Monfredo: New School Year, We Wish Our New Teachers Success

Sunday, August 23, 2015

John Monfredo, GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™

This week one could hear the voices of students and parents saying… “I can’t believe that school starts next week… summer vacation is over.” Yes, if you are in Worcester, school starts on August 26th for grades one to twelve with pre-school and kindergarten starting on August 31st. The schools will be screening Kindergarten children by appointment from August 26 to August 28th. Another important reminder is that the cost of the paid school lunch is $1.75 and reduced price meals are at $.40. All school will be serving breakfast and lunch on the first day of school… August 26th.

All staff members officially report back on August 24 for a two day workshop. However, many teachers could be seen in their respective schools throughout the month of August setting up their rooms and organizing their resources and bulletin boards to start the new school year.

In addition, Worcester Public Schools held an orientation for all new teachers during the past two weeks. Focus centered on high quality teaching and learning frameworks, professional conduct and philosophies, crisis prevention intervention, safety, testing, evaluation, and the importance of reaching out to parents.

The workshops, according to the teachers, were well run and most helpful. Much credit goes to Albert Ganem, Jr., Manager of Professional Learning for coordinating the workshops.

This week through Worcester: the City that Reads all teachers had an opportunity to select library books for their students and for their classroom. As the giver of those books I was thrilled to see our new teachers excited by receiving these books and wanting to make a difference in the lives of their students.

Having an opportunity to address the teachers at one of their workshop days and putting on my “principal hat” I urged them to reach out to the parents early on and write a letter to the parents introducing themselves, stating their goals for the year and letting parents know that they want them to be part of the learning process. Parents are too often an untapped asset in building our students pathway to success. Research confirms that regardless of a parents’ background when they are involved in their children’s education the results are increased student achievement.

I also encouraged them to call parents throughout the year with good news for so many times the only conversation parents have with the teacher is when something goes wrong and this can discourage any parental involvement because it may instill feelings of helplessness with a parent. As a former principal I can attest that this strategy of accentuating the positive works and it’s a fantastic way to establish rapport with the parent. Look for the good in each child and when they do something special let the parents know. If teachers share their students’ successes with the parents, it can provide parents with the confidence and direction on how to become involved in their child’s learning process. In the long list of priorities for teachers, communicating good news is usually not at the top but I would urge them to make it as one of their top priorities.

Also, teachers need to establish a good working relationship with their students and let them know that they need to work together and that “I care” about you succeeding in school. Teachers need to positively reinforce students verbally on a regular basis. Tell your students when you are pleased by their behavior. Let them know that you are proud of their accomplishments. Every teacher needs to keep in mind that students may forget what you said, students may forget with you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

I wish all our new teachers and our veteran staff a very successful school year and hope that they all will make a difference in the lives of our students!