This document provides an overview and introduction for new teachers. It discusses ground rules for presentations and group work, emphasizing punctuality, participation, and respect for others. It also explores definitions of teachers from various sources, highlighting that teachers encourage individual strengths, look beyond surfaces, and make a positive difference in students' lives. Qualities of best teachers include seeing the potential in every child and affecting families. While teaching has challenges like low pay, it also has great rewards in helping students learn and knowing the important impact of the role.

1. Welcome to the Teaching Profession! “We’re not the OLDEST profession, but we’re close.”

2. Ground Rules for Presentations: Be Punctual Be Considerate of Others: No talking No cell phones, texting, Internet surfing, balancing checkbook, etc. Remember… KARMA WILL GET YOU!!!

3. Ground Rules for Group Work: The group work we do is important! Everyone participates when working in small groups or teams. Give everyone a chance to speak.

4. Ground Rules for Group Work: Be kind with your criticism. Agree to disagree when appropriate. Build on each other’s ideas. Get to know each other… start your network!

5. What is a teacher? Do this for the fun of it… Google “What is a teacher?” or “Definition of teacher.”

6. What is a teacher? Teacher- One who teaches. duh.com

7. What is a teacher? Teacher- A person whose occupation is teaching. wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

8. What is a teacher? Teacher- means a properly certified, licensed person who is assigned to instruction. www.doe.state.in.us/asap/ definitions.html

9. What is a teacher? Teacher- A teacher is designated to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the instructional process in the school and holds a license appropriate to the area of assignment. www.ncpublicschools.org/fbs/SSmanual/definitions.htm

10. What is a teacher? Teacher- One whose personal life is like unto the Master in loving compassion and full humility of soul, with nothing of "I" or "me" left; one whose continual ascension releases more and greater Power and Light for students to ascend upon. miriams-well.org/Glossary /

11. What is a teacher? Teacher- In education, teachers are those who teach students or pupils, often a course of study or a practical skill, including learning and thinking skills. There are many different ways to teach and help students learn. This is often referred to as the teacher's pedagogy. When deciding what teaching method to use, a teacher will need to consider students' background knowledge, environment, and their learning goals. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teacher

12. What is a teacher? A teacher is someone who sees each child as a unique person and encourages individual talents and strengths.

13. What is a teacher? A teacher looks beyond each child's face and sees inside their souls.

14. What is a teacher? A teacher is someone with a special touch and a ready smile, who takes the time to listen to both sides and always tries to be fair.

15. What is a teacher? A teacher has a caring heart that respects and understands. A teacher is someone who can look past disruption and rebellion, and recognize hurt and pain.

16. What is a teacher? A teacher teaches the entire child, and helps to build confidence and raise self-esteem.

17. What is a teacher? A teacher makes a difference in each child's life, and affects each family and the future of us all. by Barbara Cage

18. What is a teacher? To a mind of flint, the teacher must be iron, and strike sparks. To the empty pitcher, the teacher becomes a well. To the fallow mind, a planter of seeds. To the cluttered mind, a gardener to weed, shape, and clear a space for growing.

19. What is a teacher? To the lens, the teacher is light, and to the mind of light, a lens.

20. What is a teacher? To the sleeper, the teacher is the wake-up call of birds at sunrise. To clay, the teacher is potter, sculptor, and trainer in self-shaping. To the wanderer, the teacher is a knowing guide. To the developed mind, the teacher is colleague, listener, friend.

21. What is a teacher? To all, the teacher is a mirror that shows not only the self but the path and its choices, the task and its demands--the difficulties, the joys. To all and from all, the teacher is a learner, a person--and a prism through which the ordinary continuously reveals itself to be miraculous. By Gerald Grow

22. What is a teacher? (Your Turn) Write down your own definition Exchange your definition with your neighbor on each side Sharing

23. My Best Teachers Mrs. Wilson, 4 th Grade, Northline Elementary, Houston, TX, 1964 Henry North and Sam Sarao, Sam Houston High School, Houston, Texas, 1973 Bruce Coggin, University of Texas at Austin, 1975

24. Your ONE Best Teacher Get with a small group of 6-8 people. Small is a relative term! Who was your best teacher? Why? Share with your group. Be thinking what qualities the best teachers have in common?

25. Your ONE Best Teacher Get chart paper and markers. List the qualities all best teachers have in common. Post on the wall. Be ready to share!

26. My Worst Teacher Coach R Name withheld out of respect… (For the profession, not the person!) Who was yours? Why? What do the worst teachers have in common?

27. 21 st Century Teacher Teaches essential skills behaviors, and academic content for the 21 st century Expects ALL students to learn Has positive expectations Actively engages students Respects the students Honors student learning

28. 21 st Century Teacher Empowers students Makes learning fun LOVES the students Is an advocate for the students Reflects on own performance It’s not a job; it’s a lifestyle!

29. Teaching Realities Low pay, hard work, long hours You can’t turn teaching off Challenging students Challenging parents Limited resources

30. Teaching Rewards Working with kids! Challenging kids Challenging parents Knowing you have made a difference immediately Finding out you made a difference much later

31. Teaching Rewards The Best One of ALL… Going to work each day knowing that you are doing something truly important with your life!

32. The Key to Success BELIEVE IN YOUR KIDS! BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!! Little by little, step by step…