BAUXITE, AR - High school and community college Career and Technical Education students need teachers who understand the 'real world' application of the subject matter, whether it's building trades or auto service technology or cosmetology. Many of those teachers enter the classroom directly from business and industry, and quickly face new challenges unique to the classroom.

Regina Woodard, Beth Jackson and Zeke Woodard tackle a workshop assignment.

The Arkansas Department of Workforce Education is partnering with The Centers for Quality Teaching and Learning to help keep those new teachers succeed right off the bat, and then keep them in the classroom longer.

The enthusiastic response after "Planning for Success," the first session of the new Arkansas New & Emerging Teacher Institute (formerly known as TPTTP) is encouraging.

"I thought this class would be terrible, but it was great," says auto service technology teacher Bryan Holliman of River Valley Technical Center.

Holliman, like many other teachers who have entered the professional in recent years, was weary of workshops and trainings and wasn't sure he'd benefit from another.

This one - a very busy two-day session that will be followed by nine more days of professional development - was different. Holliman found a variety of activities and experiences that were very practical.

"I learned a lot of new ways to teach."

He's not alone. "The (NETI) has been an awesome experience for me as a new teacher," says Patty McCormack, who'll begin her second year teaching cosmetology at Pulaski Technical College in the fall. "I have learned many new and exciting techniques to take back to my students. I feel they will be much more engaged in their learning."

"I know what I'm lacking as a 'Great Teacher,' and I feel so much more inspired on how I can motivate," says Saline County Career Center instructor Connie Kinsey. "I am motivated in my new teaching techniques.. I've learned a lot these two days."

"I learned about teaching standards," says auto collision repair teacher Nick Flowers. "It opened my eyes to new ways of presenting material to students. I would suggest it to any teacher."

Comments like that are music to the ears of Saline County Career Center cosmetology coordinator Scottie Burchett. She sent several teachers to the program after being told it would help them attain their certification. The benefits, she says, were greater than she expected as the participants learned about teaching strategies as well as technology tools and applications including Word, PowerPoint and web-building software.

"I am so glad I did it for my teachers!  They continue to thank me and can't wait until the next session," Burchett says. "(Instructor Tamara McCulloch) is an excellent teacher. She modeled things in her class that my teachers will be able to implement in their classes, and they are so excited about it all.  I would recommend this program to all teachers new or experienced!"

McCulloch says the group was a pleasure to work with, and a great initial group for the new program. "These teachers were very engaged in the work, and open and receptive to the new learning opportunities they experienced. I'm looking forward to hearing how they've designed new learning opportunities for their students in the fall."

Completed in conjunction with ADWE's 45-hour "SkillsUSA Club Management Institute," the Arkansas NETI program provides 135 hours of solid instruction. The two programs, taken together, meet the requirements for Arkansas' new Trade & Industrial Education teacher licensing for secondary and some post-secondary teachers.

What is that initial "Planning for Success" workshop like? Read on for more details.