In this week's episode "Dropped in the Classroom: WTF are State Standards", I'm joined by Valerie Dominy, a high school business teacher and the founder of The Highest Standard. Valerie shares her insights into teaching, from navigating state standards and alternative certification to helping new teachers survive their first years in the classroom. They discuss the importance of parent communication, student relationships, and how administrators can better support educators. Valerie also reflects on her role as a business owner, bridging the gap for alternative certification teachers to feel confident in their profession.

Takeaways:

Navigating State Standards: Understanding and mastering state standards is essential for teachers, especially those from alternative certification programs.

Supporting New Teachers: Schools need to offer real mentorship programs where experienced teachers regularly support new hires, not just for evaluations.

Parent-Teacher Communication: Clear communication with parents can alleviate many classroom issues, building trust and improving student success.

Work-Life Balance: Teachers must set boundaries and take care of themselves to avoid burnout, especially with the pressures of adapting to new curriculum and standards.

Teaching is Ever-Evolving: Whether it’s mastering new standards or adjusting to different student needs each year, teaching is a continuous learning process.

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Want to Learn more about Valerie Dominy?

Instagram: @the_highest_standard_pd

Facebook: The Highest Standard

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Don’t be shy come say hi: [email protected] and podcasterandrea.com

Watch on YouTube: @educatorandrea

Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc.

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A Human Content Production

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