The opening of school always presents many new and exciting experiences for new teachers and those who are returning to a given teaching field after an absence. In order to address issues and questions common for home economics teachers who fit the categories of "new" or "returning" (returning to a home economics assignment following an absence from teaching or a period of teaching outside the home economics discipline), an intensive training conference has been scheduled for October 8-9. This conference, to be conducted in Austin, will focus on issues related to program philosophy, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Home Economics Education, effective instruction, curriculum, instructional resources, management, funding, reporting, Future Homemakers of America activities, State Board of Education policies, and the implementation of education initiatives (career concentrations, coherent sequences of courses, integration of academic skills, and Tech Prep) through home economics education. Perspectives and needs of both middle school and high school teachers will be addressed. Of course, opportunity will be provided for conference participants to pose their unique questions.

As you can see, the topics to be included are central to conducting an effective home economics education program; we believe that teachers want to do outstanding work and will, if they have both a clear vision of the expectations and the tools for meeting the expectations. This conference has been designed to bring the expectations into focus, to sharpen professional skills, and to make participants aware of available resources. If you have new or returning home economics teachers in your district, I hope that you will be supportive of their participation in this training. Please assist us in informing these teachers in your district by distributing copies of the enclosed information; we, too, will be trying to get the information into the appropriate hands.

In addition, a teacher mentor program is being established as past of the statewide initiatives for Home Economics Education for the 1999-2000 school year as a means of helping to promote the success and retention of new home economics teachers. The purpose of this initiative is to provide direct support and assistance for new teachers and those returning to teaching the discipline following a period of absence. Mentors have been selected through an application process and represent various geographic regions of the state. They are knowledgeable professionals who are willing to accept the responsibility of facilitating the professional growth and support of colleagues. Those new and returning teachers who are selected to participate in the teacher mentor project will initially meet their mentor teachers during the 1999 Professional Development Conference for New and Returning Home Economics Teachers. Remaining mentor-mentee activities will focus around telephone, e-mail, and mail exchange of ideas, resources, and support related to home economics education.

New and returning home economics teachers desiring home economics teacher mentors for the 1999-2000 school year should complete the enclosed application and submit it to the address shown on the form by September 28, 1999, along with registration for the Professional Development Conference for New and Returning Home Economics Teachers. Geographic locations and home economics teaching assignments will be considered; although, priority will be given to applications from new and returning home economics teachers who desire to have home economics teacher mentors who are from school districts and/or campuses on which he/she is the only home economics teacher.

Thank you for your support and assistance. Please feel free to contact this office at (512) 463-9454 if there are questions regarding this matter or the home economics education program in your district.

Sincerely,
Gay Nell McGinnis, Director
Home Economics Education

For further information on this topic, contact Home Economics Education at (512) 463-9454

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