Beginning Teacher Conference INTC Beginning Teacher Conference 8 Guiding Principles of Teaching Jill Grove- Principal Springfield Public Schools The vision is, first, that the school will be a community, a place full of adults and youngsters who care about, look after, and root for one another and who work together for the good of the whole, in times of need and times of celebration. Every member of a school community holds some responsibility for the welfare of every other and for the welfare of the community as a whole. Roland Barth

Never work harder than your students. Guiding Principle #1 Teaching is Difficult Once you accept that it is difficult, it’s not as difficult. It’s only when you think it shouldn’t be, that makes it very hard. Never work harder than your students.

Become Poverty Informed… Guiding Principle #2 Become Poverty Informed… Authors: Teaching With Poverty In Mind: Eric Jensen See Poverty..Be the Difference: Donna Beegle 1 out of 4 children are living in poverty in the United States. 93% of people who are on food stamps are either children, disabled people or are working! 2/3 of the people living in poverty are working two jobs. We have criminalized poverty….being in poverty makes you angry. You can’t enable someone if they don’t have that skill. Enable becomes an excuse for not helping.

To survive in school, a student must be verbal! Guiding Principle #3 Give Kids the Words 30 Million Word Gap - We must teach a Second Language…language of the dominant culture. Research indicates that there is a strong relationship between the amount of vocabulary an individual has and social class. Research also says that one must be able to read on the 9th grade level to exit poverty. To survive in school, a student must be verbal!

They are worthy of success! Guiding Principle #4 One Size Doesn’t Fit All…. Everyone isn’t equal….did you get the memo? Treat students fairly not equally! Take our academic thinking to our behavior world. It isn’t about their character…it is about their skill level. Skill deficit is the issue! If it won’t work on a job….it won’t work in school. It is a disservice to kids if we don’t address their behavior. Kids are looking for adults who are courageous enough to stop their behavior. They are worthy of success!

Guiding Principle #5 Never Lie.... You are in Public Service...you can make it as honorable as you want it to be. Talk to your students about their strengths and areas of growth. I am a great believer in the human spirit...when we are all given the right support and energy we can succeed.

Create A Positive Adult Culture and Community within your school. Guiding Principle #6 Wag More Bark Less Create A Positive Adult Culture and Community within your school. Wagging is creating conditions in our schools where the adults give encouragement, support one another, and give each other grace. Group barking can hurt the atmosphere of a school faster than anything. A person’s quality of life is directly influenced by their workplace culture. Don’t be a BYSTANDER! Colleagues: Challenge and Support Administrators: Coach, Evaluate and Confront

Guiding Principle #7 CHUCKLE EVERY DAY….

Guiding Principle #8 Today is the day! You will give birth to a new version of yourself throughout your journey. Guiding Principle #8 Today is the day!