New Science Teacher Support Network (Pilot)
Overview
The New Science Teacher Support Network is a collaboration of George Mason University (GMU), Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), and Prince William County Public Schools (PWCPS) to create an integrated support system for provisionally-licensed science teachers in secondary schools. Due to the shortage of middle- and high-school science teachers in the Washington, DC area of northern Virginia, the school divisions hire teachers who are not fully prepared for teaching in today's schools. These provisionally licensed teachers have degrees in science but little or no training or teaching experience prior to entering the classroom as a teacher. The New Science Teacher Support Network addresses the needs of beginning teachers so that "learning on the job" is a more rewarding and successful experience.
Goals
The goals of the New Science Teacher Support Network are to help beginning science teachers succeed at teaching and to remain in the profession, thus helping to reduce the teacher shortage in secondary schools.
Program
The New Science Teacher Support Network provides 15 first-, second-, or third-year teachers in three school divisions with professional support. The three forms of support are:
- Teaching Mentors (practicing teachers)
- Coaches (recently retired experienced science teachers)
- Instruction in the methods of teaching science in secondary school (EDCI 573)
The State Council of Higher Education in Virginia funded the project in 2002-2003 with No Child Left Behind funds from the US Department of Education. This project served as a pilot for a follow-on project that combined support for teachers with research.