Page 10 - Journal 89-3 Full
P. 10
from Beta Chi Chapter (2022) of Louisiana State Organization of The Delta Kappa
Gamma Society International (DKG) also attend this meeting to encourage teachers
to join the chapter so that they will have additional layers of support.
The third meeting is scheduled prior to the first parent-teacher conference. Many
times, new teachers are filled with anxiety about meeting parents and discussing
student progress or the lack thereof. This meeting targets how to communicate
effectively with parents during a conference. During this meeting, Dr. Neal also
provides professional development in the areas of special education and inclusion,
Dr. Gwile Paul Freeman Section 504, and academically gifted, as well as delineates how to refer students for
is a retired Louisiana special education evaluations.
educator whose career
culminated in service as The remaining two meetings focus on using the Compass teacher rubric
a school superintendent. (Louisiana Department of Education, 2022a), which is the instrument utilized for
She is a member of Beta teacher observation and evaluation in Louisiana. The Compass focuses on developing
Chi Chapter of Lousiana student learning targets and using Bloom’s Taxonomy to adjust questioning
State Organization, techniques to help students at all academic levels experience success (Armstrong,
having served as 2010). Time is also invested in reviewing any materials from previous sessions on
chapter parlimentarian,
as first and second which participants might need additional clarification. Structured support can be
vice president, and as provided and tailored to individual teacher needs at the last meeting of the year
Northeast District Director based on the survey feedback, so it is crucial that the CPSD collect this data after
and state organization each NEST meeting.
music representative. Dr.
Freeman was a participant Collaborative Network
in the Beatrice Davis
Leadership Seminar. In addition to the five meetings that are supported with the ESI grant, the CPSD
is collaborating with the LDOE through the NTE grant from July 2022 until June
gfreeman@davidfreeman. 2023. Funds from this grant are being used for mentor-teacher training for veteran
org teachers as well as for regional bi-monthly training and self-paced online training
for novice teachers that focuses on building their pedagogical skills and content
knowledge. Once teachers begin the work of the grant, if they express interest in
affinity groups, then funds can be allocated for travel and training in this area as well.
To begin this work, certified veteran teachers have been enrolled in mentor-
teacher training through the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana
(A+PEL; 2022), and they were assigned a NEST participant as a mentee beginning
in the fall of 2022. The mentors attend NEST meetings to provide additional support
for the new teachers. NEST participants began their regional meetings and online
training in the fall semester as well.
Motivation
When a district provides teachers with motivation and knowledge through a
teacher-induction program, teachers regulate their actions based on their individual
levels of self-efficacy to achieve their goals. The CPSD recognizes the value of
working to increase teacher self-efficacy through the NEST program because self-
efficacy impacts choices that are made, how difficulties are endured, and how stressors
encountered in the classrooms are managed (Bandura et al., 2003). Motivating and
encouraging new teachers helps build their self-efficacy and their determination to
achieve success as educators.
The CPSD is investing grant funds to have veteran teachers trained as mentors
who can provide motivation by sharing wisdom, guidance, and encouragement.
The Beta Chi Chapter works to motivate all new teachers within the district by
providing them with needed supplies and support, and invitations to join DKG are
8 The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin: International Journal for Professional Educators