- Dear Kim...
Mentor Notebook: Laurie shares her hopes for Kim's future in this final notebook entry for the 2001-2002 school year. 6/13/2002
- Life's Little Instruction Book for Teachers
Teacher Journal: Kim contemplates the last eight days of this school year -- and looks forward to the next 180. 6/6/2002
- The Last Eight Days
Teacher Journal: Kim offers some hard-earned advice for next year's first-year teachers. 5/23/2002
- Failing Grades and Frisbee Golf: Motivating Kids to Learn
Mentor Notebook: Laurie wonders what motivates kids to learn. 5/16/2002
- Movies, Motivation, and Missing Assignments
Teacher Journal: Kim debates whether middle schoolers benefit more from higher grades or higher standards. 5/9/2002
- Accepting the Responsibility
Mentor Notebook: Laurie reflects on the tremendous responsibilities inherent in teaching. 5/2/2002
- Change Happens
Teacher Journal: Kim anticipates saying good-bye. 4/25/2002
- Spring Cleaning and Cluttered Minds
Mentor Notebook: Laurie muses about the coming of spring to the northern plains. 4/18/2002
- A Lesson in Teacher Training
Teacher Journal: Kim describes the kind of support system that creates great teachers! 4/11/2002
- Why Mentor?
Mentor Notebook: Laurie talks about what the young teachers she's mentored have meant to her life. 4/4/2002
- Punctuation Exultation!
Teacher Journal: Kim questions the means, but celebrates the results, of a successful classroom project! 3/28/2002
- Kids Are People Too!
Mentor Notebook: Laurie explains why being a parent has made her a better teacher. 3/21/2002
- Who Cares About Education?
Teacher Journal: Kim laments a growing apathy toward education -- among students and their parents. 3/14/2002
- With a Little Help from My Friends!
Mentor Notebook: Laurie reflects on every teacher's need for collaboration and supportive friends. 3/7/2002
- The Problem of Time
Teacher Journal: Kim imagines what she would do -- if only she had the time! 2/28/2002
- Kim and Laurie's Excellent Adventure
Mentor Notebook: Laurie reflects on the halfway point in Kim's journey toward becoming a successful teacher. 2/21/2002
- How Good Is 'Good Enough'?
Teacher Journal: Kim wonders how to teach grammar to students who think they already "speak English good enough." 2/14/2002
- Everyone Needs a Good Mentor Sometimes!
Mentor Notebook: Laurie offers Kim guidance and support in handling a difficult situation. 2/7/2002
- Reeling from a Run-In With an Angry Student
Teacher Journal: Kim recounts a student's anger and wonders how to handle it. 1/31/2002
- When the Focus Is on the Students
Mentor Notebook: Laurie reflects on what makes a good teacher.1/24/2002
- Getting to Know You
Teacher Journal: Kim comments on a new attitude and an improved classroom atmosphere. 1/17/2002
- Time for Wisdom
Mentor Notebook: Laurie Stenehjem resolves to become wiser this year -- if only she can find the time! 1/10/2002
- A New Year's Message to My Students
Teacher Journal: Kimberly Johnson shares her thoughts on teachers, students, and the New Year.1/3/2002
- The Best Role of All!
Mentor Notebook: Laurie reflects on the transition from teacher to cheerleader to trusted friend. 12/13/2001
- They're Middle Schoolers!
Teacher Journal: Kimberly reflects on the specialized role of the middle school teacher. 12/13/2001
- Another Red Underwear Day!
Mentor Notebook: Laurie explains why every teacher should have a matching set of red underwear. 12/6/2001
- How Late Is Too Late?
Teacher Journal: Kim struggles with missing assignments, misunderstandings, and malfunctioning copiers! 11/29/2001
- Lessons Teachers Learn
Mentor Notebook: Helping students figure out what they really want to say. 11/15/2001
- Accentuate the Positive!
Teacher Journal: The end of a quarter prompts problem-solving and new solutions. 11/8/2001
- How Much Do I Tell Them?
Mentor Notebook: Laurie Stenehjem decides whether to reveal the "whole truth" about teaching. 11/1/2001
- Who's Steering This Bike, Anyway?
Teacher Journal: Kim ponders paperwork, parent conferences, and an answer to "the big question." 10/25/2001
- Good Teachers Are Made, Not Born
Mentor Notebook: Laurie comments on the process of becoming a good teacher." 10/18/2001
- Help! I've Already Forgotten More Than I Knew!
Teacher Journal: "Please tell me I'll climb off this roller coaster with a fully functioning mind!" 10/11/2001
- Working Together to Keep Hope Alive!
Mentor Notebook: The honeymoon is over. It's time to make the "marriage" work! 10/4/2001
- The Honeymoon Is Over!
Teacher Journal: From bad to worse; if it isn't one thing, it's another! 9/27/2001
- Teachers, Kids, Tragedy, and Trauma
Mentor Notebook: "We do influence the lives of our students. It is well worth our efforts." 9/20/2001
- Making the Transition from Student to Teacher!
Teacher Journal: Kimberly Johnson feels the "sting" of being the grown-up in the class. 9/13/2001
- Back to School Rush, Panic, and Fun
Mentor Notebook: "Just look at what you have planned, and make sure all those messages are very clear." 9/6/2001
- Let's Get Started!
Teacher Journal: "Only one more week until the school year begins!" 8/30/2001
- The First 180 Days: Laurie Stenehjem's Notebook
Laurie Stenehjem graduated from North Dakota State University in 1974, with a bachelor's degree in home economics education. She also has a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. 8/30/2001
- The First 180 Days: Kimberly Johnson's Journal
Kimberly Johnson, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, is a graduate of the University of North Dakota. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and certification to teach at the secondary level. 8/30/2001
- The First 180 Days: A Teacher and Her Mentor
Kimberly Johnson is a first-year English teacher at Valley Middle School in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Laurie Stenehjem, a teacher with more than 25 years experience, is Kimberly's mentor teacher. Join Kim and Laurie as they share their individual thoughts, experiences, and perspectives about teaching, learning, and mentoring! 8/30/2001
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