Teach Charlotte
I recently had the opportunity to work for a nationwide initiative called the Teaching New Teachers Project [TNTP].
TNTP has locations across the United States that help career changing adults successfully become classroom teachers in the neediest classrooms. Their locations have the title TEACH, followed by the city name. For example, I had the pleasure of working at TEACH Charlotte. My colleague was a Coach and met with these adults as they student taught in our Project Lift schools. After teaching and observing during the day, participants came to class at night to learn from me, the Instructor. Here I utilized the Teach Like a Champion techniques found in Doug Lemov’s best-selling book. Participants had the opportunity to hear about a technique, watch it demonstrated through a video clip or by myself, and then spend the rest of the session practicing the technique. Throughout the rigorous 5 week period, participants are evaluated by the coach and myself on each technique by utilizing a rubric. During this time there also was a “mid-term” and “final” where participants gave a mock lesson demonstrating techniques. All of this data was then collected to determine if each participant had the skillset and knowledge base to go into our neediest schools here in Charlotte and outperform other first year teachers. My particular cohort began with 15 participants. We ended the program with 9. Some participants decide this program is not for them, others underperform, and sometimes life just happens. Either way, the strong and steady prevail! Below is a photo of my Coach and I with our participants on their graduation day:
This was such a powerful experience that made me appreciate everything teachers do behind-the-scenes. I myself did not go through a program like Teach Charlotte. I went to a four year college and endured hours of educational theory with a small stint in the classroom as a student teacher. I feel like I learned more through instructing these participants on the Teach Like a Champion techniques than from any class or experience in college. They are far better off than I was when I first started teaching. Plus, as adults, they bring maturity to the table that as a college student you just don’t have. Participants were reliable, timely, and appropriate in all aspects of the experience. Their background knowledge in “life” was an asset to class discussion and impromptu decision making during a lesson.
As I mentioned before, I might have had an impact on these participants, I might have allowed great teachers to enter our schools and positively affect our students that need it most, but I know without a doubt, I definitely learned more from them than they learned from me. The techniques helped me give a name to the things I was already doing in the classroom. The Teach Like a Champion book gave me the insight into why/how things should be done a certain way. But, watching the transformation of these participants over the 5 week period was inspirational. They taught all day long, came to class at night, then stayed up into the wee hours of the evening to study and prepare lessons. I admire them. They are strong, dedicated, and persevere in a way I wonder if I am even capable of myself.
I highly encourage all educators to purchase the Teach Like a Champion book by Doug Lemov and challenge yourself to be your best each day. Then, pay it forward and pass it on to a colleague. My school has a beginning teacher book club (teachers in years 1-3) and chose this as their book! Of course, I was ecstatic and helped introduce the premise and purpose of this meaningful text. Give it a read, and come back to comment with your thoughts!
I am currently seeking other opportunities to work for TNTP through TEACH Charlotte. I interviewed for a Selector position in which I would be interviewing and selecting the participants to join our program. It would allow me to rewind in the whole process and see it where all begins. During the summer, I plan to Coach so I can see first-hand how participants are doing in the classroom (summer school) with the students. Through these various roles, I will be able to see the gamut of the Teach Charlotte experience. I know this will give me insight on how to better myself as a teacher, better prepare my students for college and career, as well as better support the new teachers entering my school district. I am honored to say that I worked for TEACH Charlotte and I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.
Did you go through an alternate teaching route or 4 year college program?
Have you worked for an initiative like this before? I’d love to hear about it!
About the author, Gretchen
I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.