MENTORING PROGRAM PURPOSE:
Through supportive mentoring relationships, Lester Prairie Schools will promote life-long learning for teachers and foster their professional and personal growth so that they can provide quality instruction, enhance student achievement, and positively impact student growth.
Goals:
1. To pair a new teacher with a veteran staff member to help them achieve success.
2. To improve student learning through the sharing of ideas and curriculum planning.
3. To be given an opportunity to observe and be observed by another teacher in their field of teaching.
4. To encourage and provide professional development for the mentor and mentee.
5. To increase the retention of teachers.
Through supportive mentoring relationships, Lester Prairie Schools will promote life-long learning for teachers and foster their professional and personal growth so that they can provide quality instruction, enhance student achievement, and positively impact student growth.
Goals:
1. To pair a new teacher with a veteran staff member to help them achieve success.
2. To improve student learning through the sharing of ideas and curriculum planning.
3. To be given an opportunity to observe and be observed by another teacher in their field of teaching.
4. To encourage and provide professional development for the mentor and mentee.
5. To increase the retention of teachers.
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Mentor Roles
Maintain Consistent Contact: Be accessible – in person, by phone, and e-mail. Arrange for frequent mentee meeting times. Build Relationships: Develop a trusting, confidential relationship with the mentee. Encourage and foster meaningful interpersonal connections with others and the community. Serve as an advocate when necessary. Coach and Model: Guide the mentee in reflection and self-assessment. Serve as a coach and resource person. Encourage the new teacher, reflecting on strengths and successes. Model best practice teaching methods and share curricular materials and strategies. Allow the new teacher to develop his/her own teaching style. Document: Use the New Teacher Orientation Checklist before school starts. Maintain Mentor/Mentee Log and provide it to the Coordinator of Teaching and Learning for documentation. Participate in program evaluation. Learn: Attend mentor orientation and seminars. Learn from/with your mentee. This is a shared journey of learning, of becoming the best you both can be. |
Mentee Roles
Maintain Consistent Contact: Meet with mentor regularly. Attend orientations, meetings, and seminars. Play an active role. Build Relationships: Develop a trusting relationship with mentor. Get involved in the total school experience. Plan: Use data to drive instruction, planning, and assessment. Understand the curriculum and obtain necessary instructional materials. Reflect: Use teaching standards to self-assess and reflect on teaching to improve professional practice. Solicit Assistance: Let your needs be known. Be specific about what you need. Discuss failures as well as successes. Grow: Be open to new ideas and suggestions and try a variety of instructional methods. Document: Work cooperatively with your mentor on the New Teachers Orientation Checklist and the Mentor/Mentee Log or Goal Setting Sheets for Year 2 and Year 3 |
MINNESOTA STANDARDS OF EFFECTIVE PRACTICE
| mn_standards_effective_practice.pdf |
ORIENTATION CHECKLIST:
| new_teacher_orientation_checklist.docx |
