Jim Paiva
Grade 7
Londonderry, NH
December, 2010

Making Science Mentors

Three years ago just having switched from teaching computer education to teaching 7th grade science, I was encouraged by my principal to become involved in a peer mentorship program sponsored by Rivier College. Although not entirely sure what I was getting into, and not entirely psyched by being mentored by a peer in my building, I took the part in the training. What I quickly found out was that the program was really about peer collaboration and focused on student learning. What I have only recently come to understand is how the experience has come to change the way I view student learning and my roll as the teacher.

I have to admit that when I started teaching the paradigm I followed was that the teacher was the head; all seeing, all knowing. Now since I was new and my content knowledge was limited, I clung religiously to the lessons plans in the Foss kit that we were using, not daring to "go off script" less I encounter a question I didn't know the answer to. Through the course of my involvement with the faculty and teachers in the program, I have been given the opportunity to see and experience a new way of teaching. It is known by many names, but in essence it is all about providing students with authentic opportunities to investigate the world around them.

So today I stand here a changed man. My focus is now centered on Inquiry. It has removed me from being at the head of the class to being a facilitator. It has made all the difference. I don't fear "going off script" any more. If I don't know the answer, we can find it out together. It has made a change in the kids as well. I find they are more engaged in what we are leaning. They ask more questions, they retain more, and they look forward to class.