March 10, 2026 — As we start the month of March, I am realizing how jam-packed February was for NCTR. February was filled with webinars, in-person conferences, and networking opportunities designed to learn from, connect, and engage with our Network members and their partners as we work toward our shared goal of strengthening the teacher workforce to better serve our P-12 students.
Looking back, I recognize the conversations I’m having and the sessions I am attending are centered on a shared set of goals. This inspires me to know that we are “rowing in the same direction” and that as a profession we will go faster and get further together. I welcome you to join me as I reflect on some of the learning opportunities and takeaways from this past month.
Sharing Knowledge, Sparking Change
NCTR Network members are sharing their research and expertise to create a sharpened focus on the individual puzzle pieces that together contributes to the bigger picture to strengthen the teacher workforce.
- NCTR attended NASDTEC’s (National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification) and NCGYO’s (National Center for Grow Your Own) Third Annual Apprenticeship Conference in New Orleans and had the opportunity to learn from state education agencies, educator preparation programs, and school districts that shared how they are creating a variety of low- or no-cost paid pathways to teaching with classroom-based learning or on-the-job training at the center.
- Attending the AACTE Annual Meeting was another opportunity to connect with NCTR Network members, partner institutions, educator preparation programs, and education leaders to examine research and professional practice with a spirit of collaboration to improve teacher preparation.
- Knowing there were so many sessions to choose from at this year’s AACTE Annual Meeting, we put together this list to support and connect our member institutions during the event.
Realizing our Shared Goals
Looking back, I recognize the conversations I’m having and the sessions I am attending are centered on a shared set of goals. This inspires me to know that we are “rowing in the same direction” and that as a profession we will go faster and get further together. These shared goals include:
- redefining partnerships between educator preparation programs, schools districts, charter management organizations, community-based organizations, labor, and state education agencies to draw on one another’s assets to achieve shared goals;
- expand the field of education to more aspiring teachers by creating opportunities for teacher candidates to earn while they learn and engage in low- or no-cost coursework;
- determine sustainable and recurring funding streams to invest in teacher residency and apprenticeship models being implemented well and preparing high-quality teachers from the community for the community;
- utilize strategic staffing to ensure students and aspiring teachers are learning and thriving in the P-12 classrooms;
- strengthen how to select and support mentor teachers to not only be effective P-12 teachers, but also clinical educators who are providing classroom-based learning experiences for our next generation of teachers; and
- align the coursework and the on-the-job, classroom-based learning experiences to maximize the preservice experience, ensuring aspiring teachers have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be successful on day-one with their students.
Building Connections with Oysters and Beignets
And my last reflection, is that I’m grateful to be in this work with my colleagues at NCTR, our Network and Design Academy members, and the organizations we work beside. I’m feeling recharged– cheers to learning together and sharing this journey to strengthen the teacher workforce!
Sincerely,
Jill Pitner
Chief Growth Officer