I’ve heard far too many comments like these in my 25 years as an educator (20 years in the high school classroom), and am saddened and concerned by the difficulties of teacher retention. Young/novice teachers enter “the system” wanting to change the world, and within five years or less, they want out.
We know that teacher retention is most difficult in the first five years of a teacher’s career. This makes it critical for districts to invest in novice teachers. Your district can step up and say: “We Value Our Teachers.”
The basics of the “We Value Our Teachers™” program:
Once-a-month training classes over the course of an entire school year for up to 30 novice teachers in your district with a focus on the following:
Extraordinary materials are provided for each teacher. Teachers will clearly understand that they are valued! Included are:
1. Four to five outstanding texts for novice teachers, including:
- Teach With Your Strengths by Roseanne Liesveld and Jo Ann Miller
- A Whack on the Side of the Head by Roger von Oech
- 101 “ANSWERS” for New Teachers and Their Mentors by Annette Breaux
- And others….
2. Organizational software called “The Paper Tiger®” to help the teachers (as the company claims and as I know from my own use of the software) “Find anything in your office (or classroom) in five seconds or less.”
3. A digital camera to record the milestones that happen in their classrooms and to build a professional portfolio.
4. Monthly packets of materials that can be used “as is” or adapted based on the needs of the teacher.
The "Plus Access" Program includes these additional elements (beyond the eight workshops) to ensure assistance when your novice teachers need it most.
1. Thursday night "I Need to Talk to Sue!" sessions through a special conference call line. All members of the class will have the "code" and can call in for weekly help.
2. Regular give-and-take sessions through our password-protected blog.
3. Access to my website, www.SelfofSteam.com and its regularly updated downloads and assistance for educators.
4. Twice-monthly “clarification and commendation” emails for all members of the class.
Bringing “We Value Our Teachers™” to Your District
Are you starting to get excited about what this series of seminars can do for your district? If you believe it’s time to invest in your teachers “beyond the signing bonus,” then let’s start the “We Value Our Teachers™” program this year. Both the district and the individual teachers’ schools have a financial and professional investment in this program, as follows:
 |
The district will purchase the program and may invite up to 30 teachers to participate. The cost works out to $1500 per teacher for a full year of instruction and support (this is LESS than the cost of a signing bonus per teacher in most large districts and is THOUSANDS less than the cost to hire a replacement teacher). This fee includes the entire series of workshops, and all travel and related fees for the speaker.
|
|
Principals will be asked to interview potential candidates for the program (a questionnaire will be provided) and gain their firm commitment for the year-long program. The teachers in the program should be in their first through fifth year of full-time teaching.
|
|
Schools will supply a $500 materials fee per teacher, as well as purchase a membership for each teacher in his/her chosen professional organization (e.g., a membership to NCTM for a mathematics teacher).
|
|
Below are two sample session lists. Once monthly sessions are preferable (excluding holidays). All sessions are on Saturdays:
|
| Option #1 (2nd Saturdays) |
Option #2 (4th Saturdays) |
| September 8, 2007 |
September 22, 2007 |
| October 13, 2007 |
October 27, 2007 |
| November 10, 2007 |
November 24, 2007 |
| December 8, 2007 |
January 26, 2008 |
| February 9, 2008 |
February 23, 2008 |
| March 8, 2008 |
March 22, 2008 |
| April 12, 2008 |
April 26, 2008 |
| May 10, 2008 |
May 24, 2008 |
If your district is going to take action to keep teachers from quitting, contact me right away so we can “save the date” and begin the selection process of your teachers.
If you’re wondering if this is the right time for your district for this program, consider whether it could ever be the wrong time to invest in your teachers. Now, more than ever, we need to keep good teachers in the classroom so that ALL students will have the best possible chance for success. The Education Commission of the States (ECS) concluded in 2005 that:
“While many factors contribute to the successful education of children, there is a strong consensus among experts that the effectiveness of their teachers is the single most important educational determinant.”
The “We Value Our Teachers™” program shows novice teachers how they can be effective teachers and how they will grow and improve through the years. Most teachers enter our profession with enthusiasm and a will to be a “great” teacher – let’s help them reach their goals.
Special Notes:
** Multiple districts can work together to have a class of 30 teachers. Let me know how I can help with the scheduling! Sue@SelfofSteam.com
** Call me to discuss different configurations; for example, do you need to start in October rather than September? Does one of the dates conflict with a district holiday? We can work together to determine an optimal set of dates for your district. Call me at 775.851.0488.
|
