Sharon Thomas

Meet Sharon Thomas. Sharon is a Pre-K teacher for St. Michael Catholic School in Crowley, Louisiana. It was here in Louisiana where she received her initial certification. Her favorite lesson/topic to teach is Language Arts. One of her favorite books is What Great Teachers Do Differently. She enjoys reading, cooking, socializing with friends, and watching her daughter play volleyball and tennis. Sharon also volunteers at her daughters’ school by taking part in school activities and fundraisers.

Before Teaching

Before teaching, Sharon was a financial aid counselor at a university. Sharon says she decided to become a teacher when she quit her job to stay at home and raise her children. She used to substitute at their school when they were growing up and was given the opportunity to teach full time at their school.

Sharon says one of her favorite things about being a teacher is being able to see her student’s growth throughout the school year.

Why iTecach?

So, what made Sharon choose iteach? “I chose iteach because it allowed me to work full-time at my teaching job while going to school. It was also a very affordable and fast way to complete my certification.”

With the iteach experience, Sharon has been able to become an even more successful teacher. “I learned many techniques and ideas through the program. My instructors were very helpful with questions and constructive criticism.”

As we all may know, teaching isn’t always a walk in the park. We asked Sharon what the hardest thing about teaching is and if she had any tips or strategies for classroom management. “For me the hardest thing is discipline. The children I teach are very young, so teaching them to follow the rules is the biggest challenge. When it comes to classroom management, you have to actually enforce it and not get too relaxed with it. I notice immediately when I’ve begun to get lazy with discipline, I found myself having to correct more and we get less accomplished in our day.”

Thank you

As we conclude our Iteach Teacher of the Week, Sharon, would like to share some advice for anyone that is considering a teaching career and what she wants her students’ parents to know about her and her classroom. “My advice is to substitute at a local school. This will give you some idea if this is the right profession for you. I would also like my students’ parents to know how much I enjoy teaching their children. The highlight of my day is when you witness those “lightbulb” moments when things start to come together, and they learn something new!”

Thank you, Sharon Thomas, for all your hard work in the community and in the classroom. Keep on teaching and thanks for being a part of iteach.

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Crista Birney – Teacher of the Week

Meet Crista Birney. Crista is a 7th-grade math teacher for Childress Junior High in Childress, Texas. It was here in Texas where she received her initial certification.  Her favorite lesson/topic to teach is geometry. Her favorite book series is the Chronicles of Narnia. She loves to read and cook with her children in her free time. Crista also teaches at the same church she attends and even coaches the drama and puppet teams there. She also works concession stands and takes up tickets at local football games.

Before Teaching

Before teaching, Crista had many other professions that included: owning a small preschool at home for a couple of years, working in a daycare, and even working in a nursing home as an activity’s assistant. Crista says she had always wanted to be a teacher, it just took her many ups and downs before she could get there.

Crista found her passion for teaching at a very young age. “From the time I was a very little girl, I started teaching others in church. As I grew, I knew I loved teaching others. When my own children were born, I wanted nothing more than to be in the school system with them, helping to make it an amazing time in their lives.”

Crista says there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a light come on in a student’s eyes after they finally understand a difficult concept. However, she really gets to know the kids she teaches every day. “I love being their mentor, and in return I find I learn something new from them every day.” These are just a few of her favorite things about being a teacher.

Why iTeach for Teacher Certification?

So why did Crista Choose iteach? “I waited until later in life to pursue teaching as a career, I already had 3 children and was working full time. I live in a rural town far from any college and commuting was not an option. So, getting a degree online, and then certifying alternatively fit perfectly into my life as it was.”

With iteach, Crista has been able to become a more successful teacher, here’s how. “It allowed me to be in the classroom faster, experiencing teaching as I continued to learn about it. To me, this made the experience more concrete. I was able to immediately apply what I was learning at iteach to the classroom.”

Thank You

As we conclude this Iteach Teacher of The Week, Crista would like to share what she wants her students’ parents to know about her and her classroom. “I want them to know that I care about their children. My students are more than just names and test scores. They are goofy, quirky, brilliant, struggling, and everything in between. In my class, they will be accepted as they are and expected to give 100%. We will learn and have fun doing it!”

Thank you, Crista Birney, for all your hard work in the community and in the classroom. Keep on teaching and thanks for being a part of iteach.

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Putting Our Certified Teachers in the Spotlight

[dropcap]H[/dropcap]ere at iteach, we try to share the spotlight with our certified teachers. We’ve decided that we would like to show off some of our teachers who have gone through our program and are currently teaching. We want to highlight and celebrate their stories and accomplishments with you and other teachers. Our teachers come from all different walks of life and have had different professions before they became a teacher. They have put their time, dedication, and energy into their learning and have shown what teaching means to them. Iteach flourishes because our teachers flourish. Meet our teachers of today, who are changing the lives of students for tomorrow.

