Welcome

Welcome to your Mentor Teacher Program Blog!  We hope you will enjoy engaging in meaningful discussions on this site!

Now that you've completed the Preparation Phase of the TSS Endorsement Program you are ready to begin your journey as an "Intern Mentor"!  Please contact your school administration over the summer to remind them of your participation in the TSS Endorsement Program and to help match you with a beginning teacher (protege), who you will provide support to throughout the 2006-2007 school year. 

As you look forward to meeting your protege and reflect on all that you have learned during the five-day class . . . what ideas do you have about meeting your protege, establishing a professional relationship, and beginning to provide support during those first few days??

Comments

[Rhonda Lokey]

I am very excited about this year's intern mentor class. We have had a great week with exceptional teachers. This week has refreshed me as a mentor on all the procedures that I need to review with my protege. I know I am going to spend more time in the beginning of the year working on syllabus and grading procedures.

[Blair Ivey]

This week has been fantastic. What wonderful teachers! Just seeing if this goes through...

Blair Ivey

[Rebecca Collins]

The class was a great tool that I will use throughout the year to help my protege have a great 1st year. I plan to spend time directing and collaborating with my protege all the ideas I have gleaned from this session.

[Stephanie Hestad]

As I reflect on our week, I hope to take the energy in this room and transfer it not only to myself but also to my protege!

Stephanie

[Courtney Kelly]

Hope everyone has a great summer! I look forward to working with all of you and sharing great ideas!

[Beth Lair]

Dianne and Kristal were fabulous coaches this past week. I am excited about getting to know my protege and helping her have a great first year!

[Gwyn Estes]

I don't know who I will mentor yet, but I plan to go meet her during her pre-planning to offer any help as she prepares her room. I thought it would be a good time to go over the check list so she can see if there is anything she has not thought about.
Also, I will invite her to lunch to get to know her better.

[Jennifer Reardon]

I am very excited and can't wait to get started with my protege. I'm going to really work on setting a schedule and helping her plan for the first week of school. I have an extra "The First Days of School" and plan on giving her my copy. Together we can walk through some important details for the first week.

[Twyla Hinton]

I look forward to meeting a new teacher and assisting them with the acclimation process. I have done this on several occassions but I also look forward to applying the organized format presented to us in the TSS orientation and analyzing the results as oppossed to performing the tasks on an "as needs" basis.
I will quickly work on setting expectations that will facilitate an open communicable relationship that will foster growth throughout the year.

[judy Punte]

Once our new special education teacher has been hired, I would like to introduce myself to her/him. I would like to get have her meet our staff and tour the building. Since space is an issue, the mentee may have to have to share space with 1 or more teachers, I will try to have her share this space with another special education teacher. I will try to spend time with her daily during preplanning. During this time , I'll get to know how she wants our meetings conducted and how often she wants to meet weekly.

[Jacqueline Dennis]

Sheree and Annette rock as teachers!

[Sheree]

The July group with Annette and Sheree is the best!!!! :)

[Wenona Young]

This was a week well worth the time. I realized that the job of a mentor is more detailed. However, I have learned great strategies that I can use with my protege.

[Lisha Wood]

It works.

[Kathryn Dix]

I really enjoyed the experience. The course was well thought out and very well presented by Kristal and Dianne. I am hopeful that I will have a wonderful year mentoring. Thank you!

[Patti Westmoreland]

The weeklong experience with Kristal and Dianne was awesome! I really found the toolbox strategies to be helpful tools I can use with my students. I can't wait to try out some of these strategies with my students. Thanks for the materials and resources that went along with the class.

[Donna Krodman]

I know I posted a comment back in June...wonder what happened to it. So, here we are nearing the end of this mentoring year. It has been challenging and fun. No matter how tired and weary I am when that Monday night meeting comes, Rhonda and Marilyn always manage to wake me up and keep me interested.

[Nancy Treadwell]

This year has flown by! I've learned so much in class with Rhonda and Marilyn....they are truly inspiring.
I have had a great year with my protege; I'm just not sure which one of us learned more which proves that we are never "too old" to learn.

[MARY DAVIDSON]

Had a great time with my protege. She enjoyed the ride so much that she inspired other new teachers. They then, REQUESTED that I mentor them as well... so off the records... I am mentoring 4 hungry for learning strategies,wonderful, new inspiring teachers. I love it!

[Carole Jean Thompson]

My name is Carole Thompson and I am a retired teacher (2005). My certification expires in June, 2009. I am interested in this Mentor Training Program which is listed on your website. I'm interested in where training is provided? I have certification in Educational Leadership, from the University of West Georgia, and 23.5 years teaching experience.
Phone #: 770-421-8165

[Gladys Kopp]

I am a person for whom what I learn becomes more meaningful when it becomes active. I am finding that I am best at gving my mentee informational resources. He, being brilliant, is taking that information and transforming it to meet his own style. He is exhibiting excellence beyond his experience. I am a proud mentor!

[Gladys Kopp]

My protege is awesome. He has decorated the work room,know his children, is focused on instruction, and has taught me to how to better teacher. I worry that he may get overwhelmed and i am trying to get him to not over-volunteer without discouraging his enthusiasm. I don't want to see him burn-out.

[Marlena-Garielle Alvarado]

I, even though have ahd a difficult time with my protege due to were unwillness to adhere to suggestions, unwilling to submit lesson plans as directive by the chairperson and does not come to my environment to meet... I feel that the way in which I communicate has to be sensitive and with a tone that expresses concern and one that acknowledges that I am feeling her pain. I belive what has worked best has been the questioning, such as"How has that worked for you or what strategy have you used that worked equally as well?" Also, I have asked my protege to write REFLECTIONS after her most difficult classes and document both positive and negative. We review her feelings and then, we adress why certain aspects are effective with one class and not another and how to step away and know when it is time to move-on and/or revisit the lesson. In essence, communication is key in any relationship....

[Brenda Sermons]

My mentee is wonderful and loves children. We have established a clear line of communication. My observations of his teaching style is that he believes in a hands-on approach to learning. He also tries to find projects that are within the student's interests. In addition, we talk about how he can use art to help the social studies and other disciplines. My mentee comes to seek advice on instructional issues as well as how to deal with procedural issues such as how to get students accustomed to following "getting down to business".

[SharonCondon]

This class has been re-inspiring for all who have attempted the journey. What a talented, creative group of teachers who make us all feel we chose the right profession after all!