Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Conference to focus on induction, mentoring for new teachers in Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – New teacher induction and mentoring will be the focus of a statewide conference Feb. 24-25 in Springfield, Ill., the fourth annual conference organized by the Illinois New Teacher Collaborative.

Nearly 400 educators and policymakers are expected to attend the event, “Moving Toward High Quality Induction and Mentoring,” at the Hilton Springfield, 700 E. Adams St.

The conference is intended to be an interactive, team-oriented event designed to offer ideas, strategies and tools to help new teachers, teacher mentors and administrators learn about induction and mentoring programs, says Nancy Johnson, assistant director of the collaborative, a statewide initiative involving almost every group with an interest in Illinois education.

“The conference has proven to be very successful in bringing people together to plan support for beginning teachers,” Johnson said “For schools, districts and regions that don’t have teacher induction and mentoring programs, it will help them develop one. For those that do have programs, the conference will help improve their programs.”

The opening speaker for the event will be Dennis Van Roekel, the president of the National Education Association. The keynote speaker will be Leslie Huling, associate dean of research and faculty development at Texas State University-San Marcos, on the topic “Measuring Induction Program Impact: Promises and Pitfalls.”

The conference will feature general sessions, breakout sessions and planning time based around the Illinois Standards of Quality and Effectiveness for Beginning Teacher Induction Programs. Participants will focus on developing program improvement plans and may take part in online community and technology innovation rooms.

The collaborative is funded by the State Farm Companies Foundation, the Illinois State Board of Education and the U. of I. College of Education.

Read Next

Life sciences Portrait of the research team posing together.

Minecraft players can now explore whole cells and their contents

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Scientists have translated nanoscale experimental and computational data into precise 3D representations of bacteria, yeast and human epithelial, breast and breast cancer cells in Minecraft, a video game that allows players to explore, build and manipulate structures in three dimensions. The innovation will allow researchers and students of all ages to navigate […]

Arts Photo of seven dancers onstage wearing blue tops and orange or yellow flowing skirts. The backdrop is a Persian design.

February Dance includes works experimenting with live music, technology and a ‘sneaker ballet’

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The dance department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will present February Dance 2025: Fast Forward this week at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. February Dance will be one of the first performances in the newly renovated Colwell Playhouse Theatre since its reopening. The performances are Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Dance professor […]

Honors portraits of four Illinois researchers

Four Illinois researchers receive Presidential Early Career Award

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Four researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign were named recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers. The winners this year are health and kinesiology professor Marni Boppart, physics professor Barry Bradlyn, chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Ying […]

Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

507 E. Green St
MC-426
Champaign, IL 61820

Email: stratcom@illinois.edu

Phone (217) 333-5010