Welcome, Beginning Teachers and Mentors:
I am excited and pleased to announce a newly established center at Western Carolina University, the Center for the Support of Beginning Teachers. As part of its quarterly meeting in June 2005, Western's board of trustees authorized establishment of the center. Part of Western's College of Education and Allied Professions, the Center will build upon the university's existing partnerships with the public schools to try to stem the tide of new teachers abandoning the profession before they have completed five years of service. Janice Holt has agreed to serve as the Center's inaugural director.
The Center for the Support of Beginning Teachers also supports the professional development of mentor teachers by sponsoring mentor training opportunities for master teachers in the region. The college recognizes that mentoring not only increases the likelihood that a beginning teacher will succeed: but it also provides an avenue for renewal of experienced teachers, enabling them to widen their sphere of influence beyond the classroom and to continue to grow professionally.
I realize the issues surrounding teacher quality and supply are many: high turnover and attrition, the lack of effective induction practices, the absence of standards and training for mentors, and limited resources to resolve these problems in the rural counties of Western North Carolina. However, the College of Education and Allied Professions is dedicated to the support of beginning teachers and their mentors in this region. I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities offered at WCU.
Sincerely,
A. Michael Dougherty, Dean
College of Education and Allied Professions
Western Carolina University |
