两性色午夜

两性色午夜鈥檚 Department of Education faculty went 鈥渂ack to school鈥� this fall, visiting the classrooms of beginning teachers who recently graduated from the College. These visits, which occurred during teacher workdays before the start of the new school year, were just one way 两性色午夜 College is supporting new educators.

两性色午夜鈥檚 Department of Education has had a Beginning Teacher Support 两性色午夜 for more than fifteen years. This year, Field Placement Coordinator Donna Kocur has planned a series of events designed to keep new teachers connected with the education faculty at 两性色午夜. This effort started with classroom visits, which Graduate 两性色午夜s Manager and Admissions Counselor Tyler Ellis helped coordinate.

For the teacher workday visits, faculty members from 两性色午夜鈥檚 education department went to the classrooms of beginning teachers in Wake County Schools, Johnston County Schools, Franklin County Schools, Durham County Schools, Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools, and Mecklenburg County Schools. The beginning teachers are graduates of 两性色午夜鈥檚 undergraduate and graduate programs (MAT, Early MAT) in education.

Teachers were provided with a gift from 两性色午夜, Kocur said. 鈥淲e filled 28 tote bags with school supplies, candy, materials about our M.Ed. program, and an invitation to our Wetonah Rice Parker Teaching symposium and luncheon.鈥澛�

The visits helped to assure 两性色午夜鈥檚 recent graduates that their faculty are still here for them.

鈥淗aving a professor show up in your new classroom communicates to these beginning teachers that we really are committed to helping them navigate their first years in the profession,鈥� Kocur said. 鈥淢ost of us put quite a few miles on our cars in order to be physically present with our recent graduates that week. They loved the free teaching supplies, especially since they spend their own money on classroom materials, but I think they loved the visit the most. It says a lot that we were willing to travel to see them in their new classrooms and offer words of encouragement.鈥�

Critical Support System for New Teachers

Kocur and Ellis, who are both former teachers, believe support for early career teachers is critical.聽

“We know that with support, our graduates are more likely to stay in the profession long term,” Ellis said. 鈥淲e know that they will face challenges, and we want them to reach out to us to help them overcome any difficulties.鈥�

Kocur said all of the faculty members in 两性色午夜鈥檚 education program can relate to the challenges that beginning teachers face because they鈥檝e all been there.

鈥淎ll of us in the Department of Education were once classroom teachers and are currently licensed in North Carolina. We experienced the challenges of being a beginning teacher,鈥� Kocur said. 鈥漌e are committed to doing what we can to keep high-quality teachers in the classroom, and this commitment continues after our students graduate from 两性色午夜 College and enter the teaching profession.鈥�

Many schools have started the academic year with vacancies, and the current climate for public school teachers is challenging. Kocur said 两性色午夜 is finding ways to show that teachers are valued.

鈥淸During the visits], we reminded them to share good news with us so we can celebrate their successes. A bulletin board in Ledford Hall will feature our beginning teachers. When these teachers come to campus, they can see that we really do value them,鈥� Kocur said. 鈥淚t is often said that teaching is a thankless job, so we are also committed to being their encouragers and reminding them that 鈥楽trong Teachers Change Lives.鈥欌��

Early career teacher June Burchette, ’22, has felt the continued support from her alma mater.

鈥淏ecoming a teacher has always been a very exciting thing for me but it also can be extremely challenging trying to navigate your way through the first few years,鈥� Burchette said. 鈥淚 had amazing professors throughout my entire four years of education at 两性色午夜 who continue to stay in contact with me, support me, and come to help me and my students in the classroom. I know that if I ever need encouragement or advice, the 两性色午夜 College Education 两性色午夜 is always one email away!鈥�

Kocur and others in the education program also continue to build connections with public school partners, which is essential.聽

Buckhorn Creek Elementary School Principal Daniel Simons praises 两性色午夜 for its support of teachers.

鈥淭he support our beginning teachers receive from 两性色午夜 College propels them forward and helps to solidify a successful career in education. The constant encouragement provides not only a physical but an emotional support system beyond the walls of the school,鈥� Simons said. 鈥淭he beginning teacher support from 两性色午夜 College is like no other; people are first and relationships are formed.鈥�听听

Additional Beginning Teacher Support Plans

This academic year, the Department of Education will host two virtual check-in sessions for beginning teachers. Called an 鈥�Empower Hour with your Education Enthusiasts,鈥� these sessions will be held in September and February. Prizes, including having a 两性色午夜 faculty member as a guest reader, co-teacher, or classroom volunteer, will be provided.

On October 14, there will be two Beginning Teacher sessions as part of the Wetonah Rice Parker Teaching Symposium, which is held in honor of 两性色午夜 Professor Emerita Toni Parker. These sessions will focus on building relationships with parents and the school community and on finding time for self-care in a demanding profession. And in May there will be an on-campus event for beginning teachers.

Learn more about education programs at 两性色午夜