https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118 Post 2 questions for Amy Trojanowski, Principal at Mineola Middle School and former NYC middle school Science teacher, and Corey Mammolito, Assistant Principal at Kings Park High School and former NYC middle school math teacher. en-us 2020-11-12 16:48:05 UTC 2026-02-26 09:15:38 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/917800715 Given your experience as a middle school math teacher, what advice would you give to a future middle school math teacher on relating lessons to middle school students’ lives in a fun and educational way?]]> 2020-11-12 18:21:56 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/917800715 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/917804925 What would you both say is the most important approach at creating a classroom environment in which your students would feel comfortable enough to talk to you about an issue they are facing, whether academic or personal?]]> 2020-11-12 18:22:47 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/917804925 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/918284406

]]> 2020-11-12 20:05:24 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/918284406 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/918301617 Can you both describe your experiences from your first year teaching? 

]]> 2020-11-12 20:09:58 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/918301617 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/918653177 How do you incorporate the personal interests of your students into your instruction and/or assessments? ]]> 2020-11-12 22:04:02 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/918653177 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/918656740 What kind of after school programs does Mineola Middle School offer that allows students to get more involved outside of the classroom?]]> 2020-11-12 22:05:28 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/918656740 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/918807392 As a middle school math teacher, did you take advantage of relating topics to real world applications? If so, how were you able to do it in a way that was not too difficult for middle school students?]]> 2020-11-12 23:22:30 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/918807392 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/919233894 What do you find is the most effective strategy to use when assisting students during the transition from elementary school to middle school?]]> 2020-11-13 03:48:30 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/919233894 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/921040241 Now that you are administrative members and no longer spend your days in the classroom with students, how do you ensure that you get to individually know and make personal connections with the students in your schools? ]]> 2020-11-13 17:28:57 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/921040241 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/921073373 How did you incorporate the outside world into your assessments, projects, activities, etc. when you were a middle school science teacher? Did you find that students seemed to be more engaged when they were solving or investigating real world problems? ]]> 2020-11-13 17:36:33 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/921073373 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/922411927 How do you know if an assessment or an activity is too difficult or broad for a group of middle schoolers? Should you lead them or have them find their own path?]]> 2020-11-14 05:31:58 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/922411927 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/922412611 What are your main points of advise about dealing ELL or other special needs students in the classroom?]]> 2020-11-14 05:33:23 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/922412611 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/925571537 What do you wish you knew before you started your first year of teaching?]]> 2020-11-16 02:42:55 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/925571537 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/925578650 How is teaching middle school in New York City different than teaching middle school on Long Island? ]]> 2020-11-16 02:47:48 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/925578650 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/928465622 What do you find are the biggest challenges that the middle schools students face as they transition from elementary school?]]> 2020-11-16 18:03:38 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/928465622 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/928502402 What do you find to be the most effective way to engage all students, particularly those who tend to be easily distracted?]]> 2020-11-16 18:10:29 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/928502402 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931639497 As a Middle School Principal, how do you get to know your students and make them feel comfortable/supported by you, since you are not in direct contact with them like their teachers are on a day-to-day basis?]]> 2020-11-17 13:51:22 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931639497 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931648617 How do you get to know the interests of your students in a classroom where the subject often seems very disconnected from the lives of the students, unlike a humanities class where topics can often be related to their every day lives or struggles they may be experiencing?]]> 2020-11-17 13:53:17 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931648617 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931668385 What did you find to be the most difficult part of applying what you learned in college to the hands-on experiences of student teaching/residency?]]> 2020-11-17 13:57:16 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931668385 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931775623 How involved are principals in the hiring process of new teachers? What kinds of new questions have arisen over the last few months with the spread of COVID? ]]> 2020-11-17 14:17:18 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931775623 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931777741 How would you describe the workplace culture in your experience? So many teachers/retired educators have warned against "spending too much time in the teachers' lounge" because they have found it to be very negative. Do you find that to be the case? ]]> 2020-11-17 14:17:40 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931777741 valeriecirisano https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931806670 As a principal, what does your day to day schedule consist of? How do you foster an inclusive environment? What was the hardest part in moving from a teacher to principal?]]> 2020-11-17 14:22:32 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931806670 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931810229 How did you go about establishing yourself as a student teacher? Were there any major challenges?

