Summary of new teacher tips, urban schools issues, technology resources

This past Saturday I spoke with the pre-service science teachers in Connecticut's Alternate Route to Certification program about new teacher tips, urban schools issues, and technology resources.

Here is the handout I gave them as we chatted.

New teacher stuff

• ask for help
• lots of resources online - lesson plans, classroom management, activities, new teacher help
• remember what you have learned here
• be organized!!!  (Evernote, Google Docs, Google Calendar)
• take advantage of professional development opportunities and find some outside of district
• join a professional society (NSTA, AAPT, etc)
• use Projects in your classroom
• Have a backup plan and be creative

Resources, Links and Articles to read:

• (my blog and website listed up top) - free stuff, educational ideas and resources,
• new teacher advice  http://goo.gl/kkIqR and  http://www.techlearning.com/blogs/17362
• Article from 2010 ARC-A-Palooza: http://www.techlearning.com/blogs/22478
• http://www.techlearning.com/ Tech&Learning Magazine - great resource
• http://www.edutopia.org/ - Edutopia - George Lucas Educational Foundation - great info and resources
• http://www.pbs.org/teachers/classroom/9-12/ Lots of free stuff!
• http://discoveryeducation.com/survival/ - Great info, resources and advice for new teachers
• Create a Personal Learning Network (starting with your ARC colleagues): http://goo.gl/SBxe
• Differentiation http://goo.gl/xEFWF

 
Urban/low income schools
Student issues

not all students think school is important	no support at home (hmwk, etc)
no parents, too many kids, no parental involvement	poverty, drugs, violence (HS kids work to pay bills)
work part time jobs to help pay bills	no ride to school
issues at home - absences, tardy	take care of siblings
no computer/internet at home	cultural beliefs are different
high turnover of students (pregnancy, crime, drugs)	move a lot - change schools
English as Second Language	Reading comprehension

School Issues:

high teacher/admin turnover and burnout	large classes
limited funds and resources	hard to change things due to lack of resources
lots of new teachers	lots of new initiatives to fix (don't work)

Things to do to help and support urban students:

give students time to do work in school	make  your classroom available after school
create a safe haven in your classroom	be sensitive to issues they face
remember cultural/socio-economic issues	connect learning to THEIR lives and experiences
look for grants (www.donorschoose.org)	create a PLN for ideas and resources (see below)
connect with business, colleges, and other schools	Enthusiasm is contagious! Engage & Excite them.
translation (Google translate)	differentiate and individualize

What advice do you have for new teachers, teachers going to urban districts?



Related:

Great resources for New Teachers - advice, support, and training - resources, articles, links and more. One-stop-shopping for new teacher resources.