Professional Development of Texas Entry-Level Teachers (ELTs)

1. Professional Development of Texas Entry-Level Teachers (ELTs) Dick Joerger

2. Introductions • Names • Roles • Location • Interests in Entry Level Teachers Experiences • What is in it for you and the people you work with?

3. References • http://teacherinduction.cfans.umn.edu/ • http://www.newteachercenter.org/index.php

4. Presentation by Dr. Kirk Edney: New TEKS for Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources courses; Educational Excellence initiatives

5. Overview of Process • Background and Existing Programming for ELTs • What we know about regarding the needs of ELTs and Teacher Development • Elements of a Comprehensive Program • Goals for Our Program • Activities for Our Program • Draft One of Texas Induction Program for Early Career Agricultural Education Teachers

6. Discussion • What is the current status of new teacher professional development in Texas? • No formal alignment throughout state on professional development other than VATAT • What PD events occur for all teachers and ELT specifically? • VATAT Summer Conference • School District Inservice and High school scheduled workshop • University sponsored workshops with small turnouts • What frameworks guide the content, frequency, and delivery of the PD for entry level teachers? • VATAT, TEKS, Universities • What do you think is working well in your current activities? • Mentoring is a good start through VATAT-Needs to be strengthened • Collaboration among universities, VATAT, and TEA is critical to success of an induction program

7. What do you think is not working so well, or perhaps is non-existent for ELTs? Revamp Mentor Program Incentive for Master’s through Professional Development Work with universities geographically close Retention rate How to define a good ag teacher without student awards Many teachers do not have knowledge in new TEKS courses Androgogy opportunities

8. Collaboration is Key! • College Leaders • Agency Leaders • Extension Leaders

9. What do we know about the experiences of ELTS in Texas? • Anecdotal Information? • Research Findings from the Texas and other researcher about the needs of ELTs? • Gary Briers et al.; • Julie Harlin et al., • Gartonet al.; Joergeret al. • Theories of Teacher Development (Joerger present one or two)

10. Discussion: What professional development should be available to new teachers to ensure success? • What elements of ELT do you want to address with induction programming in Texas? • Network and appropriate mentors available to each ELT • Retention and Teacher Effectiveness • What should your TEAM Ag Ed members do to ensure that the ELTs have an experience that gives them the highest probability of success? (teacher educators; state supervisors; Ag Ed teachers; state office staff; ELTS) • Communication and encourage ELT’s to work with all teacher educators around state • What research foci would you like to investigate in Texas? • Research similar to Moir’s for Texas ag teachers • Teacher Effectiveness • Directory of all ELT’s

11. Group Task – Saturday Morning • Group I - ask questions concerning: • Needs of early career teachers. Classify needs as Psycho Social or Professional with subs of technical information, content pedagogy, and/or leadership and SAEP • Group II - address the desired foci of research and evaluation which inform programming – Gary? • Activity: Report to and engage other group for input

12. What are the Biggest Concerns in the State? • Technical • TEKS • Course Scheduling/Topics-How to teach what you don’t know • Needs Assessment: Program should reflect community needs • Where to find curriculum and how to assess it • Self-Assessment of strengths • Student certs • Pedagogy • Andragogy opportunities • Technology inclusion • Special Education • Stem Integration • Refresher of methods & planning • Program/Personal • Time Management • Appropriate Relationships • Being a professional educator • Leadership/SAEP • Grounded education in experiential learning

13. Discussion: Next steps for success: Tasks needed for putting a statewide structure in place. • Establishing Goals and Objectives….. Lets take a look at an example …….

14. An Example of a Large Induction Project: The Minnesota Career and Technical Education Teacher Induction Program (CTE-TIP): A Pilot Project for the ‘06-’07 Academic Year Dick Joerger, Project Leader Department of Work and Human Resource Education University of Minnesota

15. Tasks and Expectations of the Minnesota CTE-TIP Team Members

16. BME Ag Ed Health Sciences Ed Technology Ed 15 15 10 15 Entry Level Teachers Senior Mentors Coordinator(1) & Teacher Org Rep(1) CTE TeacherEducators Health Sciences Ed TechnologyEd State CTE Specialists BME Ag Ed CTE Project Leader BME - Ag Ed - Health Sciences Ed - Technology Ed MDE, MnSCU,UM, & Funders

20. Goals and Objectives for the Texas Teacher Induction Program

21. Primary Goal(s) • Goal: The primary goal of the Texas Teacher Induction Program is to deliver induction programming that will result in the retention of effective entry-level Agricultural Education teachers.

22. Objectives • Objective 1: Provide programming to address the professional needs of entry-level teachers of agricultural education.

