As a new school year begins, I am reminded once again of the supportive community the California Teacher Corps has built and how we can continually learn from each other. 

After two successful years of advocating on behalf of the alternative certification pathway, it's more apparent than ever how enthusiastic and committed our programs are in bringing the best and the brightest teachers into the classroom.  The decision to change careers and enter the teaching profession is an admirable one - our teachers bring their unique experiences, skills and talents to the classroom.  California Teacher Corps' teachers serve in our most high-need public schools, and we could not be more proud of their dedication.  For those of us who were once teachers, we all can remember the challenges of a new school year - including entering the classroom for the first time, crafting a new lesson plan and looking for tips on classroom management. With the guidance and mentorship from our programs, we know that our newest teachers are ready to take on these challenges and provide their students with an impactful and fun school year.

In our monthly newsletters, the Teacher Corps will continue to showcase tips and helpful resources from our programs, as well as stories of educators making a difference. We also welcome any words of wisdom you have.  We'd love to hear your stories on our Facebook Page. Everyday California Teacher Corps teachers are making a difference. Together we can work to make the biggest impact we can.

Good luck to all as we begin the 2011-2012 school year!

Sincerely, 

Tania Schalburg-Dykes 

California Teacher Corps in the News

Teaching as a Second, or Even Third, Career

The California Teacher Corps' continuing efforts to sing the praises of our teachers was heard loud and clear by the New York Times! In a recent article, The New York Times highlights the benefits and importance of teachers who find their calling later in life. Our very own teacher, Walt Patterson, is featured in the piece as a teacher who is flourishing in his third career. 

Read the article, Teaching as a Second, or Even Third, Career, to learn more about how the Teacher Corps, and other organizations, are leading the way in bringing talent into the teaching profession.

Amalia Lopez English Teacher Lindsay High School Lindsay, CA

Amalia's first year as an English teacher at Lindsay High School would have been challenging for any teacher: The school had gone to a performance-based program where all students were individually paced for course standards allowing students to accelerate at their own pace. Administrators from the district as well as the Marzano consultants guiding the district through this new delivery system were amazed at the success Amalia was having with the students, some of the most at-risk students in the district. Anyone walking into her classroom immediately can observe her content and engagement skills that she has mastered. 

Amalia's success is evidenced by her raising district benchmark test scores from 40 percent to a class average of 80 percent as a first year intern. She organized a project with faculty member Jyothi Bathina, from California State University Fresno and director of Literate Voices. Together they worked with students to encourage literacy through personal narrative. Amalia collaborated with Bathina to have students write their own personal narratives that were published in a book this past spring titled, "Among the Groves Lindsay Lives." The project resulted in a community booking signing with students, parents, administrators, teachers and community members of over 200 individuals.

Amalia has established herself at Lindsay High School (Lindsay, CA) as a teacher leader both at her school and in her cohort at the IMPACT Alternative Certification Program with Tulare County Office of Education in Visalia. She encourages her students and truly models the following, "Who dares to teach must never cease to learn." - John Cotton Dana

The Teacher Corps would like to highlight all the wonderful that have gone through our programs on our website, through the media and to the general public. Please share your teachers' stories with us by emailing information to info@cateachercorps.org.

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