Teacher Induction Program
Update 4/26/21
With all the resources available to you, the amount of information can seem overwhelming at times. We are all here to help answer questions and support you. Your mentors, your peers, school leaders, and supervisors - along with the new teacher induction team - are united in our support for you.
Upcoming Dates of Interest
Wednesday, May 5, 2021 - New Teacher Seminar - All participants in-person
Friday, May 14, 2021 - End of Interim Period
Friday, May 21, 2021 - Two Hour Early Dismissal - Professional Responsibilities
Friday Centrally offered Professional Development Dates: April 30; May 14, 28; June 11
Our final New Teacher Seminar will be held in person for all participants at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center (DJAFCTC) on May 5, 2021. To celebrate successfully navigating such a challenging school year, we will be offering dinner beginning at 4:45 PM. Professional development will begin at 5:30 PM.
Participants were asked to RSVP for the dinner portion of the evening last week. This week, we are asking participants to reserve their seating for the choice sessions which will begin at 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM. The session descriptions are located on the May 5 NTS Session Sheet - HERE
The choice sessions will take place in multiple classrooms throughout the DJAFCTC building, so seating with social distancing is limited within each session. Please reserve your seat at both the 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM choice sessions by typing your name in the appropriate column on each tab no later than Monday, May 3, 2021, to allow for room preparation. The May 5 New Teacher Seminar Sessions Sign Up Sheet - HERE
Please review the May 5, 2021 New Teacher Seminar Site for additional information.
We look forward to seeing you all in person next week!
Professional Development Update
MSDE Summer 2021 Online Courses MSDE is running a summer special on the MSDE courses (the Maryland Public Television courses listed in the catalog are not included at the discounted rate). The dates and prices for the summer courses are listed below. There are limited seats per course and the summer fees are non-refundable. Registration closes May 27 or when the course is full. The catalog and registration link can be found in the right-hand column on https://msde.blackboard.com/.
One credit courses will run June 23- August 3 and are $30 + the 3% bank processing fee
Two credit courses will run June 23- August 3 and are $45 + the 3% bank processing fee
Three credit courses will run June 9- August 10 and are $75 + the 3% bank processing fee
Towson University Graduate Program Information for Southern Maryland
Towson University has many in person and online graduate program opportunities for teachers in Southern Maryland. This summer Towson University will have two Graduate level opportunities for teachers: a new Reading MEd program with applications currently being accepted and an Arts Integration course "Arts Across the Curriculum". Both opportunities will start May 24 so please inquire today. Towson is also recruiting for programs that will start in Fall 2021. Program Directors will hold webinars at the end of April and beginning of May to provide program information. Please contact Alyssa Zumpano directly for information about available programs and webinars. Contact information and a list of available programs can be found HERE
April 30th Centrally Offered Professional Development - Be sure to check out the offerings for this week and schedule your Friday to attend sessions most meaningful to your role and content. The links sheet can be found HERE.
Teacher Self-Care Reminder
We have talked a great deal about the importance of self-care to prevent teacher burnout and provide balance between work and home life. However, many expressed concern about teacher burnout in the mid-year feedback.
To address this concern, we will provide recommendations for ways to take some time for yourself with each New Teacher Update!
Read Something NOT related to School or Work
Teachers spend so much time reading student work, textbooks, curriculum, and professional development resources. We often find that scrolling on our phones on social media or zoning out in front of the television are all that we feel we can process at the end of a long day or week. When was the last time that you read something just for yourself and not related to school?
Self-Care Reminder: Rediscover your love of reading.
Reading for pleasure is known for increased comprehension and academic success. But it can also help reduce stress and help adults relax. You do not need to make a commitment to a book club, just build some time into your schedule to read something that you choose for yourself.
Consider:
Worried about getting absorbed in a book and losing track of time? Set an alarm and schedule your reading time the same way you would exercise or appointments. Or plan to read one chapter a day.
Once you read a book, pass it on to someone else that may also enjoy it. The next thing you know, you will be sharing books back and forth and begin reading books you would not have noticed.
Recommend a title! Encouraging others to read a book you enjoyed will open a new dialogue with colleagues about something other than school and students!
I will start with the book recommendations! Go to the New Teacher Program Schoology Group Discussions to read my book recommendation and be sure to share your own! Teacher Program Schoology Group Discussion
Articles of Interest
Instruction: Best Screencast-O-Matic Tips and Tricks for Teaching by Luke Edwards, Tech&Learning
Classroom Management: 5 Practical Ways Teachers Can Respond to, "I Don't Get It." by Yonina Lermer, We Are Teachers
Instruction: How Universal Design for Learning Can Help With Lesson Planning This Year by Michael Ralph, Edutopia
Assessment: 75+ Great Critical Thinking Questions by Karen Nelson, We Are Teachers
Literacy: Planting the Seeds of Reading Enthusiasm by Katie Durkin, MiddleWeb
Instruction: 2 Ways to Bring Games Into Your Classroom by Hubert Ham, Edutopia
World Languages: Flexible Lesson Planning for World Language Classes by Laura Boyd, Edutopia
SMCPS employees has access to free, confidential referral and counseling services to balance home, work, and life. Employees can access resources to manage elder and child care, identity theft, and legal assistance.
As we are nearing a full year with pandemic challenges, we wanted to share this information with you. Keep the resources in mind through the school year as the needs may arise.
I have added a quick screencast of where to locate the information on the SMCPS Website.
EAP Location.mp4Have you visited the Equity Corner Site? The site provides resources for teachers with a focus on Educational Equity in the areas of academic achievement, leadership and human capital, school climate and culture, and educator and staff capacity. The monthly updates appear in The Signal.
Induction Site Access from Staff Page
You can now access the resources of the SMCPS Induction Site from the SMCPS Staff page. You do not have to wait for an update to easily find the Induction Site. The link is active for those logged into their SMCPS account and can be found under the Human Resources heading.
Teacher Performance Assessment System
For certificated instructional staff, the Teacher Performance Assessment System (TPAS) is used for classroom observation and annual evaluation. The TPAS system complies with the Maryland State Department of Education requirements for evaluation of certificated staff. The system is built upon the Charlotte Danielson Model and also includes an annual expectation of two Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) - one for student achievement and one for culture and climate.
TPAS includes five domains:
Domain 1: Planning and Preparation
Domain 2: The Learning Environment
Domain 3: Instruction
Domain 4: Professional Responsibilities
Domain 5: Evidence of Student Learning (SLO)
The Signal
Have you seen the Signal? The Signal is the bi-weekly newsletter from SMCPS for all staff. It includes important information for all staff, and has a few professional articles for your reading as well. Take a look - www.smcps.org/signal.
