University of Central Florida
College of Community Innovation and Education

Member Drive - FTCE Study Guides -Teacher Tips - Internship - Program Information - Resume Notes

CCIE Advising

Our student service teams are here to assist as you progress through your academic career at UCF. Click on the link to schedule a meeting with an advisor!

Did you know that you can become a PUBLISHED AUTHOR in whatever topic you want before you graduate?

SNEA members have done it and you can too! Apply for UCF Undergraduate Research through "Honors in the Major."

Click the button below for information and FAQs.

CCIE UPCOMING EVENTS

SNEA & UCF Program Partnerships

Organizations, events, and other education degree or organization related information.

How to Become a Substitute Teacher in Orange and Seminole County

A step by step guide with pictures. NEA "Starting Out Subbing" Advice.

First Week of School IceBreaker

Kids love things that are FUN and WEIRD. Let them get to know the weird things about each other with this first week of school survey.

The teacher has each student fill out the survey (adjust the middle school example based on grade level or make your own) and turn it in to the teacher without letting anyone else see. During the first week of school before class begins, the teacher will read fun answers from 5 surveys and students will guess which student filled out that survey.

Make the questions different and weird! Some kids have fallen off the Grand Canyon, crashed a plane, ate a snake, and sent a bowling ball through a ceiling (true stories). It's a great way for your class to get to know each other that's something new and exciting.

Mix it up and fill out a survey yourself! Will any of the kids guess yours?

Making a Professional Social Media Account

Why is this important in the 21st century teaching environment?

  • Schools are VERY popular on social media. Administration has caught on that sharing their successes improves moral, aids other schools in bettering themselves, and involves students & parents in a non-threatening, interactive environment

  • The hiring process WILL INVOLVE turning over your social media :) make sure you have an educator account to show off how much professional development you've done prior to your career as a teacher

  • Showcases your ability to navigate technological platforms

How to make a professional account for Twitter:

  1. Make sure your new Twitter account is private

  2. Your name should be Mr. Ms. or other gender variations of professional titles followed by your last name. Do not use your first name. EXAMPLE: Ms. Johnson

  3. Your Twitter handle should be something easy and fun. Take your last name and make an alliteration! Have it relate to your future classroom/students and education. EXAMPLE: Monty'sMunchkins | Devin'sLilDevils | Ms.Soto'sSunshines

  4. Keep your bio short and sweet! What do you want students/parents/teachers to know about you?

  5. Follow education accounts and important people in the field! Twitter is a great place for political advocacy, networking, and resources.

When making a Professional Instagram Account, the same steps above apply. Make sure your pictures are all education related! Instagram can serve as a portfolio. Post resources, your experiences in education, and most importantly: YOU!

Crafting a Teacher Resume

What you need for your first year of teaching.

Click HERE to access all resources, templates, and samples from the workshop 2/11/2020.

1. Passion Profile Activity

2. First Year Teacher “Must Haves”

  • Educational Philosophy

  • Teaching Philosophy

  • Pedagogical Practices

  • Classroom Management Plan

  • Strategies, Activities, Lessons List

3. Teacher Resume Do’s and Don’ts

4. Interview Q's Activity

5. Resume Workshop – receive critique and ask questions

6. Books + Basket Giveaways

1 – Meeting Resume POWERPOINT.pptx

Resume Example:

  • Find resume templates and examples HERE

SNEA Resume Meeting Printout FINALS.docx


Teacher Hacks & Tricks

We're always sharing resources, tips, and advice from seasoned teachers. Here's a preview of Teacher Hacks/Tips/Tricks in our SNEA Member Drive:

  • Print journal prompts on labels and stick them in kid’s notebooks. (Obv I teach littles!)

  • If you get distracted/can’t remember what comes next in a lesson, have them turn and talk while you figure out what you're doing to keep them engaged.

  • When I collect quizzes/tests/class work, I alphabetize it on the spot. It makes grading so much easier!

