START

upporting

nd

etaining

eachers

raining

Beth Duncan, Assistant Principal

James Davis, Principal

Rowan-Salisbury School System

© James Davis, China Grove Middle School / 2008

Quick Hits / Housekeeping• Comfortable Style of Approach

• Questions that you have• Handout with Highlights (notes) *• Nod YES / SMILE• Focus: Simplicity and Action• Some items will SPIRAL• Teaching to TASK, not to TIME• The END RESULTULTIMATE GOAL:

Find something that you CAN replicate & thank you for being here…

*Entire presentation online and available

Why this topic?Why Focus on this GroupWhy Focus on this Group??

-In NC, 60% of teachers will leave the profession between years 1 and 4 (majority in 3 and 4).

-Nationally, rates range from 20% to 50%, depending upon the operational definition

-75% report that they leave because of a lack of administrative support / realistic assistance

Why Focus on this Group?-This is where you can your “Greatest Impact”

Background Information• The Study Site…

-size

-student population

-academic capabilities

-free and reduced lunch

-EC population / ELL population

• What was happening with our beginning teachers…

• The need for action / Our plan…

Creation of the “NEWEST TITANS”

• Started with 1st/ 2nd year teachers

• Picked up by County• Expanded to 3rd, and 4th year

teachers (teacher request)

Our Guiding Principles

• We will protect your time*time*

• We will always remain realisticrealistic

• We shareshare nothing unless we have done it ourselves

• Unless it is illegal or immoral, we will SAYSAY YES*YES*

• If you have a NEEDNEED, we will meet

that need

Monthly SessionsTOPICS:Student DisciplineClassroom ManagementInvitational ClassroomsParent Conferences / InvolvementAn Attitude of GratitudeCreative Teaching Strategies / IntegrationExceptional Learners / Differentiation

*Allow your group to select some of the topics---ask them what they want…

*Sample presentation to follow

NEWEST TITANSJanuary, 2008

TOPIC:

CLASSROOM DIFFERENTIATION

Quick Activity

•What is differentiation?

•What is it NOT?

Differentiation for EC / ELL learners

• Strategy One: Mark Out!

• Strategy Two: Hit the HIGHLIGHTS!

• Strategy Three: Second Glance!

*Email Disclaimer

Differentiation for AIG learners

• Strategy One: Student Contracts

• Strategy Two: TIC TAC TOE / RAFT

• Strategy Three: GROUPING / GRADING

ALL KIDS!

Higher-Level Products Lower-Level Products

Make a game Make a calendar

Make a video Make a transparency

Teach a lesson Create a sticker

Compile a booklet Create a timeline

Compile a newspaper Prepare food

Create a cartoon Write a list

Present a mock trial Crossword puzzles

Create play / costumes Keep a diary

Puppet show Copy definitions

Informational B. Board ROUTINE

Characteristics of a Differentiated Classroom:

• Instruction stresses understanding or sense making rather than retention and regurgitation of

• Varied learning options• On-going assessment of student readiness

and growth are built into curriculum• Flexible grouping (alone, pairs, and

groups)• Students are active explorers while

teachers guide the exploration

Strategies for Managing a Differentiated Classroom

• Use of multiple texts and supplementary materials

• Interest centers

• Learning contracts

• Tasks and products designed with a multiple intelligence orientation

• Graduated task and product rubrics

• Group investigation

INDEX CARD ACTIVITY

• Davis, Duncan, and Directions!

VIDEO

www.teachermovie.com

CLOSING

• Questions?

• Comments?

• Concerns?

• Needs?

So, what’s the difference?• How is your program different?

• What new strategies do you have?

• What new incentives have you included?

• What makes things better?

IN THE END:

Has it worked?

Additional Strategies:What Makes this Different?

#1Administrative

Presenters

Additional Strategies:What Makes this Different?

#2Teacher Coupons

Additional Strategies:What Makes this Different?

#3#3

Workday Workday AssistanceAssistance

Additional Strategies:What Makes this Different?

#4Encouraging the

Heart ComponentPersonal Notes

Parent Quotes

Student Quotes

Newspapers

Call home

Additional Strategies:What Makes this Different?

#5#5

EXTRA RESOURCES/ EXTRA RESOURCES/ SCHEDULING SCHEDULING PREFERENCEPREFERENCE

Resources

Student Enrollment

Room Changes

Additional Strategies:What Makes this Different?

#6ONLINE

DISCUSSIONSComposition Book

Bag

Online

Additional Strategies:What Makes this Different?

#7#7

MONTHLY MONTHLY CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

Additional Strategies:What Makes this Different?

#8Restructure Human

Resources / Lead Teacher Front Office

ISS

Secretary

TAS

Nurse

Additional Strategies:What Makes this Different?

