Lee Gabor [6:55:16 PM]: And we are summarizing the entire mentor mentee process, right?
Toni McAfoos [6:55:25 PM]: Looks like it.
Lee Gabor [6:55:30 PM]: OK.
Toni McAfoos [6:55:35 PM]: I hope we can summarize quickly.
Lee Gabor [6:55:48 PM]: Toni, in this process with your mentee, what did you find was the best experience?
Toni McAfoos [6:56:59 PM]: I found the best experience was getting to know another teacher, personally and professionally. I felt understanding goals and objectives of the teacher was very important to me to see and understand what they are searching for in their curriculum.
Lee Gabor [6:57:36 PM]: You mention goals and objectives. How did you determine the goals and objectives of the mentee?
Toni McAfoos [6:58:06 PM]: The mentee determined her goals and objectives. It was just my job to help her find the tools to get there.
Lee Gabor [6:58:29 PM]: So when you first began discussing the lesson goals, she was able to fully articulate them?
Toni McAfoos [6:59:38 PM]: She knew she wanted the kids to gain content knowledge and she wanted them to learn Microsoft Tools. I filled in the blanks.
Toni McAfoos [7:00:08 PM]: My principal thought it was great that she read the words I wrote that she would learn how to articulate her goals.
Toni McAfoos [7:00:19 PM]: She is a first year teacher.
Lee Gabor [7:00:30 PM]: You mention you filled in the blanks. How did you avoid just telling her what to do and, instead, you were able to draw ideas from her.
Toni McAfoos [7:01:34 PM]: I just kept her talking, while I listened. Much like you are doing now. I kept asking questions about how she was going to accomplish this, or that, etc. until we wound up with a successful end result.
Lee Gabor [7:02:26 PM]: That sounds very successful. When you first started, was she able to talk about the goals as TEKS or were they more generic? I ask because many first year teachers don't quite feel comfortable talking about TEKS. I know I didn't.
Toni McAfoos [7:03:33 PM]: She knew the that this lesson was to address a TEKS item, but she only spoke in generic terms. I put the words in TEKS lingo.
Lee Gabor [7:04:22 PM]: It sounds like you helped her to become more comfortable with the idea of TEKS. Is there anything regarding setting goals that you would do differently next time?
Toni McAfoos [7:04:58 PM]: Setting goals as far as my mentoring her? or her goals for the lesson?
Lee Gabor [7:05:30 PM]: When you mentor the next person, would there be anything you would do differently as you and mentee discuss goals?
Toni McAfoos [7:05:59 PM]: I would spend more time with them.
Toni McAfoos [7:06:30 PM]: I would want them to be more specific with what they wanted, now that I know what I am looking for.
Lee Gabor [7:07:36 PM]: I understand what you mean. In light of the need to be more specific next time, did you feel not being really specific hindered the students' ability to understand and comprehend the lesson OR do you think everything turned out OK?
Toni McAfoos [7:08:05 PM]: I think everything turned out this time, but I don't know that this would work every time.
Toni McAfoos [7:08:26 PM]: Especially with more complicated lessons
Lee Gabor [7:08:41 PM]: Since it sounds like things worked well this time, was there any one thing that helped you and your mentee build a high level of trust?
Toni McAfoos [7:09:36 PM]: I think the tone was set early on. I told her I wasn't there to judge anything she was doing. My job was only to help her reach the goals she had set for herself. I think this really helped her and I get closer.
Lee Gabor [7:10:34 PM]: In your video, the two of you seemed like you really have a great relationship. Applause to you! What do you think was your mentee's greatest challenge in this process?
Toni McAfoos [7:12:21 PM]: My mentee didn't know me at all. I had hardly even had a chance to get to know her, as we are both super busy. My mentee's greates challenge is understanding the whole process. Being a first year teacher, one can only see so far ahead. She is learning classroom management and what works with kids and what doesn't - motivational things.
