Reflection: PRT Meeting #1 of 2017
8th March 2017
Today was the first chance
to meet with Melissa in regards to the PRT program. We have both identified
that as a second year my needs are slightly different to a first year. As I am
the only second year teacher in the school I am having individual meetings with
her rather than joining in with the first years. We have also acknowledged that
there will be certain times in which I could be an asset to the first years and
provide some of my own advice or knowledge from my experience as a first year.
In todays meeting it gave
us the opportunity to chat about the following; this year’s inquiry, last
year’s inquiry, stress management and goals for the year.
Currently my idea for this
year’s inquiry is to get my Level 2 Class to become more independent with their
learning. Throughout the term I have felt like I am trying to pull them
through their assessments and theory work. I am aiming to find a way to ensure
they feel more responsible for their own progress and learning so I don’t feel
like I am chasing them for not having done their work all the time. As to
how I am going to do this - I’m not entirely sure yet. However she gave me some
pointers on trying to connect my inquiry to things such as the school's
strategic goals and pedagogical model, 21st century skills and other components
from my inquiry last year & key competencies.
In regards to last year’s
inquiry Melissa was interested to find out what my focus was, what key areas
where and the evidence that I collected. We discussed different aspects I looked
into in terms of building classroom rapport such as culturally responsive
pedagogy. She said it was a great inquiry for a first year teacher
and that I need to ensure all my evidence is collated onto my blog.
As for stress management
Melissa asked me to recall times when I felt stressed as a first year. I was
then to compare them to how I have felt in those situations this year and to
try and identify new challenges I have noticed this year. As we had so much to
cover in our meeting she suggested I work through the pages in my Induction
& Mentoring Programme Year 2 booklet so we can discuss the things I
identify in our next meeting. These activities include:
- time management e.g. what takes up my time (tasks and time wasters)
- stress management - causes & relievers
- impact on wellbeing
- extended support
And lastly we discussed some of my goals for the year. I informed Melissa of my main goals for the year which are becoming more confident on my iPad, greater parent contact and ensuring I continue to put relationships first. we spoke briefly as to why I choose these goals and then talked more about the parent contact. I told Melissa about improvements I could have made in regards to parent contact such as getting in touch with parents after interviews to give them an update on their child or to ensure I give parents warning before getting in contact with them about their child failing an assessment. Melissa agreed and also emphasized the need for checkpoints. She suggested as many as possible to help keep track of student progress. She also suggested that by sharing these check points with parents and keeping them up to date with how their child is tracking it will help to minimize surprises if they do not do so well and can increase support from home.
Overall I
thought it was a great opportunity to sit down and discuss multiple topics with
Melissa and it was exciting to see the outline she has created for the year. It
was also nice to know I had some direction as to where our next meeting would
be going and some things to do before that meeting.
