Post for Marilyn Hall

Roles and Responsibilities of a Mentor Teacher
I remember when I was a new teacher and my mentor didn’t do anything to help me adjust to my new “life”. Someone else came in and rescued me and I still remember how much it meant to me to have someone to answer my frequent questions and calm my anxieties. I suppose those are the main qualities I wanted to display when I became a mentor. It hasn’t been easy because we are not on the same wing and do not have common planning periods, but she has been very receptive to my dropping in unannounced. She has some great ideas, but never went through an education program anywhere, so still has a lot to learn about not taking students’ actions personally. My hope is that she will always feel comfortable to ask for help and to receive any advice I may try to give.

Marcia Tate
WOW! What a motivator! I wish I could have heard her a long time ago. Her jigsaw method worked in math when we came to a concept that utilized prior knowledge. We broke into groups and each reviewed to rest of the class on what they already knew and I finished it with the new eighth grade standard that was related. I had already been using some of the word connection ideas as my students kept a math dictionary where they wrote the word, defined it, and drew a picture or example that made a connection to the word. I also have always liked graphic organizers. She just gave me a fresh fire and started me thinking.


Differentiated Instruction
I was so excited when she talked about the learning style inventory. I had used that for two years but did not this year as it was my first year in eighth grade. But after hearing the research and utilization of this inventory, I definitely plan to use it next year. I also got excited about the curriculum maps. When I can start that at the first of the year it will be such a great help. It is so easy to follow and simplifies my life.