The First Years of Teaching

Dispositions and Attitudes

for Success

Acknowledgements

All Images from Fulton County K-12 Students

Contact

Denise Jennings, Coordinator of Art and Drama Education

http://www.fultonschools.org/dept/curriculum/art/

jennings@fultonschools.org or jennings51@comcast.net

Fulton County Schools, Atlanta, GA

The Story of Two New Teachers

One Ends Like

This…

The other like this…

What makes the difference?

Dispositions and Habits of Mind

Dispositions for Success

1. Professionalism & Work Ethic

2. Interpersonal Skills

3. Emotionally Centered

4. Self-Reflective

• Without these, new teachers will not meet expectations in Fulton County Schools

• Criteria for hiring

• Hone and build in Year 1-3 induction

Dispositions for Success

1. Professionalism

• Strong work ethic: doesn’t expect it to be easy; dedicated to working hard and doing the job well

• Problem-solver not a problem- maker

• ALWAYS meet deadlines and keep their word

• Honesty and ethical behavior

• Want to reach beyond art to become valuable on school team

• Can see the big picture, understands when to keep admin. informed, when too ask questions and when to handle it themselves

• See themselves as a professional in ALL ways, ALL the time (dress, actions, preparation; interpersonal interactions)

• Know the first year will mean long days, weekend work to plan, build organizational systems, and reflect and refine practice

• Not a “HMU”!

2. Interpersonal Skills

• Understand that you get what you give in relationships

• Communicate to students that they CARE about the student, art, the life of the mind

• Work well with colleagues and administrators

– On-the-Team and grateful to have a good job

– Things happen – go with it and make it work

• Positive attitude, on the team and grateful to have a good job

• Flexible and good-natured; when the unexpected happens can go with it and make it work

• At the same time, can be proactive and communicate WISELY

• Communicate excitement about learning in art and in many areas beyond art

• Reach out to classroom teachers – understand interdisciplinary nature of learning and build ways to connect with other teachers

• Build respect and relationships throughout the school and system; volunteer for committees and special projects and DO THEM WELL

• Never bring problems forward without thoughtful solutions

• Emotional resiliency to do the work and grow as a teacher

3. Emotionally Centered

• Plug in to a Support System; be proactive - build their own

• Wise choices in role models and teacher friends

4. Self-Reflective

• Reflect on and revise teaching on a daily basis

• Identify own strengths and areas of need

• Build personal learning network to address needs -- State Art Association, NAEA, Area Artists and Centers, peers, experienced art educators

Self-Reflective

• Intellectual curiosity about art: criticism, art history, aesthetics and the creation and communication of meaning in artwork

Self-Reflective

Year 1-2 Induction Includes

• All of the above

• Art teacher mentors

• Year-long support sessions to address curriculum implementation, planning, classroom management, budget, and more

• And we STRESS…

• Be careful not to commit to TOO much in and outside of school the first year

• Seek Balance! Have fun in your work!

And Finally…

Teach with Your Heart!

LOVE the children

LOVE your work

Enjoy the Journey

Acknowledgements

Images from Fulton County Schools K-12 Students

Contact:

Denise JenningsCoordinator of Art and Drama Educationjennings@fultonschools.org or jennings51@comcast.net

http://www.fultonschools.org/dept/curriculum/art/

Fulton County Schools, Atlanta, GA

• 97 schools• Over 14,000 employees• 88,000+ students• K-12 Art Education• 162 Certified Art Educators

Contact: Denise E. Jennings• Coordinator of Art and Drama Education• jennings@fultonschools.org or jennings51@comcast.net• http://www.fultonschools.org/dept/curriculum/art/