Celebrating Your Successful Journey Preparing for the Next Steps
What are we doing today? • Reflecting on the program and collecting some evaluative data; • Helping you understand what is coming your way; • Providing some final guidance on how to be successful; • Learning from the mistakes of your peers who have gone before you; and • Celebrating your accomplishments and taking the next step (and it’s a big one)! • So…
CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve completed... • A program that prepares you to teach kids in the middle and secondary schools in a variety of subjects. • A program that modeled how to create a safe classroom that engages students in learning. • Field experiences that include a more comprehensive preparatory advanced practicum prior to student teaching. • Many discussions and assignments in content area and education courses that required you to think about the students you will teach and how to meet their needs through a student-centered, culturally responsive approach. • A program that modeled many best practices for you—both at WSU and in partner school classrooms.
What’s next? • Student teaching • The edTPA • Applying for a job! • Graduation!! • Employment!!!
Student Teaching All-day placement from when your teacher returns to school to the end of the • WSU semester (just as if you are a school employee). You’ll work the same hours at school as your cooperating teacher… or more! • Work hard to build relationships with your students. • You’ll need to work hard to quickly be able to take over a class (in the area of the • edTPA) so you can do it successfully. Remember that knowledge of the students, the course, and the curriculum are critical so you can have rich, deep and detailed responses. Remember that you are in a prolonged job interview; you want your teacher, • supervisor, and building principal to all see how good you are. Be the professional that you want them to see!
Working Effectively with Your University Supervisor • They are there to support youAND evaluate you • Be sure to respond to their emails and calls • Submit lesson plans ahead of observations • Communicate, Communicate, Communicate!
edTPA edTPA can be seen in three ways: • As a hoop to jump through; or • As a barrier to your progress; or • As an opportunity for learning that allows you… • To think deeply about your experience; how to connect what you know about your students to helping them learn—the planning/teaching/assessment/reflection cycle • A chance to showcase what you know and how you do what you do every day as a teacher • To prepare for what you will have to do in TPEP.
Find a job? With edTPA and student teaching too? • Know that the job market is red hot and that new Washington teachers are being hired because of their knowledge and skill with the state’s expectations and standards. • Districts are offering Letters of Contract even before or during student teaching. • If you finish in December, you can get experience (and known) through substituting but positions are being filled mid-year too. • Spring career fairs in Spokane or Tacoma. Many districts are holding their own earlier. You do not need to attend both! • Check district websites for the position listings. All public Washington job listings can be found at: wateach.net as well as the College of Education Undergraduate Studies Facebook page.
Resume Tips • If you haven’t already created a resume, you should draft one before beginning your field experience • Recognize that your resume will likely be shorter than an experienced applicant and that’s okay (2 pages maximum). • Include your: Contact information • Objective ( Seeking a challenging position at… school district teaching… ) • Education (degrees and certifications) • Education-related experiences (student teaching, practicum, volunteering, • coaching, tutoring, etc.) Other work experiences • Honors and awards • References will go on the application form. • • Show your resume to your supervisor and mentor teacher for feedback
More on resumes... • For each item of work experience, make sure you briefly explain the responsibilities you had. • The resume should have some overlap with the letter of application. The letter shows your passion and interest in the job, the resume shows your qualifications, experiences, and skills. • Do not “pad” your resume to make it longer. • Do show it to your teacher to see if you have missed anything you should include from student teaching.
Letters of Recommendation • You need at least 3 letters of recommendation. (People who have seen you work with students). • Who should you ask? • Cooperating teacher(s) • Student teaching supervisor • Building principal • Most districts will allow for a few more letters. • Make it as easy as possible for them to write for you! • If you have concerns about a letter of recommendation, talk to your supervisor or contact Chris Sodorff for advice.
Expectations of Student Teachers and New Teachers • That you take the initiative and don’t need to always be told what to do. • That you are ready (with some orientation and mentoring) to run your own classroom. • That you are able to work collaboratively with others and can ask for help when you need it. • That you know what TPEP is (three models). • That you will be a positive force for children and their families. • That you are not done learning and will continue to grow and improve as a professional.
And Finally... Remember that... • You are still in the program while you are student teaching—it’s now time for the final program step for you. • Teaching is a life-long learning profession. You will continue to go to school, work with peers and study your practice, and continue to grow and improve —just as your students do. • We have taught you to collaborate and not work in isolation. In this era, no teacher can afford to work alone. • We are still here for you . We are just a phone call, email, video conference, or social network link away. Ask for help if you need it.
CONGRATULATIONS! WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF YOU— GO OUT THERE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN!
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