New Teacher and Mentor

Handbook

Co-Chaired by Jennifer Danek-Parker, Stacy Goldman,

and

Dorothy A. Wunderlich, Assistant Superintendent

North Berwyn District 98 SchoolsJefferson Elementary School – Havlicek Elementary School – Prairie Oak Elementary School

Lincoln Middle School

North Berwyn District

98

Mentor Committee

• Jennifer Danek-Parker – Lincoln Middle School (Co-Chair)

• Stacy Goldman – Lincoln Middle School (Co-Chair)• Karen Zogg – Lincoln Middle School• Jeanette Kludac – Lincoln Middle School• Jennifer Pena – Jefferson School• Cara Rebus – Havlicek School• Kathleen Bertuca – Havlicek School• Osvaldo Jaime – Prairie Oak• Dorothy Wunderlich – District Office• William Witkowsky – District Office

Scheduled Committee Meetings

Date Time Location Wenesday, Aug 10, 2011 9:00 - 10:00 District Office

Thursday, Aug 18, 2011 8:30 - 12:00 Lincoln MS

Monday, Sept 12, 2011 3:30 - 4:30 District Office

Monday, Oct 17, 2011 3:30 - 4:30 District Office

Monday, Jan 23, 2012 3:30 - 4:30 District Office

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 3:30 - 4:30 District Office

Scheduled New Teacher and Mentor Meetings

Date: Thursday, August 18, 2011Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Location: Lincoln Middle SchoolTopic: Orientation

Date: Monday, September 19, 2011Time: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.Location: Individual SchoolsTopic: Report Cards

Date: Monday, October 24, 2011Time: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.Location: Individual SchoolsTopic: Conference Preparation

Date: Monday, January 30, 2012Time: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.Location: Individual SchoolsTopic: ISAT Preparation

Date: Monday, May 21, 2012Time: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.Location: Individual SchoolsTopic: End of the Year Reflections

Goals of Mentoring Program

• To provide continuing assistance to reduce the problems known to be common to beginning teachers.

• To support development of the knowledge and the skills needed by beginners to be successful in their initial teaching positions.

• To integrate beginning teachers into the social system of the school, the school district, and the community.

• To provide an opportunity for beginning teachers to analyze and reflect on their teaching and coaching from veteran support teachers.

• To increase the retention of good beginning teachers in the profession.

People To KnowName Phone Title

John Belmont 708-484-6200 Ext. 104 Superintendent

Dorothy Wunderlich 708-484-6200 Ext. 109 Assistant Superintendent

Maria McCarthy 708-484-6200 Ext. 106 Director of Special Education

William Witkowsky 708-484-6200 Ext. 110 Director of Technology

Ken Keeling 708-484-6200 Ext. 111 Business Manager

Irene Martin Director of Building and Grounds

Regina Johnson 708-484-6200 Ext. 103 District Executive Secretary

Transcripts/Payroll

Karen Williams 708-484-6200 Ext. 113 Secretary – Payroll

Rosa Aleman 708-484-6200 Ext. 101 Secretary – Teacher Substitutes

Linda Safford 708-484-6200 Ext. 102 Secretary – Insurance & Tuition

Chris Hernandez 708-484-6200 Ext. 107 Secretary – Special Education

Sandee Walaszek 708-484-6200 Ext. 108 Secretary - Grants & Technology

Jackie Dorn 708-484-6200 Ext. 110 Secretary – Curriculum Center

People To KnowName Phone Title

Stephanie Mitchell 708-795-2455 Ext. 305 Principal – Jefferson School

Nancy Akin 708-795-2447 Ext. 104 Principal – Havlicek School

Gail Quilty-Fejt 708-795-2475 Ext. 104 Principal – Lincoln Middle School

Evonne Waugh 708-795-2445 Ext. 104 Principal – Prairie Oak &

Director of Transportation

Dee Koehler 708-795-2454 Ext. 317 Transportation

Lisa Levinsky 708-795-2468 Ext. 104 Nurse – Lincoln Middle School

Diane McLain 708-795-2454 Nurse

Role of the Mentor . . .

• Trustworthy. The mentor must be able to serve as a confidant, anchor, and source of support to the new teacher.

• Effective Communicator. Good communication skills are crucial for creating an open, honest relationship between the mentor and mentee.

• Competent and Responsible. The mentor is to model the traits of effective teachers to new faculty members. The traits include knowledge of and commitment to the teaching profession, integrity, professionalism and teaching competence.

• Good Interpersonal Skills. The mentor needs to be approachable, positive, caring and understanding.

• Collaborator. The mentor teacher must be open to sharing ideas and expertise, classroom materials, solving problems, and working as a member of a team in the spirit of collegiality to develop a true learning community.

Role of the Mentee . . .

• To Learn. The mentee will understand that their past experiences were stepping stones in their teaching career. The mentee’s experiences and skills will be broadened by: 1) keeping an open mind, 2) being reflective, 3) accept that it is alright to make mistakes, and by 4) observing other teaching methods.

• Effective Communicator. Good communication skills are crucial for creating an open, honest relationship between the mentor and mentee.

• Inquisitive. The mentee should feel comfortable asking questions about school routines, policies, and school traditions.

• Good Interpersonal Skills. The mentee needs to be approachable, positive, caring and understanding.

• Collaborator. The mentee must be open to accepting and sharing ideas, materials, solving problems, and working as a member of a team in the spirit of collegiality to develop a true learning community.

