New Teachers
Who are our new teachers?
A new teacher may be a teacher new to the profession, a beginning teacher and/or a teacher on call, a teacher new to a classroom assignment or having a significant change of assignment, a teacher new to teaching in BC, or a teacher returning to the profession.
Some members choose a career as a teacher on call (TOC). The Teacher Teaching on Call home page provides additional information for career and transitional TOCs.
Local/PSA new teacher conference grants
In 2010-11 the BCTF will provide eight $500 grants to a PSA, local, or zone organized conference which includes a significant component for new teachers and teachers teaching on call.
E-mail list
The e-mail list, bctf-beginteach, facilitates discussion among and between new and experienced teachers. Go to the BCTF public mailing list page to join or leave this and other BCTF e-mail lists.
New Teachers' Conference
The New Teachers' Conference is held annually in the Metro Vancouver area, usually in February. Information about online registration and exhibitors' booth applications will be available early in the new year.
The conference is a professional development opportunity designed specifically for new teachers - those in their first five years of teaching, and for student teachers.
Provincial Specialist Associations (PSAs)
PSAs offer many conferences and workshops that are useful for new teachers. For information, go to the PSA listing page to access PSA websites.
PITA has an extensive year-long program for intermediate early career teachers. Find out about it at www.pita.ca.
Publications
The BCTF Handbook for TOCs and New Teachers: The Practice of Teaching 
contains information on a variety of practical topics, such as classroom management, reporting requirements, working with parents, and sources of help for new teachers.
Teaching in British Columbia
See our Teaching in BC page for information on certification and salaries, and job search resources.
Web resources
Beginning Teachers' Tool Box
Developed by the Inspiring Teachers Publishing Group in Texas, the site offers tips for new teachers and resources, including a paid subscription to Pencil Points Newsletter (U.S.$9.95 online).
I Love Teaching.com
Dedicated to encouraging teachers, the site is maintained by an experienced teacher who is interested in helping student teachers and those who are just starting their first few years of teaching. Topics include encouraging words, teachers and technology, your first classroom, and classroom management.
New Teachers Online, part of the Teachers Network site, includes lesson plans, teaching tips, and online resources.
Teachers Helping Teachers
Contributing educators provide basic, practical tips to beginning teachers, as well as lesson plans, book reviews, chat rooms, and links to educational resources, and regular tips for stress reduction!
Teaching to Diversity
This subsite of the BCTF web site offers lots of information and web-based resources designed to support classroom teachers and all students in learning. The subsite also provides adaptations and teaching strategies. Check out the huge selection of lesson plans which can be downloaded at no cost.
What to Expect Your First Year of Teaching
The U.S. Department of Education offers this web publication which is a compilation of award-winning first year teachers' responses to questions about their first year in the classroom, including their experiences, challenges and successes. It offers tips and advice on how to have a successful year.