Going into the teacher panel, I wasn’t sure that I was going to get much out of it. I do not want to work in a school, and I assumed that they would mostly be speaking about that. Once the panel began and information started flowing, I was impressed by what I was hearing.
The first topic that was announced was tile for college students where that are right now. Honestly, that topic was ignored and we went right into student teaching, which was fine. Again, I don’t want to be a teacher, but I will still have to student teach. Some tips on that were: get to know your cooperating teacher before you start working with them, get to know each child individually so they feel comfortable with you and get to know others in the building. Overall, just build a relationship with everyone. Another piece of information was to bring hand sanitizer, kids spread germs. As funny as this piece seems, I think everyone took it seriously - I sure did!
Our next topic was first year teaching. My main takeaway from that was do not become an island. Do not put yourself in a bubble trying to do everything on your own. Ask others for help and ideas - and help them in return. Almost every teacher on the panel agreed to that. One teacher said to take every chance to socialize. If someone at work asks you to go to lunch, go. If they ask you to help them with something, help. Relationships are the most important so you don’t end up being that one that nobody wants to help and nobody goes to for help.
One of the longer topics of discussion was how to get a job. We focused for a while and what administrators would like to see on a resume. One in ministry there on the panel had a lot to say about this. He likes to see that the person has a lot of experience with children - not just a degree, he likes to see certifications, and he likes when people share their other talents so they can possibly run a club or organization. As for the interview process itself, be prepared to ask your interviewer questions about the school. Not asking question shows that you’re uninterested and did not do your research. One teacher on the panel brought up doing a follow up call or email after an interview. Responses to this were mixed, some administrators said that a quick email would raise your chances whereas another said a phone call would ruin your chances. Ultimately, it’s a 50/50 chance.
The panel also talked a bit about the edTPA. I had never heard of that until I attended the panel, but it seemed like everyone else know what it was. I’m glad I learned that it existed. I’m still pretty confused about what it all entails, but at least I know it’s coming and I know that there are some great resources I can use to help me with it. It seems like I will definitely need them.
At the end of the panel when the teachers came to talk to us by table, it seemed like it was very helpful to a lot of people. A girl at my table talked to him for at least 10 minutes and got a lot of information. Sadly, it was not very helpful to me because I do not want to work in a school. All the teacher was really able to say to me was that he would never be able to work with children birth to age three – which is what I want, and that I will need to build the relationships with the students and people I work with.
Although not all aspects of the panel were helpful to me, I can’t complain. I got some great information, and I know that others got a lot out of it as well. I’m glad that I was made to go, as it’s something that I never would have gone to on my own.
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