Novice Teacher Academy Launched at SCPS
Sussex Surry Dispatch
By Terry Harris
In an initiative aimed at fostering professional growth and enhancing classroom effectiveness, Surry County Public Schools this month launched its own Novice Teacher Academy this month designed to support first-year and early-career teachers as they navigate the challenges of the classroom.
The program is an expansion of the division’s mentor-mentee program, and the initial professional development session on September 10 centered on a critical factor in academic success - best practices for student engagement. Instructional leaders, Dr. Crystal Pope, Assistant Principal, and Mrs. Brittney Custalow, Principal, created a dynamic professional development session to equip novice teachers with the tools and techniques to keep students motivated, interested, and involved in their education.
"We want our new teachers to feel supported from day one," said Dr. Airon Grim. "This academy gives them not only the pedagogical knowledge they need but also the practical skills to create dynamic and engaging classroom environments all while having support from their mentor and administrators."
Acting Superintendent Giron R. Wooden, Jr. commented, “The Novice Teacher Academy is part of Surry County's broader commitment to continuous improvement in teaching and learning.”
He indicated that throughout the year SCPS will ensure that novice teachers have the support they need to grow professionally through additional professional development sessions focused on various aspects of instruction.
Explaining that participants were engaged in and enjoyed the interactive and competitive activities used to model engagement in the first session, Dr. Grim said, “It is our hope that teachers take away at least one strategy or new idea from each session to help encourage an engaged learning environment.”