Teachers
Network Reaches Out to New Teachers with “New Teachers New York”
Non-profit Education Organization Works with the NYC Department
of Education and the Citigroup Foundation to Train and Support New Teachers
New York,
August 20, 2003 -- As an estimated 11,000 new teachers prepare
to enter the city’s public schools over the next few weeks, Teachers
Network, an education non-profit organization, is calling on new teachers
to take advantage of “New Teachers, New York,” a series
of online survival courses, books, videos and web resources designed
to support teachers in the early stages of their careers. Using input
from experienced teachers, Teachers Network has created the free and
low-cost materials to help new teachers cope with the unique challenges
and pressures of their first years in a New York City classroom.
“For new teachers,
especially those who have received alternative certification, the first
few years of teaching are extremely challenging and often overwhelming.
Research shows that nearly half of new teachers leave the profession
after three years. We are reaching out to new teachers with these resources
as a way to help train, mentor and support them during the most critical
time of their careers,” said Ellen Dempsey, CEO and President
of Teachers Network and former public school teacher.
Since new teachers often
have limited time and resources, all materials are available in flexible
formats that can be used at home or in school. The New Teacher On-Line
Survival Courses consists of five courses facilitated by experienced
New York City teachers where the new teachers can work through the lessons
and assignments at home at their own pace. Other elements of “New
Teachers New York” include books such as the best-selling publication,
New Teachers Handbook. The book has an accompanying CD-ROM set, Successful
Teaching Practices in Action, created by an Emmy-award winning producer.
For more individualized assistance, teachers can log onto www.teachersnetwork.org,
recently named “best website” by the Association of Educational
Publishers, and email questions to experienced teachers or peruse lesson
plans organized by grade-level and subject area.
“OPTIONAL . . . QUOTE
FROM A TEACHER, SOMETHING LIKE THIS: I took the online Survival Courses
during my first year of teaching, and they helped me tremendously. Since
the course was flexible, I was able to go through the lessons when I
had time. By learning from experienced teachers, I felt more prepared
and confident in the classroom. I think more teachers should learn about
these resources and use them to help them adjust to classroom life.”
said NAME, a third-grade teacher at SCHOOL.
“New Teachers New York”
is supported by the Citigroup Foundation so that educators are able
to take advantage of the training and mentoring resources at low or
no cost. Over the past year, Teachers Network has also been working
with the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to raise awareness
about “New Teachers New York.” The DOE has distributed copies
of the New Teachers Handbook to new teachers to help them acclimate
to the school system. Additionally, teachers who take the New Teacher
On-Line Survival Courses receive credits from the DOE toward required
new teacher hours of training.
About Teachers
Network
Teachers Network is a non-profit education organization that has been
working for more than 20 years to support and connect innovative teachers
through grants and networking opportunities in the areas of curriculum,
leadership, policy and new media. Teachers Network’s mission is
to provide teachers with the knowledge and skills to become leaders
in their classrooms and schools, thereby improving student learning
and achievement. Headquartered in New York City, Teachers Network is
a community of educators linked nationwide by 25 affiliated organizations
including education foundations, public school systems, and several
state education departments that have adopted one or more Teachers Network
programs.
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