Purpose-Driven Teacher Induction: A Systemic Teacher Induction Framework to Help New Teachers Thrive!

Chris Summers, Ed.D.

This book empowers leaders to best support new teachers, reduce attrition, alleviate burnout, and ultimately, elevate the teaching profession. The Systemic Teacher Induction (STI) Framework© allows leaders to add value to new teachers so they can maximize what matters most in the classroom. I understand the importance of reevaluating how we support and guide new educators, and this book represents a compassionate step in that direction. We must rethink how we develop and implement teacher induction programs in education to effectively ensure new teachers have the tools, mentorship, and support needed to thrive and grow into the exceptional educators our students deserve. I invite you to join me along with the other districts that have implemented the STI Framework© on this Purpose-Driven journey as we strive to create a more sustainable and supportive educational environment for teachers, leaders, and students.

How the Book is Organized

Vision

For new teachers, there are no “do-overs” and if their students finish the year with learning gaps, those students will be at greater risk of struggling as they go through the rest of their schooling. Without the necessary support and guidance, we are potentially setting up our students for long-term academic struggles and for sure setting up our new teachers for frustration and despair, burnout and attrition, and we will ultimately harm the entire PK-12 educational structure (perhaps permanently). We must rethink how we develop and implement teacher induction programs in education if we are to effectively ensure new teachers have the tools, mentorship, and support needed to thrive and grow into the exceptional educators our students deserve

Framework

The STI Framework© is designed to bring structure and organization to teacher induction programs, allowing districts and campuses to shift from a random and sporadic delivery of basic teacher orientation to a system of layered support over multiple years. Leaders will use a research-based multifaceted approach to provide new teachers with the ongoing support they need to succeed during their early professional years. At the core of the framework is the why, which in this case is systemic teacher induction (a need outlined in the first three chapters). By following it, district leaders can create the environment to shift mindsets, improve decision-making, and identify resources needed to implement a successful multi-year teacher induction program. The STI Framework© empowers leaders to make a significant difference in the lives of new teachers and ultimately improve student outcomes.

Application

Readers are introduced to the program analysis and implementation tools for the STI Framework© . The tools guide leaders through three areas to focus on analysis and reflection before the work of applying the STI Framework© can begin for the district. These three focus points ensure that your leadership team is taking the necessary time to consider the breadth and depth of teacher induction support resources currently available in the district. The three focus points are district-wide structures of support, campus-wide structures of support, and support available to individual teachers who may be struggling or are new to the profession. It concludes with a case study of one district’s successful implementation of Purpose-Driven Teacher Induction.