We all know how hard it is to take time out of our busy day and sit in another classroom and monitor a peer. The logistics of this can be a nightmare, when do we do it? Will the administration see a value in peer mentoring? When do we eat? These are real questions when a teacher begins mentoring another teacher, however if these issues are dealt with the rewards are worth the sacrifice.
The article discusses three benefits from peer mentoring: 1.To rethink the way we do things and adapt to changing times. 2.Another interesting benefit was how our colleagues acted as a "reality check." 3.A third hidden benefit is that the children see their teachers practicing what they preach.
As student teachers we are constantly being observed, so we are constantly working on the perfect lesson plan, and trying to figure out how we will present the information to our students to keep them actively engaged.
Coming up with the greatest lesson plan in the world in our eyes may fall short to our peers. Having a reality check from our peers help with our personal growth as educators. Input from our peers will help with better lessons and issues that we would normally not see due to being in our own routine.
We grade and talk to our students on how to improve but the students never see our improvement. Having a peer in the class observing the teacher allows the students to understand that even the teacher is being graded per say to become a better teacher. This would allow the teacher to gain more respect from the students.
Peer mentoring is an important way for us as educators to grow and become more efficient. We need to have input in our teaching lives so we do not become stagnant nor become stuck in a rut. The only time peer mentoring would become counter productive is if constructive feedback is taking negatively and not implemented into ones teaching practice.
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Interesting article. as I understand we will be monitored for two more years. It makes sense to have peer monitoring if you want to improve, but the rub is who can be held accountable if you don't improve in the education community. It seems no one is accountable now. Good synopsis, Mike.
ReplyDeleteI think that it really puts it in to perspective about all of the observations that we get We should not look at them in a negative way and instead we should use them to grow and learn as educators. Great summary!
ReplyDeleteI like the comment you made about the students seeing the teachers trying to improve. I agree that this would go such a long way in helping our students learn and buy into what we tell them each day. For so long they have sat back and heard the same lecture for every adult, to actually see one practice what they preach would be monumental.
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