For New Teachers

I’m here for you! After many years in the classroom, I began working with teachers as an instructional coach and teacher preparation instructor and fell back in love with teaching. After years of working with new and preservice teachers, I designed resources to guide new teachers through their first years as classroom teachers.  

I was you many years ago and I still remember the many emotions I had my first few years in the classroom. I’ve been mentoring new teachers (while I continue to teach full time - so I totally get the day to day teacher life), and I want you to thrive! Your students need you, the future generation needs you, and we veteran teachers (I’m speaking for all of us) need to know we are handing down the privilege of teaching to capable hands (no pressure ;)).

My RESOURCES For You



RELATED BLOG POSTS

I’ve written a few blog posts specifically with you in mind, check them out here:

A Mentor Teacher's Mentor Teacher

Unsolicited Advice For Teachers And Mentors What To Do For The Remainder Of June 

OTHER RESOURCES

Here are a few awesome websites (I only recommend resources that I have visited and used myself!):

Cult of Pedagogy (Jennifer Gonzalez) https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/

The cornerstone for Teachers (Angela Watson) https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/



For School Site and District Administrators

Supporting and retaining your new teachers is better for student learning and school costs. This book serves as a guide for new teachers as they navigate their first years.

Administrator support is one of the things that keeps - or doesn’t keep- new teachers in the classroom. Being a site or district administrator comes with many demands and many hats to wear. This book can serve as a bridge between you and your new teachers. In an effort to support new teachers I wrote The Other Side of the Desk as a guide and companion through the first years of teaching. This book would make a great “Welcome to our school” gift.

OTHER RESOURCES

Check out this article for ideas on how administrators can support new teachers:

https://leadership.acsa.org/the-seven-practical-ways

I would love to work with you, your school sites, and district on supporting new teachers. Projects I can create and help with include:

  • Creating, implementing, and maintaining a supportive new teacher program

  • Training and supporting mentor teachers

  • Guidance on how to implement state requirements for new teacher induction and intern programs

  • Create district and school human resource protocols for attracting, hiring, and retaining teachers

  • Coaching school and district site leaders on practical ways to support new teachers


For Mentor Teachers, Induction Program Leaders, and Teacher Education Leaders

The Other Side of the Desk can be used as a resource for new teachers and their mentors as they navigate the first years of teaching together.

As a mentor teacher I have advised many new teachers through their first year, and used this experience to create a guidebook for new teachers. 

I truly believe support and mentorship is the key to growing strong, capable, and lasting teachers. I’ve served as a mentor teacher to many new teachers (interns, student teachers, and new teachers) and I’ve learned, sometimes the hard way, a few tricks of the mentor teacher trade. I also teach in teacher education and preparation programs, and I feel my work with these aspiring teachers keeps my perspective on teaching fresh.

I would love to work with your new and aspiring teachers, and your program. Projects I can create and help with include:

  • Developing and/or teaching courses for teacher preparation programs

  • Reviewing your program to make sure it meets state requirements.

  • Creating, implementing, and maintaining a supportive new teacher program

  • Training and supporting mentor teachers

  • Guidance on how to implement state requirements for new teacher induction and intern programs

  • Create district and school human resource protocols for attracting, hiring, and retaining teachers

  • Coaching school and district site leaders on practical ways to support new teachers


RELATED BLOG POSTS

Check out these blog posts for ideas on supporting and mentoring teachers:

When Student Teachers Struggle

Setting up a Student Teacher for Success