Lee Gabor [7:13:41 PM]: It seems more challenging to me when I don't have enough background knowledge. Her reactions on the video tape were so animated and enthusiastic, it looked like she had been teaching for quite awhile. Do you know if she was familiar with Bloom's and Higher Level Thinking when you two started the relationship?
Toni McAfoos [7:15:36 PM]: I hope so. She does have a son of her own. She has been going to school, hopefully taking classes with Bloom's information - I hope. I really don't know for sure. Natascha is very enthusiastic. I hope she doesn't lose it as so many seasoned teachers do.
Lee Gabor [7:16:49 PM]: Was there anything in the area of modifying the lesson for special ed, ESL, or other students that was especially difficult?
Toni McAfoos [7:17:50 PM]: No. She had a legally blind student, but with the magnifying on the computers, and peer teaching everything worked out find. The other students had IEPs to follow. There were no problems.
Lee Gabor [7:18:41 PM]: That is wonderful to know. As you observed the lesson, was there anything you wanted to tell her in the middle of things - anything you saw that you wanted to "fix" quickly?
Toni McAfoos [7:20:35 PM]: The only thing the first time I observed her was classroom management. I also felt that her explanation of what to do, the directions, she rushed through so that the kids weren't exactly sure what she wanted. I wanted to re-explain things, but didn't
Lee Gabor [7:21:28 PM]: Were you able to address this with her later? And, do you think it would have helped her to have a video tape of her handling the lesson?
Toni McAfoos [7:23:53 PM]: I do think it a video would have helped. You know how that goes. It would help all of us. She and I did talk about her PDAS and she told me that the principal had marked her down for her classroom managment skills. Natscha has a mentor on her team, tell me where does her mentor as a technologist and her mentor as a team person begin and end.
Toni McAfoos [7:24:41 PM]: Natscha knew classroom management was her downfall and she said she is working in this area, but has not elaborated on this to me - excpet in the computer lab.
Lee Gabor [7:25:06 PM]: That is a good question. Do you think that the two mentors' influence is overlapping to the point that it is distracting to the teacher?
Toni McAfoos [7:26:21 PM]: It could, especially if they are saying different things. I tried to stay focused on the technology part of her lesson. Maybe if I had picked a different, seasoned teacher, I know this issue would have been completely different.
Lee Gabor [7:27:08 PM]: That seems logical. May I offer a suggestion regarding a resource that helps with classroom management?
Toni McAfoos [7:27:24 PM]: Yes. Always
Lee Gabor [7:28:49 PM]: One of the things that helped me most my first year was a set of 8 video tapes created by Harry Wong. You may already know about these. His book on successful class management was fine, but the videos really helped me to see what I should be doing. If you are in Dallas County, the Dallas County School Library has them. Other counties may have them or could borrow them. This might be something that could help her to better clarify what she needs to do.
Toni McAfoos has left the chat.
Lee Gabor has joined the chat.
Toni McAfoos [7:33:13 PM]: I think we got kicked off of first class.
Lee Gabor [7:33:29 PM]: I stayed on. You just disappeared.
Toni McAfoos [7:33:50 PM]: I wasn't hearing anything from you, and I sent you a message, and it never came up.
Lee Gabor [7:34:14 PM]: That is interesting. I saved the message after you disappeared. What was the last thing you remember?
Toni McAfoos [7:34:35 PM]: You asked me if you could send me some classroom management advice.
Lee Gabor [7:34:50 PM]: Hold on and I'll see if I can copy that again.
Lee Gabor [7:35:58 PM]: I was afraid of losing everything and went to File save as, saved to a folder. Don't know what to open it with. Do you know?
Toni McAfoos [7:36:30 PM]: Whenever I save a transcript, it goes into my mailbox which is through First Class.
Lee Gabor [7:36:37 PM]: Never mind - it is still up on my desktop. Here is the text. Lee Gabor[7:28:49 PM]: One of the things that helped me most my first year was a set of 8 video tapes created by Harry Wong. You may already know about these. His book on successful class management was fine, but the videos really helped me to see what I should be doing. If you are in Dallas County, the Dallas County School Library has them. Other counties may have them or could borrow them. This might be something that could help her to better clarify what she needs to do.
