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What did you notice about their ADVICE?

1. One common theme among the advice given by the mentors is the importance of building positive relationships with students. They made it clear for the need to get to know each student on a personal level and create a safe and inclusive classroom environment where students feel seen, heard, and valued. Another common theme was the need to focus on student engagement, differentiation, and the use of technology to enhance learning.

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What are the strategies that you heard most often?

1. Some of the strategies that were mentioned repeatedly include:

Differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students

Incorporating student choice and voice in the learning process

Building relationships with students

Providing timely and actionable feedback

Setting clear expectations and goals, especially to make an effective routine possible.

Encouraging student collaboration and teamwork

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What will be the lessons that you will add to your toolbox from listening to these mentors?

1. Some of the lessons that I, as a future educator can add to my toolbox from listening to these mentors include the importance of building positive relationships with students, the need to differentiate instruction, the use of technology to enhance learning, and the importance of student engagement and collaboration.

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Which Mentor did you connect with? Explain why!

1. Personally, I liked TJ Ulmer. The way he keeps his assessment open-ended allows the student to feel seen and heard but also grows them in creativity and knowledge. He also made it clear that he encourages his students daily, and his goal isn't to overwhelm them. Instead, he has a set routine to help balance what they know with what they don't know. However, I appreciate the insights and advice given by all of the mentors, and I recognize the value in their diverse perspectives and experiences.

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What surprised you about any of the Mentors?

1. I noticed that the mentors came from diverse backgrounds and experiences, which allowed them to bring unique perspectives to their teaching practice. Some mentors had experience in teaching special education, while others taught English Language Learners (ELLs). Some had experience teaching in urban schools, while others taught in rural areas. I found the diversity to be super helpful when discovering which assessment tools would benefit the student the most depending on their background and the mentor’s perspectives in their teaching.

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Assessment: A procedure for making inferences, asking an individual to do something, and analyzing that.

Is an assessment valuable and reliable?
There is no valid assessment, there is only valid and non-valid interpretation. This is a key point for all future educators to better understand. Whatever my inference is, can only go as far as the assessment.

As advised by Spencer, the greatest advice for new teachers is to focus on teaching to the test. This does not mean teaching in a rote or boring manner, but rather starting the assessment process by clearly defining what it is that you want your students to know and then designing instruction that will help them achieve that knowledge. This approach will ensure that your students are well-prepared for exams and have a solid understanding of the material. Additionally, by understanding what is being tested, you can tailor your lessons to meet the needs of your students and provide them with the necessary skills to succeed both in school and in life. Remember, the goal of education is not just to pass a test, but to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the future.

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I loved her story, working at a summer school, she had an assessment or an "exit ticket" every single day. She expressed her interest and excitement that came from this because she learned more about her students and grew a deeper bond. I loved exit tickets and how easy it is to get to know each other through a simple reflection, socially, emotionally, and mentally. One of her greatest pieces of advice was relationships, she gives nicknames to her students, and this interacts with them and connects the teacher and student.  Not only is the student an important relationship to increase in but, families and checking up on their lives, being involved. Have a little something with someone, and be personable within and outside the classroom. I have always been told, and now by Natasha, that first impressions are key! Letting your students know the expectations to create a safe environment right after the bat. Wow! Natasha was so insightful and I enjoyed getting to know her and her experiences.

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Assessment is a crucial tool for teachers to get an accurate picture of where their students are academically and socially. Regular assessments help to identify students' strengths and weaknesses and inform instructional decisions. This information can then be used to guide teachers in differentiating their instruction, targeting specific areas of need, and providing students with meaningful feedback on their learning.

There are things you can create yourself, and the APES tool she mentioned is good for a more family-perspective experience.

Work smarter, not harder! Educators have a lot on their plate, and teachers, think of your day in a linear way. Concentrate on what you expect of your students, teachers, and yourself. Create little systems that work for you! You cannot do this alone, sometimes you need students to be independent so you can work on others in that time.

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There is always assessment within the classroom, Christina says she is always assessing her kids, from the moment they walk in the door. She is observing where they are going, and where they need to be. Her goal for all her students is growth! It is not all about the content which is the key takeaway.

Throughout the video, she says "don't walk alone," be a community with the teachers, parents, and students around you.

Some resources that work to support her as an educator is; social media, seeing what other people post, and seeing the growth in other people's classroom. Also constantly look for new things, and try to find ways they will help shape your classroom learning.

