Transcript How to RUN a Fabulous Orientation for NEW Staff

Rola Zein
Al Ittihad Private School Jumeira IPS-J
Background
Experience
School History
Staff Nationalities (200/23)
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When YOU first came to UAE:
How did YOU feel?
- What was your worst fear?
- Who helped YOU?
- How long did it take YOU to adjust?
- Would YOU like to go through that
experience one more time?
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This is all so new to me!!!!!!!!!!
 School (work environment)
 New colleagues (work as a team)
 New management (sensitive to needs)
 New “house” (flat-mate, neighbors/hood)
 New country/ habits/culture (to take in)
 New weather (heat)
 New languages (everywhere)
Anxiety Level
Feeling Safe
Well-established SYSTEM
 Everything is ready
 Structure (easy to fit in)
 Finding moral support
 Space to be creative
 When it comes to creativity- the sky is
the limit
 “Your class is your Kingdom”
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Communication is very essential (Whatsapp!)
e-mail everything if time permits:
 Important information about the school
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Staff Handbook
Specific details on what is “NOT ALLOWED”
 Plans
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School Calendar + Event & Holidays
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Meet & greet @ the airport
Clean & fully- furnished accommodation
Provide necessary supplies
Location map & means of transportation
Colleagues living next door/ same building
Facilities available in the building (gym, direct
access to the metro station..)
Currency (coins & bills) & equivalence
in AED
 sim card- call family/friends upon arrival
 Emergency numbers
 Nearest pharmacy/ clinic
 Nearest supermarket (take there & wait)
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-BIG smile to greet new & old staff
-Staff ORIENTATION session
-Welcome Back Snack!
- School Tour
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I’m here for YOU
Ask as many questions: there is no ‘stupid
question’ in my book
Exchange mobile numbers
All your needs have been met?
Transportation from school to accommodation
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The answer to every request is a
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smile
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We are here for each other (good & bad times)
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We
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School clinic operates all day
share everything
 We listen to each other
 We live in harmony
 Introduce
new staff & greet them
 GAME-ice breaker
 School’s Vision & Mission
 General information
 Important events on the calendar
 Allowed vs. Not Allowed
 What’s new this year??
 Clear Expectations
Ready to distribute on DAY 1:
 Yearly & Weekly Plans
 Daily Schedule
 Class list (+gender of students)
 Student Information Sheet
 Assessment dates
 Duties (weekly plan, monthly news..)
 Assemblies/Events Schedule
 Section Floor Map
 Calendar with all the important dates
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The same section (KG/Primary/High School)
Main Administration (HR/ Accounting Dept.)
All other sections
School Facilities (Green Field- Main Library..)
Entrances & Exits
General Rules (parking lot..)
Is very essential for new staff as it helps them
get to know more about the school & the
parents in general
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Discuss specific details (plans, standards,
assessment)
What to do on the first week of school
HRT (plans of all subjects)
All the RESOURCES are available
Toys/ equipments/ activities
Choose one of your established teachers to
coach the new teacher, to give:
 More details & specifics on each subject
 Where to get what?
 How to handle??
 “Come to me if you need anything..”
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Clear procedures
Weekly meetings
Plans
Class visits
Recommendations
Answers to questions
Raise attainment & progress
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No students
Attended by teachers of all levels
Procedures & Routines
Teachers Steal, Beg & Borrow from each other
Visit other classes for ideas
Ask questions
Show different teaching techniques
New Teacher →established teachers
 Students are present
 Procedures & routine
 Write a report: what I learned.. what
will I use..I liked the--- most…how
to start & how to end a lesson
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Weekly meetings (same level teachers)
 With HOD or Coordinator
 With Principal
 Mini-workshops on:
-Child Protection Policy
-Emergency Plans
 Urgent Meetings
 Parents meetings announced on the calendar
 IEP Meetings (SEN)
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Walk-through (Learning Walks + targeted
feedback)
Preliminary Visit (PC)
Announced Visit (PC)
Unannounced Visit (PC)
Post Conference + Mirror
Recommendations & instant changes
Time limit to see these changes (When would
you like me to visit you again??)
A server
No need for
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Yearly/ Weekly Plans
Monthly News
Standards
Assessment data
Scanned Books
Downloads from the internet
Table activities
Everything is ready from DAY1
 Classroom Decoration
 Stationery
 Toys/Furniture
 Student Books & Assessment Booklets
 Teacher’s ‘Plan Book’ (tips & suggestions)
 Smart board + MyNetCard
 Internet Access & SERVER connection
Maintain a positive atmosphere
 Implement work ethics
 Be a role model
 Respect & embrace different cultures
 Give trust to get trust
 Be honest/ never make promises you can’t keep
 Be a good listener
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“Contact me at any time..”
 “I can see you’re not feeling well
today. You can leave @---”
 When feeling down→ show sympathy
 “Are you busy???” “I’m always here for
you..”
 Need to talk, cry, express fear..
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Give ample opportunities for that
Start your day with a “SMILE”
Instead of supplies call them “gifts”
 Call
or text
 Supply moral support
 Reassure
 Be positive
 End it with a laugh
 We
all suffer from it
 Maintain a positive
relation with all staff
members
Orientation is not a matter of a few
days.. It is a learning experience
that takes a while & requires
patience & a positive atmosphere
How long??
Teachers inspire NATIONS
Give them a home not a house
Provide moral support
Professional attitude & respect
SUPPLY ENOUGH INFORMATION
Be transparent
Rola Zein
Kindergarten Principal & HOD
IPS-J
[email protected]