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The Center for the Support of Beginning Teachers is housed in the College of Education and Allied Professions at Western Carolina University. Established by Western's Board of Trustees in June, 2005, it is designed to provide support to Western North Carolina school systems in their efforts to prevent beginning teachers from experiencing "career burnout" and leaving the profession. "A large part of the teacher shortage we're experiencing in North Carolina is due to issues we are facing in retaining qualified teachers in the classroom," said Michael Dougherty, dean of the College of Education and Allied Professions. "The Center is part of an effort to help keep beginning teachers in the classroom and provide them support to persist and be successful in the teaching profession.'"
The Center provides resources and professional development activities tailored to teachers in WNC. Data is also collected examining the effects of mentoring and induction programs on new teacher retention. The Center and its school partners seek external funding in the form of grants to further support its activities.
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