First Year, Worst Year? Becoming a Teacher in a Pandemic

Being a new teacher is already a tough job. It gets even tougher when you’re starting out during a pandemic. That’s one reason the Illinois State Board of Education teamed up with state teachers unions in the fall to create a mentorship program for first-year teachers. As we approach the end of the school year, we check in with one of the program coordinators to hear how it’s going. Then we hear from a new teacher about how she’s navigating the pandemic. Both of them offer advice and share who their favorite teachers were.

Guests: Louise Stomper, Coaching and Mentoring Coordinator, Illinois Education Association (@ieanea)

Erica Conwell, Teacher, Grant-White Intermediate School

Teacher Appreciation Week ends soon. Tell us about your favorite teacher and where they taught you. Email it to us at chicago@citycast.fm.

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