#9“Think Outside

the Box”Housing / Maps

Coupons

Christmas Dinner

Gift cards (tough times)

Scholarships (PTA)

Matching Days

Additional Strategies:What Makes this Different?

#10END-OF-YEAR

RETREATSOff campus

Topic Choice

Arrival Baskets

Rejuvenation

Pay for lunch

Start Late

End Early

Gift Cards

Prizes

Model

Motivating and Inspiring Yourself

• Our Purpose, the Agenda, the Format, My Main “LOSER” Rule, Here we go…

Level 1 Teacher

Level 2

Teacher

Level 3

Teacher•Not much teaching•Complain•Rarely smile•Problems with everyone, except themselves•Teacher-directed activities•Do not like change•I DON’T CARE attitude•Does not like kids•Talks about you openly to your face

•Usually capable of teaching•Can get caught up in the negative, but does not mean to•Lacks enthusiasm•Everything seems to be a burden•Does a good job during announced observations•Will place blame on others•Can for the most part handle their classroom

Can apply to administrators too

•WOW attitude•You can tell they love teaching•They can express their opinions•They are always teaching, no matter what•Students love them•They touch lives and make a difference•They do not take part in school gossip•They are always trying to be more effective•They will teach any student

Beginning with the END in mind…

• “The Bridge to Wholeness”• Circle the qualities you already possess• Place a CHECK beside those that you

want to improve upon• Select THREE to improve upon• Place on INDEX CARD• Plan: As we discuss, keep those in mind

TIPS FROM JAMES!!!

• TOP TEN LIST

• Remember the Loser Rule

• Take Notes as Needed

Tip #1: Hall Duty

Tip #2: PE

Tip #3: Doorway Greetings

Tip #4: The Media Center

Tip #5: Technology

Tip #6: Watch Co-Workers

Tip #7: Keepsake Folder

Tip #8: TO-DO List

Tip #9: SPEAK UP / OUT

Tip #10: Take a DAY (2)

James’ Quote

“Don’t talk about it…BE about it.”

Inspiring Yourself

• Hand out colored folders

• Allow time to read*

• Why NO NAMES?*

• Mentor, Administrator, Several students, a Parent, and someone from another grade level…

Final Activity

• “Love and the Cabbie”

• Importance: Inspiring / Motivating Yourself

• IMPACT

Final WordsI think the world of each of you. With that said, for

the benefit of students, I would never encourage you to stay in the field of education if I did not think that you had something very valuable to offer. It is mandatory that you do things to motivate and inspire yourself. Be proactive and looks for ways to be a better educator / professional. You deserve to come to a job and be happy every day…more importantly, our kids deserve it. You are great teachers…now go get better and let me know how I can help.

Next Up…• How did you pay for this?• Who helped?• What did the teachers say?• Plan on any changes?• Any other tips /

suggestions?

BUDGETS (year one)

Focus: Budgeted: Spent:

Monthly Meetings

$500 $350

Teacher Resources

$1000 $1000

Book Study $150 $150

Retreat $1500 $1500

$3150 $3000

Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources•PTSO Requests•UNCC Partnership•Principal’s Budget•Parent Email Group•GRANTS (local)•Directors / Supervisors•PriorityPriority: Beginning Teachers: Beginning Teachers

I was glad that we focused on student discipline and creative teaching. This made me realize that one is as necessary as the other. It’s had a real impact on my classroom. -C. Andrews, First Year

My classroom is so much better after the invitational classroom session. Thank you for making that one of our focuses. My room is more inviting and also reflective of my student’s hard work. I love it and the kids actually like being in the room! -K. Dain, First Year

I loved the book study. Thank you for not only having us read it, but also for sharing specific things that you did in your classroom. I walked away with more than 15 strategies that I could implement in my classroom immediately. Great work session! I could never leave this school! Laura High, First Year / Lateral Entry  

With more than 20 years of experience, I have never seen a better attempt at supporting beginning teachers. It is practically impossible for a teacher to fail here. Way to go! -Beth Duncan, Mentor / Lead Teacher NCMS

Upcoming Changes

Same: Budget

Same: Administrative Presenters

Same: Food / Prizes / Topics

Change: Greater focus on EC

Change: Book Study Change

Change: Teacher Presenters

Change: A Model Classroom

Change: Expansion into 5th year teachers

TIPS / SUGGESTIONS

• Solicit help earlySolicit help early• Better utilize staff membersBetter utilize staff members• Secure funding earlySecure funding early• Ask for feedback regularlyAsk for feedback regularly

CLOSURE•Questions?•Comments?•Snide Remarks?

duncanbn@rss.k12.nc.usdavisjv@rss.k12.nc.us704-857-7038