The School of Education recently hosted a Beginning Teacher Leadership Symposium with goal in mind­–to share with 50 new teachers about how to be a leader in the field of education.

The symposium was led by local administrators, instructional coaches, CEOs and UNCP faculty. In addition to participants and presenters from within the UNC-Pembroke region, the symposium was also attended by N.C. New Teacher Support Program coaches from across the state. The New Teacher Support Program seeks to improve student achievement by improving beginning teacher effectiveness and teacher retention with three core services, including instructional coaching, regional professional development, and a beginning teacher professional development institute.

UNCP is one of 10 institutions across the state to participate in the program. The UNCP coaching team is currently supporting beginning teacher inductions in Bladen County schools, Public Schools of Robeson County, Scotland County schools, and the Innovative School District.

The symposium was organized and facilitated by UNCP Instructional Coaches Dr. Denise Hunt, Dr. Carissa Rosenblum, Carrie Brewington and Jami Graham with the goal of providing beginning teachers a pathway toward leadership opportunities and roles.

Regional beginning teachers had their choice of sessions to attend throughout the day that were focused on three realms of leadership: in the classroom, in the school, and in the profession. Survey responses indicated a positive day for participants.

“I really appreciated the overall message and I feel empowered as a beginning teacher since attending,” one teacher wrote.

Another added, “I had a super awesome time. The information was very helpful and encouraging. Everyone spoke truths and I heard them. Can’t wait for next year.”

During lunch there was an opportunity for teachers to speak with representatives from the UNCP Graduate School, NC National Board Certification as well as the UNCP Masters of School Administration (MSA) and First Americans’ Educational Leadership Programs (FAEL).

Participants heard from a panel of experts who shared their experiences with leadership opportunities. A highlight of the day was keynote Marlow Artis who encouraged the new teachers to ‘stay in their lane.’

Marlow is the Upward Bound Coordinator in Sampson County schools and creator and host of Tarheel Teachers at Home, which encompasses a blog and a weekly educational panel videocast. Plans are underway for the second annual UNCP NC NTSP Beginning Teacher Leadership Symposium in 2020.