Induction Support Residency V: W-BEST

Mississippi is not alone in the teacher shortage. Approximately 50% of all teachers in their first three years leave the profession. The Center for Education Support will support the School of Education in all endeavors to assist new teacher induction and retention.

Residency V: W:BEST (Beginning Educator Support and Training) is a collaboration between the School of Education and our interns and recent graduates across Mississippi. This comprehensive, university-based induction program provides support strategically aligned to new teachers' development stages. It offers multiple services designed to increase teacher effectiveness, enhance professional growth, and reduce attrition among beginning teachers. In many districts, we work in conjunction with the district or school appointment mentor.

https://www.muw.edu/education/Induction%20Seminar
Induction Seminar
Near the end of the internship, all students will participate in an induction seminar where they will be introduced to the comprehensive, university-based Residency V: BEST. The soon-to-be new teachers will be provided with the details of the induction program so that they can make an informed decision as to whether or not they choose to participate during their first year of teaching.
https://www.muw.edu/education/Positive%20Connection%20&%20Support
Positive Connection & Support
Research shows that learning takes positive, connected relationships and a climate of collaboration and culture of mentorship. The CES will assist in building and improving the necessary relationships for mentors and leadership to give effective feedback. The CES also has a crucial role in listening to the needs of the teachers in the field and making recommendations for program modifications or advising on professional development and PLA training to supplement gaps as teacher enter those crucial induction years. The CES will work with partnerships to develop plans to support induction teachers in critical shortage areas with lack of funding for classroom supplies.
https://www.muw.edu/education/Mentor/Mentee%20Program
Mentor/Mentee Program
Most schools have a mentoring program for beginning teachers. However, the School of Education is prepared to support the facilitation of a Mentor/Mentee Program if needed. The program provides a handbook supporting post-graduates in the classroom, ease the transition from teacher preparation practice, increase retention of teachers, and increase skills of new teachers in order to improve student achievement in accordance with state learning standards.
https://www.muw.edu/education/Professional%20Development
Professional Development
Excellence in teaching is a journey, not a destination. Ongoing professional growth is essential to cultivate this excellence and to maximize student achievement. Masterful teachers continuously add to their repertoire through deliberate efforts to improve their instruction, classroom management, content and curriculum knowledge, assessment, technology integration, and leadership skills. The CES will target new teachers’ PLA and Professional Development needs based on individual needs and data from multi-year reporting.