Sherry Hochenedel – Teacher of the Week

Meet Sherry Hochenedel. Sherry is a wife, a mother of 3, and is a 7th-grade Integrated Science teacher for Martin Luther King, Jr., Junior High School in Monroe, Louisiana. It was here in Louisiana, where she received her initial certification. Her favorite lesson/topic to teach is anything science related, but her favorite topic is physics. Her favorite books are anything Dan Brown has written because it is historically and scientifically based on factual places and references. She enjoys painting and doing home improvement projects. Sherry also volunteers by working ball games to help out at her school, picking up litter, and encourages others to help clean up the community.

Before Teaching

Before teaching, Sherry was a trainer for the DHH Medicaid waiver programs. She taught registered social workers how to write effective plans of care for Office of Aging and Adult Services and for the Department of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities. She even taught 10-hour and 30-hour OSHA Construction Safety and Health classes in her spare time.

Sherry decided to become a teacher when her oldest son was taking his Praxis exams and was about to start student teaching. He encouraged her to follow her dreams because she had always planned to become a teacher. Her degree plan was originally General Science Education. Unfortunately, Sherry had to move to another state when her son was younger. To graduate on time, she was forced to take a new degree path, Behavioral Science. It wasn’t until then, she realized the state she moved to did not recognize a General Science or Composite Science Education as a degree. Her options were to either switch degree plans and graduate on time or pick only one science and practically start all over, extending herself another 2 years.

Sherry says one of her favorite things about being a teacher is being able to see the wonder and curiosity in her student’s faces when they are intrigued by the lesson. “I love seeing them get excited and want to join in the open discussion to agree or even to disagree with each other.”

Why iteach for Teacher Certification?

Sherry chose iteach because it was affordable and flexible. “I was very pleased with how thorough it was and welcomed how challenging it was (I had not been in school for quite some time). With my oldest about to graduate college and my two youngest in high school, working full time plus some, I guess you are never too old to learn!”

Thank You!

As we conclude our Iteach Teacher of The Week, Sherry would like to share what she wants her students’ parents to know about her and her classroom. “I will never give up on your children. I will hold them to a high expectation and teach them to always question and seek answers for themselves. I have an open discussion classroom so questions and on-topic discussions are always allowed at the beginning of class and at the end of class (and a mailbox for anonymous questions for those who feel embarrassed or just don’t feel comfortable talking aloud) so there is never a reason any student should be unclear on anything. I am always willing to meet and work over to give additional support or guidance if needed. (I have even been to my students’ homes and have held tutor sessions at McDonald’s on the weekends.) I will never stop believing in my kids!”

Thank you, Sherry Hochenedel, for all your hard work in the community and in the classroom. Keep on teaching and thanks for being a part of iteach.

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Adam Doucet – Teacher of the Week

Meet Adam Doucet. Adam is a 7th and 8th-grade French teacher for Paul Breaux Middle school in Lafayette, Louisiana. It was here in Louisiana where he received his initial certification. His favorite lesson to teach is a family tree lesson he does with his French class. He explains how it not only gives himself but his students a chance to see each other in a light that would not have otherwise existed. “We all learn more about where we come from and who we are.” His favorite book to read is The Big CI Book. Some of his favorite hobbies outside of school include woodworking, knife making, landscaping, and music. Adam also hosts a monthly Cajun & Creole music jam in his small town.

Before Teaching

Before teaching, Adam was a chef at a Japanese restaurant for many years. Adam decided to become a teacher when he realized he wanted to contribute to the reconstruction of the French language in his region.

Adam says his favorite thing about teaching is being able to witness his student’s success and knowing that he is able to help contribute to that.

Why iteach for Teacher Certification?

So, what made Adam choose the iteach program? “It was perfect for my schedule as I was already in the classroom. It made it easy to stay in touch with coursework while still being able to plan appropriately for lessons.”

Adam says that the iteach experience has made become an even more successful teacher by opening his mind to alternative approaches to acquisition.

Thank You

As we conclude this Iteach Teacher of The Week, Adam would like to share some advice for anyone considering a teaching career and what he wants his students’ parents to know about him and his classroom. “Try it out. Observe several classes and speak with teachers you know care. Find out what they have to say and why they chose the profession. It isn’t for everyone, so make sure it’s for you first! Don’t assume students have someone that speaks to them kindly at home. You never know what happens under their roof. Have compassion and learn about your students.”

Thank you, Adam Doucet, for all your hard work in the community and in the classroom. Keep on teaching and thanks for being a part of iteach.

