Small-group sessions will explore topics such as managing classrooms, promoting student engagement, and teaching diverse groups

The annual Beginning Teacher Conference is getting a boost this year with an accompanying new boot camp geared toward brand-new Education at Illinois alumni. For the first time the June 30-July 1 Beginning Teacher Boot Camp will follow the June 29-30 Beginning Teacher Conference. The boot camp will offer curricula specifically for 2016 graduates of the College’s teacher preparation programs.

Both the conference and the camp will be hosted by the Illinois New Teacher Collaborative (INTC), which promotes induction for new teachers, provides mentoring programs, and offers resources for supporting new teachers.

The boot camp will offer curricula specifically for 2016 graduates of the College's teacher preparation programs.

Through the seminars, the College and INTC are looking to provide added support for new graduates embarking upon their first teaching assignments. The added boot camp will help Education alumni navigate the challenging early days and weeks of their careers, according to Chris Roegge, co-director of INTC.

“The sessions for the boot campers have been specifically planned for them, keeping in mind what a brand-new teacher faces during the first few weeks on the job,” Roegge said. “The curricula will keep it on a practical, nuts-and-bolts level, focusing on  specific strategies and tips for starting the school year. We also wanted for the boot campers to have opportunities to network with colleagues who have just finished their first year in the classroom and gain a little knowledge and encouragement from them.”

More than 150 early-service teachers are expected to attend the boot camp and conference, both of which will be held at the I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign. Jill Grove and Gregory Michie will speak during the sessions.

Read more about the events and the speakers who will attend.