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nti:admin-training:question-3 [2016/06/15 18:41] Martens, Robert L |
nti:admin-training:question-3 [2016/06/16 03:17] Schaefer, Jonathan M |
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===== Teacher Retention Statistics ===== | ===== Teacher Retention Statistics ===== | ||
- | The initial percentage of new teachers in WELS in the spring of 2014 who did not participate in our program but were still teaching in the synod the following year was 70%, while administrators in the spring of 2016 who used NTI reported new teacher retention rates at or above 90%. Both numbers accounted for reported reasons as //new teacher’s family plans// (marriage/ children), //accepting calls// away from their schools, or the //reassignment of tutors//. | + | The number of teacher resignations in WELS during the 1980s was 287 while in the 2000s it jumped to 867 (Gurgel, 2012). That is a loss of 1000s of teachers in whom our synod has invested in preparing for ministry. The toll that these losses have on called workers, their families, and on those they serve is staggering. In the spring of 2016, a majority of administrators who used NTI reported new teacher retention rates at or above 90% for the first five years of ministry. These numbers accounted for reported reasons as //new teacher’s family plans// (marriage/ children), //accepting calls// away from their schools, or the //reassignment of tutors//. |
- | A concern that some WELS schools and centers have is that some teachers leave the district in which they were originally hired. They might want to consider this quote from Harry Wong, **“It is far better to train your new teachers and lose them, than not to train them and keep them!”** | + | A concern that some WELS schools and centers have is that some teachers leave the district in which they were originally hired. They might want to consider this quote from Harry Wong, **“It is far better to train your new teachers and lose them, than not to train them and keep them!”** |
===== Double Barrier to Assistance ===== | ===== Double Barrier to Assistance ===== | ||
- | As you can see from the illustration here, there are two things that get in the way of new teachers getting the information and support that they need. The first is that **they are hesitant to ask for what they need**; they don’t want to appear to be “stupid” or ill-prepared and they don’t want to “bother” the more experienced teachers. On the other side of the barrier is the experienced teacher, **who doesn’t want to look like a know-it-all or to appear to be “nosey” and interfering** with the new teacher’s work. Acknowledging these natural hesitations and creating an “official” mentoring relationship (especially when the mentor is being paid to serve) blesses both parties to break down the barrier and talk about what needs to be discussed. | + | //Novice teachers are hesitant to request assistance// |
+ | |||
+ | ________________________________ | ||
+ | **DOUBLE BARRIER TO ASSISTANCE** | ||
+ | ________________________________ | ||
+ | |||
+ | //Experienced teachers are reluctant to interfere and/or offer assistance// | ||
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+ | As you can see from the above illustration, there are two things that get in the way of new teachers getting the information and support that they need. The first is that **they are hesitant to ask for what they need**; they don’t want to appear to be “stupid” or ill-prepared and they don’t want to “bother” the more experienced teachers. On the other side of the barrier is the experienced teacher, **who doesn’t want to look like a know-it-all or to appear to be “nosey” and interfering** with the new teacher’s work. Acknowledging these natural hesitations and creating an “official” mentoring relationship (especially when the mentor is being thanked for their service) blesses both parties to break down the barrier and talk about what needs to be discussed. | ||
In the end, we really have to ask ourselves **why in the world we would invest in and assign/call new teachers and then not provide them with support**. It is unreasonable to expect brand new teachers to step right in with all the skills and understanding of both teaching and of the culture of our particular schools and communities that they need in order to be successful in helping our kids learn. We must all work together to develop the kinds of teachers we want our kids to have! | In the end, we really have to ask ourselves **why in the world we would invest in and assign/call new teachers and then not provide them with support**. It is unreasonable to expect brand new teachers to step right in with all the skills and understanding of both teaching and of the culture of our particular schools and communities that they need in order to be successful in helping our kids learn. We must all work together to develop the kinds of teachers we want our kids to have! |