The connections between mentors and beginning teachers is a key component to professional learning. This program supports new teachers and provides time for ongoing mentor training. Mentors and beginning teachers engage in collaborative problem-solving.

Components

Year 1

• Participate in August New Certified Staff Workshop day
• Participate in quarterly New Certified Staff seminars
• Participate in ongoing building level induction
• Receive assistance and support from a mentor
• Receive feedback from district Site Coordinator’s classroom visitation(s)
• Participate in visitations of mentor’s and other teachers’ classrooms

Year 2

• Receive ongoing assistance and support from a trained mentor
• Receive feedback from district Site Coordinator’s classroom visitation(s)
• Participate in visitations of mentor’s and other teachers’ classrooms
• Continue to participate in on-going induction (i.e., Staff Development, building level activities)
• Meet all eight Iowa Teaching Standards, complete the Comprehensive Evaluation and move from initial to standard license
• Participate in quarterly Mentors/Second Year Teachers meetings

Year 3

• Receive support for Professional Growth
  Plan through collaborative design and Site Coordinator/collegial assistance
• Select an Iowa Teaching Standard to enrich, enhance and empower teaching and learning
• Continue to participate in ongoing induction which develops competent and caring teachers toward professional expertise
• Complete a minimum of five (5) license renewal credits during the first four years of employment

Contact Information
William Bird
Site Coordinator
Learning Resource Center
3550 Mills Civic Pkwy.
West Des Moines, IA 50265
Phone: (515) 633-5032
Fax: (515) 633-5099
Email: birdw@wdmcs.org

2009-2010 Overview
35 mentors actively serve 2nd year teachers

11 mentors actively serve 1st year teachers

10 colleague coaches actively serve new-with-experience teachers

10 first year teachers

10 new-with-experience teachers and counselors

35 second year teachers

29 third year teachers

160 currently employed veteran teachers have served as mentors/been trained