Expanding the vision: Rising stars
September 6, 2014, was the beginning of Beta Pi's Educational Excellence Program and Project for 2014-2015. Amy Koenning, former principal at Alice ISD, Alice High School and retired GearUp Coordinator, was the guest speaker at Beta Pi's first meeting. Koenning spoke on "Mentoring First Year Teachers." She spoke on the importance of being a support system for first year teachers and letting them know they are not alone. Koenning encouraged members to reach out to these new teachers via phone calls, private social media messages, offering to help with classroom activities, possibly taking them lunch, gifts, or just a little something to make their day.
Beta Pi chapter adopted two local schools, Schallert Elementary and Memorial Intermediate School, to mentor first year teachers. With the help of members Assistant Principal Tina Saenz (Memorial) and Principal Patricia Garcia and Assistant Principal Nora T. Lopez (Schallert), new teachers were identified. First Vice President and Chairperson of Educational Excellence Adela M. Navarro had members brainstorm on items first year teachers might need to make their first year easier. A list of teacher items was developed with pens, pencils, folders, and paperclips, just to mention a few.
Navarro introduced the chapter project of "Tools of the Trade" and informed members items would be purchased and presented to first year teachers who will be mentored. Members will be assigned mentees who will be invited to a "meet and greet" reception.
Beta Pi chapter adopted two local schools, Schallert Elementary and Memorial Intermediate School, to mentor first year teachers. With the help of members Assistant Principal Tina Saenz (Memorial) and Principal Patricia Garcia and Assistant Principal Nora T. Lopez (Schallert), new teachers were identified. First Vice President and Chairperson of Educational Excellence Adela M. Navarro had members brainstorm on items first year teachers might need to make their first year easier. A list of teacher items was developed with pens, pencils, folders, and paperclips, just to mention a few.
Navarro introduced the chapter project of "Tools of the Trade" and informed members items would be purchased and presented to first year teachers who will be mentored. Members will be assigned mentees who will be invited to a "meet and greet" reception.
Update: October 29, 2014