Toni McAfoos has left the chat.
Toni McAfoos [7:37:13 PM]: I do know about Harry Wong and I have his books and I have seen his videos.
Toni McAfoos [7:37:25 PM]: I could ask Natascha if she has.
Lee Gabor [7:38:03 PM]: She might enjoy them.
Lee Gabor [7:38:16 PM]: I just copied the old chat into Word. Do you need me to email it to you as an attachment?
Toni McAfoos [7:38:17 PM]: I think you are right.
Toni McAfoos [7:38:27 PM]: No, I have it. Thanks anyway.
Toni McAfoos [7:38:52 PM]: I've had this problem before, can you tell? I make sure I have it copied as we go.
Lee Gabor [7:38:54 PM]: Final question, unless you can think of something I'm leaving out, is there anything you would change about the mentoring experience and, if so, what would that be?
Toni McAfoos [7:41:26 PM]: I wouldn't change what mentors are supposed to do. I think the whole concept is a great thing. Personally I would like more time to mentor more teachers and to become fairly knowledgeable about more teachers' curriculum. However, to wish this to happen immediately is only a fantasy. I think if applied properly, the mentorship program can work exactly like it is.
Lee Gabor [7:42:15 PM]: Good. Unless there is something you want to add (and please tell me if I'm forgetting an important part of the post conference that I should mention), I'm ready for you to question me.
Toni McAfoos [7:42:59 PM]: No, I think you did a great job. You really asked me some in depth questions. I hope I can do the same.
Toni McAfoos [7:43:18 PM]: You will make a great Master Tech teacher!
Lee Gabor [7:43:31 PM]: Thank you. I'm sure you'll do great. You always do. I'm always impressed with what you contribute.
Lee Gabor [7:43:42 PM]: Thank you. Actually, my path has changed.
Toni McAfoos [7:44:05 PM]: What does that mean?
Toni McAfoos [7:44:13 PM]: Where are you going now?
Lee Gabor [7:44:31 PM]: I learned last Friday that Dallas ISD is putting me into the principal program. I go to UT Arlington in July to work on an MEd in Educational Administration with Principal's Certificate.
Toni McAfoos [7:44:48 PM]: You have no choice?
Lee Gabor [7:44:53 PM]: I didn't know about this when I started MTTC. I think the great thing is I can really see that more people are put into this program.
Toni McAfoos [7:45:00 PM]: I've never heard of such a thing.
Lee Gabor [7:45:10 PM]: I have a choice, but I spent my life owning businesses, so administration is my comfort zone.
Toni McAfoos [7:45:27 PM]: Very good. Is the school paying for your master's
Lee Gabor [7:45:48 PM]: There were 264 people suggested for the program by principals. Of those, 24 of us were interviewed. Then 10 picked.
Toni McAfoos [7:45:57 PM]: Wow.
Toni McAfoos [7:46:21 PM]: Congratulations! I am proud of you. This says a lot about you and your abilities in dealing with people.
Lee Gabor [7:46:23 PM]: The district isn't paying for the degree, but they are keeping me on salary for the year and I intern as an administrative intern in a school.
Toni McAfoos [7:46:44 PM]: Higher pay?
Lee Gabor [7:47:08 PM]: Thank you very much. I'm excited about this because I know I can make a true impact on adding technology to the schools I'm in - far more than I've been able to as a teacher and I think more than as a tech person. I'll be in charge of the budget and I will BUDGET for tech - you can believe that!
Toni McAfoos [7:47:35 PM]: What power!!!! I think I will come work for you!!1
Toni McAfoos [7:47:51 PM]: Are you going to take the tech certification exam then?
Lee Gabor [7:47:53 PM]: The pay is the same as a teacher's pay for this next year. Once I get the degree (next June - that is one year of heavy duty work), I will be moved to an assistant principal position, serve time there, then to principal.
