For new teachers, the first five years of teaching can be the most frustrating because of the difficulty of the job and the lack of support. But for recent Abilene Christian University graduates, there is a support network and encouragement available at the Summer Institute for Beginning Teachers.
"Attrition among teachers in the first five years is extremely high," said Dr. Dana Hood, chair of the ACU Department of Teacher Education. "Students who get their degree at ACU have a built-in support in the summer institute. We want our students, our alumni, to be equipped to stay. We want out teachers in the field."
Open to ACU alumni in their first five years of teaching, the institute has been held each June since 2007. This year, teachers can come to the campus for three days of learning and re-energizing, June 11-13.
The institute is free, and attendees gain knowledge from new and experienced educators on a variety of topics like conflict resolution, classroom management and teaching methodologies.
In addition, attending the summer institute for five years will account for half of the state of Texas' 150-hour professional development requirement for young teachers.
If you are a member of the media who would like more information about this release, please contact ACU's Public Relations Office or call (325) 674-2696.
