Teachers As Advisors Workshop New Jersey

1. Teachers As Advisors WorkshopNew Jersey Jan Struebing jstruebi@sbcglobal.net

2. Workshop Objectives • Giving the middle school students support toward success • Helping 9--12 graders plan for high school success • Involve parents and students in the planning process • Keep Score—Evaluate the effectiveness of the program. • Think of topics for advisory period—age appropriate

3. Goals of a Quality Advisory Program • Create a caring school climate • Monitor the academic progress of students • Promote critical thinking skills through discussion and problem-solving activities • Assist students in making responsible choices • Assist students in accepting responsibility for their own actions. • Teachers are well trained in the provided curriculum.

4. How to Achieve Success? • Buy-In from: • Board Members • Administrators • Counselors • Career Counselors • Teachers • Parents/Guardians • Students

5. Who will Coordinate Program? • Principal • Counselor • Career Counselor • Teacher • Committee of Teachers

6. Attendance Discipline Academic Success Extra Help Homework Completion Career Research Growing Up Conflict Resolution Test Results Course Selection Study Skills A Plan of Study Professional Help Student Issues

7. Teachers As Advisors • A program where teachers work with a group of students and their parents/guardians to explore educational and career possibilities based on valid information. • Raising academic rigor is also an important part in helping a student reach their future goals.

8. Personalizing the High School Experience for Each Student byJoseph DiMartino and John Clarke • Great on advisories and making changes that help students understand the relevance of what they are being taught, and how they are being prepared for success as adults. Book offers a new vision for high schools—a vision that puts students at the center of their own learning.

9. Compare PLP & IEP Difference • PLP IEP • Control lies with student Adults control • Student’s interest, talents Test Scores, diagnostics • Dreams Identify remedial • Clarify sense of direction services needed to • Identify learning required appropriate expt. to meet hopes Reduce weakness • Extend positive momentum of each individual

10. PLP & IEP • Both can be used together or separate. • Both are helpful • Both assume that students learn most effectively when the experience responds to their unique skills and understanding

11. PLP’s Used in Advisory • PLP’s can help students meet standards, and help provide evidence they have met the 21st century standards such as: communication, problem solving, and social responsibility.

12. Why is Advisory Important to Students? • More one-on-one attention • Develop a Plan • Students will enroll in higher level academics • Middle Schools students develop physically and mentally • Learn a connection between their career and courses they need to take • More timely help available to students in need.

13. Important to Parent/Guardian • Parents become more involved during annual meeting • Parents know there is someone at the school with a strong interest in their son or daughter • Parents have a better understanding of the courses their son or daughter will need in high school.

14. Value to Teachers • Teachers gain a greater knowledge of graduation requirements and of all school’s offering • Develop strong bonds with their advisees • Learn to work as a team • Teachers see students from a different perspective

15. GUIDANCE The help allstudents receive from parents, teachers, counselors, community members and others to assist with educational and career development COUNSELING The help some students receive from credentialed professionals to overcome personal and social problems that interfere with learning. Guidance – What is it?

16. Advisory Committee • Number and Make-up of Committee • Administrators • Teachers • Parents • Students • Certified Staff • Union Representative

17. Role of the Administrator • Inform School Board • Develop Schedule That Allows for Advisement • Logistics • Research Various Approaches and Make Recommendations to Administration and Faculty • Be Supportive to Program Coordinator and Staff

18. Counselor’s Role • Help Give Staff Non-Confidential Info • Help With Training of Staff • Help With Curriculum Writing • Teach Conferencing Skills • Serve on Advisory Committee

19. Determining Advisee Groups • Interest • Homeroom • Alphabetically • Mixed or By Grade Level • ESOL • Special Education

20. Set Advisor Periods • Calendar • Best Day of the Week • Length of Session • Getting on School Calendar • Number of Sessions During School Year • Keeping Teachers Informed

21. Individual Career Plan for Each Student Teacher Team Work Improved Transition from Middle School to High School Parent/Guardian Involvement Student Self-Esteem Improved Student Teacher Partnership Benefits

22. Curriculum Units • Who or What Group Will Develop? • Portfolios for Students • Middle School vs. High School • Relevant Curriculum • Life Skills vs. Career Skills • Notebooks for Teachers • W Drive, CD

23. Teacher Training/Curriculum • Teacher’s Need Assurance & Help • Curriculum—Who Develops It? • Transition from Middle School-to High School • Teachers need training in groups

24. Key to Success on Advisories • Planning and Implementation • Relating to students and helping them believe that someone at school cares about them! • Making it all personal!!

25. 1. Buy-In from: A. Administration B. Counselors C. Teachers D. Students 2. Who will oversee 3. Committee 4. Calendar 5. Curriculum 6. Program Name 7. Determine Groups 8. Advisor Training 9. Public Relations & Marketing 10. Evaluation 11. $$$-cost Implementation

26. Obstacles • Resistance to Change • Fear of the Unknown • Existing Rules and Traditions • Teacher Training • Unions • Administration Not Buying Into Program

27. What Is The Real Purpose of this Program? Relating to Students and Helping Them Believe Someone Cares at School About Them!! Making It All Personal. • QUESTIONS?? CONCERNS???