“How do I keep from feeling isolated?”

Professional teachers spend several years finding out what works for them. In doing so, they may find themselves isolated behind those classroom doors. They become insulated by the comfort of understanding the culture of their own schools. Additionally, the contributions they make can be overlooked easily or taken for granted by administrators.
To alleviate potential isolation, Professional teachers must become proactive in reaching out to colleagues. Collaborative efforts may be necessary to get the attention of busy administrators. The principal may tend to listen more attentively if several teachers provide a united front.

Here are some ideas to help you get out from behind those closed doors:
• Work on ways to have collaborative planning time.
• Do some peer coaching and observing during planning periods. Then seek administrative support to broaden the visitations.
• Seek ways to attend professional conferences (like KDP’s Convocation). One of the best ways is to take an idea that really works for you and present it at a conference. Most school districts have money to support these efforts and are happy to help teachers who make the effort to present.
• Develop a listserv of all the grade level or subject area teachers in your district. E-mail each other with ideas. Discuss problems.
• Have a teachers’ night out at a local restaurant.

“How can I update curriculum or those tried-and-true pedagogical strategies?”

Professional teachers know what works for them. But, parts of the curriculum may have become stale and/or outdated. The same may be true of teaching strategies. It is easy to become mired in the era in which one received his or her teacher training. The emphasis on testing also may have limited some teachers to rote strategies, rather than exploratory ones. These factors limit Professional teachers from growing into Expert teachers.

Here are some ideas to help you spice up your curriculum and enliven your teaching:
• Investigate the Internet for Web sites that deal in areas of curricular interest. There are many great lesson plans on the Web. Start a file, or get a group together to share and create a common resource library.
• Talk to your Art or Music teacher to investigate ways in which you can meaningfully integrate these areas into your curriculum. Working together can enliven you both!
• Plan field trips. Be prepared to prioritize when finances are low or plan fund-raisers.
• Think of a service learning activity for your students that could be incorporated into your classes.
• Put up a bulletin board with humorous cartoons that deal with your subject area or a subject of your choice. Ask for contributions—then use them in your teaching.
• Volunteer for district curriculum committees. Develop units for your school or district.
• Write mini grants. Many school districts have internal grant programs that have easy application procedures. Don’t give up if you don’t receive money on your first try. Be persistent.
• Apply for Kappa Delta Pi’s Teacher Grant Program.
• Write bigger grants. Check your state department of education Web site. States frequently have someone in charge of grants. You may find you can get money for new technological equipment or support for National Board Certification.
• To enliven your teaching, take a really good look at yourself. Tape several classes. What do you see? What are the kids doing most of the time? What are you doing? Are you talking at them or to them? Where are you standing/sitting most of the time? How could you take the same material and present it in a more engaging manner?
• Become a mentor to novice and/or apprentice teachers. Coaching others is a great way to give back to the profession and learn something about yourself.

“Is there a lack of career growth opportunities for Professional teachers?”

Becoming an administrator is not the only path of career growth within the profession. There are a number of other avenues open to those who seek career opportunities:
• Become a mentor teacher.
• Lead a peer-coaching team. If one is not available in your school or district, try to establish one.
• Work with colleagues to establish on-site, in-service workshops. Let grade levels or subject areas suggest workshop topics. Then prioritize.
• Seek out curriculum specialists (if your district is large enough to have them) and find out what you need to do to become one.
• Find out what various administrative personnel do in your district. Determine whether you would like to pursue such a position.
• Shadow someone in a position you would like to have (Department Chair, Curriculum Specialist, etc.).
• Take classes at the university.
• Talk to people at the university to see whether they need adjunct professors.
• Pursue National Board Certification. The process will help you grow immeasurably.
• Call or e-mail Kappa Delta Pi Headquarters and volunteer for a Committee.

Links/Resources