Parkway School DistrictSummer, 2009

OutcomesWhy Mentor?Phases of New Teacher DevelopmentRoles of the Mentor TeacherResponsibilities and Expectations of the

Mentor TeacherOngoing support for MentorsAnything else?

Check-in and IntroductionsWho’s here?Have you mentored previously?Why are you mentoring again?

Your Mental Model of Mentor?What is your current understanding of what a

mentor does?Think- Who mentors you? What do they do?

What do they say? What do they NOT say? What have you done as a mentor? Write your thoughts.

Pair- Talk with a partner about yours thoughtsShare- Be prepared to share some of your

partner’s thoughts

Mentor was a friend of Odysseus. When Odysseus went on long journeys, he entrusted his son, Telemachus, to Mentor. Mentor’s role was to provide advice, guidance, and support to Telemachus in his father’s absence.

Why Mentoring?The growth and development of children

is vitally linked to the growth and development of adults in and beyond schools.

A successful mentoring program can help teachers respond intentionally with effective strategies to the needs of a diverse population of learners.

The early years of teaching are a critical part of a continuum of learning – a link between pre-service preparation and ongoing professional development.From: Mentoring New Teachers Through Collaborative Coaching

by Kathy Dunne and Susan Villani

5 Benefits of MentoringSupport for new teachersReduce attritionMore effective instructional strategies for

new teachersMore effective classroom managementIncrease in student achievement

Note. Developed from “Perceived Problems of Beginning Teachers,” by Simon Veenman, 1984, Review of Educational Research, 54 (2).

Mentoring Standards (adapted from New Teacher Center at UCSC)Engages, supports and advances the professional

learning of each teacherCreates and maintains collaborative school and

professional partnerships (for professional growth)

Designs and facilitates professional development for teachers

Utilizes knowledge of pedagogy, content, and standards to advance teacher and student development

(a document for your reference)

Mentor RolesCollegial GuideConsultantSeasoned TeacherCoach

From: Mentoring New Teachers Through Collaborative Coaching by Kathy Dunne and Susan Villani

Note. Developed from “Perceived Problems of Beginning Teachers,” by Simon Veenman, 1984, Review of Educational Research, 54 (2).

Offer Support

Create Challenge

Facilitate Professional

Vision

Offering SupportEmotional

Sometimes humor, sometimes tearsPhysical

Room arrangement, moving booksTechnical

Guidelines for applying procedures, or advice on certain processes

InformationalContent area resources, practical

professional suggestions

How do I offer support?Maintain confidentialityCommunicate that you are not evaluativeVisit regularly with your mentee

Your Lead Mentor has sample reflection guides too

Provide feedback

Creating ChallengeGoal-driven

Goal-driven conversations ensure productive use of time

Set goals for “next” meetingData-focused

Look at student work togetherThought-provoking

Encourage problem solving and decision makingBuild connections between theory and

classroom practice

How do I create challenge?Encourage your mentee to use the

mentor/mentee release day. Plan this day together.

Invite your mentee into your classroom to observe something specific.

Observe your mentee when he/she is ready – encourage him/her to ask for specific feedback.

Facilitating Professional VisionHigh expectations for self and students

Refer to Parkway Teaching StandardsSupport the new teacher’s PGP

Lifelong learning“We don’t learn to teach, we learn from our

learning.”Professional identity

As mentors, we need to model this on a daily basis.

How do I facilitate professional vision?Assist mentee in writing PGP.Serve as a resource to foster professional

growth (share articles, information about current research)

Keep track of the mentor/mentee log

Charting your workMentor ResponsibilitiesSample form to guide your time with mentee30 hours – what counts? What doesn’t?Sample monthly log

Parkway’s Expectation of you as a Mentor TeacherBuild a relationship with your menteeMentor during New Teacher Orientation in your

building (1 day=$100.00)Elementary, Aug. 7th and 11th

Middle and High, Aug. 10th and 11th

Contact your Lead Mentor about this

Meet regularly with your menteePut weekly or bi-weekly dates on the calendar in the

beginning of the year (ex. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 7:30)Honor ConfidentialityParticipate in monthly support and development

sessions with your Lead Mentor

Professional Development for YOU!You will meet with your Lead Mentor

regularly throughout the year for support and development around your role as a mentor

PD library at ISCLead Mentor and PDC reps are your

“district” connection

Contact information:

Your Lead Mentor 0r

Ann LoPiccoloStaff Development Facilitator415-7083ISC