
117: Casey M. Bethel - 2017 Georgia Teacher of the Year

Casey M. Bethel is a science teacher in Douglasville, Georgia at New Manchester High School.




Check out more information about the GIFT program at Georgia Tech.
Length: 34:16
Casey M. Bethel is a science teacher in Douglasville, Georgia at New Manchester High School.
Check out more information about the GIFT program at Georgia Tech.
Length: 34:16
You don’t understand. You don’t have kids!
I will never forget these words.
A frustrated parent who was angry at a member of our team of teachers.
She blasted me with these words. Even though I have forgotten the reasons for the meeting and its outcome, I have never forgotten these words. It is now more than 20 years ago.
I have had kids now.
And now I do understand.
What I have learned the most is that you want someone to care enough about your child that they reach out and connect with you, the parent.
The older the kids get the more distance that starts developing.
It is easy for a teacher to put off or not contact a parent.
But...don’t listen to that voice.
It is important that you contact as soon as possible.
Not only that, be proactive. Call for good, not just bad.
Call because you want to inform.
Send home information just because you thought it was a great idea.
The more contact the better.
Today’s show is focused on the
3 Reasons Why You Should Contact As Soon As Possible
and the
3 Reasons to Call and Not Use Email.
Thoughts from someone who has been there and made the mistakes.
So what are you waiting for...contact ...contact...contact.
Kids want and need to know how you do things.
One of the greatest favors you can do for yourself as a classroom teacher is to learn to get the kids’ attention.
Sounds easy enough, doesn’t it?
Most definitely.
Unfortunately, it is not that easy and too often this is where the adult takes a short cut.
You risk being run over by a freight train.
Quite simply once many kids realize that you don’t have a real way of starting class...your honeymoon is over.
Once they realize that you don’t have a way of getting their attention...you are soon going to find yourself talking over or above the kids' voices when you shouldn’t.
You have to have a way to start class and getting the kids’ attention. This is not a time to reason, plead or wish they would do what you say. You have to make getting their attention something that you always do.
In today’s episode, I am focused on the importance of getting the kids’ attention.
Here are my 5 Steps to Starting Class Right
Know what you are going to do.
Explain it to them
Practice it
Do it again
Revisit
Enjoy working with the kids.
Thanks for listening.
Check out my interview with Ms Hair an elementary teacher who talks about deer antlers.
Episode 24: Teaching First Grade with Tonya Hair.
http://blog.maketaketeach.com/the-importance-of-teaching-procedures-in-the-classroom/
Here is a Gimme Five Poster
Here are some thoughts about Call Backs
http://herdingkats.blogspot.com/2015/03/using-call-backs-after-spring-break.html
Also...Call Backs here.
Length - 17:24
Additional Resources: