Are you part of a “Teacher Tribe”?
The idea for this week’s post was inspired by the new teachers who attended my workshop on April 28, 2106 (TESL Peel in Ontario, Canada) and by Sylvia Duckworth — a very creative educator. The “tribe” graphic is one of many examples of Sylvia’s brilliance (see more of her talents at https://www.flickr.com/photos/15664662@N02
According to my Gage Canadian dictionary, tribe has several meanings but the meaning that I want to use in this post is as follows:
tribe (n): a group of people having a common interest, profession, etc.
Maybe you haven’t thought about being part of a “teacher tribe”. I never did until last weekend. This is how it happened.
Last Saturday, I presented at a TESL Conference. My workshop was entitled “How to Survive and Thrive as a New ESL Teacher”. In the first activity, I asked teachers to complete the sentence “Being a New Teacher is”…
Before you read their answers, what do you think they said? What was your first year like?
Here are their answers:
Being a new teacher is…
· exciting
· challenging
· nerve wracking
· a lot of work
· intimidating
· hard
· daunting
When I think back to my first year as a ESL teacher, I would have to agree that I felt everything on that list however I was very fortunate to have a great mentor — Jonni Cooper (more about that later in this post).
The participants then worked in groups to discuss the challenges of being a new teacher. Here are their answers (in no particular order):
The challenges of being a new teacher are:
1) few job opportunities
2) lack of resources
3) working in new environments
4) using technology
5) time needed for lesson prep
6) planning appropriate lessons
7) designing assessments
8) stress of supply teaching
9) connecting with other teachers
Unfortunately there is not much that experienced teachers can do to help with the shrinking ESL employment opportunities in Canada, however I started to think about what we could do to make new teachers feel part of a “teacher tribe”. There are things that experienced teachers can do to help with lesson planning, designing assessments and connecting with other teachers.
ESL teachers share a passion for helping students but I believe that we also need to help new teachers get through their challenging early years. When I started teaching 20 years ago, part of what made that first year fun, interesting, meaningful and “survivable” was the “tribe” environment at the school where I worked.
The six essential leadership attributes: set high standards; live your standards and mentor those who follow; create and share a vision; make the hard choices when necessary; be visible and outfront; and instill hope in those who follow. — John Di Frances
Every teacher at that school made a point of asking the new teachers if we needed help. Our weekly staff meetings addressed the issues that new teachers were facing. Jonni was assigned as my mentor teacher. She took me under her wing and helped me every step of the way. I can’t imagine what that first year would have been like without her guidance, support and belief in my ability (I dedicated my e-book — How to Survive and Thrive as a New ESL Teacher to her).
We all need a mentor teacher like this. We all need to feel part of a “teacher tribe”.
“When mentors are well-selected, well-trained and given the time to work intensively with new teachers, they not only help average teachers become good, but good teachers become great.” –Dara Barlin, Education Week
I believe that we can play a part in creating a “teacher tribe” for new teachers. This can happen in a few different ways:
· If you are a coordinator or supervisor, set up a mentorship program at your school.
· If you are an experienced ESL/EFL teacher, ask a new teacher if they would like a mentor (if there is no program at your school).
· If you are a new teacher — ask a more experienced teacher if he or she would mentor you.
I would be happy to share any personal experiences that you have had related to the benefits of mentorship, and being part of a “teacher tribe” in future blogs. Let’s make sure that all new teachers feel supported, inspired, and energized.
Thanks for reading. Patrice
Please visit my website for FREE teaching resources at
https://patrice-palmer.mykajabi.com
Resources:
http://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/reference-material/6-quotes-for-teacher-mentors/
