This document summarizes a discussion between Master of Arts in Teaching students in Second Life about concerns for starting their teaching careers. Key areas of concern identified include finding work, having support systems, designing lesson plans and labs, classroom management, and being held accountable for student success. Potential solutions discussed centered around modifying existing lesson plans, networking in teacher lounges, using career counseling resources, obtaining multipurpose lab equipment, practicing interviews, calling schools directly, setting clear expectations, providing test question practice, and utilizing fellow students as resources.

1. What Do You Need When You Start Teaching? 4/21/2010 8:30-9:30pm Empire State College - Master of Arts in Teaching Second Life: Brainstorming Solutions Bilzor - Zamurang Borst – Redwood (Documenter) Kerr - Tribble Shea - Wingate

2. Here is a nice spot – Look out below!!!!!

3. There is a lot to think about. Every school is different … so it’s hard to give just one answer. Ok. Let’s begin. What general areas of concern do we have on starting our teaching careers? Dork! Bilzor – Zamurang Shea - Wingate Borst – Redwood Kerr – Tribble

4. Then I am concerned about how much time and resources I have available to me in order to set up my labs and lesson plans. What is the class scheduling like? What equipment do I have? What equipment do I need? Do I have a budget? What level are the students already at? What does the principal expect or want? What is the local culture like? Am I “safe” to practice my craft? What social networks exist if any? How are parents going to play in this mix? Assume worst case scenario. Your alone and everything must be done from scratch. That first year is going to be tough, but finding work itself is our first problem. Schools don’t know or understand what Trans B certification is and some schools don’t consider subbing or general observation as sufficient!

5. Help designing labs and lesson plans within an allotted time period in accordance with a principal’s standards is going to require understanding the local culture and using the support system already in place. What are the parents concerns? Are they happy with the way things are? Are resources shared? Is a school very strict or more laid back? We teach for a test, but do we teach to the test? Test results determine budgets and ensure our continued employment. A student may come a long way in a year yet still fall short of set standards. How are we held accountable for this child's success excluding their extenuating circumstances? Dork!

6. Finding work Support system Lesson plan design Lab design Classroom management That is a lot to think about, so lets focus our concerns to just five bullet points. We have identified our concerns, but what possible solutions do we have? Ha, ha! He’s talking out of his butt! Good question. What resources do you think we have at our disposal right now!

7. Old lesson plans from the previous instructor could be modified to be inclusive. The teachers lounge is a great place to start networking. ESC has career counseling. Get lab equipment that is designated as multipurpose. Don’t forget to practice your interview skills. Teacher placement programs and calling schools direct also help get your name out. Establishing expectations on day one sets the tone on classroom management. Provide the correct leadership necessary for the circumstances at hand. Provide NYS test questions daily in order to expose students to test question format, wording, and general overall design.

8. I think that we have covered some good points here today. Remember that your fellow peers are also a valuable and renewable resource. Good luck and I will see you on the other side. THE END