Book: "How to Hug a Porcupine: Easy Ways to Love the Difficult People in Your Life"

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As a SPED teacher, Brandi approaches assessment in both formal and informal ways. She utilizes a "social skills checklist" which covers a range of skills including reading, math, social skills, and behaviors. I particularly appreciated how she emphasized the importance of accurately assessing students and recognizing both their struggles and strengths.

Brandi also provided valuable advice for future teachers, cautioning them to be mindful of who they surround themselves with, as negative attitudes can be contagious. Instead, she recommended seeking out positive and supportive colleagues in order to maximize personal and professional growth.

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Andy has worked for 15 years as a professional who serves children of all ages. In his view, assessment is an essential tool for estimating the quality, nature, and ability of a student, but it is only a single piece of the puzzle. It cannot provide a complete picture of the student's overall performance. Instead, assessment results need to be interpreted carefully to ensure validity. To guide his work, he uses MTSS assessments, which help him monitor progress and gain insight into student performance. As a school psychologist, he also employs cognitive assessments.

One critical piece of advice that Andy emphasizes is to maintain consistency in teamwork. Working collaboratively is crucial and has been mentioned by nearly every guest mentor he has worked with. He also believes that teachers need to recognize the impact they have on their students. While assessments play a role in the classroom, teachers' overall impact is far more significant. Children are the future, and it's a privilege to make a difference in their lives. Andy finds it incredibly rewarding to be a part of the education process and to have an impact on the future generation.

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Observation is the most critical aspect of assessment, according to her. She believes that assessments aren't limited to paper and pencil tests, but can be achieved through daily observations. She recommends working with small groups as it allows for better assessment opportunities. As a teacher, one can challenge their students by constantly asking themselves how to push them further. It's also essential to pay attention to students' nonverbal cues to assess if they understand the material. Collaboration is key to working smarter, not harder. Working in a team can help divide tasks based on individual strengths and weaknesses. Dena shared stories about her students with dyslexia and how they overcame their fear of sharing with the class through assessments. Allowing students to use their voices in the classroom is crucial. For example, one of her students came up with the idea of having detective-themed morning meetings.

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The transcript is a conversation between Amy and Kelly Tynes. Kelly Tynes is the instructional coaching coordinator in Olathe. She has been in the teaching profession for over 20 years and has been mentoring teachers for many years. Kelly believes in the importance of assessments in both personal and professional life. She defines assessment as the process of evaluating whether or not a goal or objective has been achieved. Kelly uses rubrics as her go-to assessment tool to guide her instruction, teaching, and mentorship of coaches. She believes that rubrics help keep teachers objective and aligned with the standards.

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According to her, assessment is an essential and effective tool that helps her evaluate her students' knowledge and identify areas that require improvement. Since her students have a limited attention span of only 2-3 minutes, finding suitable activities can be challenging. Therefore, she needs to conduct quick and straightforward assessments to track her students' progress. As a novice teacher, she had to work harder, which resulted in an unhealthy work-life balance. To prevent this, she suggests setting boundaries and focusing on her duties as a teacher. She also recommends planning ahead and staying on top of her schedule to reduce stress and avoid falling behind. Moreover, she emphasizes the importance of teamwork and learning from her colleagues. Additionally, she suggests leaving personal problems at home and putting on a cheerful demeanor to greet her students warmly, thereby conveying her dedication to their education. Words have tremendous power, and she believes that conveying positivity and enthusiasm can go a long way in creating a positive learning environment.

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According to him, the ultimate goal of assessment is to gauge a student's ability to apply their knowledge, regardless of the method they use to demonstrate it. He emphasizes that students must grasp the standards and apply them in different contexts. When designing assessments, he prefers to keep them open-ended, allowing students to express their understanding uniquely, as he believes that a one-size-fits-all approach is ineffective. He breaks down the standards into five essential questions, ideas, or thoughts for teaching and shares this information with his students. If some students master these concepts early, they can become experts and share their knowledge with others. He believes that it's not necessary to focus on the bigger picture all the time, as sometimes, it's better to take things one step at a time. Instead of a map, he sees these concepts as a compass, guiding students toward their goals. He also encourages teachers to be flexible in their approach and not worry about doing everything at once, as everyone will reach their destination eventually. Overall, his perspective on teaching and assessment is insightful and inspiring.