New Teacher Induction Mentoring Program

The Director of Curriculum oversees the program and works with administration to identify new hires and match them up with Mentor Teachers in their school or by assignment. New teachers are offered Beginning Teacher training and also attend an in district orientation program. They are also offered the opportunity to visit other classes and observe master teachers throughout the year. Teachers meet regularly with their mentor teachers throughout the year. Principals and administrators also oversee new teachers and work to integrate them into their buildings and teaching assignments.

The Director of Curriculum meets with mentors and mentees throughout the year as needed. A program evaluation is conducted annually and feedback is used to improve the program.

Professional Development 2010-2011

The Superintendent and the administrative team continue to develop and offer professional development opportunities for staff that align with district, state and federal initiatives. It is also our goal to support personal and professional growth in staff. The following excerpt from the American Federation of Teachers web site sums it up: Professional development is a continuous process of individual and collective examination and improvement of practice. It should empower individual educators and communities of educators to make complex decisions; to identify and solve problems; and to connect theory, practice, and student outcomes. Professional development also should enable teachers to offer students the learning opportunities that will prepare them to meet world-class standards in given content areas and to successfully assume adult responsibilities for citizenship and work.

1. Professional development should deepen and broaden knowledge of content.
2. Professional development should provide a strong foundation in the pedagogy of particular disciplines.
3. Professional development should provide knowledge about the teaching and learning processes.
4. Professional development should be rooted in and reflect the best available research.
5. The content of professional development should be aligned with the standards and curriculum that teachers use.
6. Professional development should contribute to measurable improvement in student achievement.
7. Professional development should be intellectually engaging and address the complexity of teaching.
8. Professional development should provide sufficient time, support, and resources to enable teachers to master new content and pedagogy and to integrate this knowledge and skill into their practice.
9. Professional development should be designed by teachers in cooperation with experts in the field.
10. Professional development should take a variety of forms, including some we have not typically considered.
11. Professional development should be job-embedded and site specific.

For additional information, please visit our Professional Development Plan page or print the PDF version.