for many of the most complex tasks. I tried to find a place where everyone could use their talent. Unfortunately this storming phase sometimes felt like an emotional roller coaster.

Courtney, I think your team moved into the next phase of norming faster than my team. This is the phase where members begin to respect authority and others show leadership in specific areas. The team knows each other better and even begin some socializing. The members are able to ask each other for help and and provide constructive criticism. Of course, storming can always rear it's head and of course, for us, it did occasionally!

When the team reaches performing, hard word leads to progress and I think, we may have finally reached that point as the year has come to an end. At this stage things begin to feel easier.

The final stage is mourning when it feels difficult to close out a working relationship. I know that is the way you are feeling Courtney as you leave your team this year and I hope that is the way that my team is feeling. If I am honest, I am sure there may be a few who are just glad the year is over and are ready to move on! For me, my frustration this year was not being able to reach the performing stage sooner. It seemed like just as we were there, the year was over... but I learned a lot and that, after all, is my goal as a lifelong learner!

My Team

From the Star

So the year is coming to an end and I have really grown to love my team and the support that they have given me throughout the year. I know I sometimes talked about the struggles and the hard times of working with a team, but I can honestly say that I have found a friendship and great respect for all of the members on my team. My advice for those that are new to the teaching game and have to work with a team where you feel like an outsider - Don't give up. Keep trying. They will let you in. Show them that you want to be a part of the team. You may think. well, why should I have to do all the work but once they see you want to be there and you are willing to give, the return is amazing. When you are part of a team it is a great feeling. They have been there for me at all times, no matter if it's personal or work related. They were there to lift me up and lend a hand.

As the year comes to an end I must say goodbye to my extraordinary team... but not forever... just until next year. Yes, after all is said and done, I get to stay at my school after all. I could not be more excited! There is one catch. I am leaving my team and going to join a new team right across the way. I will join a primary multi-age team. I am really excited, because I have always felt that I am a primary teacher instead of an intermediate teacher. While I am so glad to have had this intermediate experience, it has just confirmed to me that my heart belongs to primary. I am ready for my new journey to begin! Things work out the way they do for a reason and I believe something good comes from every situation. So course, sometimes you just have to be patient and wait. I hope you all have a great rest of the year!

Interview Wardrobe

From the Star

I will start by saying that as long as you look professional you are going to look great at an interview. I have heard a lot of people ask, "What should I wear?" and I know that my mother and I have had our conflicts about this issue, because she is all about conservative. I, on the other hand, feel that you should be covered up but classy and comfortable all at the same time. If you don't feel comfortable with what you are wearing, then you won't feel relaxed about your interview.

I saw in the blog that someone had mentioned wearing a suit to the interview. While suits do look very nice, I don't even own one. I have found that most people don't wear suits and the ones that I have talked to that did decide to wear a suit have said that they felt a little over dressed after seeing what the people interviewing them were wearing. I like to think about it this way - Would you wear a suit to teach your students? I feel that when you interview you are giving a the people who are interviewing you a window into who you are and what you are all about. I have found that the best thing to wear for an interview is an over-the-knee length dress that fits well to your body and shows your figure a little. (Of course you don't want it to be too tight and fitted, but at the same time you don't want to look like the stereotypical frumpy teacher!) No denim - no matter how expensive - because I think some interviewers think it is just too casual. Also make sure that if it is a lower cut dress that you are wearing a tank top underneath so that your cleavage is not hanging out, because if it is showing at the interview, those interviewing will certainly feel that you will show it in the classroom. That is an absolute no-no (especially with the QUEEN -Yes, you guessed it - my mother). Another thing that I recommend is to wear some cute heels that are not too trashy but not too plain and boring either. A little make-up makes you look clean and fresh but definitely not too much. Oh and don't forget, wear your hair down! No matter what they say they always think you look more professional when you have your hair down. If it's up, very neat and attractive - no little blush brush-like ponytails.

And yes, Mother, I did get a compliment on how I was dressed at my last interview! I guess if I get the job, I'll know that I did it just right and if I don't, I'll be left to wonder...

From the Apple

Over at Ellen's blog at CEC (she's also a first year teacher), she also is looking for a new job and asks the question - Do you think she should wear a suit for her interview? Courtney, since you and I have had so many conversations (and sometimes disagreements?!) about professional dress, I was wondering what advice you would give her and what exactly did you wear for your interview? Just wondering...

Interviews

From the Star


So being the new teacher at my school with only one year of experience and the last one hired, there has not been good news for me lately. As you all can imagine I am the first to go on the chopping block. Hearing this news made me very uneasy and nervous... until recently. I found out that both of the schools that I want to go to next year offered me interviews in Pre-K Varying Exceptionalities. I could not believe it. Not only was I getting a chance for a job next year but I was getting a chance at a job that I have trained and longed for the past six years. It was a miracle! I guess good things do come to those who wait. I guess that I should not be this excited yet I have not yet heard anything back. from either of the interviews. They cannot hire until all of the allocations are in which is sometime in May. Don't forget to keep your fingers crossed for me.

