Early Career Teachers

Add a Comment

Comment by Steve McKee on October 19, 2009 at 1:45pm

Hi, everyone. I'm NOT a teacher of English. But I used to be, and for that reason I am joining the "Early Career Teachers" group. I will be at NCTE to recommend "My Father's Heart: A Son's Reckoning With the Legacy of Heart Disease" as a reading-list book for juniors and seniors. I'm a guest of the Pennsylvania Council and its "Pennsylvania Showcase." F.58, Satrurday, 8 a.m., Room 107B.
Here's the movie: http://ncte2008.ning.com/video/f58-green-gold-a-run-through
Why "My Father's Heart" for Early Career Teachers? Because I write about my two years as a teacher of English and reading (and co-director of four plays -- "Christmas Carol," "South Pacific," "Diary of Anne Frank" & "Annie, Get Your Gun") at St. Mary's High School in St. Mary's Alaska, a mile from the Yukon River and 90 miles from the Bering Sea. I also talk about why I am NOT a teacher anymore. Believe me, I get it when it comes to how hard it is to be a good teacher, to want to stay with it.
Granted, only a small part of "MFH" is about this, but I still wanted to share it with you. And it's STILL a GREAT read for juniors and seniors!

Comment by Allison Silvertooth on January 5, 2009 at 4:52pm

I agree with Pat's comment about the changing faces of "new teachers". I work with a group of new teachers every year and it seems that for many this is a second career. It brings up additional considerations along with the alternative paths they took to get to the profession.

Comment by Traci Gardner on September 16, 2008 at 6:11pm

Don't miss the Call for Proposals for the Whole Language Umbrella's Literacies for All Summer Institute!

Proposals must be postmarked by October 13 or submitted online by October 20.

Comment by Pat Wachholz on September 9, 2008 at 8:12am

Having been involved for the past several years in one of Florida's state-approved alternative certification programs, I have watched, first-hand, the challenges that teachers who are career changers are facing. This may not be what Jeff and others were thinking when you initially thought to discuss "early career teachers," and yet, we have seen an increase, since 1985-86 when approximately 250 teachers were certified, nationally, through alternative paths, to 20 years later, when that number rose to over 59,000. And, the numbers continue to grow. Those of us in teacher education must address, in different ways, the needs of this unique population of "new teachers," who have often had very successful careers in business, medicine, law, or the military. I am pleased to join your discussion group.

Comment by Millie Davis on September 2, 2008 at 5:32pm

I'm thrilled to join this group and look forward to hanging out with the newest in our profession. I've suggested to the NCTE Leadership Development Award winners that they join and I hope to see all 30 of them here soon:)

Comment by Jeffrey N. Golub on September 1, 2008 at 2:03pm

[Ed Farrell writes...]
Jeff, I would be pleased, if not honored, to join the Early Career Teachers' Group. Lawrence Baines and I are scheduled to do a session at the convention on the need to revise the high-school curriculum in light of critical national and international problems that high-school graduates will be inheriting. New teachers might find the session to be interesting, enlightening, and perhaps a mite scary.
Ed F.

Comment by Yvonne Siu-Runyan (PANA) on August 30, 2008 at 1:16pm

What are some of your concerns as you orchestrate through the myriad of surprises during this school year? Please share and let's help one another.

Yvonne

Comment by Susi Long on August 29, 2008 at 6:37am

Hello all! I'm excited about this NING group! I've been working with a group of seven teachers for the past nine years and we studied their first six years in the profession. Lots of challenges as well as successes and advice for folks who are in positions to support new teachers as well as advice for new teachers themselves. Some of them will join this group so we can share their experiences and respond to other new teachers.