Lee Gabor [7:48:25 PM]: Tech certification yes. I think it was taking this course that helped me get selected. Paying for it myself and really seeing the need for it. Let's keep in touch.
Toni McAfoos [7:48:55 PM]: I'd like that.
Lee Gabor [7:49:20 PM]: I told Connie about this and she is very supportive.
Toni McAfoos [7:49:52 PM]: Okay, so tell me about your process as mentor, what did you find as the best experience in this process?
Lee Gabor [7:51:35 PM]: The best part was learning to NOT boss and just tell someone what to do. It is so much better, I think, to work cooperatively. I changed so much through taking this course and I really like the way I am with others now. Working with Mr. Amaya was great. He is always great. However, I felt like a colleague, a peer, and that was new for me. I've always been a bossy person.
Toni McAfoos [7:52:53 PM]: How do you think your ability to work as a colleague, a peer enabled Mr. Amaya to be successful?
Lee Gabor [7:54:36 PM]: I had already done the lessons we did in 1001 and 1002 (I teach math and science). As a mentor, rather than telling him how to do the lesson, we discussed subject areas (and wanted to change between 1001 and 1002 since he is self-contained) and as we talked, he came up with TEKS he wanted to work with. The more we discussed what the kids were having problems with, the more he found the lessons he thought would be most important.
Lee Gabor [7:55:42 PM]: Since he was heavily invested in the lessons, the success came easily. He is very cooperative and very intelligent. My main participation was in helping him set more specific goals instead of trying to do too much in one lesson.
Toni McAfoos [7:58:09 PM]: His goals were to become more specific and to pinpoint more specific areas for the students to learn. How did he decided was the right amount to teach?
Lee Gabor [8:00:35 PM]: He used the fact that he is a bilingual teacher to help him limit the lesson to something that he felt students could grasp. Vocabulary is a major issue for second language students. We'll talk only about this 1002 lesson. He wanted them to understand force, energy, and change. If the students comprehended and could use those three words, he felt the lesson was successfull. I'm not a bilingual teacher, but from observing the students, I think he was right. They had a fabulous time with the lesson and they seemed to understand exactly what was happening. Also, their grades from the CPS exam reflected their success.
Toni McAfoos [8:02:06 PM]: That was my next question, how he determined their success.
Lee Gabor [8:04:26 PM]: When I asked him this, he explained that enjoyment of the lesson was part of it. He thinks children learn better when they're having fun and are not intimidated. I agree. So for him to see the kids so excited meant they were totally engaged. The other parts were his observation of how quickly they built their little car (Bonnie's idea was building LEGO cars instead of just using little metal ones) and how quickly they understood what to do (letting them move down the incline to show push or pull creates change).
Lee Gabor [8:04:28 PM]: Also,
Lee Gabor [8:05:29 PM]: Part was how engaged they were using the computer for the animation. And finally, they did well on their final test and that also was very important to Mr. Amaya. One other thing, they loved using the CPS test remote and that also gave him a feeling that the lesson was great for the kids.
Toni McAfoos [8:06:07 PM]: Forgive me, but what is this CPS test?
Lee Gabor [8:07:30 PM]: Sorry, I should have been more detailed. Classroom Performance System - make test on computer, project test questions on wall screen using projector, and students each have a hand-held remote. They press a button to answer. After everyone answers, the correct answer is shown along with a percentage of how the kids did (not individually, but as a group). Teacher can print many different reports, including which question(s) each child missed, so reteaching can be achieved easily.
Lee Gabor [8:07:49 PM]: I think Region 11 is having a Renaissance class coming up in May and it is the same kind of thing.
Lee Gabor [8:08:23 PM]: For the kids, the remotes or kind of like having a gameboy. Not exactly, of course, but the same scenario of electronic in the hand.
Toni McAfoos [8:08:31 PM]: Very interesting. I'll have to ask you more about his later.
Toni McAfoos [8:08:38 PM]: In working with Mr. Amaya were there any special ed kids and special accomodations he needed to adjust for?
