Beginning Teacher Assistance

Classroom Teacher

"I Can Do It" Classroom Management Program

All teachers with a Missouri Initial Professional Certificate (IPC) must participate in a beginning teacher assistance program (BTAP) before upgrading their certificate. “I Can Do It” is designed for teachers in their first two years and any teacher who wants to improve their classroom management skills. Teachers with several years of experience also find these sessions helpful. Missouri NEA partners with Maryville University to offer a meaningful program that meets the beginning teacher assistance program certification requirement.

Contact MNEA Teaching & Learning at (573) 644-9623 or email Laurie Bernskoetter at laurie.bernskoetter@mnea.org for more information.

“I Can Do It” is highly interactive and requires registrants to complete each component of the On-Your-Own tasks AND either the 1-day in-person or 4-day virtual series. Advance registration is required.

Presenter: Lisa Kickbusch
With a career in education spanning 31 years in the Pattonville School District in St. Louis County, Lisa has many classroom management tips and student engagement fundamentals to share. During her teaching career, Lisa was active in NEA at the local, state, and national levels. She was a local president and a member of the local negotiations team. She served on the MNEA and NEA Board of Directors and has been on many committees and attended numerous Representative Assemblies. Currently, she is a member of the MNEA-Retired Executive Council, MNEA Teaching and Learning Committee, and serves on the Pattonville School Board.

Topics covered: Classroom management, professional communication, certification requirements, professional responsibilities, student engagement and relationships, motivation, creating acceptance, polishing your techniques, classroom environment, professional growth plans, and challenging behaviors.  

Participant Comments

  • "I learned so many new ideas from everyone in each group. Nice to know we have a support system helping us succeed."
  • "Good stuff. Good discussions with other teachers. Nice to be able to collaborate with other peers in different settings."
  • "I enjoyed breaking out into smaller groups to share ideas with others." 
  • "I thought the workshop was very helpful. I plan on using many of the strategies I learned in my class immediately." 
  • "I liked hearing everyone else's ideas, especially because I hadn't thought of some of those things."

2023-2024 Program Information

To receive the Beginning Teacher Assistance Program certificate, you must:

  1. Complete all four ON-YOUR-OWN TASKS & TRAININGS listed below.
    AND
  2. Participate in one of the following training programs.
  • The IN-PERSON PROGRAM is a full 7-hour day with lunch provided. 
    OR 
  • The VIRTUAL PROGRAM consists of four 2-hour live interactive sessions. You must attend all four (4) live, interactive sessions in the virtual series. THESE SESSIONS ARE NOT RECORDED. You will be provided with Zoom links to access the highly interactive virtual sessions, and you must log in at the scheduled dates and times to complete the course.

1) Complete On-Your-Own Tasks & Training

In order to receive the beginning teacher assistance program certificate, both in-person and virtual participants must complete the following tasks in any order.

  1. Join the online NEA edCommunities group "Classroom Management NEA-TQ"
    You can begin participating in the online discussion RIGHT NOW. There is no need to wait until the month of the training session you enrolled in. Create a free account at www.myNEA360.org. Then, search for the group named "Classroom Management" and click "Join." Ask a question or comment on a post.
     
  2. Rights and responsibilities of certificated educators
    Watch Recording 
     
  3. How to make that difficult parent phone call
    Watch Recording 
     

  4. Independent online content and self-assessment 
    Details will be provided during virtual and in-person sessions. Topics covered include:

  • Certification requirements.
  • Mandatory reporting and legal rights and responsibilities.
  • Clear learning goals and objectives.
  • Self-assessment on one of the following teaching standards: 5.1, 5.2., or 5.3.

2023-2024 Program Dates

Virtual

November 2023 
4 Monday Evenings 
6:30-8:30 p.m.

You must attend all four Zoom interactive trainings—Nov. 6, 13, 20, and 27.

Registration Deadline: Oct. 26 
Limit: 35 registrants

MNEA members: $35 
Non-members: $70

Registration Closed

In-Person (1-Day)

Sat., Dec. 9, 2023
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Registration Deadline: Nov. 26
Limit: 30 registrants

MNEA members: $50
Non-members: $85

Registration fee includes lunch.

Register Now 

Virtual 

February 2024
4 Thursday Evenings 
6:30-8:30 p.m.

You must attend all four Zoom interactive trainings—Feb. 1, 8, 15, and 22

Registration Deadline: Jan. 29
Limit: 35 registrants

MNEA members: $35
Non-members: $70

Register Now