ConVal School District - Mentor Program

Although we were faced with a last minute change of location due to our offices and board room getting destroyed by flood waters, we had a successful orientation day. Our success was largely due to the hard work of the students who committed to assisting me in orienting our new teachers this year. They not only had an integral part of orientation day as planned, they rolled up their sleeves and assisted me in moving all the supplies and resources to our new location at the High School. I appreciate all of their effort in helping me with behind the scenes set up and in providing a positive welcoming experience for our new teachers. Emily Hartnett, ConVal District Mentor

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.

2009-2010 Meeting Dates:

Induction Workshops for Year 1 Teachers (PDF)
3:15 to 5:00 SAU Board Room

*September 21st	Classroom Management
October 19th	Professional Development
November 16th	A Framework for Effective Teaching The Formative Observation Intro-Analyzing Student Work Designing Engaging Lessons
January 18th	Integrating Components of District Vision into your classroom (Big6, formative assessment, technology, Keys to Literacy etc...) Tips for Effective Parent Conferences
*February 15th	Integrating Components of District Vision into your classroom Follow-up/reflection Learning Difficulties in the Classroom
*March 15th	Best Practice in the Classroom Differentiated Instruction Instructional Modifications
*April 13th	Designing Instruction Using NWEA
May 17th	End of year Wrap-up, 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. Workshop attendance is taken.

*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 first speak with their building administrator and then email Superintendent Richard Bergeron at rbergeron@conval.edu no less than 1 day prior to the scheduled workshop for expressed permission to not attend one of these pre-scheduled workshops.

Induction Workshops for Year 2 Teachers (PDF)
Meeting schedule - Please plan to be at each of the meetings oulined below.

September 14th	Analyzing Student Work /PDF plans - review
November 9th	Classroom Instruction that Works part 1
January 11th	Classroom Instruction that Works part 2
March 8th	TBA
May 10th	TBA and end of program celebration
One formative observations cycle (more on request) Assistance with Professional Development plan Lending library One on one support when needed

updated 9/10/09

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Contoocook Valley School District 2009/10