How to RUN a Fabulous Orientation

for NEW StaffRola Zein

Al Ittihad Private School Jumeira IPS-J

BackgroundExperience

School HistoryStaff Nationalities (200/23)

Introduction

What are we afraid of?

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?

Think of YOUR Experience

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)

Consider this:

Anxiety Level

Feeling Safe

Anxiety vs. Safety

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”

How to handle all this????

Communication is very essential (Whatsapp!)

e-mail everything if time permits: Important information about the school Staff Handbook Specific details on what is “NOT

ALLOWED”Plans School Calendar + Event & Holidays

Before Arrival

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..)

HR Department

Currency (coins & bills) & equivalence in AED

sim card- call family/friends upon arrival Emergency numbers Nearest pharmacy/ clinic Nearest supermarket (take there &

wait)

HR- supply all

-BIG smile to greet new & old staff

-Staff ORIENTATION session

-Welcome Back Snack!- School Tour

Day 1 @ SCHOOL

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 The answer to every request is a smile

Feeling SAFE

We are here for each other (good & bad times)

We share everything

We listen to each other

We live in harmony School clinic operates all day

We are a Family

Introduce new staff & greet themGAME-ice breakerSchool’s Vision & MissionGeneral information Important events on the calendarAllowed vs. Not AllowedWhat’s new this year??Clear Expectations

Orientation

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

Teacher’s File

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..)

School TOUR

Is very essential for new staff as it helps them get to know more about the school &

the parents in general

Attending Parents Orientation

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

Meeting #1

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..”

Peer Coaching

Clear procedures Weekly meetings Plans Class visits Recommendations Answers to questions Raise attainment & progress

Role of the Coordinator/HOD

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

Demo lesson

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

Exchanging visits

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)

Meetings schedule

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??)

Class visits

A server

Yearly/ Weekly Plans Monthly News Standards Assessment data Scanned Books Downloads from the internet Table activities

We share (Teachers & Administration)

No need for

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

Classroom-well equipped

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

Make sure to:

“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..

Awareness of Needs

Give ample opportunities for that Start your day with a “SMILE” Instead of supplies call them “gifts”

Laughter & fun

Call or text Supply moral supportReassureBe positiveEnd it with a laugh

If absent, or feeling down

We all suffer from itMaintain a positive relation with all staff members

Teacher Turnover

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??

Orientation: How long?

Teachers inspire NATIONSGive them a home not a house

Provide moral supportProfessional attitude & respectSUPPLY ENOUGH INFORMATION

Be transparent

End note

Rola ZeinKindergarten Principal & HOD

IPS-J

rola_0104@yahoo.com

Thank you