REPLY a student can help with that.

REPLY I have students put their number from an alphabetical list on the top by their name and it will go even faster.

  • Plastic milk crate, file folders with kids names on them. Kids hand in their work to their file...no more mystery papers if they forget their names, and you can quickly see who hasn’t handed in an assignment!

REPLY Another version. Give each student in class a number. Then, when they turn in work, they put their work in this plastic sorter by their number. https://www.amazon.com/.../ref=pd.../136-5827233-0929736…

  • Put the directions for when kids walk in the room on the board along with a countdown timer. I split my screen. I start the timer when about 5 kids walk in. By the time the timer goes off, everyone should be ready.

  • Riddle on the board, kids come one and answer on a post it, with name then put it on my desk. Winners get a piece of candy at end of period. They can come up and do quietly throughout period. Post its are on a table in the front. They love it and helps them get to class on time and sit down.

  • Class list printed out and laminated for assignments. Just check it off/write the score with dry erase marker and it wipes right off and is reusable once you enter grades into gradebook

  • "IM DONE" BOX! Put strips of paper in a box and if kids finish early they pull an activity out of the box to complete. The activity can be for a few extra points or just the extra practice

  • Messy floor at end of the day? Mystery Trash! Teacher secretly picks one or two items in head and calls out loud mystery item. It’s the kids job to clean up room and pick up bits of garbage. Teacher doesn’t say who picked up or put away the mystery item until the room is back in tip top shape. Winner of the mystery item usually gets a life saver or classroom bucks. This is great On a day we were cutting and there are little bits of paper scraps on the floor.

  • Silent hand signals. I have been so annoyed with kids asking me to pee when they i ask if they have questions. So... I started fist up for bathroom. Pinky up for sharpener. Hand up if you have a question.

  • I put a small star in the top right corner of my “original” copy using a yellow highlighter so I don’t pass it out to a student. Yellow highlights don’t show up when making copies.

  • I also have a ticket drawing system. My kids get tickets for any positive behavior (randomly). It could be you have very neat work, I see a great improvement in your attitude. You brought in shareable schools supplies, great answer, and countless other things. I have a gallon bag for each class; on occasion I choose a few tickets. If they are doing their best that day, they get a small prize. Their favorite an eat in class pass. It’s a post it note with that written on it; their name and my signature. It gives them the privilege at any time in the future to bring in a snack of their choosing and eat while they’re doing their classwork.

  • I have a turn it in bin! I’ll find a picture, but each child has a hanging folder where they turn all their work into. It’s already in alphabetical order AND when they forget their name I know who it belongs to.

  • I keep an ongoing Google Slides document with inserted You Tube videos I use... takes away potential ads at the beginning, allows you to start and stop at the desired point

    • I copy you tube links into viewpure.com, this allows me to play videos without ads.

    • Y2Mate.com allows you to download them and insert them into a ppt.

  • Whisper when you want the kids to be quiet. They are straining to hear you so they naturally get quiet.

  • Color coded computer carts. Nail polish works best because kids can't peel it off as easily but washi tape works, too. (I put clear nail polish over the washi tape when I used that.)

  • I teach 4th grade STEAM , during homework hour (breakfast with my first block and dismissal with my second block) I play a Eureka Math YouTube video that walks students through how to solve the problems on their homework

  • I keep good brain teasers on hand for the few days I have extra time. One that stumps my kids but that fewer have played in other classes is A Trip Around the World. The rules are: "We're going on a trip around the world. But we have to go in a certain order. There are some places we can go right away, some places we can go later, & some places we can never go." Then I ask them where they want to start. Ultimately, the first letter of the locations should spell out A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD.

  • I’m feeling pretty groovy about (hs) my digital sign in /out pass via a QR code and their phones and google forms. I like not having to stop and write a pass and it’s all documented.

