Next Generation of Teaching Talent in Good Hands with Mentoring Program
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Just like their students, new teachers experience a lot of "firsts". But at National Heritage Academies partner-schools, first-year teachers do not have to experience these alone. To support their first-year teachers in acclimating with the demands of the job, National Heritage Academies has developed a Beginning Teacher Support Program (BTSP), which pairs them with veteran teachers for the first three years of their careers.
- At Wake Forest, there are 23 teachers participating in the school's BTSP, with seven veteran teachers serving as mentors.
- The relationships include everything from classroom observations to quick check-ins during the school day to simply act as a sounding board for advice.
- As a 34-year teaching veteran and former dean, Courtney Minnema is well-versed in how to create a gameplan for success.
- "Your first two years are very physically, mentally, and emotionally draining," said Minnema, who teaches sixth grade at Vanguard Charter Academy.