#OHEdChat was started by an ad hoc group of Ohio educators and other interested people. For information and updates about the chat, visit https://ohedchat.wordpress.com/
Welcome to #ohedchat. Please share your name, where you are from, and the name of the person who helped support you during your first year as a teacher, administrator, etc.
Great chat tonight #BeTheOne. If you are still in the mood to tweet it up #OhEdChat is going down right now. Talking about mentoring and reflecting on being a new teacher!
A1: I had so many mentors in my first years, and I continue to have great mentors today. I would want them all to know what a positive impact that they have made (and do make) on my practice today #ohedchat
A1 I think mentors want to know when, & how to jump in vs. when to hold back. There has to be trust & transparency to allow struggle when needed but, support when desired. #OhEdChat
A2: I have not been a mentor to anyone yet but I feel as if I would want my mentee to know a lot about me as well as more than just a mentor/educator #ohedchat
A2: As a mentor I want the mentee to know that I am someone they can come to with anything. Not just teaching, but handling stress, work-life balance, etc. #ohedchat
A2: As a mentor, I want my mentee to know that I am still learning and growing. I make mistakes, I try things that flop, and I keep on learning. #ohedchat
A2: I would want anyone that I mentor (in any capacity) to know that I'm there to support them 100%. If it's to bounce ideas off of me, or just to have a sounding board, I want to always be there to help & support as much as possible @MrHartzlerMath#ohedchat
Speaking from my own first-year experience--learning to handle the pressures of teaching as well as "adulting" independently for the first time was huge. Having support in all of that is so valuable! #ohedchat
A2 We want mentees to know that no one is perfect. Veteran Ts have lessons each day, they wish had gone better. Mistakes don't just happen because you are in your 1st year of teaching. Ups and downs are the norm in education; not the exception! #ohedchat
I agree 100%. I loved that my mentor would listen to my frustrations--and then help me problem-solve. She didn't let me dwell on the frustrations and failures. She helped me reflect and take the next steps forward. #ohedchat
My husband called me "Pollyanna" more than once as a new teacher. He still pulls that name out every now and then when I get frustrated that my visions of perfection aren't reality. (Yes, 27 years later . . .) #ohedchat
A2: I want my mentee to know we are learning and growing together, and I’m here to offer authentic support. Oh, and I don’t have all the answers! 🙂 #ohedchat
Totally agree! Especially as a new teacher, I had no idea how minor or major issues really were in the grand scheme. It was all huge to me. She helped me with that context and perspective. #ohedchat
In reply to
@edtechgirl, @MrWellsScience, @MrHartzlerMath
a3: For me the best advice my mentor gave me was a different perspective and the idea to film my lessons for I could go back to analyze. The only way you grow in this game is through reflection and perspective. #ohedchat
Learning together is awesome! One thing I really loved: one of my mentees had far more expertise with autism than I did. She was an amazing resource and support to me as I first worked with twice-exceptional learners. #ohedchat
A4: I need help understanding that not every kid is going to respond positively to me & how I do things. And that's tough for me. I take it personally when I hear about a student having negative feelings about my class. #ohedchat
A3: Mentors can help us maintain perspective. Their wisdom can help center us to stay dialed in on what’s important, especially during difficult stretches. #ohedchat
A3: I've had the privilege and blessing of having mentors with every move I've made in education--biggest help has been in learning the culture of the organization, from where to get kleenex to those "unwritten" rules, like norms around Boss's Day. #ohedchat
A3: I need help understanding that not every kid is going to respond positively to me & how I do things. And that's tough for me. I take it personally when I hear about a student having negative feelings about my class. #ohedchat
This is so very hard. I still struggle with this . . . 27 years into the profession. It's personal, yes. But more importantly, we want our kids to learn and grow and LIKE what they're learning! #ohedchat
A3- I think that mentors can help us stay sane. They give you good advice on situations that they have been through already. @barbersclass#barbersclass#ohedchat
a4: Giving you an idea where they are at. It is really easy to say great but on the inside feel lost, mad, confused, and questioning if this line of work was the right choice. Be clear and feel free to share to help drive the conversation. #ohedchat
A3. Kouzes and Posner write: “Every mentor ought to know how to express feelings, disclose personal information, admit mistakes, respond non-defensively, ask for clarification, and solicit different views.” #OhEdChat
A4: Mentee’s can help us with self-awareness. I have my first field placement student this semester and it has pushed me to communicate better, be more organized, and constantly reflect on what’s working and what needs sharpened. It’s like a mirror looking back at us! #ohedchat
#ohedchat A4. Keeping up with current best practices and how to effectively implement. Best situation we each make the other better. They can also provide us with a unique perspective.
A4: New ideas!! Mentees - and ALL colleagues - can and should be sharing ideas/strategies/techniques with each other. We're all still learning this craft, one day at a time. And if I can steal a great idea from someone else, I'll do it! #ohedchat
A4: Mentees help you to clean out your “closet” of pedagogy - what do you really believe as a T? What instructional strategies are worth keeping? What new strategies can be added? #Ohedchat
I agree---every mentee I've had the privilege to work with has shared something with me that I didn't know or understand before. It's invaluable. #ohedchat
A4: My mentees have always helped me remember/refresh my passion and joy in teaching. Their excitement and joy helps recharge my own excitement and joy in our work. #ohedchat
A4: My mentees have always helped me remember/refresh my passion and joy in teaching. Their excitement and joy helps recharge my own excitement and joy in our work. #ohedchat
Such a good point. I've heard over the years, "It's doesn't matter if they like me. It matters that they learn from me." Yet kids are growing into maturity--like and respect are not two separate concepts for most of our kids. #ohedchat
A5: My first mentor taught me that once in a great while, it is important to leave everything--and she meant EVERYTHING--at school for a weekend. No grading, no lesson planning, etc. Breathe. Take time to recharge. She was right. #ohedchat
A5: The best thing was to encourage me to take on leadership roles in my building, especially when I was still relatively new to the job. It has paid off in so many ways! #ohedchat
A6: Again, since I have never been a mentor I cannot answer this question but I am excited to get some ideas of things that I can do for my mentor when I have one #ohedchat
Me, too. Still. (Let me tell you: the struggles I had with this as a classroom teacher are very, very similar to the struggles I have as a coordinator!) #ohedchat
A5. My mentor taught me the power of YET! As in:
"I don't get it ... yet"
"I can't do this ... yet"
"This doesn't work ... yet."
vs.
"I don't get it"
"I can't do this"
"This doesn't work."
#OhEdChat
A6: I have appreciated so much my mentors' willingness to give of their time, energy, and expertise. It's probably the listening ear that has meant the most. #ohedchat
I think that a significant number of us in education--classroom teachers, aides, administrators--would agree with you in this. We bring our work home with us--whether in paper/electronic format, or in our hearts. #ohedchat
I think that a significant number of us in education--classroom teachers, aides, administrators--would agree with you in this. We bring our work home with us--whether in paper/electronic format, or in our hearts. #ohedchat
Please join #ohedchat next week as @seanm647 and @TebnerEbner facilitate discussion around supporting our new leaders, 9 PM ET on 12.12.18. See you then!
And this explains why so many of us in education are so completely drained by the end of the school year. This is why we have to give ourselves that occasional "time out." Not because we don't care--but because we care so much. #ohedchat