    • i do this too. Its awesome. Create a google form you want the students to fill out post the qr code and students scan fill it out and go where they need (bathroom/water/nurse/etc)

    • They point their camera at the QR code I created that’s attached to a google form (data collection) . The form comes up and they put in the time and their name. They come back in the same way. The form is on their phone for admin. I just give them a nod and that’s that:)

FTCE Online Resources

We want our members to PASS THAT TEST (and teachers have to pass a lot of them!) Below are some of our resources for the GKT, Professional Ed., and subject area exams.

FAQs for Rallys

Q: I don't have a ride.

A: SNEA officers are always available to drive.

Q: I can't attend the protest but I still want to do something to support it.

A: Not to worry, there are TONS of ways to show your support if you can't attend.

1) Make a sign and post on social media using the #FundOurFutureFl #RedForEd #AspiringEdLife #4EveryStudent hashtags!

Q: Will I get in trouble for attending any rallies?

A: Florida is a NO STRIKE state, which means teachers have to find peaceful, 'non disruptive' ways to have their desperate cry for support heard at our state capital. This demonstrations are completely legal, peaceful, and organized. Law makers is aware of these events as FEA has been traveling the state on the FEA Bus Tour in support of education.

Q: I'm not very involved in politics... and I'm a bit on the fence about this being worth it.

A: It's completely up to you! Organized efforts are SUPER important, and also great opportunities for networking. Despite the fact Florida has a teacher shortage – and can't really afford to turn prospective teachers down right now – interviews can be difficult when your resume doesn't shine with dedication to your career and your future students.

If you decide to join us – or show your support with a sign or letter – here are some of the possible gains:

    • Networking with teachers all across Florida

    • Strengthening your political advocacy

    • Showing your dedication to your field/students

    • Fighting for a cause you find important

    • Bonding with other aspiring educators

    • Getting your name out there!

    • SNEA MEMBERS EARN 10 POINTS PER SIGN THEY MAKE, 10 PER LETTER THEY WRITE, AND 25 IF THEY ATTEND ANY MARCH (maximum of 50 points)

PROTEST LETTERS:

Couldn't join us on January 13th but still want to show your support? Write a letter!

We are having teachers, ESPs, parents, and students write post-cards or letters. We are recommending that people address cards and letters to THEIR OWN legislators, but also Senator Manny Diaz, Jr.

SAMPLE POST CARD 1

Dear (name of Legislator),

Supporting public schools is important to me. Please commit to increasing the base student allocation in a way that will change the face of public education for generations. Florida shouldn’t be last in the nation when it comes to education.

Sincerely,

(Your name and city)

SAMPLE POST CARD 2

Dear (name of Legislator),

Florida has the 4th largest GDP in the nation, and yet we are failing to adequately fund public schools. If our economy is doing so well, shouldn’t we invest in our children? Please Fund our Future.

Sincerely,

(Your name and city)

Some Suggested Talking Points for a Letter

· Talk about your school, and what your school and students need

· Talk about how students are suffering because of lack of teachers/ESPs

· Talk about how VAM scores/test scores have affected your schools

· Talk about your 2nd job

· Talk about how ALL educators deserve a boost in pay and morale, not just brand-new recruits

· Talk about wanting to be treated like a professional

ASPIRING EDUCATORS:

· Discuss the lack of 1) numbers 2) enthusiasm/motivation in future educators in college classes

· Talk about your internships, test scores, your worries for your future in education

· Talk about your financial issues, student debt, and the teachers who tell you to "never become a teacher"

· Talk about your fear of not being prepared or supported during your first year, not meeting bills, not being able to give your students what they deserve

· Talk about 21st century problems and how you feel you will struggle to meet ALL the needs of your students

· END WITH asking them to support the FEA’s Fund Our Future Decade of Progress campaign. Tell them “we are counting on YOU to do what it takes to demonstrate meaningful commitment to Florida’s children- a commitment that is long lasting- not just enough to get us through to the next election.”

Thank you for helping us keep public education at the TOP of their list this legislative session!