Foundations in Teaching

This is a 18 hour/3-day course for beginning teachers.

Beginning teachers need practical skills so that they can be successful in their first couple of years of teaching. This program addresses what skillful teachers must know and do to build an effective learning environment. It focuses on three major areas:

• An introduction to the belief in the growth mindset that says “smart is not something you are; smart is something you can get through effective effort”
• Classroom management and climate emphasizing the elements that need to be in place for a classroom to run smoothly and productively
• The development of clear learning objectives as the anchor for creating daily lesson plans.

Three propositions form the basis for the program:

• A belief in the ability of every student to learn at high levels is necessary for a teacher to meet student needs.
• Effective classroom management and positive classroom climate are essential for optimal teaching and learning to occur. We can’t teach effectively and students can’t learn optimally in chaos and psychologically unsafe environments.
• A clear learning objective is the foundation of the daily lesson plan.