What was the most valuable thing you learned during your residency?]]> 2020-11-17 14:23:07 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931810229 valeriecirisano https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931815823 How did you make math more exciting to learn? What difficult concepts were you able to clarify and how? As an assistant principal, how do you work alongside the upper staff to support the school environment?]]> 2020-11-17 14:24:01 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931815823 valeriecirisano https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931824420 Which role, teacher or administration, do you like more and why?]]> 2020-11-17 14:25:24 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931824420 valeriecirisano https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931833772 How do you integrate different teaching methods within your classroom? What does your typical classroom day consist of?]]> 2020-11-17 14:26:53 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931833772 valeriecirisano https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931837593 What is one valuable piece of information you wish someone told you your first year of teaching?]]> 2020-11-17 14:27:33 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931837593 valeriecirisano https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931840142 In the time of COVID-19, how do you keep students motivated?]]> 2020-11-17 14:28:02 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/931840142 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/932019467 What made you choose the residency program as apposed to the model program, Bellmore Merrick program, etc, when applying for student teaching? ]]> 2020-11-17 14:59:39 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/932019467 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/932062785 What class at Adelphi made you feel the most prepared for your first year of teaching? Do you get to use any of the lesson plans you have created in your actual classrooms or during student teaching. ]]> 2020-11-17 15:07:05 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/932062785 nashratelias https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/932240608 What would you say are some of the biggest differences between being an educator in the city vs. on Long Island? How might one best reach and support ELLs in a math class?]]> 2020-11-17 15:37:14 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/932240608 nashratelias https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/932280418 Do you notice a big difference between 6th grade and 8th grade? How do you address each of their needs?]]> 2020-11-17 15:44:01 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/932280418 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/932475178 What has been the most challenging part of teaching in a middle school and how have you handled it?]]> 2020-11-17 16:16:22 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/932475178 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/932480009 Middle school can be very challenging and I believe that bullying is one of the main reasons why. Do you do anything to discourage bullying and has it been successful?]]> 2020-11-17 16:17:10 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/932480009 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/934258285
Symantha Messina


]]> 2020-11-17 22:24:01 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/934258285 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/934264812

]]> 2020-11-17 22:26:38 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/934264812 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/934289590 Is there a good way to get quieter or more apprehensive students involved in classroom conversations?]]> 2020-11-17 22:37:24 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/934289590 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/934301226 Especially in the midst of the COVID-19 circumstances, how can you help students feel less anxious and more comfortable in school?]]> 2020-11-17 22:42:41 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/934301226 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/934696023 What classroom management strategies seemed to work best while you were student teaching/started teaching? How do you hold students accountable for the class goals? ]]> 2020-11-18 01:41:43 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/934696023 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/934703597 How do you and the teacher whom you work with create a safe and welcoming learning environment for students? ]]> 2020-11-18 01:45:45 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/934703597 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/935016124 How do you address the needs of individual students while working with the whole class?  Do you have any suggestions on how we can help students with special needs?]]> 2020-11-18 04:47:31 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/935016124 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/935024466 In what ways have schools changed over the last 5-years from an administrative perspective?]]> 2020-11-18 04:52:06 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/935024466 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/936081047 What is the most valuable thing you learned during  residency that you still apply in the classroom today?]]> 2020-11-18 11:11:51 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/936081047 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/936112361 How has COVID-19 changed or impacted the methods you are prone to using in the classroom?   ]]> 2020-11-18 11:24:23 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/936112361 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/936762662 Due to the Pandemic , How has your role as assistant principal changed ?]]> 2020-11-18 14:19:54 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/936762662 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/936778947 Being a Principal , What do you find to be the most stressful thing about the job?

]]> 2020-11-18 14:22:32 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/936778947 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/937466574 During COVID and the upcoming break, how do you support the teachers and students in school that are worried about what will occur once they return to the school? What advice would you give to a new teacher who is looking for a job during this pandemic? ]]> 2020-11-18 16:20:12 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/937466574 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/937472455 As a former NYC middle school math teacher what experiences did you bring with you to Kings Park HS? What was the hardest part of the transition from a city middle school to a Long Island high school? What advice would you give to a math educator that you wished someone had once told you? ]]> 2020-11-18 16:21:14 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/937472455 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/937481005 How often do you include interactive games to motivate student learning in the classroom? Or do you try to limit this for lab period or home practice? ]]> 2020-11-18 16:22:45 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/937481005 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/937486258 What was the easiest and the hardest part of your transition form observing a classroom to teaching a class? What would you say to a 5th year grad who is looking for a job during this pandemic? ]]> 2020-11-18 16:23:41 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/937486258 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/937540670 From your experience as a middle school principal, can you discuss some of the major differences you've seen in both teachers and students this year, due to COVID-19? ]]> 2020-11-18 16:33:01 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/937540670 https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/937552043 As a former NYC middle school math teacher, what would be your best advice for classroom management in a subject that students often find difficult? I've noticed that students who struggle tend to act out. How do you approach those students to ensure they learn? ]]> 2020-11-18 16:34:57 UTC https://padlet.com/heathermarie_dvorak/MSPanel1118/wish/937552043