Welcome to Teaching. Please Stay.
Tips for Helping Your School's New Teachers Succeed (and Stick Around)

By Alex Kajitani

Brenda was one of the most promising new teachers our school had ever seen – her student teaching with at-promise students got glowing reviews, she was eager to jump right into leadership roles, and her classroom was well-organized and ready days before veteran teachers had even set foot on campus.

Weeks into her first teaching year, though, she pulled me aside to tell me she felt that the staff did not want to connect with her. One colleague had even told her there was no point investing time into first-year teachers, since most of them left. “Once you show up for your second year, you’ll be treated like you belong here,” Brenda had been told.

We’ve all heard the dismal teacher turnover numbers, such as the National Education Association’s (NEA) calculation that 20% of teachers in urban schools leave each year, a large majority still just in their first three years in the profession. And we know the consequences: beyond the cost of replacing each teacher who leaves (which is estimated anywhere from $15,000 to $40,000), there is also the toll on staff morale, student confidence, and test scores.

Want to change your user name or password?

Log in and follow this link!

IN THIS ISSUE:

Welcome to Teaching

RAPSA Blog

News & Views

“Imagine the positive effect we could have on our schools – and ultimately the success of our
at-promise students -- if each of us made it a personal goal to help our schools’ new teachers feel welcome, invest in the job, and stay on board.”

– Alex Kajitani

WANTED: Education Experts (You!)

for articles, lesson plans, and 30 minute chat discussions on strategies to improve achievement for at-promise students.

Learn more.

A Can't-Miss PD Event!

Registration is open for the Annual At+Promise Conference taking place February 19-21, 2010! Don't miss out on your chance to attend what many educators are calling the best conference they've ever attended. Learn more.

Register today!

Did you miss the last issue of
RAPSA Reach Out?

Visit the archives!

Forgot your password?

Have a temporary password emailed to you!

Tell a friend about RAPSA!

RAPSA Blog

Weren't at the 2009 conference? See what you missed!

Rave reviews are in. Learn what the buzz is about for the only conference where the entire community can make a difference for At+Promise students!

View the Video Recap

The At+Promise Conference is relevant for teachers, administrators, coaches, counselors, parents, business leaders, and others who want academic success for all students.

News & Views

Los Angeles' Most Troubled High School Undergoes Transformation: In Novel Experiment, 'Green Dot' Seeks to Breathe New Life into Students and School

By Lisa Ling and Herran Bekele, ABC News, August 13, 2009

Located smack dab in the middle of multiple rival gang territories in the South Central area of Los Angeles, Locke High School was reputed to be one of the toughest schools in L.A.'s unified school district.

Fights occurred almost daily and in May 2008, a brawl involving a reported 600 students broke out in the middle of campus. Police in riot gear were called in and chaos ensued.