Beginning Teacher Institute

Due to the ITQ Grant awarded to ASU, NAU, and UofA by the Arizona Board of Regents, teachers completing their first or second years of teaching as well as December and Spring graduates with contracts to teach in Fall 2013 pay only $100. To take advantage of this offer, use the discount code BTI_100 when you register.

While teaching is an extremely rewarding career, it is not without its difficult and challenging moments. As a beginning teacher, the challenges can even be greater. Our Beginning Teacher Institute is designed for K-12 beginning teachers who have one to three years of teaching experience. The focus of this Institute is to help the beginning teacher meet the everyday challenges of teaching.

The two-days will include engaging strategies with Cooperative Learning specialists Tom Searl and Wendy Burke as well as hands on interactive sessions facilitated by Arizona Master Teachers and National Board Certified Teachers.

The interactive breakout sessions will focus on Math Common Core, Literacy Common Core, technology integration, classroom environment, and differentiated instructional planning, to name just a few. This learning opportunity will end with an inspirational closing session featuring Sarah Brown-Wessling, 2010 National Teacher of the Year, that will leave you energized and enthused. 

Our Beginning Teacher Institute will be a celebration of teaching and learning! Make your attendance at this event part of your own personal professional growth plan.

Listed below are the 7 Strands that will be offered during the BTI. Participants will be able to select from different sessions in the following strands:

Strand 1:  Technology in the Classroom

The purpose of this strand is to expose participants to multiple possibilities for technology integration across the curriculum. This strand will be meaningful and relevant to the novice technology user while also challenging the savvy user and expertise of those who utilize technology on a daily basis. Participants will identify their current level of technology use and learn the characteristics of a classroom that implements technology wisely and effectively.

Strand 2: Environments for Learning and Leading
Learning in this strand will guide participants in considering the various aspects of the classroom that promote a positive culture by building student/teacher relationships, managing classroom procedures and building community. This strand will also expose beginning teachers to the tools and resources necessary to lead and learn in their own buildings and community. Participants will uncover research based approaches and strategies for taking upon leadership roles and being effective in the classroom.

Strand 3: Lesson Planning and Instructional Techniques

In this strand, participants will learn to create and implement powerful lessons, designed to engage learners at all grade levels. This strand will focus on: preparation of instruction, procedures for implementation of instruction and inquiry-based learning. Participants will learn about potential pitfalls and problems that many teachers encounter when lesson planning for their students.

Strand 4: Literacy and the Common Core

In this strand, participants will learn from skillful teaching professionals as they share highly effective teaching practices linked directly to the Common Core Standards in English Language Arts. Tried and true literacy practices and concepts will be the focus of learning in this strand. Teachers can expect to walk away from each session with practical examples and strategies ready to be implemented in their classroom.

Strand 5: Math and the Common Core

Common Core Standards in Mathematics require teachers to implement critical thinking, problem solving, academic vocabulary and discourse in classrooms. In this strand, participants will learn engagement strategies and relevant learning activities for implementing these standards into their mathematical classrooms.

Strand 6: Student-Centered Learning Environments

In this strand, participants will learn to implement powerful lessons designed for the heart of the classroom, students. This strand will focus on: procedures for implementation of instruction effectively and inquiry-based learning. Participants will learn about potential pitfalls and how to address problems that many teachers encounter when implementing lessons for their students.

Strand 7: Integrating the Curriculum  

In this strand, participants will learn to implement strategies to address the variety of needs within a classroom. This strand will focus on: cross-curriculum instruction and procedures for implementation of engaging instruction to enhance learning.