Importance of a Mentoring Program

The National Center for Education Statistics concluded, “Mentoring relationships play a critical role in the support, training, and retention of new teachers.”

- Mentoring reduced the attrition rate by at least 50%.

- 80% of mentored teachers predicted they would still be teaching in 10 years.

Some Questions New Teachers May Want to Ask…

• What are my responsibilities if I have a special education student in my classroom?

• How do I get supplies for my classroom?• What does the evaluation process consist of?• What is the policy for calling in sick and getting a sub?• Where is the copy machine?• What should I do with an unruly student?• Where can I park?• Is there a standard for grading I must follow?• What other duties do I have besides those in the classroom? • When are team meetings?• How do I sponsor a club or activity?• What professional organizations are available to me?• Is it mandatory I join the IEA and NBEA?

August Topics for Discussion• Meet each other before school starts• Set up room with supplies and bulletin boards• First day of school lesson plan• Substitute folder• Lesson plan book• Grade book – do not write anything in it yet• Seating charts and name tags• School times and duties within the day• Attendance keeping and policy• Tardy keeping and policy• Passing out books, book numbers, book condition,

order additional materials (if needed)• Fire and tornado drills – safety drill (Lock-Down)• Parking• Monitoring halls between each class period• Faculty, team, grade level, department, and special

education meetings• Discipline code and forms• Dress code – for children – for teachers maintaining

professional image • Professional organizations and classes (in and out

of district)• Procedure for sick and personal days• Lunch procedure• Classroom management• STI Training

September Topics for Discussion

• IOWA Testing• Open House• Get involved in your building (clubs, activities and sports)• Join Social Committee and sign up for T.G.I.F. Rolls• Support your PTA/PTSA• Mark meetings on your personal calendar and in your lesson plan book• Discuss test taking behavior• See nurse for Medical list – Review/copy emergency cards (in office)• Grade book procedures – computer grading system• Assemblies• Building procedures• Parent contact procedures• Midterm progress reports (K-3 are verbal and 4-8 are written)• Tour Media Center for audio-visual materials• Resources in school and office• Roles of support staff – assistant principal, head teacher, secretary, nurse, custodian• Roles of special education staff – director, psychologist, teacher, aide, DRC, speech, occupational

therapist, physical therapist, social worker, vision and hearing specialists• North Berwyn community awareness• Share classroom concerns• Discuss lesson plans and pacing of lessons.• STI training

October Topics for Discussion

• Holiday parties • Parent/teacher conferences• Discuss report cards – computer system• Mutual classroom observation/visits• Discuss stress management techniques• Discuss evaluation process• Review special education materials (TST,

referral, and available services)

November Topics for Discussion

• Report Cards• Parent Conference

Nights• Discuss classroom

management issues• Discuss a teaching

strategy related to article of month

• Mutual classroom observation

December Topics for Discussion

• Holiday Parties• Midterm progress reports• Update substitute folder• Update seating charts• Update your personal

calendar for next year• Be ready for snowy days

– what to do when only a few students show up

• Relax over break – do not do school work the whole time

January Topics for Discussion

• Discuss test-taking behavior• Review lesson plans and pacing of lessons• Review field trip procedure• Mutual classroom observation

February Topics for Discussion

• Parent conference night

• Midterm progress reports

• Holiday parties

• Review classroom management plan and make adjustments

• ISAT Preparation

• Discuss parent conference – possible failures or referrals

March Topics for Discussion

• Report Cards

• Review fire and tornado drills – emergency lock-down

• Discuss evaluation process

• Mutual classroom observation

• ISAT testing

April Topics for Discussion

• Spring fever hits the teachers and the students• Discuss classroom management plan and student

behavior• Discuss homework – how to get students to keep

working hard• Review lesson plans and pacing of lessons• Focus on academic goals for the rest of the year – look

at curricular goals for district• Informally observe another teacher’s classroom – a

different grade or subject – talk to the person first• Share a successful lesson plan• Spring break – relax – energize for the last quarter• Discuss retention and summer school

May Topics for Discussion

• Midterm progress reports

• Classroom supply orders

• End-of-year procedures for building principal

• Plan end-of-year activities and parties

• Plan for next year – what worked – what didn’t – what to add

• Mutual classroom observation

June Topics for Discussion

• Report Cards – average final grades for each subject

• Fulfill end-of-year responsibilities for building principal

• Clean room

• Celebrate the end of the year

Preparation for a Substitute Teacher

1. In stating assignments, give specific titles of texts and manuals or workbooks, pages numbers, and problem numbers.

2. Try to include meaningful assignments in your plan. Over plan or add extra assignments to avoid extra/wasted time.

3. Make sure to include attendance and lunch procedures.4. Keep and up to date seating chart that gives the full name and grade of

each student.5. Prepare your students for a substitute by instilling good work habits and a

code of conduct that is conducive to order and accomplishment.6. Include names of students who assist you in various activities or projects.7. Include names and schedules of students who leave for specific reasons:

medication, remedial or gifted programs, speech therapy, etc. 8. List the names and schedule of all aids and volunteers.9. Include the name and location of a teacher to call upon for assistance.10. Include behavior and referral policy.11. Include a floor plan/map with building emergency information.12. Ask for an end of the day report on your class(es).

Five Ways to Manage Your Classroom

1. Clearly define classroom procedures and routines

2. Teach students classroom procedures and routines

3. Monitor student behavior

4. Handle inappropriate behavior promptly and consistently

5. Plan ahead