23. Objectives (cont’d) • Objective 2: Expand our knowledge about the needs (e.g., technical, professional, psychosocial, and program management) of entry level Agricultural Education teachers. • Objective 3: Expand out knowledge about induction and mentoring of Agricultural Education ELTs through on-going research.

24. Objectives (cont’d) • Objective 4: Identify and improve the retention rate of effective entry-level career and technical education teachers.

25. Discussion: Identify the ways, means, to deliver professional development for ELTs. (Consider for induction, technical agriculture, program management, leadership and SAEP)

26. Group Tasks (Late Morning, Report Out) • Focus I: Identify the induction activities to enhance retention and effectiveness. In addition, • Create a organizational and geographic framework for delivering PD for ELTs. Work on initial calendar of when instructors meet in person; discuss options for delivery including digital mentoring • Focus III: Identify key resources (people, agencies, dollars, advocacy) and policy options; framework of operation to include coordinators and key people • Focus III: Identify the initial topics and activities of research and evaluation that should be conducted

27. Planning: Divided tasks with identified personnel plan for future Create Action Plan for each Work Group • Work Groups (?): • PD Activities • Funding and Resources • Research Evaluation and Accountability

28. Focus I: Identify the induction activities to enhance retention and effectiveness • Organizational and Geographic framework • Calendar: August, October, January, 2nd week in April • Meetings at VATAT conference • Pre conference workshop for ELT’s • Conference Session • ELT Luncheon • Post conference reflection: ELT dinner • VATAT ELT workshop • How to adjust the first day/week of school? • Establish Teacher Educator/ELT mentor relationships • 4 Regional PD workshops: e.g. “Vet-Tech or SAE Workshops” • Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock, DFW • Fall and Spring • ELT Recognition for attending 2 workshops/year

29. Focus III: Identify key resources and policy options; framework of operation to include coordinators and key people • Houston (TAMU, SHSU, PVAMU) • San Antonio (TAMU-K, TSU) • Lubbock (TTU, WTAMU, Sul Ross, Angelo) • DFW (SFA, TAMU-C, Tarleton) • Fundraising with Texas FFA • Advisory Committee • TASA • CEV and textbook vendors • Regional livestock shows • Waco • Angelo • Tyler • Beaumont • Rio Grand Valley

30. Focus III: Identify the initial topics and activities of research and evaluation that should be conducted. • Use Needs assessments to identify the following • Retention rate • Teacher Effectiveness • Need to identify alternatively certified teachers and include in research

31. Note the following of an action plan: • What will we do? • Who will do it? • When will we do it? • Where will we do it? • How will we know we completed the tasks to expectations?

32. Presentations of Work Groups: Planned delivery of professional developmentand discussion: Draft I of Texas Plan

33. PD Activities – How we will do it? • VATAT Conference • Monday long workshop • Meet with University supervisor • Record Books • Handling money • First days of school • Create classroom procedures • Create syllabus • Create Rules • Create scope and sequence • Tips and tricks on organization of paperwork • Workshop designated on Thursday • Needs assessment going into school year • Reflection on conference • Match with mentor through VATAT • Mentoring Program (VATAT) • Set new students up with mentor • Monthly letter out to new students • Workshop in conjunction with new teacher workshop on Thursday • Selection Process • Selected by peers/teacher educators • Invite mentors via letter to be a mentor • Accept/Confirm • Attend workshop and commit to year long process • RECOGNIZE!!! • Letters to administrators • Recognition at conference • Social Media • University Supervision • Matched with new teachers close to region • Approximately 4 people to 1 supervisor • Matched at first new teacher workshop on Monday at conference

34. PD – Who will do it? • VATAT Conference • Lance Kieth @WTAMU • Coordinate with Universities • Workshops • Coordinated with universities • Ag teachers who are an expert in specific area

35. PD – When will we do it? • October: All regions • Preparing leadership teams • Classroom management • Online stock show entries • Fundraisers • Grades/parent contact • January: Area III • Offer to everyone but only 1 location • SPED and October • CDES • Major Shows • April: All regions • Summer plans for administrators • Banquets • Proficiencies • Prepping for summer activities • Animals

36. PD – Where will we do it? • Regional Centers • Universities • Area III Midwinter at Blinn • VATAT Conference

37. PD – How will we know we completed the tasks to expectations? • Retention • Data Collection from first year teachers • Those who have not gone through the program • Those who go through the program • Based on: • Stress • Retention • Teacher Effectiveness

38. Funding & Resources

39. Research

40. Next Steps in the Short Run…… • Who? • When? • Where- How? Skype?? Other • Meeting dates and times coming to you before 10/22