At the
present time there is urgency for qualified and educated early childhood staff
in the state of North Carolina. There is
no longer a basis for what was once called More At Four. At the present time in North Carolina,
pre-kindergarten is coming up under the umbrella of Health and Human Services;
now known as North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten programs.
Due to the urgency for this
qualified staff for pre-Kindergarten and early childhood centers, state mentors
have been put into place for the purpose of assisting those teachers with
receiving and or keeping their license.
Those mentors are to go into the classrooms of these educators and
observe the teachers to see where they are in the process or to find out how
the teachers themselves feel about the goals for which they have created for
themselves and for their classrooms. The
mentor assists the teachers in knowing where they fit in the process of
becoming qualified personnel. They also assist
them in achieving the goal of being a qualified professional.
The teachers that are in the early childhood centers and not
the regular public educational classrooms also have the opportunities to have
the state mentors to come into their classrooms for the purpose of becoming
qualified teachers. The great thing is;
however that those teachers are able to stay inside of their classrooms instead
of having to go to the school system to receive their license.
The main concern of the state mentor
is to make sure that the state and the teachers are satisfied with performances
inside as well as outside of classroom settings for young children. They also have to make sure that teacher and
child ratios are in place and that proper treatment is given to young children
no matter their status. The mentor is to
make sure that the teachers are meeting proper goals which sustain all mandates
that are given by the state.
My hopes and dreams regarding this
process is that children have a chance to have positive outcomes. By successfully educating children,
communities can turn around in a positive manner. Neighborhoods, states and communities are
able to become sustained in valuable morals and values, which will create stern
foundations for the children of the future.
By educating young children, it will help to end poverty and break the cycle of another generation not succeeding. If I could change those situation all by myself, I would....it takes dedicated, and caring teachers along with the parents to give the children hope and make them want to become productive members of society.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of a state mentor before but I think it sounds like a great idea to get feedback and pointers, provided that the mentors are adequately qualified and experienced as well.
ReplyDeleteThe Head Start program has mentors for new teachers entering the field. I believe the teacher shortage is across the country. I know the state of Texas has had a teacher shortage for quite awhile. What do you think is influencing the shortage of qualified teachers?
ReplyDeleteSonya, That is interesting. My state South Carolina has the reversed problem. We have too many education graduates and no jobs. A friend of mine lives in Texas and she told me that there were so many opportunities for teachers there. I guess the grass is always greener. Latarsha great post!
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to say but I feel every teacher shouldn't be without a job. We have too many children suffering and not getting the right learning foundation because of teacher’s shortage across the broad. With the mentor program going on I hope it’s the right choice they made because no child should be left behind.
ReplyDelete