Stephanie Salazar tackles national teacher crisis with innovative approach

Too many new teachers enter the profession only to find the job isn’t what they thought and end up leaving. Enter Stephanie Salazar who has made it her mission to help them stay.

Teachers enter the profession with a desire to make a difference in the lives of their students, but sadly, the job often isn’t what they anticipated, according to John Purchase Public School assistant principal and coach Stephanie Salazar.

Ms Salazar founded the New Teacher Tribe (NTT) to help tackle the nation’s teacher shortage by nurturing these talents from day one.

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During her nine years at the school, Ms Salazar created the NTT network – a space to connect experienced teachers with those starting in the industry and it has now benefited more than 900 teachers.

“It makes sense to take care of the people who have chosen to be in teaching so they stay the journey and they flourish and continue to love what they do,” Ms Salazar said.

“The way they are supported varies in so many schools, and we can all do a better job at making sure our new teachers have a strong start because if they do, it means our students are going to get the best-quality teachers from the beginning and we’re going to have the best school leaders in the future.

John Purchase Public School assistant principal and instructional coach Stephanie Salazar with teacher Samantha Nelson. Picture: Supplied

“I started the NTT initiative, which includes free workshops on a range of topics designed for new teachers.

“So even before new teachers walk through the school gates, they feel welcomed, they feel loved, and they know that they’re going to be supported throughout their journey.”

After realising the impact that her initiative was having, Ms Salazar created her own business to broaden its reach and offer help to other schools.

“I was an instructional coach and employed by my school for six years, then I realised the impact this was having on our teams, on new teachers, on the kids and I thought maybe this was something I could continue to share,” she said.

“If they have what I call champions of new teachers, they have someone that they can actually talk to, someone they can ask for help.

“The culture that is at the school is really, really important.”

After benefiting from Ms Salazar’s New Teacher Tribe program, Ms Nelson is now an assistant principal and leads the New Teacher Tribe at her school. Picture: Supplied

This year, Ms Salazar will work with more than 20 schools across the state to assist in improving student learning by helping schools create their own coaching frameworks to support new teachers.

National non-profit Schools Plus was established to help children facing disadvantage to succeed at school. Its CEO Rosemary Conn said Ms Salazar had been chosen for a Teaching Fellowship by the charity to continue and expand her work.

“What’s so incredible about Stephanie is that she’s taken her skills and expertise beyond the classroom to teach other teachers how they can best support their students,” Ms Conn said.

“Through her recent Teaching Fellowship with Schools Plus, it’s been amazing seeing Stephanie mentor and collaborate with other teachers from different states and contexts, including those just starting out in their careers.

“The connections she makes really do have an impact on classrooms across the country.”

Originally published as Stephanie Salazar tackles national teacher crisis with innovative approach