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[dropcap]H[/dropcap]ere at iteach, we try to share the spotlight with our certified teachers. We’ve decided that we would like to show off some of our teachers who have gone through our program and are currently teaching. We want to highlight and celebrate their stories and accomplishments with you and other teachers. Our teachers come from all different walks of life and have had different professions before they became a teacher. They have put their time, dedication, and energy into their learning and have shown what teaching means to them. Iteach flourishes because our teachers flourish. Meet our teachers of today, who are changing the lives of students for tomorrow.

Irma Mansilla

Meet Irma Mansilla. Irma is a 5th Grade Bilingual Language Arts and Social Studies teacher at Spring Hill Elementary in Pflugerville, Texas. It was here in Texas where she received her Initial certification. Her hobbies outside of teaching include playing instruments (guitar, bass, piano, and drums), and making origami along with other kinds of crafts. Her favorite book is: From the earth to the moon by Jules Vern. Aside from teaching, Irma also volunteers in many areas at her church.

Before Teaching

Before teaching, Irma was a full-time minister. She decided to become a teacher when she discovered her passion for teaching when her firstborn was struggling in school and volunteered to help with an intervention group in his classroom.

Irma says her favorite thing about being a teacher is making students excited about learning new topics and watching them take off continuing to learn things by themselves.

Why Iteach?

Irma joined the iteach program for many reasons.  “I chose the iteach program because of their diligence to the candidate’s preparation, the flexible hours, and their quick response to my inquiry.”

We know that being a teacher isn’t always an easy job. Luckily, Irma has supplied us with some classroom management tips that have helped her along the way. “Setting clear expectations from day one, involving the students in the creation of a social contract, and classroom rules have made my classroom an excellent learning environment.”

Thank You

As we conclude our Iteach Teacher of The Week, Irma would like to share what she wants her students’ parents to know about her, her classroom, and some advice to anyone considering a teaching career. “My number one goal is to help their children become life long learners. For anyone considering a teaching career, you must be passionate about people. The teaching career is shaping humans into a successful person. They have what they need, we just need to figure out how to use it to their success.”

Thank you, Irma Mansilla, for all your hard work in the community and in the classroom. Keep on teaching and thanks for being a part of iteach.

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A new school year; are you slightly nervous about being on your own? Are you eager to implement the knowledge you’ve acquired and impress upon your students their ability to impact the world? A new teacher can always use more resources to help make their first year amazing but they can also use some discounts. There is much to think about and consider when beginning your first year of teaching in a classroom of your own. From the layout of chairs and desks to the colors and themes of your classroom every part of your environment plays a role in education. We’ve put together some information to help you achieve the learning environment your students deserve all while helping you save a few dollars through discounts and deals.

Classroom Cleanup

When you walk into your classroom for the first time, it may be a bit musty and dusty. Since it’s always best to work with a clean slate, get in there and scrub it down. Buy cleaning supplies and more from stores like Target ($5 off $50) and Lowe’s (no sales tax)  and score some cleaning supplies to provide a fresh start.  Jenna, a 2^nd year teacher in Plano, TX remembered the first time she stepped into her new-to-her 4^th grade classroom, “Our school is a bit older and the summer heat had done a doozy on an old potato science project left behind. I never thought I’d be getting out some Lysol and gloves on my first day.”

Classroom Layout Ideas

Now it’s starting to get fun. Thinking about how you and your students will move around the classroom and interact with not just each other but their environment allows the creative juices to get going. Will you have semi-circles of chairs where students can focus on their classmates and you the instructor? What types of learning do you hope to foster in this micro-environment you are creating? When designing a space it helps to visualize, we like this tool from Scholastic and this one from The Library Store. Beware: they both work with Adobe Flash so try opening them in FireFox or Safari over Chrome.
Maybe you want to create a cozy place for your students to grab a book and read instead of distracting their classmates. Try utilizing discounts from Hobby Lobby or Michael’s (15% discount) to help with find the perfect rug and pillows.  Or maybe you want to provide a classroom library to store those books; The Container Store encourages teachers to organize their classrooms with a 10% discount as part of their educator program. Check out this Pinterest board we created for unique and creative ideas to help you develop a classroom layout you and your students will love.
Be sure to check out Craigslist as well use search terms like “teacher”, “teacher supplies”, “classroom” or similar terms.  You would be surprised to see how many home-school educators and others are selling their supplies and they might even give them to you once they learn you’re a first year teacher.

Decorating Your Classroom

When creating a positive learning environment you cannot ignore even the smallest details. Everything in your classroom is an opportunity to encourage or motivate your kids. Long gone are the motivation posters and cheesy cat posters we grew up with, instead replaced by subtle images of encouragement and inspiration.  Pinterest can be a huge source of inspiration for everything from color palettes to thoughtful imagery but we want to focus on where you can save money while making the walls sing.
If your district allows, you might explore wall colors that encourage your students simply through color science. Home Depot offers no sales tax for teachers with exempt paperwork. Try talking with your local Sherwin Williams as some teachers have received discounts of up to 50% off. Once your walls are perfectly toned, look into sites like Overstock.com with a free Club O Membership (free shipping and 5% back on every order) for teacher discounts on posters and artwork for your walls. Or maybe you’ve designed your own posters for print, head on over to your nearest FedEx Office for 15% off almost all products and services. FoamCorePrint.com offers really cool floor stickers and wall-art for teachers using discount code TEACH10.

