By Jordan Monroe
Staff Writer
Established in 2005, the Center for the Support of Beginning Teachers is Western Carolina University’s solution to a growing problem in the local school system. Recently, the rate of public school teachers quitting their jobs within their first year has increased.
The Center hopes to alleviate this problem by offering first year teachers a support network. This network can be easily accessed online for free and contains valuable information and literature, along with educational podcasts.
One of these podcasts is called “Ask A Mentor”. This podcast provides teachers with answers to questions and ideas for the classroom from teachers with more experience.
The Center also holds discussion boards to create a community of fellow teachers that can talk to each other, share ideas and information and support each other.
One hundred first-year teachers are currently getting help from the program. This is help much needed for the schools of Western North Carolina that are facing a shortage of educators.
For more information contact Janice Holt at 828-227-7027 between 8am and 5pm or visit the website at http://csbt.wcu.edu.
