The goal of the online support program offered through the Center is to establish professional learning communities that connect beginning teachers to career teachers and university faculty. These connections allow for “practice-centered” conversations, promoting reflection and the integration of knowledge and practice. The online support program also provides an opportunity for new teachers to form relationships with colleagues outside the constraints of geography.

Beginning teachers participating in the program are grouped based on the grade level and/or content area they teach. Groups are facilitated by e-mentors (public school teachers and university faculty in the Colleges of Education, Arts & Sciences, and Fine and Performing Arts). E-mentors welcome new teachers to the teaching profession, answer questions, offer experienced perspectives on how to best meet the needs of PK-12 students, and inspire beginning teachers to persist in the profession. E-mentors also post collections of resources that are helpful to beginning teachers.

Note: The portal is password protected - access to conversations is denied.

For more information, contact :

Janice Holt, Director
Center for the Support of Beginning Teachers
College of Education and Allied Professions
Western Carolina University
828.227.7027
holt@email.wcu.edu
http://csbt.wcu.edu