Program Description and Goals
Program Guidelines
Application Guidelines(pdf)
Beginning Teacher Application(pdf)
Mentor Teacher Application(pdf)

Beginning Teacher Mentor Program

Program Description and Goals

Portland Public Schools Beginning Teacher Mentor Program is a teacher induction program that is designed to provide support, assistance, training and resources to beginning teachers during their first year in the teaching profession. The program also provides: 1) a process of socialization to the teaching profession 2) an adjustment to the procedures and mores of the school site and school district and 3) the development of effective instructional and classroom management skills.

PROGRAM GOALS:

• To assist beginning teachers in understanding the complexities of teaching through the support of a mentor teacher who will serve as peer coach, resource provider, role model and facilitator.
• To provide both mentors and beginning teachers with professional development in effective instructional practices to help all students achieve identified content standards.
• To provide training opportunities to beginning teachers that specifically focuses on their needs.
• To inform beginning teachers of available district, building and community resources.
• To facilitate and encourage peer support and peer coaching at the school level.
• To assist beginning teachers in developing their instructional potential, assuring greater student and teacher success in the classroom.
• To provide experienced teachers opportunities for professional growth and recognition.
• To provide resources and ongoing support which encourage the retention of beginning teachers in the district.
• To provide an ongoing support network to assist in the pre-service to in-service transition process.
• To improve the climate for teaching and learning and build community between new and veteran teachers.

Novice/Beginning Teacher

Program Guidelines

Novices are first year beginning teachers who are committed to expanding their professional skills by being a member of a mentor/novice team.

Roles:

• Partner with a mentor teacher from his/her school.
• Collaborate with mentor to develop instructional potential, to help assure greater success in the classroom.

Responsibilities:

• Weekly contact with mentor (90 hours per year)
• Demonstration teaching (actual and/or video tape)
• Coaching
• Observation of mentor teaching (actual and/or video tape) once each quarter
• Instructional support (procedures, lesson planning, strategies, etc.)
• Collegial emotional support
• Maintain a Monthly Activity Log – Mentor/Protégé Meeting Summary.
• Meet with Program Administrator and Mentor during the year.
• Read brief materials in advance of monthly meeting support group meetings.
• Attend and participate in scheduled program meetings and training sessions.

Rewards:

• Greater job satisfaction
• Free materials and resources
• More frequent professional collaboration
• Increased knowledge through the feed back from mentor/protégé relationship
• Increased professional efficacy
• Improved professional growth

Qualifications:

• First year in the teaching profession as a probationary teacher.
• Expressed willingness to work collaboratively with mentor teacher.
• Expressed willingness to participate in professional development opportunities.