EIU Rural School Initiative

New Teacher
Rural Teacher Corps

The New Teacher Rural Teacher Corps is a program for graduates who enter the teaching profession and want to have a support group. Graduates who are supported by Grow Your Own (GYO) Forgivable Loans are required to participate in an induction and support program.

Objective

• Provide a space for conversations by new teachers
• Gather information about supports needed
• Provide opportunities for professional development (PD) and school-based projects

Activity/Opportunities

• Currently, we have a monthly support group that meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month via Zoom (6:30pm-7:30pm) that would qualify.
• New Teacher Mini-grants, application opens tbd

Resources and Professional Learning for New Teachers

• We have PD events that you can take for CPDHs like our monthly technology sessions.
  (Let us know if there are any specific tools or topics you want us to provide.)
• Upcoming projects in development
• We are developing a regional computational thinking network that includes activities and resources for coding.  The first event was the Hour of Code in December 2021.
• We are working with an international group to connect our new teachers with new teachers across the world.  Our initial event for Educators Across Borders was October 2021 and included a local teacher from Lovington, IL.
• Again, Spring 2022, we will offer a new teacher mini-grant program with the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation.  We have provided $200 mini-grants for new teachers over the past two years.

Partners

• We are trying to connect with new teacher induction programs at Regional Offices of Education (ROE) and schools. If you run a program and want to collaborate with us, please contact Brian Reid (bdreid2@eiu.edu).

How to "Join"

• To join the New Teacher RTC, go to the New Teacher Rural Teacher Corps signup page.

Resources

• Understanding Trauma and Trauma Responsive Educational Practices
• Supporting Students and Educators Experiencing Trauma