Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/912628
Diekmann-Acuña explains a lesson to students while new teachers look on. Student Vladimir Leiva Rivas is ready to answer a question in Diekmann-Acuña's class. demonstration teacher is not for the faint of heart. At times it can be uncomfort- able. But I had some incredible mentors when I began my career, and I wanted to pay it forward." Visiting teachers debrief West's lesson on least common multiples comes to an end, and the visiting teachers gather with her and their induction men- tors to review what they observed. "I really like the way Yas-Meen incor- p orat e s t e chn o log y into th e l e ss on ," comments Gabby Rodriguez, a second- y e a r s i x t h - g r a d e t e a c h e r a t G o m e z Elementary School. "I want to use tech- nology as openers in my lessons." Carmen Sterling, a second-year sixth- grade teacher at Muscoy Elementary, says she loves the routine students follow. " The kids come in and know exactly what to do," she says with admiration. "I love how she does call and response with claps to keep them engaged and focused, and she broke up the technology part of the class with table talk and collaboration to check their understanding." Nubia Ortega, a second-year fourth- grade teacher at Hunt Elementary, says she admires the "student growth mindset" " UNLESS YOU TRY TO DO SOMETHING BEYOND WHAT YOU HAVE MASTERED, YOU WILL NEVER GROW. BEING A DEMONSTRATION TEACHER IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. BUT I HAD SOME INCREDIBLE MENTORS WHEN I BEGAN MY CAREER, AND I WANTED TO PAY IT FORWARD." — TRACY DIEKMANN-ACUÑA, SAN BERNARDINO TEACHERS ASSOCIATION that motivates students to keep trying for the right answer. "I love how she encourages risk-takers and makes them feel comfortable. I will be doing that in my classroom." For West, having visitors around keeps things interesting and makes her job more rewarding. "Hearing them say ' Thank you' and hearing that I 've helped them makes everything worthwhile." THE DEMONSTRATION TEACHER PROGRAM S E E A S H O R T V I D E O on the program, which includes interviews with three demonstration teachers including Tracy Diekmann-Acuña, at tinyurl.com/ SBDemonstrationTeacherProgram. For videos of demonstration teachers conducting lessons, see vimeo.com/sanbdocityschools/videos. 42 cta.org