New teachers in Hanover School Division are back to school ahead of the crowd as they take part in the annual Summer Institute for new teachers.  Assistant Superintendent Randy Dueck says it's a program they have been running for about four years.

"It's part of our commitment to our new teachers that we are going to have them prepared and we are going to support them as they begin their careers.  We will throw a whole variety of different supports their way so they feel ready to go when students come to school."

He says feedback from previous classes of teachers indicates the teachers all feel it has made a big difference.  "They feel very much welcomed into Hanover School Division, they feel prepared for their work in HSD and they feel supported in their work in the division."

Dueck notes they have 44 brand new teachers or teachers who are new to Hanover participating in the summer institute.  "They hear from the three superintendents on our dreams and visions and goals for Hanover School division and then we connect them together with curriculum support teachers that provide them support right away for the beginning of their careers.  They also provide them with a supportive relationship throughout their first, second or third years of teaching.  This is a go-to person that's going to be able to help them with questions they might have in the classroom."

Hanover also tries to focus on providing immediate support and are invited to bring plans for their first week of school and share them with the curriculum support teacher, who is a veteran teacher, and get that kind of immediate support to their first few days of school to get them off on the right foot."

He says they hold this Summer Institute because they want the kids to get the best teachers possible.  "We believe the best thing we can do for our kids is invest in our teachers.  Teachers make the biggest difference in terms of effects on learning in the classroom than any other effect possible.  So it's part of our commitment to students in Hanover that they have the best teachers possible."

Teacher Murray Carter is new to Hanover but has taught in other places.  He says there is a huge benefit in getting all the new teachers together.  "If we make a cohesive group of teachers we will have a cohesive group of kids who are allowed to learn emotionally, socially and intellectually.  Every school system is a little different and Hanover does a good job making it clear what they expect teaching professionals to do everyday.  Everything I have experienced so far has been very professional, caring, warm and welcoming."