Mentoring and Beginning Teacher Induction Program

1. Mentoring and Beginning Teacher Induction Program Karen Linville, WV Center for Professional Development Nathan Estel, West Virginia Department of Education

2. Mentoring and Induction • Induction models are comprehensive, support professional learning communities, and foster collegial relationships by providing a network of collaborating professionals. • Mentoring is one-on-one activity that is just one part of an effective induction model.

3. W. Va. Code §18A-3-2B & WVBE Policy 5900 Purpose To provide appropriate staff development activities and supervision to beginning teachers to assure their competency for licensure to teach in the public schools of WV.

4. Legislative Requirements: W. Va. Code §18A-3-2b • Professional Support Team • Orientation Program • Joint Planning Periods • Observation of Beginning Teacher • Meetings • In-service Professional Development • Stipend for Mentor Teacher • Final Evaluations Completed by Principal

5. Professional Support Team • Composition • Principal (Chair of the Support Team) • Member of County Staff Development Council • Mentor Teacher • Purpose • To provide a team of professionals to support and nurture beginning teachers.

6. Orientation Program • To be conducted by district/school • Held prior to the instructional term, but within employment term • To be supervised by the mentor teacher • Recommended Topics • District/School procedures • Contact persons • Administrative topics • Payroll • Benefits

7. Joint Planning Periods & Observations • Mentor and beginning teacher are provided joint planning periods throughout the year • Mentor observes new teacher • At least one hour/week during the first semester • May be reduced to one hour/two weeks during the second semester

8. Scheduled Meetings • Mentor/New Teacher • Provide beginning teacher with support and feedback • One meeting per week during first semester • May be reduced to biweekly meetings during second semester • Professional Support Team • One meeting per month • May include ALL mentors in a school

9. Mentor Training/Stipend • W. Va. Code §18A-3-2b provides necessary release time for mentor teachers, as agreed to by the principal • Mentors must attend training offered through the Center for Professional Development • Mentors are paid a $600.00 stipend • Mentors hired for half-year positions receive $300.00/semester

10. Final Evaluations • The principal shall conduct a final evaluation of the beginning teacher • The principal shall recommend to the superintendent one of the following: • Full Professional Status • Continuing Internship Status • Discontinue Employment

11. District/School Responsibilities • Professional Support Team • Composition (Identifying/Hiring Mentor) • Meetings • Orientation Program • Final Recommendation • Principal to Superintendent • Superintendent to WVDE

12. District/School Responsibilities • Venues for Observations • Provide appropriate opportunities for mentors to observe beginning teachers • Provide appropriate opportunities for beginning teachers to observe other seasoned teachers • Joint Planning Periods • Ensure adequate time for mentors to meet with beginning teachers • Monitor the frequency of these meetings

13. Policy 5900: CPD Responsibilities • In-service professional development for beginning teachers and mentors • Evidence Based Coaching Framework • Decentralized professional development using mentor coaches • RESA’s & counties decide training times to suit their individual needs. • On-line opportunities for professional development • Resource repository for mentors and beginning teachers • On-going professional development for mentor coaches • Technical assistance to support the development of county and school based induction programs and activities

14. New Model of Mentor Professional Development • Summer 2006: • Mentor coaches from each RESA trained using Foundations in Mentoring. • Fall 2006: • Mentor coaches train mentors in their RESA’s using Foundations in Mentoring. • New decentralized approach allows counties & RESA’s to schedule trainings at times that best suit their needs.

15. New Model of Mentor Professional Development • Fall 2006: • Professional development session for mentor coaches and/or instructional coaches focusing on Charlotte Danielson’s “Framework for Teaching.” • Summer 2007: • Experienced mentor professional development offered in each RESA with Governor’s Academy for Teaching Excellence (GATE). • Using the “Framework for Teaching” professional development for mentor coaches and/or instructional coaches.

16. New Model of Mentor Professional Development • Summer 2007 • “Introduction to Framework for Teaching” and “Using the Framework for Teaching” offered to new mentors.

17. New Model of Mentor Professional Development Experienced Principals’ Academy Sessions Summer 2007: • “Teacher Induction and Mentoring: An Administrator’s Perspective” • “Introduction to Framework for Teaching” • “Using the Framework for Teaching”

18. Beginning Teacher Professional Development • On-line professional development opportunities for beginning teachers • Resource repository for beginning teachers and mentors • Harry Wong classroom management • On-going support from mentor and principal

19. Mentoring and Beginning Teacher Induction Program Karen Linville, WV Center for Professional Development Nathan Estel, West Virginia Department of Education