Words of Wisdom/Reflections

Gretchen Durkin 

--Two- time TAM mentor at Middletown Primary School

• "Embrace the process. Your role as a mentor teacher is a special one!"

• "Approach each day with an open mind, a guiding role, and a caring heart." 

• "The best part of my experience was not only what I learned about my intern, but how my role as a teacher flourished as well."

• "The TAM program is one of the best professional leadership experiences that I have participated in as an educator within FCPS."

Terri Kenney

-- TAM mentor while at Oakdale High 

• "The TAM interns are really very excited to show you what they can do.  Give them lots of opportunities to connect with students and demonstrate what they are capable of."

•  "Be really transparent!  Show them as much as you can: what goes into planning, prepping, grading, parent contact, all of the behind the scenes.  The TAM interns are very excited about a prospective career in education.  Be honest about what it entails.  Do not sugarcoat it!"

•  "Be open to what you can learn from them!  I still use some lessons my TAM intern created, and appreciate how open and honest they were about what is useful for students today.  Even though I have experience in teaching, their current experience as a student and their passion for education really was a fresh new perspective and helpful lens for me." 

Michael DeLizia

---TAM mentor while at Oakdale High 

• "Building relationships is the most important part of teaching.  Have patience with students. If needed, take a deep breath and a step back.  Find a new approach. After all, we are in this with our students and are on the same team.  Team success is determined by student success."

Ryan Hahn

--TAM mentor while at Tuscarora Elementary

*Don't be afraid to get your mentee involved right away. The more active they are right away the more comfortable they will be with all the students throughout the internship."

*Have conversations and get to know them. Get on their level and share your experiences."

Hayden Taylor

Interned at Tuscarora Elementary

Mentor teacher: Ryan Hahn in P.E.

• Interns! Remember to have fun, ask questions, and soak up your experience. The time at your school will put you further ahead than college interns. Also, this experience will be different than what you have learned already. There is no handbook for how to deal with new situations. 

• Whether it’s your first day at your internship or you have been there for many months, remember to bring positive energy every day. Students want a teacher who is passionate about learning and is engaged with what's happening around them. 

• Sitting with your students and getting to know them is essential. All students want is to know that the teacher values who they are. Getting to know your students will help improve your relationship. 

• It is very important to get to know your school's secretary and custodians. It might not seem like it, but the secretary runs the school's daily operations. If you are rude toward them, they won’t help you when you need it. They know everything that is happening in the school. The custodians are very important because they also know what is happening in the school and are there to help you when needed. 

• Spend as much time as you can at your internship. This lets you know the school culture and the other staff members. 

• Be Yourself! Students will appreciate you and be more open with you when you are yourself. You do not need to be overly strict or lenient. If you are goofy, be goofy! If you have a cool trick or talent that your mentor is fine with you showing off, show it off! Make sure if you are going to be goofy, to be professional.

Ember Catron

Interned at Carroll Manor Elementary

Mentor teacher: Maria O'Toole in the Media Center

• "Give them any work they can do; they are prepared for it."

• "Please introduce them to other colleagues." 

• "Even if you think the task won't benefit them, still give it to them. All opportunities are a chance to learn."

Shyann Finkle 

Interned at Urbana Elementary 

Mentor teacher: Melissa Lasko in 4th grade

• "Be patient with your intern"

• "Remember they are prepared for whatever you throw their way"