PROVIDENCE, RI – Brown University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program has officially launched a teacher induction program designed to support local graduates in the first five years of their teaching careers. Nationally, almost half of new teachers leave the profession within the first five years, which is contributing to critical shortages, especially in STEM fields. The initiative aims to provide robust support systems to help new teachers thrive and persist in the field. According to MAT program director Katie Rieser, “When teachers feel supported and connected, and are members of communities with shared values, they can really sustain their engagement in the profession and impact young people.”
The pilot year of the program features ten first- and second-year teachers, referred to as "inductees," who receive personalized mentoring and professional development resources. Directed by Brianna Balke, an alumna of the Masters in Teaching program, the initiative seeks to foster an environment of collaboration and professional growth among new educators. The program pairs each inductee with a dedicated mentor for monthly one-on-one sessions and facilitates monthly professional learning communities, development sessions and social events. Each aspect centers the work of navigating the complexities of teaching and the education system, focusing on justice-oriented and culturally responsive teaching practices that align with the MAT program’s core values and strengths.
Balke expressed her enthusiasm for the program, noting, "The program has really been wonderful so far. There was great energy at our first professional learning group meeting, and the teachers have brought a great deal of excitement to the work." In addition to mentorship, the program offers funding for professional development and classroom supplies, addressing critical resources often needed by early-career teachers.
The launch of the induction program was made possible through a grant from the Barr Foundation, an organization committed to reducing inequities in education. The funding supports not only the induction program but also the development of a plan to research the efficacy of the program and disseminate its core design principles in partnership with the Annenberg Institute. Katie Rieser, the grant's principal investigator and Director of the MAT program, remarked on the significance of the initiative, stating, "It's been really wonderful to be able to use money to carefully plan a program that is rooted in the assets of the Providence teaching community, and to be able to connect our graduates with the resources they need to persist in the complex work of teaching." The program was developed through a community-led design process that utilized input from stakeholders, including alums and local teachers.
As the program unfolds, the university anticipates a positive ripple effect throughout the Providence educational landscape. By investing in the development of new teachers, Brown is fostering a community of educators who are equipped to address the diverse needs of their students while advocating for systemic change in the educational system.