Improving First Year /teacher Support Essay -- essays research papers

â€Å"She has been teaching for three years. Her students really like her. She’s dedicated. She’s energetic. She’s creative†¦. She’s quitting† (Michigan Education Association, 2000). This left a school district asking a very simple question; why? Novice teachers enter the career full of questions. What should I do the first day? What curriculum do I teach? How should I arrange the classroom? Who are my students? How will I manage my classroom? What resources are available to me? What does the principal expect? Too many times these questions go unanswered. New teachers are handed their keys, shown to their rooms, and left to fend for themselves. The lack of support for first year teachers is a national problem. â€Å"Addressing the learning needs of new teachers can improve both the rate of teacher retention and quality of the teaching profession† (Ballinger, 2000). In a country where there are more people leaving the profession than entering it, the questions of new teacher training and support is a very important one. â€Å"Typically, principals hire the best qualified teachers from an applicant pool. These new teachers traditionally receive a brief orientation and a warm welcome at the first faculty meeting. But from then on, first-year teachers are usually left on their own and offered very little assistance. No matter what their backgrounds or capabilities, they are given the same responsibilities as 20-year veterans† (Jambor, 1997)! Many school districts nationwide face the challenge...