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FHS Staff, Here is an opportunity to provide useful help to new staff members. Please feel free to add to this page as often as you like. Just click on the //**"EDIT"**// button in the upper right portion of the page to begin your entry. Press //**"SAVE"**// when you are finished. The information you provide will be given to staff members new to Firestone High School. These should be helpful hints that might permit them to feel a little more comfortable as they begin their year at FHS. Please include your name and subject/grade level so they may check with you if they have any questions. You can also join the discussion posts by clicking on the discussion tab. Try it out and enjoy!

Drugan || History/ 10,11, 12 || Welcome to all the new teachers at Firestone. I agree with Jen and Jill. Getting involved is very important. Go to a football game or a play. When the students see you there they gain a new respect for you and typically will work better for you in the classroom. It can make a world of difference. Don't be afraid to ask questions. We are all here to help. Be consistent and fair with the students. You will get the best results this way and they will respect you for it. Establish order at the beginning of the year but do not become so overbearing that you lose their respect. The students respond best with mutual respect. If they know you care, then they will care. 10 Things Every Teacher at Firestone Should Know: 1. There is a copier in the Library. 2. There are staff restrooms. Some near the teacher's lounge and some on the first floor on the Cafeteria end of the building. 3. Kids who are short need the lower locker. Ask kids if they need a lower locker before you hand them out. 4. There is coffee in Rm 107 for 50 cents every morning. They also have tea and hot chocolate. 5. In the main office: Regina handles staff concerns and Sandy handles student concerns. But they typically will help with both. 6. There is a pop machine in the teacher's lounge and it is cheaper than the pop that students have. It also has more caffeine and sugar. 7. If you walk out the doors during the day you will be locked out. You need to buzz back in at the front doors or come in near the custodian door. 8. Always take your seating chart if there is a Fire Drill or Tornado Drill. 9. Learn the copy room etiquette. 10. Expect to wait in a long line in the cafeteria on Chicken Bowl day. :) || 11,12 || Welcome to FHS! Again, welcome to FHS and have a GREAT year! || Student Council Advisor || Welcome to Firestone! As a teacher and as a parent of Firestone graduates, I personally feel that Firestone is the best place to be! My advice to new staff members: Schneider || Director of Choirs || So many good thoughts from entried above! Survival Tactics: 1. If you park in the north lot with the kids, it is quite congested at the end of school and can be hard to leave for appointments/etc. Plan accordingly. 2. There are two teacher "lounges", located at the end of the corridor between the two restrooms in the commons area. One with tables to eat upon, the other with couches. I encourage staff to get out of their office during lunch time and eat/talk with other staff in one of these spaces. 3. All kids want to be good at something/successful. Stay positive, structured and professional at all times. 4. THis is an EXTREMELY diverse school in demographics, culture and curricular programs. We have DECA, engineering, IB, VPA (Visual and Performing Arts and BPA (Business Professionals) just to name a few. Embrace the concept of all this variety and help kids find their "niche". The more invested they are in school activities/programs, the more they'll take ownership of their behavior and demeanor. || Calhoun || Integrated Software || Welcome to the best high school in APS! My advice to a new teacher is to get to know as many students" names as possible. They love to be praised and encouraged. Most soak it up like sponges and it will definitely help in the long run. Take an interest in some of what they enjoy as well. Sports, music, clothes, etc. Showing a genuine interest in them goes along way. ||
 * Teacher Name || Subject /Grade || Advice to New Teachers ||
 * Jennifer Beaven || English/ 10, 12 || I don't have just one piece of advice for a new teacher, but many. I think the one piece of advice that has impacted me the most is to get involved in as much as I could in the first couple years. Teaching the kids is only one level of commitment as a teacher; advising and participating in extracurricular activities helps to build relationships with the kids that enhances their learning. Another piece of advice that I use everyday is to keep the kids in their seats until the bell rings. They don't need to stand at the doorway waiting to leave - keep them working until the bell and classroom management will be easier. Last comment - Welcome! ||
 * Jill Regenos || History/ 10,11,12 || Firestone is a busy and crowded school and someone new to the building can easily feel overwhelmed and a bit "lost". My advice to a new staff member is to constantly ask questions of everyone - colleagues in neighboring classrooms, custodial staff, office-mates, department chairs, secretaries, counselors, administrators, and so on. Our staff is friendly and willing to help so just ask. Welcome! ||
 * Kim
 * Christine Milcetich || Physics/Planetarium
 * My advice to you is to get involved in staff events and students events throughout the year. In the past, I have had some great "parent teacher conferences" while attending an extra-curricular activity.
 * Be fair, firm and consistent.
 * Greet your students in the hallway as they enter your room. This is a great way to give the students some praise about an accomplishment that they experienced and to gauge how they are feelilng.
 * Make notes on your lesson plans to remind you what went well and what needs to change for next year. This will help you when you plan for next year.
 * As Jennifer mentioned, keep the students in their seats for the whole period - the bell does not dismiss the students.
 * Take a moment and explore the school and ask a senior staff member to walk along with you. Yes, the Main Office is on the second floor and yes, we do have a planetarium and pool.
 * Ask questions, we have all been in your shoes at one time.
 * Diana Williams || Chemistry 11/12
 * As mentioned before, get involved in student activities. Students really appreciate seeing you at their events, sports, arts, dances, etc. It lets them know that you care.
 * Establish procedures for your classroom that are easy to follow and STICK WITH THEM. Be firm, fair and consistent. Students will respect you and your classroom if you do this. Make sure parents know your classroom rules and procedures. I put these in my course syllabus and have the student and parents sign them. (Be sure the principal signs them first!)
 * Be involved with parents. Not just for problem students, but for all students. Our new gradebook system allows you to email parents. Be sure to respond quickly if a parent contacts you. Remember, to the parent you only have one student, thier child! When returning parent phone calls or emails, be sure to have your gradebook available so you can explain grading if necessary. Do NOT put parents off! You want the parent to understand that you have the best interest of their child at heart.
 * Depending on your subject area, be sure to know all the resources that are available to you. If you are not sure of anything, just ask!
 * If you are having trouble with a student, or a class, ask an administrator for advice. They are here to support you!
 * When you are feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, talk to someone. We have all been there, and can help. ||
 * Sally
 * Ernie