Post for Markeysha Kirksey

10/19/09
One thing to discuss with mentee.
One thing I can discuss with my mentee is how the school year has been so far. I would like to know of any struggles she is having and would like my assistance with. This is not her first year as a teacher but this is her first year as a kindergarten teacher. I wonder what challenges she expects to see when she returns from her maternity leave. I would like to offer her as much help as I can to help her adjust to being in kindergarten and having to be away for such a long period of time to share time with her new baby.

1/29/10
Worksheets Don’t Grow Dendrites
Marcia Tate was AWESOME. Some of the strategies she told us about, I am currently using in my classroom but I would like to use more. I am figuring out ways to use more visuals with my students. With us being a Cornerstone school I am already using music and movement a lot. I cannot express how much she has helped me become the teacher that I am today. My first time seeing her inspired me so much that I thought I wouldn’t gain much from this class. Little to say, I was very wrong. I was even able to use her book to inspire some of my classmates in my doctorial studies. I was amazed to find out that they had never even heard of her.

2/26/10
Idea Fair
The Idea Fair was very interesting. I was impressed to see the variety of booths that were there. I would have liked to walk around to see some of the exhibits. I think I am going to sign up next year to visit instead of have a booth. The atmosphere was filled with excitement. I know it is designed for new teachers but I think experienced teachers most definitely benefited from this fair.