New Teacher Mentoring

IRSD New Teacher Mentoring Program

The Indian River School District views the responsibilities associated with the induction of new teachers as an essential pieces in teacher retention and student success. Through the Indian River School District’s New Teacher Mentoring Program new teachers will gain professional knowledge through staff development workshops, gain insights on district initiatives, work with lead mentors and mentors, understand assessment for student learners, continue professional growth, and become a part of the IRSD’s community of reflective learners. 

“With a clear vision and comprehensive induction program, educators will blossom in their art.”
 ~Pat O’Leary, Vicksbury Community Schools

Delaware’s current new teacher mentoring/induction program

The philosophy behind Delaware’s current program was based on an extensive literature review of programs. In a Preliminary Report from of the New Teacher Mentoring/Induction Program published by the Institute for Public Administration College of Human Services, Education & Public Policy, the Delaware Department of Education identified the following principles in high-quality mentoring programs:

• Learning to teach is a career-long, developmental process.
• Support should be responsive to the needs of each new teacher and embedded in every teacher’s classroom practice.
• Teacher learning best occurs in collaborative environments.
• Instructional changes are most likely to occur when teachers assess their practices against recognized professional standards.
• Teaching is a continuous cycle of teaching, inquiry into practice, self-assessment, and reflection.
• Professional learning must have at its core student learning.

Stages of the Mentoring Program

Cycle One & Two

• The new teacher will participate in Framework Induction Program workshops
• and other activities offered for new educators.
• The new teachers will be assigned a mentor.
• The new teacher will participate in workshops aligned with Danielson’s ‘a Framework for Teaching” and will receive training in the components of the Delaware Performance Appraisal System

Cycle Three

• Rick Stiggins' Classroom Assessment for Student Learning. Teachers will work in learning teams and attend district level workshops. New Teachers will work with a lead mentor.
• A teacher who is considered new to the state is required to cycle three.

Cycle Four

• New teachers will participate in 30 clock hours of district sponsored workshops on Learning Focused Strategies and develop a professional development Plan. New Teachers will work with a lead mentor through this stage.

Contacts

Mike Lingenfelter, New Teacher Mentoring Coordinator
E-mail: mlingenfelter@irsd.k12.de.us    Phone: (302) 436-1000, Ext. 1126

References

Holbert, R., & Raffel J. (2006, January) Preliminary Report of The Delaware New 
Teacher Mentoring/Induction Program. Institute for Public Administration
College of Human services, Education & Public Policy University of Delaware.
Retrieved October 30, 2008, from
www.ipa.udel.edu/publications/teacher_induction.pdf - (pg 9).

O’Leary, Pat (2007). New Teacher Induction Creates Opportunities for Success.                                
Leading Change. Retrieved on November 3, 2008, from
www.cenmi.org

Mentoring and Induction Information

Click on links below

New Teacher Mentoring Handbook 2009-2010

This document contains the district's mentoring calendar, regulations, professional tips, frequently asked questions and contact information.