Teacher Induction Program is making me nuts

[c green]

I hate my new teacher induction program. It's Friday, I'm wrecked, and I just want to go home and eat dinner and sleep--tomorrow I'd like to go to my synagogue, do some of the dishes that have piled up, and clean up my flooded garage.

Nope. Tomorrow, I have to spend all day at a college I need to take a CAB to part way, taking stupid workshops. Tonight I have to do the homework.

Yesterday, I had to spend my weekly hour doing the other set of homework with my mentor.

I HATE this process. It eats the only time I might catch up on my actual work as a teacher. The monthly seminars cut my weekend down to one day, so I go back on Monday still tired. I don't feel as though I'm learning much that's useful.

When people in the program complain we get told that

1. This is supposed to be the equivalent of doing an MA in the first two years of teaching. First, I had to put my real MA on hold to do this. Second, for GOD'S SAKES, why would they require you to do a grad degree within the first two years of entering a challenging profession?

2. Well, it's supposed to provide us with support. Not working.

3. Well, we have to clear our credentials, so why don't we just shut up?

Anyone else having BTSA agony?

 

[LindaR]

BTSA Blues

Hi C Geen,

I certainly understand! I went through BTSA for the first two years of my teaching.... SO tired....just like when I had my first child! I couldn't believe that new teachers had to go through so much.

The BTSA program is meant to train and retain teachers....???!!!

I suppose if teachers survive the BTSA Bootcamp, they have definitely earned their teacher wings :-)

All I can say is stay positive! Take what you can use to best serve your students. This time will soon be a memory, and you'll be able to encourage another new and weary teacher :-)

Sweet Dreams!

LindaR

 

[PrivateEyes]

I feel fortunate

Our school system's new teacher induction program provides a substitute teacher for the day. We have four hours of instruction, followed by 75 minutes for lunch/travel, and the rest of the afternoon to observe or work.

 

[c green]

Now that sounds good

I think I could get behind that, since it sounds as though you have support, plus it's in-district, so more likely to match your needs.

 

[NJNewTeacher]

I wish I had this problem!!

I am a new teacher, alternate route, hired by my district October 24th. I never received a teacher's handbook or a new teachers guidebook (which evidently they have). They gave me a temporary mentor, who said "just ask me if you have any questions" than proceeded to disappear for the last 5 months. In NJ we are required, immediately upon being hired, to be shadowed by a 20 day mentor who helps guide our lessons and makes sure we understand school policy. After one week, I emailed both my supervisor and administration to see what the delay was. I didn't receive my mentor until the end of December, which delayed my licensing procedures by 50 days. Even then, she wasn't in my subject area (I teach English and she taught Chemistry). I was desperate for feedback, and the insight she gave me was so valuable. It took them 5 weeks to get me registered for the classes I need, then proceeded to tell me they were cancelled due to "low enrollment". To this day, I still don't have phone extension.

Needless to say, I gave notice immediately after the holiday break.

My advice would be to be happy with the guidance you are given. It's only for a short while!!

 

[c green]

I'd be happy with the guidance

If I were getting guidance. Unfortunately, it's basically just more paperwork and more paperwork, while I go on figuring things out on my own. I feel guilty when I 'waste' my mentor's time with things going on in my classroom, rather than serious paperwork issues!