In Wake Of Retirements, Some Wisconsin Schools Flooded With New Teachers

The Appleton (WI) Post-Crescent (8/30) reports on the many newly hired teachers who are beginning their careers "in the wake of several months of unprecedented turmoil that put Wisconsin's educators and other public employees at the center of the state budget debate." The state saw an unusually high number of retirements last year, something attributed in large part to the new collective bargaining law. "There has also been a lot of movement of experienced certified teaching staff among districts, and within districts during the spring and summer to add to the activity, but a sizable number of the new hires are people new to the profession, and that presents a challenge," in part because new teachers must be mentored, and there are fewer experienced teachers available to do so. However, "many veteran teachers are coming forward to help the new arrivals."