The Larry Johannessen New Teacher Forum

This open discussion session centers on the challenges, hopes, and strategies for success in teaching. Student teachers and educators in their first few years of service are invited to share both challenges and victories, while experienced teachers and others who support novice educators are encouraged to attend and contribute their insights.
During this session, student teachers will share their experiences researching and teaching the epic poem Beowulf, taking on the challenge of making this thousand-year-old text relevant and engaging for 21st-century students. Their work reflects a broader effort to rethink education through pedagogical moves that promote more equitable classrooms, including inclusive strategies, student-centered inquiry, and the use of multiple lenses to invite all learners into complex texts. Attendees will hear about both successes and struggles and engage in conversation about how thoughtful, equity-minded teaching practices can support novice teachers and the students they serve.