40 Hours for the Forty Acres Spring 2023

WHO WE ARE

The first few years of teaching are uniquely challenging, whether a teacher was prepared in a traditional university setting, alternative certification program, or another pathway. Texas Education START is a partnership between the College of Education at UT Austin and high-needs schools in the Austin Independent School District that seeks to increase the retention of early-career teachers.  

The COVID-19 era has resulted in even more expectations and demands being place on teachers than ever before. We work to support novice teachers in a holistic way. Texas Education START employs experienced Teacher Leaders who provide targeted support to early-career teachers that:

• Increases new teacher self-efficacy
• Builds capacity in the areas of social emotional wellness, instructional planning and delivery, literacy, and building classroom community
• Fosters communication and collaboration between teachers, administration, district and university faculty

The early-career teachers who participate in Texas Education START all have three or fewer years of teaching experience and receive:

• Evidence-based coaching, mentoring, and personalized instructional support from an experienced Teacher Leader, employed by The University of Texas at Austin College of Education
• Access to customized, faculty-curated resources from the College of Education at The University of Texas at Austin
• Opportunities to participate in professional learning designed for early career teachers within a supportive community of peers
  
  

IMPACT

Texas Education START is currently providing mentorship to 125 beginning teachers in 14 high-need elementary schools in Austin ISD. Teaching assignments include grade levels from pre-kinder to sixth grade and special program areas such as music or PE. A significant number of teachers receiving mentorship from Texas Education START are bilingual/dual language or special education teachers. While Texas Education START serves all novice teachers in the schools we partner with, due to their high turnover rates, alternatively certified teachers make up a significant portion of our cohorts.

Now in its third year of implementation, novice teachers participating in Texas Education START have been retained at a rate of 90% compared to 76% retention of other teachers on the same campuses and 83% of teachers in the Austin ISD.

Karla Enriquez Alejandre
Wooldridge Elementary
Bilingual Special Education, Resource and Inclusion

"I decided to be involved in special education because I wanted to be 

more informed about it and prepared myself to help others. At Navarro,

I was lucky enough to be placed with a Life Skills teacher, Mrs. Ursula

Hoffman-Durden, with 40 plus years of experience, who took me under

her wing and guided me through my student teaching at Region 13, 

and everything I needed to know. After all of my experiences I have found

my calling to help others through education, imparting knowledge to

them no matter their situation."

Hannah Goosen (left) and Darcy Becerra (right)
Rodriguez Elementary
Early-Childhood Special Education

"Teaching is not always easy but it is super rewarding

when you have an amazing co-teacher to work next to. 

We have been so blessed to have each other during these

difficult times of the world and in this journey of teaching.

Our goal is to just spread more awareness about early

intervention and reaching more students."

The mentorship of novice teachers is an important part of supporting educators in the field and ensuring all kids in Texas have access to a high quality and well-prepared teacher. Texas Education START is making a difference for early-career teachers at our partner elementary schools in Austin ISD and giving us valuable insights into the challenges and demands faced by novice teachers and their school leaders.

Your gift in support of Texas Education START is an investment in early-career teachers and will support our Teacher Leaders, programming and professional development opportunities.