AFT Launches ‘T-source’: A Valuable New Resource for the Teaching Community

BOSTON — The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) yesterday launched "T-source," a new online forum (www.t-source.org) that will provide professional tools, resources and collaboration on issues facing teachers in the classroom.  

The AFT is committed to improving teacher retention, a major problem facing education in America. Nearly 33 percent of beginning teachers leave the profession after only three years, and almost half leave after five years. Designed by the AFT to assist with the most fundamental challenges facing teachers, T-source aims to provide professional resources and communication opportunities in an engaging way that will appeal to teachers entering the profession. 

"One of the primary reasons we developed T-source was to provide immediate assistance for teachers," said Antonia Cortese, AFT executive vice president. "We know that beginning teachers who have access to intensive mentoring by veteran colleagues are much more likely to stay in the profession during this critical period. Not all teachers have access to such programs, and the AFT developed T-source as a place for educators to get the basics and the support they need fast.  T-source was developed with the Generation Y teacher in mind.  They are accustomed to the digital age and we think this will be a place where they can feel comfortable and collaborate." 

The interactive features of t-source.org allow educators to access a range of research-based information and to reach out to each other. These features include:

• Activities focusing on best practices for the classroom
• Configuring a well-designed classroom — an interactive tool that allows teachers to arrange their classrooms in a virtual environment
• Establishing rules and procedures
• Working with paraprofessinals and parents

In the months to come, t-source.org will expand to include the following features:

• Ask-a-veteran
• Weekly chats on classroom topics
• Specialized forums
• Teacher tips
• Online conference center

"This Web site will provide a real benefit to teachers working hard in today’s classrooms," said Carrena Rouse, a high school teacher at Scott High School in West Virginia and member of the Kanawha County Federation of Teachers.  "T-source is a strong reinforcement of concepts that are universal in teaching, no matter what grade level or content area."

"The AFT has always been committed to providing teachers professional support, and T-source is the way we can work with the next generation of educators," said Cortese.

For more information, visit www.t-source.org.

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