Alternate Route Instructors Share Why They Love Working with New Teachers

February 14-21 is #LoveTeachingWeek, which is one of our favorite weeks at Alternate Route!

In honor of our instructors' hard work and passion for education, we asked them what they love about working with new teachers. The responses we received are inspiring, heartfelt and full of passion.

Read through them below!

"I encourage them to embrace themselves as learners, become competent, confident, and come to love teaching as the life-changing profession it can be."

"I also enjoy the collegiality and positive relationships that I have developed with my students throughout the years. Being a teacher of new teachers has had endless benefits including allowing me to grow and evolve as a 'teacher of teachers!'"

"I especially love when candidates develop a full appreciation of how good teachers should be revered. The opportunity to interact with the future faces that will be shaping youth is reassuring and priceless."

"I want my love of education to be contagious!"

"Teachers bring their rich, diverse backgrounds and sincere approaches to learn and refine their crafts. New teachers lean on one another in a respectful and meaningful way - the fraternity and selflessness of shared experiences and useful resources keeps us all grounded and ready to chip away at the next challenge. I love being in this academic environment and feel empowered to serve my own students and families with a weekly renewed sense of optimism and clarity."

"Through the years, each new cohort shows that there are caring, intelligent people choosing this vocation we love. It keeps me focused on being the best educator I can be in order to help them be the best they can be - it’s a wonderful partnership."

"There is such a pleasure in working with folks new to teaching. I think it’s because I love the profession so deeply, and getting to share that love with new teachers, while also experiencing their joys, triumphs, and challenges, is incredibly fulfilling."

"Teaching novice teachers also allows me to impact the education process by imposing good methodology and pedagogy where it matters most. Further, I get to model what it means to be a humanitarian in the classroom, demonstrating what it can look like to show up for those students who are flying on broken wings."

"As a mom, I pray that my students are assigned to teachers who not only know the content they’re teaching, but also develop caring relationships with my children. As a teacher of new teachers, I get to help my students understand the importance of building relationships with children AND parents!

"The most enjoyable aspect of teaching happens at the end of the school year. The trial and error is done, the anxiety has subsided, and the teachers' new skills lead to student success and a proud professor."

"I also love teaching new teachers because it makes me think about the influential mentors and cooperating teachers I had during my first years of teaching. They all gave me such great ideas, advice, and guidance during my first years of teaching and often when I was struggling or frustrated with teaching; being able to work with the next generation of educators is one way to pay back that support and guidance I received."

If you’re considering following your dream of teaching, Rutgers Alternate Route can offer you the support and training you need to succeed. Be sure to follow Rutgers Alternate Route on Twitter and sign up for Alternate Route’s monthly newsletter for more information and stories from the field of education.