Induction-Year One

New Teacher Responsibilities

The state operating budget includes funding for new teacher assistance. This funding provides for the mandated orientation process and individualized assistance for new teachers. Stipends are paid for mentors and new teachers as well. Stipends cover time to meet with the mentor and to attend the New Teacher Sessions.

All beginning teachers with 90 days or less of continuous teaching experience will be assigned a mentor. The mentor's responsibilities include giving constructive feedback, modeling effective strategies, and meeting monthly with the new teacher.

The legislator identifies specific areas of assistance in which mentors are to provide training, strategies, and guidance to the new teachers:

· Classroom management

· Student discipline

· Curriculum management

· Instructional skills

· Assessment

· Professional conduct

· Communication skills

· Incorporating EALRs into instructional plans

· Raising the achievement of students of diverse learning styles and backgrounds

Program Requirements

1. Work with a Mentor-New teachers will collaborate monthly with their assigned mentor to discuss specific areas of assistance as outlined above. In addition, the Bellingham School District provides 4 half-day substitutes for observations so that mentors and new teachers will have time to observe each other as well as discuss and plan all aspects of instruction and assessment. The activity log should be completed monthly by the Mentor & New Teacher, reviewed by principal, and turned into the Professional Development Office in May.

2. Professional Growth Plan-Mentors must assist new teachers in developing a professional growth plan that includes a self-evaluation and one or more informal performance assessments. Mentors are not involved in any formal evaluation of the new teachers they are assisting.

3. Collaborate with the Principal-New teachers, their principals, and their mentors are to closely collaborate.

4. Attend the District Orientation -New Teacher Sessions will be held throughout the year to provide new teachers with resources, information, and strategies for their classrooms.  Mentors should remind their mentee to attend.