Kristin Murcott and the value of being mentored
Shirley Smith | May 16, 2017
You might think visiting the second-grade classroom of a second-year teacher in the middle of a science lesson—at the end of the day near the end of the school year, no less—would be a bit chaotic. But if you’re talking…..
Read moreFirst Aid in Your First Month
Shirley Smith | October 6, 2015
Immediate help for beginning teachers to improve their teaching practice was the focus of the first of six seminars scheduled for this year, starting on October 1. Teachers from nine school districts sat at tables with colleagues in similar grade levels, taking turns with a partner to…..
Read moreA snowy night for PDP Part One
Shirley Smith | January 21, 2015
Despite the cold and snowy weather, nearly half of the 92 beginning teachers who registered for the January 8, 2015 seminar on the PDP (professional development plan) braved the miserable conditions to attend. Teresa Voss and Jen Murphy, both of Verona Area School District,…..
Read moreSnapshots from “Assessing Student Learning,” November 6
Shirley Smith | November 13, 2014
How do you know if, and what, your students are learning? The beginning teacher seminar in Fitchburg on November 6 focused on techniques to assess student learning, including determining the difference between summative and formative assessment. 80 beginning teachers were present. …..
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