KTIP
AKA the Kentucky Teaching Internship Program. AKA hell on earth for first year teachers.
There is no way to escape KTIP in Kentucky. Even teachers who didn't get their certifications in an alternative fashion like me still have to go through KTIP. In fact none of us are actually fully certified teachers UNTIL we pass KTIP. It involves a crap-ton of paperwork and busywork.
I have to be observed 6 times by 3 different people, submitting a crazy detailed lesson plan beforehand and doing a detailed reflection and data assessment afterwards. In March I'll have to submit a video-taped lesson OR do 3 more observations.
I have to come up with 3 separate professional growth goals and document EVERYTHING I do regarding them.
I have to collaborate with someone...anyone on a student who would "benefit from additional collaboration."
There's also a leadership project that I have to implement AND where I also have to collect data and show that it is impacting my students' achievement.
I have a committee that decides whether I pass or not - a mentor teacher who while she does teach Spanish works in a high school and sees her students every day, my principal and a lady from the local university.
The good news is that they love me. I am, and I quote, "a breath of fresh air." I've tried explaining that while this is my first year teaching in Kentucky this is not my first ride at the rodeo. I spent 3 years in Japan doing this exact job but in English rather than Spanish. Today my principal sat in on my class with the 4th graders. Her only criticism is that I need to protect my voice. Otherwise, well...I'm golden. Despite knowing that they like me and I'm going to be fine I still get super nervous to have someone in there taking notes on me while I'm teaching. Only one more observation left to go and then I have my second (of three) committee meetings.
There is no way to escape KTIP in Kentucky. Even teachers who didn't get their certifications in an alternative fashion like me still have to go through KTIP. In fact none of us are actually fully certified teachers UNTIL we pass KTIP. It involves a crap-ton of paperwork and busywork.
I have to be observed 6 times by 3 different people, submitting a crazy detailed lesson plan beforehand and doing a detailed reflection and data assessment afterwards. In March I'll have to submit a video-taped lesson OR do 3 more observations.
I have to come up with 3 separate professional growth goals and document EVERYTHING I do regarding them.
I have to collaborate with someone...anyone on a student who would "benefit from additional collaboration."
There's also a leadership project that I have to implement AND where I also have to collect data and show that it is impacting my students' achievement.
I have a committee that decides whether I pass or not - a mentor teacher who while she does teach Spanish works in a high school and sees her students every day, my principal and a lady from the local university.
The good news is that they love me. I am, and I quote, "a breath of fresh air." I've tried explaining that while this is my first year teaching in Kentucky this is not my first ride at the rodeo. I spent 3 years in Japan doing this exact job but in English rather than Spanish. Today my principal sat in on my class with the 4th graders. Her only criticism is that I need to protect my voice. Otherwise, well...I'm golden. Despite knowing that they like me and I'm going to be fine I still get super nervous to have someone in there taking notes on me while I'm teaching. Only one more observation left to go and then I have my second (of three) committee meetings.