Lightning Connect

What is something you enjoy about being a TxCEE Mentor?

I enjoy being able to see the confidence my novice teachers are gaining.

What is a strategy you've used to support your novice teacher that you feel has been effective?

I often just pop in their classroom and say hello, do an informal, general, "I am just checking in to see how everything is going..." to build a comfortable, open line of communication. With informal check-ins (Touchpoints), I am able to see how much support may be needed at the time. They are comfortable seeking me out with any questions they may have.

Describe how mentoring and being a coach are impacting your novice teacher and/or their students?

I have seen growth with classroom management, organization, and routines and procedures which greatly impact the learning environment. I am a strong believer in students needing a learning environment that is welcoming, structured, and that has established routines in order for them to get the most learning out of the instruction. These were the first goals my novice teacher set for themselves and their students. There is flow in instruction...and routines which leads to less instructional time being wasted. I can see how mentoring has helped my novice teacher own the instruction.

How has being a TxCEE Mentor impacted you?

Being a TxCEE Mentor has impacted me by reminding me to reflect on my own teaching practices, too. My novice teachers are coming in with new ideas and strategies. I am their guide to help them find their footing on campus, but they are teaching me new things as well.

Click the Mentor Spotlight button below to share insights and help us spread the word about all the good Mentors are doing for novice teachers and students! Thank YOU!

*TxCEE may include all or parts of your response in a future Mentoring Spotlight, on the TxCEE website, or on social media.

Mirror Sessions provide teachers the opportunity to observe instructional practices of other teachers. This can be the Mentor observing the novice teacher or the novice teacher observing their Mentor or another teacher. 1) Prior to the session an area of focus based on the current goal for the session is identified and 2) a Fireside Chat is scheduled as a follow-up to the session to debrief and provide feedback. Mirror Sessions may occur in person, through online conferencing, or via video learning.

For this Hot Tip, we will focus on the Mentor observing the Novice.

OBSERVATION

In person: ⭐Stay for 10-15 minutes and script for the area of focus only. What does the teacher say? What do the students say or do?

Video learning: If you can't script in person, no problem. Coordinate with your NT to record a portion of the lesson that will capture the agreed upon area of focus. ⭐Your librarian may have technology you can use if phones and laptops are not options.

Together consider what data would be useful for this area of focus:

• Would a timestamp be insightful?
• Does it matter where the teacher is standing and if they are moving?
• Is there certain language you should be listening for?

T-charts seem to work best, but a running log works too. This script does not have to be verbatim. There is no need to spend extra time rewriting or rewinding. However, we want to help capture what is actually happening in the classroom--to be another set of eyes and ears for our NT.

⭐Go over your script and cross out anything that is your opinion. You can voice these later as questions in the debrief & feedback.

DEBRIEF & FEEDBACK

If possible, ⭐schedule an Analyze FSC no more than 48 hours after the observation or lesson to ensure the decision making and reasonings are fresh in the NT's mind.

Plan for the Analyze FSC. What would you like your NT to consider? What did they do well? What made you say so? Consider utilizing the FSC Planning Template and the Reflective Feedback Framework.

Enjoy the coaching conversation and ⭐remember to be flexible...let go of the expectation that it will go exactly as you planned. Supporting a novice teacher as they become more self-efficacious means we guide not require.

Come join us to look at the work you and your novice teacher have done together this year. Together this month we will:

• analyze coaching data and evidence of teacher/student success to identify areas of growth for your novice teacher.

• use district’s teacher evaluation rubric and data from work with your NT to practice identifying evidence of where the NT is doing well and where they may need to grow.

• plan a coaching conversation to guide your novice teacher to identify successes and areas they would like to improve.

Mark your calendars!

🟪 Attend March VCLC: (must attend 6/8 VCLCs for the year)

Choose to attend one of the following. (Click the day & date for a Google Calendar Invite.)

Tuesday, March 4 at 4:45 PM

Wednesday, March 5 at 5:15 PM

Thursday, March 6 at 5:15 PM

Zoom link here, below, and in the Google Calendar invite.

🟪Log coaching and training in TEEMS Mentor Log. (At least 12 hours must be logged for the Spring semester.)

🟪Sign up for your monthly TxCEE support Fireside chat. *Email invites will be sent from your TxCEE Mentor Coach. (Must meet with your TxCEE Mentor Coach at least 3 times in the Spring semester.)

🟪 NEW!! Record a 10-15 minute FSC with your novice teacher and send it to your TxCEE Mentor Coach this semester for a Mirror Session debrief & feedback.

Dana Phillips dana.phillips@txcee.org/512-538-0652

Robyn Christensen robyn.christensen@txcee.org/512-538-0650

Rhonda Offield rhonda.offield@txcee.org/737-353-0453

If you are not a TxCEE Mentor and no longer want to receive The Lightning Connect, please send an email to dana.phillips@txcee.org.

The Texas Center for Educator Excellence (TxCEE), an Austin-based satellite office of the Region 18 Education Service Center, provides leadership and technical assistance across Texas to improve educator quality.

TxCEE staff consists of Texas educators with decades of experience as teachers, teacher leaders, campus and district administrators, state education officials, and higher education professionals. Our team is passionate about helping Texas school districts develop and implement systems that support teachers and principals.

For questions regarding this publication or other TxCEE materials, please contact us.

Email: info@txcee.org
Website: txcee.org
Location: 1705 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Suite 400, Austin, TX 78746
Phone: (512) 538-0611

Gerner, T. (2024, January 26). Spring Bucket List for Kids - free Family Fun printable. Feels Like HomeTM. https://feelslikehomeblog.com/spring-bucket-list-for-kids-free-family-fun-printable/