Practicing Teachers Share Experience with Future Teachers
A panel of educators talked with Teachers of Tomorrow members and guests about their journey through the credential process and their experiences in the classroom. Sharing knowledge were Theresa Buttke, 1st grade teacher at Glenn L. Martin Elementary School in Santa Ana and her mentor teacher, Armando Gutierrez, also a 1st grade teacher; Beth Fournier, high school teacher, university lecturer, and currently Credential Program Advisor in the UC Irvine Department of Education; and Analia Oliver, 1st grade teacher at Home Gardens Elementary in Corona.
Each panel member described following a different career path to his or her current educational position. Ms. Buttke worked in administration for 15 years before returning to school to earn her Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) at UC Irvine. Ms. Fournier majored in English and taught in Thailand. Ms. Oliver earned her M.AT. and a BCLAD (Bilingual Crosscultural Language and Academic Development) Certificate and took short-term teaching assignments that included special day class, resource assistant, and bilingual transition placements.
All panelists talked about the joy of teaching and the importance of finding a supportive colleague, ideally a mentor teacher, to provide support during the first two years in the classroom. Ms. Buttke confided that she considered herself particularly fortunate in her mentor teacher support: Mr. Gutierrez has been recognized as the Santa Ana Unified School District 2009 Elementary Teacher of the Year.
Panelists encouraged TOT members to take advantage of opportunities to teach at different grade levels and in different environments as a way of discovering grade and site preferences. They emphasized that teachers should feel comfortable in their school environment so if one position doesn't "feel right," seek another. Additionally, new teachers should not be afraid of making mistakes since this is part of the learning process. All four panelists agreed that engaging parents is very helpful: Mr. Gutierrez explained that he personally visits each family in their home prior to the start of the school year so that he will be a familiar person when his first grade students arrive for their first day of class.
After their initial presentations, panel members devoted the remainder of the evening to answering questions from club members and guests.
