Supporting first-year teachers has been a focus for Shelby County Schools for several years. But this year, based on feedback from previous new teachers, this district has implemented additional measures to support them throughout the year.
"Based on the feedback from new teachers and collaboration with our instructional coaches and instructional leadership we realized that we do a great job onboarding new teachers and teacher mentors at the beginning of the year, but that we needed to improve ongoing support," said Dr. Angela Walker, Coordinator of Instruction. "To address this need, Human Resources and instruction collaborated to create a new Ongoing New Teacher Support program."
The new program includes a half day for new teachers in October, a whole day of professional development for new teachers and mentors in November and another half day of professional development for new teachers in May.
"During these sessions we provide learning on self care, academics, class management, goal setting and many other topics," said Dr. Walker. "We believe this ongoing support provides beneficial, job embedded professional learning and time to connect and reflect which is equally important."
"This is our fifth year to hold these meetings and I believe they get better every year," added Joel Dixon, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. "I believe this effort, among so many others, exemplifies what makes Shelby County Schools so special. It's a place that's about serving kids, and standards of excellence, but it's also a place about relationships. Those connections help us all do great things together."
