These case studies show us that teaching isn't any easier in other parts of the world. New teachers everywhere feel overwhelmed by the challenge of their first year in charge of a class. It is a very steep learning curve moving from the university to the real world. I am much busier than I had expected to be. It is entirely different from my student teaching experience.
Every day brings a new surprise.
Some of the weakest aspects of typical induction practice in the U.S. have been addressed relatively successfully by these other systems. It's a natural part of the day. In the U.S., by contrast, teachers are left to sink or swim. The APEC study found that attrition rates among new U.S. teachers are often five times higher than those of more experienced teachers. Teachers attend a workshop on preparing for teacher-parent consultations at a time just before the first consultations occur.