new teacher articles
Union series gives new teachers head start
Aug 11, 2008 10:27 AM
As the city’s newest teachers prepare for their first classes, the UFT is reaching out to de-mystify the path ahead and provide answers to their questions to help ensure their success.
Many new teachers say union representatives have provided critical information about their salary and health benefits package as well as what to really expect when classes start that no one else could give them.“I like it, especially as a new teacher, to have experienced people who are solely dedicated to the profession. I think it’s fantastic,” said Meredith Fink, a Long Island native and recent University of Colorado graduate who is one of this year’s class of 1,800 teaching fellows in intensive training courses this summer. The union is also sponsoring a summer series of events around the city where new teachers are connecting with each other and sharing ideas about resources in their communities that can augment their work in the classroom [see “More ways to connect” below].
The union’s summer series brought new teachers to the New York Chinese Scholar Garden on July 29 in Staten Island.
Teaching fellow Nicholas Henderson (right) gets some tips on how to use the UFT’s New Teacher Handbook from Jeannette Downes, the co-chair of the union’s New Teacher Advisory Committee, in a June 24 session at St. John’s University, Queens. Ricardo Estrada (left) looks over his copy.
More ways to connectIf you’re a new teacher and haven’t yet connected with the UFT and your fellow new teachers, you won’t want to miss these upcoming opportunities. To R.S.V.P., which is required for all events, or get the latest information, go to www.uft.org/new_teacher. All events are free. Ways to save: A seminar covering the many discounts and benefits available to UFT members. Also, learn how to make the most of DonorsChoose.org, an easy-to-use source of funding for extra supplies and equipment for your classroom. Lunch will be provided. Tuesday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at UFT headquarters, 50 Broadway, Rooms E/F. Meet your colleagues at the Central Park Zoo: Spend time with your colleagues while learning to use the Central Park Zoo as an instructional resource. Admission and refreshments are free. Bring a guest. Thursday, Aug. 14, 3-4:30 p.m. Meet at the main entrance for the tour, which starts at 3:30 p.m. UFT Open House: Meet UFT experts who can answer your questions about certification, safety, health and welfare benefits, professional development opportunities and new teacher activities. Monday, Aug. 25, noon-5 p.m., UFT headquarters, 52 Broadway. New teacher reception at the Sports Museum of America: Refreshments will be served. Monday, Aug. 25, 5-7 p.m. at the museum, 26 Broadway. The UFT will sponsor a conference for new teachers in mid-September at union headquarters where you can learn about the benefits of the citywide network of UFT Teacher Centers. |
Teachers tour gardens
From July 23 to Aug. 6, new teachers met and toured botanical gardens in each of the five boroughs. The gardens offer lesson plans and other resources for teachers at their Web sites.
“We’re trying to clue new teachers in to the educational support that exists not just in their schools but outside the schools,” said Jeannette Downes, the co-chair of the union’s New Teacher Advisory Committee and the summer series organizer.
The Queens Botanical Garden, toured on July 21, gives students hands-on experiences watching honeybees at work, creating sachets to take home from its herb garden, and learning nature’s way of recycling by exploring the leaf litter in its Woodland Garden. The July 29 tour in Staten Island featured the New York Chinese Scholar Garden, the only authentic, classical Chinese garden in the United States built by Chinese artisans.
The summer series will culminate on Aug. 25, when the UFT will hold an open house for new teachers at union headquarters in lower Manhattan followed by a reception down the road at the Sports Museum of America.
Activities throughout the year
The new teacher committees meet monthly during the school year in each of the five boroughs. Teachers in the groups discuss issues they are experiencing on the job, whom to contact or how to get involved in their school communities.
“Even if you live in Brooklyn and work in Bronx, you can come to the meeting in Brooklyn if you so choose,” said Downes.
Often, she said new teachers get so busy with classroom work and going to school, they forego the benefit of connecting with other teachers and breaking out of their isolation.
“We have had new teachers who worked in the same school and didn’t know each other come to a meeting where they finally met,” said Downes.
Click “New Teachers” and then your borough to find out about activities in your borough throughout the school year.
New teachers respond to a question during a series event on June 23 at Mercy College’s Manhattan campus.
Everyone had a ball at the new teacher end-of-year celebration on June 20 at Whitestone Bowling Lanes in Queens.
At a June 18 event at Long Island University, Pat Ajia (left) and Victoria Zheleznyak leaf through the UFT’s New Teacher Handbook.
The UFT New Teacher Advisory Committee took many of their colleagues out to the ballgame — the Staten Island Yankees’ June 20 game against the Hudson Valley Renegades at the Richmond County Ballpark, to be exact.