Lee Gabor [8:08:39 PM]: OK
Lee Gabor [8:10:28 PM]: He doesn't have a special ed child. However, he went ahead and set up modifications for the lesson as though he did. He did this because it is such an important area of education now. In DISD, students no longer go to the Spec. Ed teacher. Their entire education is now in classroom teacher's room and Spec. Ed teacher is supposed to come in 60 minutes per week to work with the student. That doesn't really happen. Since we wanted to be sure we understand the needs of Spec. Ed and IEPs, he modified lesson as though he has a SpEd child.
Lee Gabor [8:11:12 PM]: His modification, by the way, was really in completing the measurement chart. All the other activities, such as making car, releasing it to roll down ramp, etc., could easily be done by Sp. Ed child.
Toni McAfoos [8:11:57 PM]: Okay, that really sounds different than here. Our special ed kids come to special classes for their really hard classes, but all the other classes they are mainstreamed.
Toni McAfoos [8:12:30 PM]: How and why did you decide to mentor Mr. Amaya? Did he come to you or did you go to him?
Lee Gabor [8:12:52 PM]: I think it was better for them to go to Spec. Ed class with other Spec. Ed children. In our school, we have to keep two or three children onto the SpEd child's level so he/she doesn't feel left out.
Lee Gabor [8:14:38 PM]: I asked Ms. Parker to be my site supervisor for this course. I mentioned I would be asking someone to participate as mentee and she suggested Mr. Amaya. He just moved this year from Kindergarten to 3rd grade, where the kids have TAKS test. Ms. Parker thought, and I agreed, that having a little extra encouragement could help him better deal with having TAKS, especially since students in 3rd must pass in order to go to 4th and they have 3 opportunities to pass. I already knew Mr. Amaya and he was very happy to be asked.
Toni McAfoos [8:15:24 PM]: So, you were really mentoring him, not just using technology.
Toni McAfoos [8:15:43 PM]: How did the narrowing his lessons come about?
Toni McAfoos [8:15:54 PM]: As a goal
Lee Gabor [8:15:58 PM]: Yes, mentoring him. He is a fan of technology and already knew to use the computer. He learned how to use CPS and loves it.
Toni McAfoos [8:16:50 PM]: How does your mentoring him overall encourage him to use more technology other than this CPS program?
Lee Gabor [8:18:08 PM]: We first discussed reading lesson, but I don't know as much about reading lessons using Internet, etc., as I know about math and science. I have found math and science easier to integrate with technology. Let me clarify - he has bilingual kids - they work in Spanish all day, except for a very little time. I didn't want to try to work in Spanish, since my Spanish is very limited. We discussed this and it seemed easier for them to do Math (1001) and Science (1002) for this course so that I could observe and comprehend what was happening.
Toni McAfoos [8:19:44 PM]: Do you think you will continue to be a source for Mr. Amaya? Do you think from his experience working with you, that he feels encouraged to move into areas you were unsure of on his own?
Lee Gabor [8:21:10 PM]: He has used my website often this year as a resource for sites he could visit. He also has suggested a couple of sites. Internet and computer use were already something he is very good with. We had planned to use the SmartBoard and SchoolPad and some other technological items. However, because the kids were working on TAKS, we decided to limit that. He and I set up the SmartBoard and practiced with it (I have one and use it, he wanted to learn how). But when it came to the lesson, he decided to not use it at this time. So the technology was SmartBoard, Schoolpad (hand held SmartBoard), but he decided not to use them. The technology new to him that he did use was the CPS and also in 1001 the Hot Dots reader.
Toni McAfoos [8:22:35 PM]: He is a seasoned teacher it sounds like.
Lee Gabor [8:22:46 PM]: Yes, I will continue to work with Mr. Amaya as we are able to do so. He is transferring to the new elementary school with the principal. I have asked to do my internship at the school where I've been so I can help transition the school (half of the teachers are leaving and 1/3 of the teachers out of the whole school are moving with the principal).
