Having a mentor really helps and has helped me succeed as a first time instructor with her guidance.
I have had the fortune of being given a mentor, I now know more of what that means to me and my success as a new CTE teacher.
Also I was unaware of the community within CTE programs/classes. The CTE professional team wants all its players to succeed and is there to help you
I have started to put together an advisory committee. It is great to have people in industry there to help ensure that you are teaching what is needed now and not what was needed last year.
It is important that educators actively work to participate in organizations that support the development of your CTE program. This extends beyond technical considerations to teaching best practices and engagement of peers and mentors for productive discussion.
It's important to consider the different support groups at your disposal, especially within the first year. You don't want to find yourself sitting on an island!
I need to “codify” lab practices, cleaning up after themselves, safety procedures, and note taking (probably more). My students are coming in with limited skillsets/knowledge (or lax attitudes). By codify, implement a way to put these practices into the curriculum (student grades). Of course, then I have to effectively teach it.
My situation is different (teaching :pre-release: to adult felons in a prison school), so some of the things don't really apply. Happily, I have plenty of support and have sought out one veteran teacher who has really been a good sound board for ideas, etc.
The idea of a mentor is a great tool. I wish I had one. I get told so many different and opposing rules, policies, advice, and so much hoop jumping that is different for each teacher, that I doubt I will return next school year.
Ask a person who finds it difficult to ask for help; what I learned most is the importance of community partnership and having a mentor to succeed as a CTE instructor.
I most enjoyed the section on advisory councils. I think having that partnership and transferring that information to the class is very important.
Having a good mentor is key to having a successful experience teaching.
Having a mentor is so important! Every new employee, teacher or not, CTE or not should be given a mentor.
We have an advisory council, but now I feel like we should be doing so much more with it!
I set the tone in the room, and starting off strong with boundaries and classroom management is important.
I have learned that its ok to ask for help. Its important to have a good relationship with Administrators and coworkers.
Mentoring has always been a part of my strategy in providing the help that is needed.
I learned/confirmed the importance of having a mentor and not being afraid to ask questions, seek guidance and rely on those who've walked in your shoes.
Having a mentor is crucial to success. The example of the new culinary instructor having all these responsibilities that she probably wasn't fully aware of in the beginning. If she didn't have a good mentor she would have invested more time and energy into coming up with a solution because she wouldn't have understood the inner workings of the school and who she should contact to help. Her mentor helped her solve her problem.
I have been blessed with good leadership and mentors so I lean heavily on them to navigate the maze called Post secondary Education. :-)
I had the same type of experience that the scenario lady had. I came into a new school year from a retired teacher. She was able to give me a very good run down of the curriculum. I however did not have a CTE mentor but support from the CTE staff at the district office. We have a small advisory committee, regrettably it doesn't help my program.
I am so thankful that my school system provided me with a mentor that has gone above and beyond!!! She has been available and always either answers the question or finds me someone that can. She has, on several occasions, stopped what we were doing and called another teacher or resource person who can answer a particular question. This is especially true because my mentor is not a CTE teacher, but she is very experienced and goes the extra mile to make sure the question is answered (she doesn't just say "ask this person").
I have seen the value in having a district assigned coach for classroom strategies. I have been actively seeking a mentor and my requests have been acknowledged but this module definately confirmed the need for a mentor. Thank you!