Unique Teacher Discounts

Sometimes the best way to engage with your class is through a classroom pet. Now this can vary wildly with school administrations but when I was in Mrs. Harrelson’s 4^th grade class we had pet bees in the classroom with a clear bee hive (there was a bit of a funky smell but we grew proud of it, we were the cool classroom ). And in 8^th grade, Mr. Granderson was the coolest science teacher with his 80lb Boa Constrictor. Now maybe that scares you a bit but what about a pet fish or hermit crab? Maybe a chinchilla? PetsintheClassroom.com offers grants for teachers to help design a unique experience that your students are sure to remember.

Conclusion

Starting you teaching career brings a lot of exciting and sometimes nerve-racking challenges. Don’t let setup up your classroom be one of the things to fret about. Be sure to read more of our New Teachers (link to content) posts to discover more tips and tricks about starting your new career. The internet is an amazing resource for first-year teachers so leave a comment with your favorite

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Are you looking for a teaching position? Let us help you with your resume, interview questions and job openings.

CREATING A RESUME FOR A TEACHING POSITION

While there is not one way to draft your resume, there are some best practices to help your resume stand out from others. It is important to have a classic, error free, professional resume that highlights your relevant experience and your accomplishments.

You should try to keep your resume to one page, written in an easily read professional font (Ariel, Calibri, Garamond, and Times New Roman are popular choices).

Key elements on a resume include: your contact information, education, experience, and certifications. If you are a certified teacher or enrolled in a certification program, be sure to note this. List your experience in reverse chronological order, providing accurate information. If you are a recent college graduate, you can focus on academic and extra-curricular experience and any jobs held during college. If you have more extensive work experience, you may need to condense the academic portion of your resume and give more attention to your professional accomplishments.

If you have never worked in the field of education or with children, do not assume that your experiences are not relevant. Instead, think about the key skills of teachers, such as planning, working cooperatively, and tracking progress toward goals, and be sure to highlight your experience in these domains.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO BECOME A TEACHER

The interview is an opportunity for you to go beyond your resume and demonstrate you are right person for the teaching position. Regardless of the question asked or your response, you want to communicate your strong enthusiasm for teaching and your dedication to the profession. Answer questions honestly and to the best of your ability.

Below are some questions to help you prepare for your interview:

1. What is your educational background?
2. List five adjectives that describe yourself.
3. What is one of your weaknesses, and how are you working to improve it?
4. When did you decide to become a teacher, and why did you choose this field?
5. What personal strengths do you find especially helpful in your teaching?
6. What do you like most about teaching as a career?
7. What is your least favorite aspect of teaching?
8. What is your philosophy of education?
9. Describe your teaching style.
10. How do you structure your time to manage all of the duties associated with teaching?
11. What do you think is the greatest challenge facing students today?
12. What is the most difficult aspect of teaching today?
13. What are the qualities of an excellent teacher?
14. What is your approach to classroom management?
15. Describe your best professional development experience.
16. Describe your ideal lesson.
17. Describe your planning process for a major project or unit.
18. What plans do you have for the integration of technology in your own classroom?
19. How have and will you address your students’ different learning styles?
20. How do you modify your teaching to reach students who are struggling to perform at grade level?
21. How do you provide support for students with exceptional ability?
22. If most of the students in your class failed an assignment, test, or project, how would you respond?
23. What do you want students to remember about your class?
24. What steps would you follow to deal with a student who displays consistent behavioral problems in your classroom?
25. What could a visitor to your class expect to see?
26. Why should you be hired for this position?

Some career coaches advise job seekers to set up a mock interview with a friend or family member acting as the interviewer, and film themselves. Smart phones and tablets have made this task easier. When you watch yourself, take a moment to adjust to seeing yourself on camera and hearing your recorded voice, but try to be objective. Look for distracting mannerisms; verbal “crutches,” such as saying “um” or “like;” and check to see if you are making good eye contact with the interviewer.

OPEN TEACHING POSITIONS

Each school district will post job openings to their district website, typically under the Human Resource tab.

Additionally, some districts also post to state-wide websites to find a wider audience for their job openings. Below are some helpful links to state-wide job listings:

1. http://tea.texas.gov/districtSearch.aspx
2. http://careercenter.tasanet.org/
3. https://www.k12jobspot.com/Job/Search/teacher/Texas?PageIndex=9
4. http://www.indeed.com/q-Teacher-l-Texas-jobs.html
5. https://www.schoolspring.com/search.cfm

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