I have really worked on my credibility with the math department. I have completed all four components for National Board Certified Math early adolescence to young adulthood. I have discussed the process with my department and I have asked for input in each of the components. I passed all four components but am a few points away from the cut score. I have shared this with my department to show them I am always trying to learn and I asked them for their input this year to help me be a better teacher. I even asked some of them to observe me to “HELP” me in my National Board Certification Process. This was my way of getting some of my departments in my room to observe but in a way that was asking for a favor. I think after I had a few people observe me I gained Credibility with my department. I have realized that after 10 years in my school I am considered a leader when it comes to classroom management and delivery. The counselors and administration have observed me and know that parents and students request me as a teacher. Whenever the counselors have an issue with a student they come to me. When we need to have a new class implemented for lower level Junior senior students the administration ask me to teach it. I have great credibility with administration and Counselor so I am considered a leader in their eyes. I think that caused much of the animosity with my fellow math teachers but it is getting better (see emails from counselors))
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NdYPHNbk1vHvVRIM6FuZ1EMZ4WZh4hNntkm0AdbUEn8/edit?usp=sharing
I am going to collaborate with the 2 new teachers that teach Math Lab so they understand the type of student that needs help in Algebra 2. I will use the survey results from the department this past year to remind them they all believe we need some sort of help for Algebra 2 students. (See survey results)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZS1db3SiWDyqPGzIct8w8oE9s2cOlgRKOJnGvwsKuhU/edit?usp=sharing
When I start the tutoring program. I am going to ask the Algebra 2 teachers who they think needs help and I am going to give them information about the program so if a student wants to go seek help by themselves they have the information. I will keep track of the hours peer tutoring is occurring. No matter if it is before school, during lunch time or during a class period. I am going to collect data from the students that received the tutoring and the tutors themselves after each quarter so I can reflect on the needs of the students.
I know I am going to be faced with logistic problems. Many NHS students are busy and their time is very valuable so I will have to come up with a sign up sheet for half an hour session. I will also offer this tutoring program from 7:45-8:20 because I think many students are more likely to be able to volunteer or come in for help in the morning rather than after school because of sports and jobs. I will use my room in the AM and ask study hall teachers if we can use their classrooms. The good news is that two of the Algebra 2 teachers have study hall so what a great way to promote the program if they see the tutoring first hand- and it will help THEIR students.
If I can help more students than I am physically able to help myself. If I can have students volunteer their time to help tutor students. I know many students need hours and like math. If this can help 1 or 2 students pass algebra 2 rather than fail it is successful. If I promote a culture of students helping students and confidence is restored in math. The biggest thing I will use for a successful program is if people that would normally not sign up for a math class their senior year will because they know there is help available. This will be a drop in tutoring session so if I see people returning and bringing friends it will be a success.
I will still collect data on failures and correlation to the peer tutoring program. I will also work with the administration and Algebra 2 teachers to track grades. I also will offer a survey for the program and collect and share all the results with all the stake holders.