I began my first two years of teaching at Byram Middle School. While there I had an awesome support system. So many people who had my back on a daily basis, and gave me plenty of things to steal for my class room. First I had Hannah, my MTC mentor right there in my building. We constantly met up during the day, and shared resources, and tips, especially with how much the school often asked of us. She is amazing to discuss the 1st year alternate route dilemmas with. She offered a world of advice, and worksheets to go with it. Hannah and I shared the same Hinds County School District B.E.S.T mentor, Mrs. Riley. She is beyond amazing! During my time at Byram she was the teacher of the year for Byram Middle School, and unlike others she was truly out to make us better educators. Mrs. Riley would take the things that Ms. Halford and I would do well in our classrooms and use them in hers, and give us credit. She made us feel extremely appreciated as first and second year teachers. She was always positive, and never made us feel inferior, something that can often happen in a school where you are the only 1st year teacher in your building (Like me!). Next I have my subject area team! Ms. Partridge and Ms. Smith! They were the best, and they encouraged me to do my own thing, and follow my teacher intuition! They provide me with resources for the classroom and assistance with my students. Ms. Partridge gave me the old school, the older ways of handling curriculum and classroom management. Ms. Smith gave me the new school. She gave me ideas for centers, and paperwork. I usually offered them technology. Along with these people the rest of my team really helped me through my day. Sometimes we would just step into the hallway and talk. With these people by my side Byram was definitely bearable!
During my time as a teacher at Blackburn, it has been more of a team effort than when I was at Byram. The kids are so low, that it has to be. Everyone from my social studies teacher (team leader), the interventionist, and even other teachers to support emotionally with the students, it's been necessary. At Byram it was very competitive, taking advice could be detrimental and leave you in a situation you don't want to be in. Here at Blackburn it's so crucial that there is no time to be selfish. Mrs. Thomas, my team leader as well as the social studies teacher, has extensive training in English Language Arts and special education. These qualities really help me on a daily basis because I don't have any training on things like this. Being in a classroom where undetected mental illness and special needs are second nature it can be difficult. Often because of how well seasoned she is, it doesn't take her long to figure things out. Before she was a teacher, Ms. Thomas was a social worker, with skills that cannot be unmatched. In her classroom my students also cite textual evidence, pull from primary sources, and we often try to match our material, so that students get a double dose of what is going on. With our interventionist, she is truly on my side. She comes with materials everyday for me, and lets me borrow whatever I need. She knows the life of a teacher is stressful, so when it comes to a lot of things she does them herself. We lost our math interventionist at the beginning of the year, so things have been stressful for Ms. Dunigan. Ms. Dunigan still makes time to co-teach with me, and my other ELA teacher. On my same hall, there's just such a level of support, love, and respect. I can't say that for the rest of the building. As two separate 6th grade teams, when things get rough, we will trade problem students. The different environments help our students develop a lot as behavior is concerned. Mr. McDill has even sat in as a witness during one of my parent phone calls, and has even called parents as witnesses to student behavior! You don't get that everywhere, and it just makes me feel grateful. My students have even been team players. Some of them have taken the initiative of ensuring that their classmates are completing work, reading their AR book, and even tutoring! It’s so amazing! My administrators have even come in a co-taught with some of us, and I know that doesn’t happen everywhere! Being here at Blackburn, it has definitely been a struggle, but I can admit that the team atmosphere has much better. Well…on my hall it has been. Support is the key to successful teaching, it is not what behavior looks like or even what the school culture is. If there is enough support of the teachers, those things will become better eventually.
During my time as a teacher at Blackburn, it has been more of a team effort than when I was at Byram. The kids are so low, that it has to be. Everyone from my social studies teacher (team leader), the interventionist, and even other teachers to support emotionally with the students, it's been necessary. At Byram it was very competitive, taking advice could be detrimental and leave you in a situation you don't want to be in. Here at Blackburn it's so crucial that there is no time to be selfish. Mrs. Thomas, my team leader as well as the social studies teacher, has extensive training in English Language Arts and special education. These qualities really help me on a daily basis because I don't have any training on things like this. Being in a classroom where undetected mental illness and special needs are second nature it can be difficult. Often because of how well seasoned she is, it doesn't take her long to figure things out. Before she was a teacher, Ms. Thomas was a social worker, with skills that cannot be unmatched. In her classroom my students also cite textual evidence, pull from primary sources, and we often try to match our material, so that students get a double dose of what is going on. With our interventionist, she is truly on my side. She comes with materials everyday for me, and lets me borrow whatever I need. She knows the life of a teacher is stressful, so when it comes to a lot of things she does them herself. We lost our math interventionist at the beginning of the year, so things have been stressful for Ms. Dunigan. Ms. Dunigan still makes time to co-teach with me, and my other ELA teacher. On my same hall, there's just such a level of support, love, and respect. I can't say that for the rest of the building. As two separate 6th grade teams, when things get rough, we will trade problem students. The different environments help our students develop a lot as behavior is concerned. Mr. McDill has even sat in as a witness during one of my parent phone calls, and has even called parents as witnesses to student behavior! You don't get that everywhere, and it just makes me feel grateful. My students have even been team players. Some of them have taken the initiative of ensuring that their classmates are completing work, reading their AR book, and even tutoring! It’s so amazing! My administrators have even come in a co-taught with some of us, and I know that doesn’t happen everywhere! Being here at Blackburn, it has definitely been a struggle, but I can admit that the team atmosphere has much better. Well…on my hall it has been. Support is the key to successful teaching, it is not what behavior looks like or even what the school culture is. If there is enough support of the teachers, those things will become better eventually.
ELA Colleague from Byram Middle School, Mrs. Smith.
|
Partner from the Community, Mr. Cassio Batteast.
|
Former parent from Byram Middle School visiting Blackburn Middle School.
|
An example of a friendly Accelerated Reader competition with Ms. Halfords 8th Grade ELA class.
|