Toni McAfoos [8:23:10 PM]: ARe you closing down a school?
Lee Gabor [8:23:56 PM]: Is he encouraged to continue working with technology? Yes, I think so. Everytime we see each other now, he tells me about something new he is working on learning. He just bought a video IPod and is showing it to everyone. I believe we had a very successful experience together and I learned as much as he did.
Toni McAfoos [8:24:31 PM]: This is a good thing.
Lee Gabor [8:24:35 PM]: This is his 3rd year teaching. No, the school isn't closing. The district build a new school a few miles away. Our schools are very large and very full.
Toni McAfoos [8:24:51 PM]: I see.
Lee Gabor [8:25:04 PM]: My principal was invited to go to the new school (it will be an international school) and he wanted to take a lot of his current staff with him.
Lee Gabor [8:25:19 PM]: We will be getting lots of new teachers, but I think they are the bilingual ACs from Mexico and Peru.
Toni McAfoos [8:25:37 PM]: Is this a public school?
Lee Gabor [8:26:45 PM]: We are talking about Dallas ISD schools. International schools are the latest "fad," if I can call it that - latest craze, you know what I mean. Kids have the opportunity to learn Japanese, French, German, English, Spanish. There is a school in El Paso (Ysleta school district) that has been developing an international school for about 10 years.
Lee Gabor [8:27:19 PM]: This will be first year for international school in DISD, so we'll see how it goes.
Toni McAfoos [8:27:34 PM]: Wow, there is nothing like that around here. Maybe more so in Houston ISD, but not here.
Lee Gabor [8:27:46 PM]: There are only a few in the nation.
Toni McAfoos [8:27:58 PM]: Very interesting
Lee Gabor [8:28:19 PM]: The Area Superintendent (DISD has about 7 areas) wanted to try this. She had taught in El Paso and then headed the MLep Dept. for DISD before becomming Area 1 Super.
Toni McAfoos [8:28:52 PM]: Sounds like your experience with Mr. Amaya was a success in all areas. Were there things you saw with Mr. Amaya that could have made the lesson better?
Lee Gabor [8:30:00 PM]: Using the SmartBoard and the SchoolPad, but I also think using them as a second step would be better. The lesson worked very well as it was because it wasn't too complicated for the kids. The additional technology could be added as a second day with tasks in which the SmartBoard could be used.
Lee Gabor [8:30:24 PM]: In other words, the additional technology could be a follow-up.
Toni McAfoos [8:30:40 PM]: Did you decide this on your own, or was Mr. Amaya part of this?
Toni McAfoos [8:30:49 PM]: Did he see this too?
Lee Gabor [8:33:02 PM]: We decided together. Yes, he too thought this. Our Reading First grant supplied the school with a SmartBoard. I decided to take it out of the box and put it together for teachers in low grades to use. I was sitting in the middle of the hall after school one day putting it together when Mr. A came along and offered to help. We got it together, then set it up with projector and experimented with it. We went to some sites I have listed as a resource on my webpage. He really liked what the Board would do. We talked about using it originally, but he wanted to keep this simple. The kids are in overload with all the TAKS testing. So we decided not to use it in the lesson, but after the lesson both of us thought it would be so much fun for the kids to use as a "next day" activity.
Toni McAfoos [8:34:36 PM]: I don't have any other questions. Can you think of anything I left out?
Lee Gabor [8:35:44 PM]: Only the trust, but I think you actually covered that, just not with the word, if I remember all the way back to while ago (I'm pretty brain-dead at this point). We both developed the trust factor with each other. Neither of us has had any reason to think the other couldn't be trusted. Does that make sense?
Toni McAfoos [8:36:42 PM]: Yes, I didn't doubt the trust because of what you wrote, but I must remember to ask that if I ever coach a mentor again.
Toni McAfoos [8:37:09 PM]: I understand brain dead. I feel this way every evening.
Lee Gabor [8:37:15 PM]: I can't think of anything else and your questions are excellent AS ALWAYS! You really do this so well.