Beginning Teachers Initiative

1. Beginning Teachers Initiative Building a Bridge between Theory and Practice

2. History of the Program - Began four years ago at Springbank Community High School with the question: What is the best practice in supporting the beginning teachers at our school? - Evolved into a School Division wide initiative the following year where a Community of Practice was developed and embedded into our professional learning days. - We have grown in numbers from 6 participants in the first year to now supporting over 40 beginning teachers in Rocky View Schools.

3. Supporting Beginning Teachers • Why? • New teachers leave the profession at alarming rates. • Providing support and mentorship • Build capacity for our new teachers • To increase student learning

4. Collaborative Practice • Creating Social and Professional Networks - collaborative practice is necessary in 21st century teaching - creating social ties - support one another and are supported by experienced teachers

5. Building the Bridge Between Theory and Practice • What did we do? - Community of Practice days (7 in total throughout the year)

6. Building the Bridge Between Theory and Practice - Designed a website: www.beginningteachers.net

7. Building the Bridge Between Theory and Practice - Implemented a formal coaching and mentoring program

8. Results • Participation rates extremely good in both formal Community of Practice days and mentorship opportunities • Number of beginning teachers participating has grown exponentially over time • All but two of the beginning teachers who participated received a teaching contract for the following year and continue to teach for Rocky View Schools

9. “The most valuable part of the Community of Practice was having a support system comprised not only of the veteran teachers running the CofP but more importantly my peers; teachers just like me. It was great to have people to talk to, to vent to, and to share experiences with. It was great to realize I am not alone, and that the experiences I am having are happening to others as well.” (Second year teacher) “I moved here from another province and speaking to my colleagues back home, they see the value of this community of practice. The opportunity and support this has provided me in my first two years of teaching has allowed me to transition into my teaching career with the mentorship I needed. As well, the coaches offered some insight into the program as did school and district administrators. This data was collected in verbal conversations but each person was enthusiastic about the success of the program and the level of support each new teacher received. The success of the program rests on the success of the beginning teachers and the students in their classrooms.” (Second year teacher)

10. Building the bridge between theory and practice is important as we support and encourage new and beginning teachers. Making sense of what is going on in their own classrooms and working collaboratively only strengthens a new teachers’ practice. If we can ensure that their foundation is strong, we can strengthen the profession, the school, and most importantly, student learning.