Abstract

The Apple Federal Credit Union Education Foundation awarded FCPS a $350,000 grant for school year 2009-10 to enhance the Great Beginnings induction program, which is now be called Great Beginnings: The Next Generation. The grant was renewed on July 1, 2010.

Since 1995, the Great Beginnings program has proven its effectiveness in retaining participating teachers. With the support of the Apple Federal Credit Union Education Foundation and strong collaboration among FCPS departments, Great Beginnings: The Next Generation has the potential to further increase teacher participation in the program and increase teacher retention, which translates to quality teaching and improved student achievement.

• The purpose of the Great Beginnings: Beginning Teacher Induction Program and the Great Beginnings: Mentor Program is to induct and retain quality teachers who will ultimately contribute to increased student achievement.
• Great Beginnings is a comprehensive new teacher induction program with a unified mission of supporting new teachers that has quality mentoring practices, professional teaching standards, classroom-based teacher learning, commitment and support, and ongoing program assessment.
• The purpose of the Great Beginnings: Beginning Teacher Induction Program and the Great Beginnings: Mentor Program is to induct and retain quality teachers who will ultimately contribute to increased student achievement.
• Great Beginnings is a comprehensive new teacher induction program with a unified mission of supporting new teachers that has quality mentoring practices, professional teaching standards, classroom-based teacher learning, commitment and support, and ongoing program assessment.

Kudos for Great Beginnings

When new teachers were asked if they would recommend the Great Beginnings Summer Institute to new teachers, here is what some participants had to say:

• “Yes, because you meet a great group of people who are in the same position as you: new and eager to learn how FCPS works. The mentors and coaches are very supportive.”
• “Absolutely! I learned specific, useful information I could use to start the year.”
• “I would definitely recommend the Summer Institute to every beginning teacher. I felt way more prepared than I ever thought I could about my first week teaching and my expectations for my own classroom.”

More than 87% of new teachers surveyed after one year in the Great Beginnings program shared that not only were the topics appropriate to their needs as new teachers, but that the program also supported their growth as educators as well as the academic growth of the students in their classrooms

Great Beginnings Summer Institute

About 750 new teachers and 100 current teachers who serve as coaches convened for a summer institute in August 2009. The week-long program, “Celebrating the New Employee as an Individual” included introductions of FCPS leadership team members, instruction on classroom management and breakout sessions where new employees learned about FCPS and met in groups with subject or grade level experts.

Summer Institute goals:
• Building relationships with colleagues
• Building relationships with students
• Implementing Routines and procedures
• Managing the classroom
• Becoming familiar with FCPS resources
• Using the FCPS lesson design model (LEARN)
• Setting up the classroom for instruction
• Planning for the first day/first week of school
• Communicating with parents
• Being clear on FCPS’ professional expectations

More from the Summer Institute
• Photos
• Program
• Handouts and Presentations

Learn More About Great Beginnings

• Overview
• Video
• Press Release