Teacher Induction: The School Leader's Role

Teacher Induction: The School Leader's Role - "Among the most often-cited reasons why new teachers leave teaching, is a lack of proper induction; this despite increasing recognition that a 'good start' can provide a coherent structure for a teacher's career-long professional learning. Too often, however, induction is a neglected area characterised by a brief introduction of the new teacher(s) to the school. Depending on the number of new starters, sometimes a conference is held, where new colleagues are presented with a school handbook, a list of important people, emergency numbers - if they are lucky - and issued with a brain-numbing timetable and an expectation that the new recruit will prove up to the task. At the district level they will be invited to another conference and be given similar information. This morning I want to reflect on what teacher induction is about, what purposes it should serve, what the ‘curriculum’ of induction might be, and the policies, practices and behaviours needed to deliver it."

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