Help! Getting teachers inspired

[Joe Matt]

I found that the best time to hook them is around September-October, just shotly after school opening. Timeing is everything, since a stressed teacher is more likely to push something to the side for teaching, and getting them when they are not stressed is the key.

[Joshua May]

Last year, our first year as a team, out teacher left us. We continued through the year looking for an interested teacher. Fianlly, we were able to get one of our school's math teachers to come down to competition for a day. After seeing what went on at competition, he was hooked and decided to become our school support. So really, I think you need to personally show teachers what FIRST really does. After all, the goal of teaching itself is to inspire and sand forth knowledge, I can't think of a many greater organizations for this goal than FIRST.

[Lisa Perez]

Concerning inviting teachers and administration to our competition, we have sincerely tried - at both schools - and no one came =(.

But wow. We will definitely take into account what everyone has said when we approach the faculty.. The different perspectives will certainly help. Thank you!

[Redhead Jokes]

Originally Posted by Lisa Perez

Concerning inviting teachers and administration to our competition, we have sincerely tried - at both schools - and no one came =(.

That was our experience for a couple of years.

This past season my daughter asked her favorite english teacher to join us in Phoenix. He agreed.

He's hooked now. Not that he's teaching on our team. He is inspiring all his classes and the school regarding robotics now.

Then that english teacher convinced his best friend, an educational advisor, to go to Atlanta.

He's hooked.

Just like getting sponsors, one on one personal relationships help. Keep eyes and ears open for opportunities.

[Bob Steele]

I just wanted to add my piece to what has been said.
If you want to get teachers involved, you have to get them to a competition. This is where it all comes together and where they will see that effort on their part will bear fruit.

Being an active participant in this effort is enormously time-consuming and we all want to see some result. I am not talking about awards and such... but I am talking about results from students. When I see my students looking at themselves in a different way, being more confident, becoming leaders in the school and actively pursuing careers in engineering and technology I see what all of my and the other teachers efforts are for.

One other thing to remember, in FIRST most of the attention is given to the volunteer Mentors, and rightly so...they put in extraordinary effort in a situation that is totally volunteer. Unfortunately, most students and parents see the teachers as doing this because its part of their job. This is simply not the case. The teachers are doing just as much as the mentors and working behind the scenes. We don't get paid either... and many times when the team needs that last pneumatic cylinder or those extra fasteners or the extra shipping expense or drayage or whatever, its the teachers that keep it going .. out of their own pockets... so please please please... thank the teachers... write a letter to the superintendant or the principal, mentioning the effort of your teacher, write a thank you, and at the very least... thank them personally yourself... most teachers live for this... they don't want much...

sorry to get on my soap box...
I just know what it is like to make a team happen, take care of everything, and receive nothing but complaints in return..... but when that 1 student says thank you I forget all about the complaints... and I remember why I decided to do this in the first place..

Its a tough job and very intimidating to a teacher who has little if any engineering experience...

Most teachers are not in it for the income,
But they are definitely in it for the outcome


thanks
B

[Jay H 237]

I should also have mentioned that you could tell the teachers getting involved that they don't have to commit to every night of the week. They may have other commitments or interests. If you have several teachers they could pick different nights to help out and it takes the burden off of one or two having to be there all the time. Our school requires a faculty member there while we meet at nights and the few "helper" (for lack of better term) teachers we have chose certain nights according to thier free schedule allowing the main two teachers a night off (and the ability to have a life outside of FIRST ).
I'll also say there isn't one correct answer or idea. Different schools have different regulations and different teachers have different hobbies, interests, or commitments that may collide with or influence thier amount of involvement. What works for one team may not work with another. You should listen (actually read ) all the different ideas and suggestions being presented here and decide which ones would work or are worth trying with your circumstance.

[Joshua May]

Originally Posted by Jay H 237

I should also have mentioned that you could tell the teachers getting involved that they don't have to commit to every night of the week. They may have other commitments or interests. If you have several teachers they could pick different nights to help out and it takes the burden off of one or two having to be there all the time.

We are starting to grow on the school as a team to help alieviate the burden on our teacher, too. Apparently, another math teacher who knows a thing or two about engineering will be helping us out next year. This year, our mentor really was overwhelmed, and our new teacher should be a great addition to the team. But really, just show the teachers (and administration, we got the principal to come to comp last year) what this program is all about.

[Billfred]

By all means, make sure you've got teachers that are good at what they do. Shoot, if you've got a teacher whose sole skill outside of the classroom is making buttons, get 'em. I've seen in just a year how much teachers can make the difference in a team...well, more like parts of a team, but I assume the idea scales well.

I may have to suggest the rotating concept for next year--this year our preseason was one night a week, plus all saturday during the build. I'm sure adding a few days to the schedule would lend itself better to building up a robot with plenty of drive time, programming, and DANGIT! correction experience. And just to get everything organized...especially with three schools with three different forms for everything.