"Instead of paying lip service to 'We want to support new teachers' . . . (the state should start) investing in them," said Sean Mabey, associate director of the Granite Education Association. "Invest in their professional development, and work on class size reduction."

Last winter, lawmakers put $2.5 million into incentives for hard-to-find math, science, technology and special education teachers. The bill started out as a proposal to boost beginning teachers' mentoring and pay.

The State Office of Education is expected to ask for more money to help keep new teachers in the profession.

Until then, Rusk offers new teachers tips: Ask for help. Take time out. Understand that child really isn't out to get you. And know you can do it.

"I am part of the world's most important profession . . . (because) we create all other professions," Rick Bojak, 1995 Utah Teacher of the Year from Jordan District, said in kicking off new-teacher workshops. "Whether we get paid by it, respected by it . . . we know why we do it."

---

E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com