Professional Development for New Teachers

You’re finally in your classroom. Now what?

You have decisions to make — practical decisions about how to arrange your room, manage your classes and plan your lessons. The tone you set can have a major impact on how the class functions.

You’re Not Alone

Luckily, you don’t have to figure all this out by yourself. There are experts in your school who can provide guidance and experience. Some schools have a professional development team that may include a literacy coach and a math coach or a Teacher Center specialist.

These colleagues have years of classroom experience, and they’re eager to share their knowledge. They will:

• Help you problem-solve instructional and classroom management issues.
• Show you how to construct standards-based classroom assignments and assessments that will assure you that students are learning the subject matter while preparing for standardized tests.
• Meet with you and, at your request, come into your classroom to make suggestions and even provide demonstration lessons.
• Offer support in a nonevaluative way.

Mentors

In addition, if you’re eligible — generally speaking that means if you haven’t had prior teaching experience — you’ll get one-on-one mentoring throughout your first year.

• Mentors are experienced colleagues who have trained extensively in ways to best support you.
• They will do demonstration lessons, co-teach classes with you and offer constructive feedback on your teaching practices.
• They will help you diagnose student work, make suggestions about lesson plans and help you connect to people and instructional resources in your building.
• They will work with you on a nonevaluative, nonjudgmental basis. Translation: Your discussions will be professional and confidential.

If you believe you are eligible and have not heard from a mentor by mid-September (or for spring-term hires, two weeks into the term), see your UFT chapter leader or call your UFT borough office.

Coach, Mentor: What’s the Difference?

• Coaches focus on content (math and literacy) and work with all staff in a building.
• Mentors help new teachers learn teaching strategies and classroom management.
• Mentors and coaches often collaborate. They support best practices and influence the culture of a school.