Illinois New Teacher Collaborative

This .pdf resource is from a Critical Issue session at the 6th Annual Illinois New Teacher Collaborative Induction and Mentoring Conference entitled "Continuing the Continuum."

Rural School Induction: Lessons Learned from Beginning Teachers and Administrators, Elizabeth Wilkins, Professor, Northern Illinois University
According to the Illinois Interactive Report Card, over half of the schools in Illinois are defined as “rural.” Given these schools are in the majority, a need exists to better understand how these programs are designed and what makes some programs more successful than others (especially in light of financial limitations, isolation, and resources). This session will include information from 86 rural community unit school districts representing six Regional Offices of Education (beginning teachers: n=312; administrators: n=132). This interactive session will compare beginning teacher and administrator perspectives. Some of the areas to be discussed include the most and least valued induction supports, what supports they wished they had received/offered, and suggestions for creating an effective induction program. Session participants will be asked to share challenges and successful experiences in creating and carrying out their rural induction programs.