Creating a rich student-teaching experience has long been an Achilles’ heel of teacher preparation. Determined not to let another student-teacher have a frustrating, demoralizing experience, Marsha Francis led the creation of the GO First Step program in Fulton County, Ga. The program matches each teacher-candidate with a carefully selected, experienced teacher for a year, gives them a stipend, and ensures they receive feedback from multiple observations. The mentor teachers also receive training on how to work with their charges. Aspiring teachers who complete First Step successfully get a guaranteed contract to teach in the district. March 18, 2020
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