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Supporting alumni in their early years of teaching

The New Teacher Community—created by Lesley's Graduate School of Education—supports Lesley graduate and undergraduate education alumni as they navigate the early years of their teaching careers. Our goal is to promote quality teaching, to enhance teacher confidence and retention, and to cultivate classroom excellence for early career teachers. 

Supported by a generous grant from Medical Information Technology (Meditech), with additional assistance from the Alumni Office, the New Teacher Community offers enrichment grants to support classroom practice, an annual series of professional development workshop events, a monthly support group for teachers in their first two years of teaching, and a Facebook page and blog with teaching resources and current research.  

Join the New Teacher Community

If you would like to be added to our mailing list, attend a meeting, or serve as a mentor, contact Andi Edson, New Teacher Community director, at newteachercommunity@lesley.edu. We welcome participation from faculty and alumni, and we are always looking for experienced alumni who want to mentor newer teachers.

The founding directors of the New Teacher Community are Professor Emerita Marcia Bromfield; Professor Emerita Nancy Roberts; and retired Associate Dean Harriet Deane.

New Teacher Community Offerings

Some of the ways we support new teachers.

  • Educational Enrichment Grants

    We offer small educational grants in amounts up to $300 to support teaching and professional development. Our New Teacher Community teachers can apply for funds for:

    • Classroom supplies for specific projects and curriculum
    • Educational apps connected to the curriculum
    • Teacher enrichment through conferences or workshops
    • Membership in a professional organization

    We give priority to first-time applicants and teachers who are in their first three years of full-time teaching. To apply, you must be a graduate of a Lesley undergraduate or graduate education degree program.

    When to Apply

    Applications for the educational enrichment grants are accepted once each academic year. The application period is from December through the end of January. Applicants will be notified of the results by the end of February. All receipts for funds awarded must be submitted within 60 days of incurring the expense. 

  • Professional Development

    We offer free professional development workshops each year. Recent workshops have covered practical issues such as classroom management, communication skills, trauma and resilience, discipline and behavior issues, parent-teacher relationships, closing the school year, technology, STEAM, and curriculum integration. Our workshop panels are composed of experienced teachers and administrators.

    These events bring together beginning teachers in a non-evaluative and open forum with experienced teachers who share expertise, strategies, and their thinking about schooling and teaching practices.

  • Beginning Teacher Support Group

    We offer a monthly support group for up to 12 teachers who are in their first or second year of teaching. The support group provides a safe and non-judgmental forum outside of the teachers’ school settings. We base the meeting agendas on the participants' needs, but they typically include discussions about pertinent issues and problem-solving.

    Join the Support Group

    Please contact one of the faculty facilitators:

Learn More

Follow the New Teacher Community on social media, read some articles for teachers, or find out about professional development at Lesley.

Contact Us
Please contact us if you would like to get involved with the New Teacher Community.