January 26, 2004
700 educators to attend sixth national New Teacher
Symposium February 2-3
By Jennifer McNulty
More than 700 educators will descend on the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose
on February 2-3 to learn the latest about what new teachers need to
be successful in their work.
By strengthening the teaching profession, we help every
student.
--Ellen Moir, director of the New
Teacher Center
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The Sixth National New Teacher Center Symposium on Teacher Induction,
Soaring
to New Heights," will focus on three themes central to teacher
induction: quality mentoring, teacher leadership, and equitable learning
and social justice for all students.
With participants coming from 29 states, as well as England and Canada,
the symposium has become one of the most popular gatherings of its kind.
More than 60 sessions will highlight effective strategies, innovative
ways of viewing traditional issues, and research that substantiates,
promotes, and advances the work of teacher development and induction.
We need to get the word out about what teachers need to be successful
in their first years in the classroom, because we know that those first
years are critical to their long-term success, said Ellen Moir,
director of the New Teacher
Center. By strengthening the teaching profession, we help
every student.
Based at UCSC, the New Teacher Center (NTC) has pioneered the development
of a mentor-based support program and is building a network of educators
who are implementing it in school districts around the country. Active
in schools throughout California and in 21 other states, the NTC has
a strong track record of helping, retaining, and nurturing novice teachers.
Half of all new teachers leave the profession within their first
five years of service, but by pairing new teachers with veteran mentors
who give them the support and encouragement they need, we can reverse
this long-standing trend, said Moir. Mentorship makes all
the difference, and were seeing school districts embrace our model
regardless of mandates and budget problems, because it works.
Ninety-four percent of new teachers who participated in 1992 in the
NTCs Santa Cruz New Teacher Project were still teachers or working
in administration six years later, said Moir. The New Teacher Project
is one of Californias 150 beginning teacher support and assessment
programs.
Unfortunately, we know that students with the greatest needs
are most likely to be taught by underprepared teachers, said Moir.
Every student deserves a fully prepared teacher who has the backing
of a team of experts who are ready and willing to share their knowledge.
We are building the networks to tighten the safety net so all students
and all teachers will achieve their full potential.
Note: About 200 people will attend a preconference on Sunday, February
1, that includes a daylong workshop on the New Teacher Centers
induction model. Full program information is available online.
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