Shop by Topic
Shop by Product
ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues
<< Previous Issue
| View Past Issues | | Next Issue >> 
Developing Mid-Career Teachers
October 13, 2008
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.”
-Mary Anne Radmacher
-Mary Anne Radmacher
"One cannot overlook the importance of addressing the development needs of teachers in the workforce. Just as novice teachers need to be supported, inspired, and encouraged, early- to mid-career teachers, too, need to flourish in their work environments. The growing number of resignations among gifted early- to mid-career teachers is a huge vulnerability in our profession and an impediment to sustaining high quality programs for children. Care and attention must be given to the early to mid career professionals, who are poised to either invest significantly to the organization or leave the profession altogether.
"Early- to mid-career teachers thrive on career development that is built on motivation, supervision, evaluation, recognition, and a healthy respect for work life balance. By creating staff development plans that build not just upon their individual competencies but extend into personal and life goals, we engender a sense of commitment and belonging to the organization. While organization climate matters to almost everyone, it is critical to nurturing and sustaining talented teachers. The gifted teachers are not apt to stay around if the environments are not right. Their professional futures await them. Our task is to ensure their future is nurtured and sustained through us."
What keeps adults learning is the combination of ongoing reading, dialogue, trial and error, skill development, and continual self-reflection. There are always old and new ideas to visit, mentors and models to re-examine, and adjustments to make in one's approach. The Exchange CD Book Developing Capable, Creative Teachers offers an exhaustive collection of 53 articles offering a host of practical ideas and strategies for developing capable, creative teachers in the following areas:
- Staff Development Basics
- Staff Development Strategies and Solutions
- Team Building Strategies and Solutions
ExchangeEveryDay
Delivered five days a week containing news, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
What is ExchangeEveryDay?
ExchangeEveryDay is the official electronic newsletter for Exchange Press. It is delivered five days a week containing news stories, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
Looking for unique fundraising ideas?
Dutch Mill Bulbs is devoted to fundraising with over 45+ years of experience. Our guaranteed-to-grow-bulbs are so easy to sell –making your significant profit a snap. Let us help you make this your most profitable fundraiser ever.
Dutch Mill Bulbs is devoted to fundraising with over 45+ years of experience. Our guaranteed-to-grow-bulbs are so easy to sell –making your significant profit a snap. Let us help you make this your most profitable fundraiser ever.
Comments (2)
Displaying All 2 Commentsthe grand child care center
chicago, IL, United States
We all know that in the child care field , people don't work 'just for money'- as this is not the high paying job. The teachers stay for many years because they get the job satisfaction-And that healthy sense of job satisfaction can be created through respect for the staff members- understanding their personal needs and being flexible when it is necessary.Even in the heat of an argument if you take a deep breath and try to look from the other person's perspective , we can see the reason for that argument. Very often these teachers may not have much time to go out and seek more staff development training. But they stay at the center for many years and feel secured and contained as they are respected .In my opinion- as a director- I'll say- teachers' developmental needs are important but their emotional aspects should be taken in considerations as they are doing the toughest job in America- taking care of somebody's children day in and day out.
Norfolk, Va, United States
Newly mid-career teachers can become lost and overwhelm by the new processes of teaching, learning about themselves, about the teaching process, and getting to know colleagues. Not all people are going to welcome you with openess.
As educators, you have to realize that someone gave you an opportunity to grow. Getting rid of teachers because you don't like them or they pose a job threat is ridiculous.
We need good mentor teachers who are willing and capable of assisting newly teachers to become successful. But I realize that new teachers have to be open and proactive in getting what you need.
I wanted help from a teacher and she replied to me, "I have my own caseload to do," I felt like a heel. My self- confidence waned. I don't feel that I was a bad teacher just encountered bad experiences.
You can treat a teacher with respect and talk to a teacher with respect.
I don't care if you have six months or 30 years experience, everyone has something to offer. I feel I did not receive the support and guidance I needed to succeed so I resigned.
Post a Comment