Being a new teacher with little experience can be nerve wrecking when going into an interview. You are most likely interviewing against others who are highly qualified and more experienced then you are, not to mention that the interview is just a scary thing since your job and future depend on it. One thing that I have learned is that you just need to relax. Take a breath and relax, because I can tell you from experience that nothing good comes from stressing and being uptight. You just have to go in and imagine that you are talking to one of your colleagues instead of the big boss lady. You may think that I am crazy but trust me it really works. Another thing that I have learned is to never answer too quick. Collect your thoughts and put them together before you respond so that you do not repeat yourself and your answers comes out like you want it to. The last thing is to always tell them how excited you would be to join their team and that you look forward to hearing from them soon. You always want to sound interested because this makes them more confident in their choice if they are considering you.

Now onto the more intense part of the interview - the questions. I have had two interviews recently and they have both been completely different which tells me that you never know what you are going to get. I would like to share with you some of the questions that I was asked. Some questions are worded weird or may have big words in them. If this happens just ask them if they can repeat the question and they will usually explain what they want to hear.

I hope this helps. :) Questions:

• Why did you choose our school?


• What can you bring to our school that no one else can?


• Why should we hire you?


• What goals do you set for yourself and how do you reach your goals?


• How will you help your students reach their goals?


• What have you done in a classroom that other teachers have liked and actually tried?


• What have you learned from other teachers and use in your classroom?


• What is an IEP? (For ESE Majors) and what does it mean to set goals?


• What do you do if a child doesn't reach goals that you have set for them?


• How can you make sure that children are reaching the goals set for them?


• What do you expect from the Principal?


• What do you expect from your colleagues?


• How would you set your classroom up?


• What would you do with a child who just won't follow directions?


• What kind of behavior plan would you use?


• What would a normal day in your classroom look like?


• What do you feel should be the relationship between the teacher and the students?


• How do you use literacy in the classroom?


• How would you manipulate the 90 minute reading block?


• What characteristics make you a great teacher?

Don't forget keep those fingers crossed!

What does it take to get a job?

From the Apple

Recently discussion in the Florida legislature has been scary for teachers - such as teachers losing their teaching credential if they can't show student gains on tests (that haven't been written yet) in 4 of the 5 preceding years; prohibiting pay recognition based on years of service, advanced degrees or National Board certification; hiring all new teachers on a one year contract with an administrator's ability to terminate at any time without cause; and not allowing teachers to enter DROP which is a financially life-saving program for teachers at retirement age. With absolutely no job security, it makes me wonder why our young talented students would choose teaching! However, regardless of how the legislature tries to destroy the profession, there will always be those of us who are called to teach and simply have no other choice.

Even in this tough job market that includes pink slips for many teachers, many second career professionals are looking to teach and so are those young hopeful, often ill-prepared, teachers coming out of our Colleges of Education. In such a tough job market, what does it take to get a job these days? I have to tell you about one enterprising college graduate who interviewed at my school earlier in the year. Actually she had me at the interview. She was out-going with a top notch resume for a beginning teacher. She is teaching in our Extended Day program now until she can get a job teaching!! REALLY, she had me at the interview but earlier in the year the Interview Committee decided to go with a more experienced candidate... Of course, that hasn't stopped this positive pro-active candidate. Like many that we interview, we each got a really nice e-mail from her after the interview, but she didn't stop there. On the 100th Day of School she sent each of us a 100th day candy bar (really, she had ME at the interview!)

Each day this week, new things have arrived at the front counter as we begin to enter the interview season. First an adorable cupcake on a plate hand painted with stars saying that she would be our star teacher if she joined our faculty with a newsletter about all the reasons we should hire her- showing lots of technical skills! Today the cutest little flower/ Easter Egg arrangement arrived with flower pens, which will be used at the front desk. The cutest thing is that when you pull up a flower to write, there is a picture of the candidate that says "Pick me!" This "teacher" has shown creativity, persistence, and a sense of humor - so many of the qualities that we look for in a new hire at the Creek. I don't know if she will get a job here but she certainly deserves an opportunity to teach somewhere!

I can remember the days when we had very weak candidates interviewing at Chets Creek. The word was out that we worked too

hard and were "required" to put in too many hours over and above

the teaching day. None of the rumors were ever true but they were

funny when we heard them. Over the years, however, the job embedded professional training and collegiality of our faculty has become the rumor and we have had more and more people interviewing - really top quality candidates. I don't know if the Florida legislature will chase off our most talented students (get ready Georgia- right across the border- to take some of our best), but I am enjoying the lengths to which teachers will go to teach in a school that has a reputation for expecting your best and taking care of its own. Can't wait to see what comes next!

Courtney, you're looking for a job for next year (last to hire, first to go)... You might take some hints from this young teacher. All the "extras" probably won't get her the job but it's sure hard not to pull her resume out of the pack and give it a second look!