Observe your classroom teachers this week. Where are some areas where time is wasted? Ask them: what are several things that take more time than they'd like? What do they wish they could be doing instead? Conversely, what are some building level operations that occupy their time unnecessarily (reports, meetings, etc.)?
In talking with my classroom teacher this week, I was made aware of some of her biggest concerns for time management in her classroom. She explains how time is wasted in miscommunication within the classroom as a whole. She also wishes for a more wording/ transition piece that allowed booth staff and students to be aware of what they are doing next and who is in charge of watching who. That would cut down on frustrations and also increase safety in the classroom. She also thinks that she wastes a lot of time in not having everything fully prepped for the day, everything pulled up on her compute, and everything ready to roll when the day gets started. In just the few minutes it takes to turn her back and pull things up, that is when she feels like she loses both the students and the staff (paraprofessional) in that transitional piece. She enjoys the school wide trainings and finds them to be very helpful in having everyone on the same page. She also felt as if this was not the general consensus feel about these trainings among the staff. Most people find them time consuming and frustrating. Finally a frustrating thing that takes extra time is trading to coordinate schedules with all the support services to make sure all of the students are being serviced in the best way with growing caseloads.
I really enjoyed your post, John! I think my CT struggles with miscommunication as well, but more so between her and the general education teachers. We provide push in support in the students general education classes, so she co-teaches. Many of the teachers don't tell her their plan for the day so she's forced to be extremely flexible. In this she doesn't necessarily have to be organized in the traditional sense as she provides support, but I could see how your teacher felt it was a waste of time even though I think being organized is really important. My CT also has a large caseload, 22, so she has a lot of meetings and coordinating like your teacher! I hope your teacher and you can figure out a more efficient transition piece, good luck with your placement.
ReplyDeleteI understand the technology piece. My CT last semester tried to use technology in her classroom and half the time it wouldn't work properly. This gets the students off task and their attention is now off of the teacher. I agree that having materials completely prepped and ready to go would cut down on a lot of time wasted. Both of my CT's so far have been in the field for a long time and they don't seem to agree with constant training.
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Hey John! I think a lot of teachers get frustrated with communication. Especially as special education teachers, there are a lot of other school staff that we work with on a daily basis. Even the most organized teacher can struggle with keeping it all balanced. It is good that your teacher has access to a lot of good training opportunities. Within my school district, and from reading some fellow class bloggers, not all teachers get that chance! It is a small blessing that should not be taken for granted (even though it can seem like taking time for meetings can be wasteful). I'm sure it helps a little to keep everyone on the same page.
ReplyDeleteHi John, I have seen this problem with lot of teachers. Our job as teachers It takes a lot of time to have everything ready. Right now while working as a long term teacher substitute it take me lot of my time to have everything ready. I am responsible for every days lesson plans. it take lot of time be prepare for the next days lesson. I also have head the same issue. I must always have students doing something or I lose them very easily. Like I mention on my own post, technology is very helpful but also can be very frustrating specially when something goes wrong with it and there is nothing I can do.
ReplyDeleteI know some teachers have benefited from general productivity books like "Getting Things Done" and "Work the System". Make these one of your summer readings.
ReplyDeleteWith respect to teaching and communication, take a hint from what I do: consistent and timely contact. Be the one keeping the lines open.