Engaging Communities and Developing Relationships

New teachers move from the community of their teacher preparation programs to the new ones of their professional lives. Learning to navigate local, school, and professional communities is a vital part of sustaining professional growth. This year’s combined Beginning Teacher Conference and Illini EDge Conference asks ‘How do we develop relationships within and across our communities that help us grow and our students flourish?’

Join us as we explore these questions through sessions, keynote, panels, and extended learning opportunities in the local area. New teachers who are about to enter their first year and those who have just finished their first year will be in attendance, working together to systematically think about their practice and look ahead to next year.  

The Beginning Teacher Conference, in its 8th year, offers a valuable midsummer opportunity for new teachers to connect with others across the state, reflect on lessons learned in their first year, and prepare for a successful year ahead. The Illini EDge (formerly called Boot Camp), a conference targeted at UIUC grads about to enter their first year of teaching. This year’s conference will be held July 17-18, 2017, at the iHotel in Champaign, IL. You can find details about both conferences on our website.