Induction Newsletter: Summer 2014

Message from the Director

It was 20 years ago, but I remember my first year of teaching like it was yesterday: the lessons that bombed (and the few that worked), the relationships I built with students, and the experienced teacher who provided informal mentoring (thanks, Joni Thompson!) Six years ago, I had the opportunity to impact beginning teachers myself when I started work at INTC—first as a researcher, and more recently as Director. Over those years, I have most valued the relationships I have made with the many dedicated, wise, talented, and delightful people across Illinois who are all focused on supporting beginning teachers.

My life adventure is now taking me to Boston, where my husband is continuing his career at Tufts University. It gives me incredible pleasure to turn over the reins to incoming (and returning) INTC Director Dr. Chris Roegge.

Chris served as INTC Director from 2009 to 2011, but he has remained on the Board and very involved in Illinois induction, thus assuring a smooth transition. I can vouch for his dedication to supporting beginning teachers, steady leadership, knowledge of Illinois induction, and creative thinking.

With Chris at the INTC helm, and with all of you working in your districts and universities and other organizations, I look forward to a positive era for induction and mentoring across Illinois!

Thank you for the good work you do, and best wishes for the future.

Patricia Brady
Former Director, Illinois New Teacher Collaborative

The Beginning Teacher Conference

The 5th Annual Beginning Teacher Conference, a conference for teachers who have just completed their first year of teaching, took place June 24-25, 2014 in Champaign. Nearly 100 new teachers came from all over Illinois to attend the conference. “I really took away several great ideas to use in my own classroom,” one participant said. Another participants noted, “Loved networking with others to get ideas and collaborate. Interesting to meet others and get their perspectives on their districts, schools, colleagues, etc.” The conference also received media coverage from local station WCIA Channel 3. INTC is beginning the planning for its 2015 conference.

The Beginning Teacher STEM Conference

The 2nd Annual Beginning Teacher STEM Conference took place in Champaign on July 29-30, 2014. Over 120 participants, including first through fourth year beginning teachers, attended some 30 breakout sessions, covering topics such as biotechnology, creating practical student-centered classrooms, and teaching as an ongoing experiment. New this year was a highly successful U-Teach: UnConference session. Thanks go to Governors State University, Engineering at Illinois, the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the State Farm Companies Foundation for their support in offering this conference.

Future Conferences

Keep an eye on intc.education.illinois.edu/events for future conference dates including the 10th Annual Induction and Mentoring Conference in February.

News You Can Use

How does teacher turnover affect schools? One study suggest the US loses billions annually due to teacher attrition. Recent findings highlighted by the Alliance for Excellent Education, state that “roughly half a million U.S. teachers either move or leave the profession each year, attrition that costs the United States up to $2.2 billion annually.”

Additionally, high poverty districts are disproportionally affected by this attrition. “According to the report, high-poverty schools experience a teacher turnover rate of about 20 percent per calendar year—roughly 50 percent higher than the rate in more affluent schools,” the article says.

The article also recommends that having a comprehensive induction program can help turn the tide of teacher retention. To read more, visit here.

INTC New Home

The INTC office has moved to Suite 203, E, 505 E. Green St., Champaign, IL 61820. The phone # remains 217.244.7696.