ConVal School District - Mentor Program

All new classroom teachers in the ConVal School District are supported by the District mentor for two years. The mentor will make regular classroom visits, collaborate on effective teaching practices, facilitate regularly scheduled new teacher meetings, locate and/or provide resources for the teacher, assist with Professional Development plans and work to meet the individual need of the teacher. The mentor does not evaluate new teachers; in fact, all information between the mentor and the new ConVal teacher is confidential.

In addition to the District mentor, each new teacher will be assigned a peer partner. A peer partner will assist new staff with important building-level information and offer support in appropriate content areas.

The ConVal School District is committed to supporting our new teachers through an on-going induction program and mentor support services.

PATHWAY I

Pathway I teachers are-
Any new teacher who is new to the ConVal School District.
Teachers will remain on Pathway I until they achieve continuing contract status at which time they will move to Pathway II. Those teachers who have achieved continuing contract status in another district prior to coming to ConVal will move to Contract Status upon successful completion of 2 years in this district and at the awarding of their third year of employment. Those who have not previously reached this status will attain continuing contract status upon the successful completion of 3 years in the ConVal district AND at the awarding of their fourth employment contract

Purpose of the Pathway I Mentoring Program:
Help our new teachers to grow professionally;
Support competence among all beginning teachers;
Orient new teachers to the expectations of the district and schools;
Provide a structure that insures no teacher fails for want of help;
Be proactive in the support and development of beginning and new teachers;

Expectations of a Pathway I teacher-
Be open to the experience and the process;
Participate in mutual observations and discussions with the mentor;
Be an active participant in a collaborative relationships with the mentor, your peer partner and other teachers;
Demonstrate a willingness to learn and practice self-reflection;
Meet regularly with the mentor individually or in a group;
Learn to develop and accomplish goals for professional development;
Learn to analyze and reflect on the purpose of instructional planning (i.e., lesson goals, resources, strategies, grouping, differentiation, and assessment).

Pathway I teachers are assigned a Peer partner
A peer partner is not a mentor. A peer partner is a staff member within the building who is there to answer questions and give general support. The building principal and/or department head appoint peer partners.

Meeting Dates:

Schedule of Induction Workshops - 2007-08 (PDF)
3:15 to 5:00 SAU Board Room

*September 11th	Classroom Management
October 9th	Professional Development
November 13th	A Framework for Effective Teaching The Formative Observation Analysis of Student Work
December 11th	Design Instruction Using NWEA Tips for Effective Parent Conferences
*January 8th	Learning Difficulties in Classroom
February 12th	Best Practice in the Classroom Differentiated Instruction Instructional Modifications
*March 11th	Cooperative Learning Groups
*April 8th	Designing Engaging Lessons
May 13th	End of year Celebration and Reflection

Upon hire all new teachers will sign a Program Expectations Form outlining their responsibilities & commitments to this program including attending these monthly workshops.

*Notes the workshops that those staff members hired with experience are strongly urged to go to but may choose not to.

Pathway I teachers must call Superintendent Richard Bergeron at 924-3336 for expressed permission to not attend one of these pre-scheduled workshops.

updated 8/31/07

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Contoocook Valley School District 2007/08