AOL, Bank Street, UFT & NYU Help New Educators
By Pola Rosen, Ed.D.

Judith Rizzo, Deputy Schools Chancellor, recently spoke at “The New Educator Support Team” (NEST) event, launched by a collaboration of AOL, the Bank Street College of Education, the UFT and New York University to ensure the success of new teachers. The NEST project will support, develop and retain new teachers. A team in each school consisting of experienced teachers, administrators, principals, a NEST facilitator, and UFT reps will provide plans and a program of activities. According to Rizzo, this initiative is one of several that helps align standards with assessments. “We are a standards driven system and therefore have to use every resource to make sure the standards are followed.” The focus on new teachers is particularly important because, as Rizzo indicated, they are vulnerable. The point of NEST is to make knowledge known, “not to keep it a secret. This model makes sense to me. This is the answer.”

Responses from the group in attendance were varied and interesting.

While principal Joseph Tedesco, PS 89, Bronx spoke about the “brain drain” the flight of new teachers to the suburbs because of higher salaries, Superintendent Joyce Coppin cited that “reward and recognition are important. NEST will allow colleagues to take the time to talk to each other and to be creative. Educators are not just after money.”

NYU Professor Anthony quipped that there are three lies we hear in life: “Darling I love you, The check is in the mail, and I’m an administrator and I’m here to help you.” NEST, he indicated will make schools welcome places for new teachers. One principal from the Bronx cited the importance of her school’s retreats each fall and at the end of the year for new and old teachers. Curriculum is developed and important bonds are forged. This year, 27 out of 28 teachers returned to her school.#

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