Mentorship Program
The objective of the New Prague Area Schools Mentorship Program is to strengthen the training of our non-tenured teachers (new, second, and third year teachers) and assist in the development of long-term careers in education. This task is accomplished with the commitment of the Mentor Coordinator, Mentor and Mentee working collaboratively.
Our Goals:
- Become oriented to the district standards and protocols
- Strengthen professional practices in curriculum and instruction
- Establish a disposition for continuous professional development and develop collegiality
- Increase student achievement
Three-Year Cycle to support:
- New teacher effectiveness
- Improve teacher retention
- Strengthen teacher leadership
Accomplishing the Goals:
- Mentor Coordinator, Mentors, and Mentees working together
- Observations from the Mentor Coordinator
- Observations from the building Principal
- Working through a framework designed for goal setting, discussions, and reflections
Strive throughout the year to:
- Observe at least two other classroom teachers of similar grade level/subject area
- Participate in professional development sessions
NPAS Promises:
- Provide on-going, comprehensive staff development
- Formative observations by the Mentor Coordinator
- Professional development sessions to design to support professional practices
Mentorship Program Roles and Expectations
Mentor Coordinator
- Works with Mentor and Mentees
- Coordinates district mentorship activities and discussion topics
- Conducts informal observations intended to provide feedback, allow for discussion, and reflections of practices
- Serves as a resource
Mentor
- A role model and advocate
- Establish a relationship which instills trust, mutual respect, and collegiality
- Encourage support, guide, and provide feedback to the mentee
- Establish a routine for consistent on-going communication
- Serve as a resource in order to share thoughts, ideas, and information to develop professional pedagogy
Mentee
- Take an active part in the training provided at the district and building levels
- Keep an open dialogue with Mentor Coordinator, Mentor, fellow team members, and staff
- Work with the Mentor Coordinator to complete teaching observational experiences
- Put forth an honest effort to help ensure observational experience and Mentorship Program is successful