“It's hard to choose one favorite thing about the TOP Institute because I loved every part of it! My mentor was absolutely outstanding, the speakers were inspirational and interesting, the gala dinner and pinning ceremony were so special, and the workshops were extremely helpful and encouraging. It was so inspiring to hear nationally recognized educators talk about how they started off in their teaching careers scared and unsure of themselves (like I sometimes feel!) and then came to be great by learning from their mistakes and figuring out successful methods. I wish I could go teach now!”

“Inspirational speakers - at this time in the year and given the current economic situation, it was important to hear how valued teaching is still. Given many of us may not have jobs in the fall, we still need to know we have chosen the right profession.”

“The mentor groups were great! It was wonderful to commiserate with fellow student teachers. As a student teacher, I so often feel isolated from other novice teachers and can tend to feel discouraged and peculiar in my struggles or feelings. To have these struggles and feelings affirmed in the words and faces of my mentor group was not only comforting, but liberating!”

What they are saying about  the TOP Institute!

The Teachers of Promise Institute is held annually at James Madison University.  Sponsored by the Virginia Milken Educator Network, the James Madison Center, and the Virginia Professional Educators Association, the program offers a quality professional development opportunity for pre-service teachers from all of the Commonwealth’s 37 teacher-accrediting institutions.  These prticipants exhibit a strong commitment to their profession and exemplify the traits necessary for a truly exemplary career in public education.

Each participant is assigned a veteran educator as a mentor who will work with them throughout the weekend and who will continue to serve as a source of advice, assistance and guidance while help these young people make the successful transition from the academic world to the classroom.  Students will have the opportunity to attend practical, quality workshops and have opportunities to meet and work with award-wining educators.

Click to the movie projector watch a short video of last year’s event.

Be A Teacher is written for students considering a career in teaching and for pre-service and early-career teachers.  It is designed to inspire consideration of education as a career, as  well as to assist new educators in making a successful transition from the academic, theoretical world of the college studies  to the reality of today’s modern classroom. All contributors are national award-winning teachers with extensive contemporary classroom experience who serve as mentors during the annual Virginia Teachers of Promise Institute. The editors bring over 40 years of classroom experience to the subject. Philip Bigler is the 1998 National Teacher of the Year, a Milken National Educator Award winner, a Disney American Teacher Award winner, and a recipient of the  Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award.  Stephanie Bishop is a Milken National Educator Award winner, and 3-time State High School Theater Champion Director.  Complete with appendices providing information on professional associations and helpful websites, Be A Teacher  belongs in all career planning and education collections.