Sparta Twp Public Schools

Vision and Goals for the Mentoring for Quality Induction Program (pdf version)

Vision
The mentoring of quality induction program is designed to support and provide professional development for novice teachers to enhance their classroom effectiveness in providing instruction of the Core Curriculum Content Standards to improve student achievement. The Professional development is geared toward increasing professional knowledge of subject matter, human growth and development, students’ special and diverse needs, assessment, and the learning environment. In addition, the program will provide professional development to allow novice teachers to plan and provide effective instruction, a positive learning environment, and to communicate and collaborate with students, parents, and peers. As a result of these efforts, novice teachers will have a successful transition to the profession and will become reflective practitioners, committed to their profession and who continue to grow and refine their craft.

Goals

1. To positively impact student mastery of the Core Curriculum Content Standards by providing opportunities for the professional staff to develop and enhance the professional knowledge of instructional skills that are vital to acquire and maintain excellence in teaching.

2. To provide professional development, support, and encouragement for experienced mentor teachers through in-district professional development opportunities that focus on the eight key elements of high quality professional development.

3. Assist novice teachers in the performance of their duties to help them overcome the challenges common to teachers who are new to the profession in order to increase novice teacher retention and insure student achievement.

4. Include all stakeholders in the effort to integrate novice teachers into the culture of the school, the district, and the community.

5. Identify and implement research validated practices into instructional practices to insure student mastery of the Core Curriculum Content Standards.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Mentor (pdf version)
1. Function as a member of the support team comprised of the mentor, administrators, district staff, and community stakeholders to support the novice teacher and to evaluate and revise the mentoring program.

2. Participate in district training meetings and mentor meetings.

3. Facilitate a compatible working relationship with the novice teacher.

4. Provide the novice teacher with constructive support and guidance.

5. Provide feedback to the novice teacher based on classroom visitations to facilitate analysis and reflection by the novice teacher.

6. Meet with the novice teacher on a regular basis to aid in the integration process to the school, district, and community.

7. Orient the new teacher to discipline specific curriculum and curricular resources.

8. Model effective teaching techniques and assist novice teachers in analyzing their own methods.

9. Provide confidential and non-evaluative feedback to the novice teacher.

10. Share their professional development experiences and assist the novice teacher to develop his/her own professional development plan to ensure that the novice teacher becomes a reflective practitioner and continues the professional development process.

11. Meet with the novice teacher on a weekly basis throughout the year. The date, time, and topic of each meeting will be recorded on the mentoring log.

Forms and Evaluation Tools

• Mentoring Log - To download, right click and choose "Save Target As.."
• Individualized Induction Plan - To download, right click and choose "Save Target As.."