Please post responses to the following by Sunday, April 28, 11PM. To post comments, you can create an account or you can post comments using "anonymous" but be sure to include your name in the comment, e.g. "From Randy:"
- Name
- City/town
- profession you are leaving to enter teaching
- your experience with teaching or working with young people (it is okay if you don't have much experience!!)
- a short blurb about your favorite teacher of all time
- From the Insight for Newbies blog post identify ONE thing that stands out. Be very concise.
Randy Ewart
ReplyDeleteWest Hartford
I left a "career" as a aimless, Id driven bartender to return to college.
I worked as a substitute while in college and of course student taught.
Mr. Oberly - precal and calculus. 20 years after I had him I took an AP certification course in BC Calculus and remembered almost everything. I called him during training to tell him.
Newbie insight - I'll leave that to the candidates.
Charles Mischel
ReplyDeleteSouth Windsor
After 20+ years in the mortgage industry and experiencing both the good and bad cycles, I burned out.
After retiring from the mortgage business I started substitute teaching and found that I really connected to the kids. I also took part in an amature around-the-world sailing race where I was able to interact and help teach the "kids" (sponsored 18-19 year olds) a little about life, initiative and taking responsibility for your own actions.
Mrs. Crabtree - 3rd grade. The one teacher whom everyone loved and showed that she REALLY cared for us kids.
The one thing that stands out from Newbie Insight is TIME MANAGEMENT. Excellent time management is needed to complete your assignments on time. You do not want to make yourself crazy and feel overwhelmed.
From Randy:
DeleteIf you can handle substitute teaching then you are off to a great start!
Reflecting on Ms. Crabtree, WHAT did she do that may you realize she cared?
Mrs. Crabtree just took the time from her busy day to take care of us. Like a mothers would look after a child who had a cut she would show that level of concern for her students.
DeleteNeil Kochen
ReplyDeleteWest Hartford, CT
25+ years institutional investment management.
Zero formal experience teaching. Some informal math tutoring (very informal).
Miss Casey, 8th grade algebra teacher, had excellent command of the subject and showed she cared EVERY day.
Time management and 100% commitment are crucial.
From Randy:
DeleteNO experience necessary!
WHAT did Miss Casey do that demonstrated she cared?
Tiffany Rosa
ReplyDeleteTerryville
I am stepping out of the wonderful corporate world where I worked mainly in Accounting but also wore many other hats.
I worked as a substitute teacher throughout obtaining my MBA degree. This is where I fell in love with teaching and really knew what I wanted to do in life. I also coach youth sports with my husband through Waterbury PAL. It's t-ball season!
Mrs. Scappaticci (1st Grade) - I remember how much she motivated me to want to learn. This went beyond 1st grade as she continued to be an influence for years after.
Newbie Insight - Work diligently; start all projects immediately and do the reflections daily.
From Randy:
DeleteAs I wrote to Charles, if you can handle substitute teaching you are off to a great start.
WHAT specifically did Mrs. S do that motivated you?
From Tiffany:
DeleteI liked to write and Mrs. S always gave positive feedback and listened. She would ask questions to prompt me to think further and expand my writings. Mrs. S never told me to stop although I went through so many composition books. Her positive attitude and the interest she took in me as an individual made me want to always do good in school so I could tell her when I saw her.
David Jarnutowski
ReplyDeleteWethersfield
25+ years Aerospace Director Sales and Customer Support Engineering
No formal teaching experience. Some informal math/physics tutoring
William F. (Mechanical Engineering) - most challenging tests! Inspiring and rewarding.
Agree w the pervious blogs - Time management! Full commitment!
From Randy:
DeleteWilliam F pushed you? Is that what stands out?
Jim Iwersen
ReplyDeleteWest Hartford
I'm leaving a career in aviation maintenance.
I have no prior teaching experience.
My favorite teacher of all time was Eric Steitzel at Foothill Jr. College in Los Altos Hills California. It was a Critical Thinking Philosophy class. He was actually a bit of an egomaniac, but what I learned in that class over 25 years ago changed me. He taught me how really question everything I see, hear and learn.
Organization will clearly be key. There will be an incredible amount of work to do in the program. It will be a challenge to keep it all straight. I especially liked the comment about how the program really begins at April orientation - yes. It does.
From Randy:
DeleteNo experience necessary!
Questioning!?!??! That will be a major discussion point in methods.
Yes, it has begun...
Sarah Chouinard
ReplyDeleteEllington, CT
I'm not really leaving a profession to enter teaching. I recently completed my undergrad in math at Easter, but didn't decide until my senior year that I wanted to teach, so I felt ARC would be the best route to certification for me.
I've been coaching cheerleading since I was 14. Currently, I coach a middle school team, a rec. program team and two all-star teams. (I still cheer myself!) I also worked as a camp counselor for a number of years. I have tutored math privately and worked as a peer tutor at Eastern while attending school. Most recently, I've been working at Timothy Edwards Middle School as a paraprofessional in the school's math intervention program.
Mr. Prenetta was my high school English/Theatre Arts teacher. My favorite thing about him was the interest he took in ALL of his
students. He even found a way to see the "trouble makers" of the class in a positive light. He believed in all of us and only wanted the best for his students. He treated all of us with respect and was dependable if anyone ever needed advice or just someone to talk to.
The reflective nature of this program is something that every person touched upon. I feel the more I truly open my mind to this process, the more I will take from it.
From Randy:
DeleteIf you can work as a cheerleader coach you can handle any school challenge!!!
Work in math intervention is tremendous preparation for what we're going to show you in methods.
Be Karate Kid.