Whitman Elementary - Tulsa Public Schools

Corps members leave these small group sessions with clear direction they can use to improve their
teaching. Corps members receive extensive lesson planning instruction from Teach For America
instructional coaches. They internalize student learning objectives for the coming week, create
assessments to evaluate student progress, select the right teaching methods to meet their objectives,
and develop their plans in great detail.
Corps members study the fundamentals of teaching and practice teaching techniques to prepare
them for all elements of classroom instruction. Sessions focus on Teaching As Leadership; Instructional
Planning and Delivery; Classroom Management and Culture; Diversity, Community, and Achievement;
and Literacy Development. This training introduces corps members to the principles and specific actions
that successful teachers take to lead their students to success. It presents a goal-oriented, standardsbased
approach to teaching and teaches corps members to diagnose and assess students, plan lessons,
and deliver lessons effectively. TFA corps members are taught how to create and maintain a culture of
achievement in the classroom. They develop the mindsets and skills needed to build relationships and
work effectively with the diverse students, families, educators and others in the communities where
they teach. Plus, they learn how to teach literacy skills to students at all performance levels and across
grade levels and content areas.
Teach For America provides room and board for corps members in local university housing
during institute. Special accommodations are available for corps members with partners and families.
While institute is a rigorous and intensive experience, corps members have free time during weekends
and typically take advantage of opportunities to socialize and explore their institute city.
The New Teacher Project. Beginning this school year (2011-2012), Tulsa uses the renowned
Tulsa New Teacher Induction program for all new teachers of core subjects who are not TFA corps
members. The New Teacher Project, made possible through the District’s partnership with The New
Teacher Center, focuses on strengthening the practice of beginning first and second year teachers. The
New Teacher Center induction model is nationally recognized in the United States for its promotion of
new educator development and its impact on teacher retention and student learning.
The New Teacher Project’ Induction program encompasses an orientation to the workplace,
socialization, mentoring, and guidance through beginning teacher practice through the use of mentor
teachers. The District’s support is based on a comprehensive, high-quality induction consisting of
several key elements:
• 2-year program
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