UPWP Teacher Consultant Joe Routhier listens to new teachers discuss sucesses in the classroom.

November 21, 2010

Written by TC Kara Graci

The Upper Peninsula Writing Project recently hosted the first of three professional development opportunities geared towards new teachers. Entitled,“Networking through Professional Learning Communities”, this series aims to give new teachers the opportunity to discuss curriculum implementation, get ideas about how to address specific students’ needs, and gain insight from colleagues with experience in their subject areas (Johnson & Kardos, 2002). In these sessions, veteran teachers who have been actively involved with a variety of local districts and professional organizations and associations will facilitate discussions and offer additional support to new teachers in the region. The series is supported and designed by The UP Writing Project. The framework for the discussions is based in part upon the The National Writing Project’s New Teacher Initiative. The NWP believes that access to high-quality educational experiences is a basic right of all learners and a cornerstone of equity.

This month, the topic of conversation was building professional relationships and classroom management and communications. Paula Diedrich, UPWP Professional Development Coordinator led the group through discussions and offered her own tips and tricks for upcoming parent teacher conferences. The final two sessions are on January 19 and March 2, 2011.