Teacher Mentoring Teacher How One Email Can Help by Jessica Williams https://padlet.com/jessicaaprilwilliams/o4tbe1chafp4 Please reflect by Wednesday on how this might be useful to implement as a mentor. By Friday, comment on a minimum of two others' reflection. en-us 2019-10-07 14:20:27 UTC 2026-01-24 02:55:02 UTC hello@padlet.com How One Email Can Help bxkrau17 https://padlet.com/jessicaaprilwilliams/o4tbe1chafp4/wish/398406816 I might be completely off track on my understanding of what a "nudge" is, but here is what is going through my mind:

As a mentor, sending just a little nudge could respectfully and effectively help those who are being mentored.  A week or two ago we looked at the different stages that a first year (or any) teacher experiences throughout the year.  As a mentor, we can simply send an email (or tell them in person) how great of a job they are doing.  If you notice he or she is stressed, whisper to them, "you are doing a great job" as you pass them in the hallway.  If they are having a tough week, email them outlining a few positive words of encouragement or positive things you see him or her doing.  By personally sending our mentee a nudge, we are showing them that we care about them and their success.]]> 2019-10-16 12:12:21 UTC https://padlet.com/jessicaaprilwilliams/o4tbe1chafp4/wish/398406816 How One Email Can Help c_yohnk https://padlet.com/jessicaaprilwilliams/o4tbe1chafp4/wish/399771320 What I first was thinking as I was reading this article is:   I would not use this with my first graders, but I can see how it could maybe be useful with high school students.  Then as I reread the assignment about how this might be useful to implement as a mentor, again I was thinking:    Since our classrooms are not that far apart, I would much rather give  little nudges in person as I sometimes feel things can be misinterpreted in emails.  On even further reflection, I now am thinking that maybe a card or a note with a little nudge written in it would be nice.  Something my mentee might hang on to and refer to in the future.   ?????]]> 2019-10-19 00:47:32 UTC https://padlet.com/jessicaaprilwilliams/o4tbe1chafp4/wish/399771320 Bekka Beaufeaux r_beaufeaux https://padlet.com/jessicaaprilwilliams/o4tbe1chafp4/wish/399852471 I’ve taken this article to heart in many ways- even before I read it! As a friend I’ve noticed that certain relationships benefit greatly from those ‘check in’ moments. By sending an encouraging text out of the blue I’ve built positive instant regard for their sense of worth. I like getting them back too! 

Understanding what this would look like as a nudge from a teacher or mentor is just as important in developing positive rapport with another relationship. Through working together to look at the resources that are available for help with a non-judgemental tone can really help encourage that mentee or student to do some extra work. It also puts the emphasis on the job of the learner- how are you going to accomplish the goal of completing this course for the grade you want?

It’s always been important to me to own my grades. I’ve worked hard on classes and others I’ve skated by. The ones where the teacher pushed me to learn for the sake of learning or to learn to better myself as a person have lessons that I’ve taken with me. For example: Aural Training in college was KILLER for music students. It was challenging, sight reading was hard, memorization of pitches and intervals was difficult and not fun to study. But I liked how the professor pushed us. Now I use these skills every day in almost every lesson with my students. In knowing the difficult times would pay off helped me work hard for my goals. 
]]> 2019-10-19 15:55:08 UTC https://padlet.com/jessicaaprilwilliams/o4tbe1chafp4/wish/399852471 How One Email Can Help jaritc17 https://padlet.com/jessicaaprilwilliams/o4tbe1chafp4/wish/399909782      This article intrigued me.  In my experience, both professionally and personally, I have found that when someone takes the time to let me know that I am more than just a number, I feel valued and cared for.  As a result, I tend to work harder and feel more confident.  Also, at my current school, every parent receives a handwritten postcard from a teacher at least once during the school year.  These postcards focus on positive behaviors and work that each student is doing.  The parents appreciate that we take the time to acknowledge their children and the students are excited that we "bragged" about them.  I have even found that some of my students work harder after being acknowledged because they are proud of themselves and want to continue to feel that way.
     Based on these experiences, I definitely believe that this would be beneficial to use in a mentor/mentee relationship.  While we give verbal feedback during the day, taking time out of our personal lives to acknowledge our mentee can help them feel valued and also let them know that we truly do want them to be successful.  As others have said, I also think that the "nudge" doesn't have to necessarily be an email, it can be a Post-It note, a smile, or praise in front of someone else.
 ]]> 2019-10-20 00:55:08 UTC https://padlet.com/jessicaaprilwilliams/o4tbe1chafp4/wish/399909782 How can one email help? j_rubenzer https://padlet.com/jessicaaprilwilliams/o4tbe1chafp4/wish/400046279 I already do this every day.  It is a little different in middle school.  I try to catch students doing well.  I then send an email home to parents telling them what a wonderful thing their child did that day.  I try to send one or two every day.  Sometimes, to whole classes, but it does make a difference.  If a student feels they are not very "good" at math. I look for something they do good in math class.  Maybe they are good at looking for patterns, showing their work neatly so I can see how they think, coming to the board and showing a class how to do a problem (I usually go over it with them ahead of time so they know what to do), or just writing their problems neatly on the paper.  Sometimes these students have other gifts like being a good leader, helper or scriber.  I look for strengths when I go to their football, volleyball, or basketball games. I tell them what I liked about their band or choir concerts and ask them what was their favorite song or part of a game. These short personal emails show how much you care about them doing well and makes a huge difference in how they work in your classroom.

]]> 2019-10-20 21:46:00 UTC https://padlet.com/jessicaaprilwilliams/o4tbe1chafp4/wish/400046279 How One Email Can Help b_canfield https://padlet.com/jessicaaprilwilliams/o4tbe1chafp4/wish/402380101 It's so important to check in with students and coworkers. I love when my colleagues send me emails just to see how everything is going. With students, I try to email parents when students are doing well. This way, we can let students know that we are emailing their parents about how well they are doing. Parents always assume that getting an email from a teacher is a bad thing. I think that teachers should try to establish a positive relationship with parents and students before sending "bad" notes home. It encourages students to make changes if the email is positively worded. Email notifications about successes or challenges in school should not be left alone. We should always follow up, especially when a challenge becomes a success. It is so meaningful to students to know that their teachers notice that they are trying hard and doing better with whatever task.]]> 2019-10-25 02:10:33 UTC https://padlet.com/jessicaaprilwilliams/o4tbe1chafp4/wish/402380101