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Y               YORKTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOLS

 

NEW TEACHER MENTORING

PROGRAM

 

Revision #1

 

 

 

Adopted by the Board:                                                                  May 13, 2004

Revisions Adopted by the Board:                                             June 13, 2005
 

Mentoring Planning Committee:

 

 

 

Bob Faigle, YCT President

 

Teachers:

Jean Cillione- Crompond

Stella Abel- French Hill

Valarie Epstein- Mohansic

Margaret Andreou- Brookside

Pauline Quinones- Crompond

Beth Coccodrilli- Middle School

Gayle Leversuch- High School

Carole Clark- High School

 

Kathy Conley, Asst. Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Personnel

 

Administrators:

 

Rick Fisher- Mohansic

John Wells- French Hill

Ken Levy- Brookside

Joel Feldman- Crompond

Linda Grimm- Middle School

Dan Brenner- High School

 

 

 

 

Revisions June, 2005:

 

Kathy Conley, Asst. Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Personnel

Bob Faigle, YCT President

Mary Froats, 2004-2005 Mentor Coordinator
 

INTRODUCTION

 

In the Yorktown Central School District we have always had an informal approach to the introduction of new staff members to the culture, responsibilities and expectations of teachers in the district.  We are now entering the first phase of a formal, uniform and comprehensive mentoring program in the 2004 – 2005 school year.  This program will be reevaluated in the spring 2005.

 

At its November 2003 meeting, the Board of Regents adopted a regulation requiring school districts to plan and implement mentoring programs for first-year teachers in their employ.  This new regulation ( 8 NYCRR § 102.2 [dd] ) complements a previously adopted regulation ( 8 NYCRR § 80.3.4 [b][2] effective February 2, 2004) that requires all new teachers holding an initial certificate to complete a mentored teaching experience within their first year of employment as a teacher. 

 

For the first year of this program, as we pilot the implementation, participation will be limited to those teachers described in the regulations above.  We expect this program to evolve over the next few years to include all teachers entering their first year of employment in the Yorktown Central School District, regardless of certification and prior teaching experience.

 

 

The Mentor Program Planning Committee believes that a successful mentoring program is based on mutual respect and trust ensuring a high degree of professionalism.  The mentoring relationship is only one layer of support provided by the district.  Additional support includes grade level and/or subject colleagues, Teacher Coordinators, building principals and district administrators.

 

I.                   Background and Goals

 

The following document, which outlines the Yorktown Mentor Program for certified teachers, is the product of collaborative efforts of members of the Yorktown Congress of Teachers (YCT) and district administrators.

 

The purpose of the Yorktown Mentor Program is to provide new teachers with support, guidance, encouragement, challenges and direction as they develop a professional vision and assimilate into the culture of our district.  Experienced Mentors have a great deal of knowledge, talents and skills to share with their new teachers.  In addition to the state goals of increased teacher retention and improvement of the new teacher’s ability to assist students to achieve consistent with the State learning standards, the Yorktown Mentor Program Planning Committee recognizes that a valued product of the mentoring relationship is increased and on-going conversation about quality teaching practices throughout the district.

 

The Mentor program is a component of the Yorktown Professional Development Plan (PDP) and is intended to extend the district’s orientation program for new teachers throughout the first year of employment.

 

The goals of the program are:

·         To assist new teachers in adjusting to their new workplace

·         To provide emotional assistance, support and guidance regarding the District’s and the building’s professional culture

·         To provide support and guidance regarding the district’s and the building’s policies and procedures

·         To assist new teachers in resolving instructional and professional issues they may encounter

 

II. Mentor Program Structure & General Guidelines

 

·         A Mentor Coordinator will oversee and coordinate the program district-wide when there are at least (T.B.D.) mentor pairs.

·         The Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel will serve as the administrative liaison to the Mentor Coordinator and will provide a general critique of the program each school year in collaboration with the YCT President.

·         Six Mentor Selection Committees – one for each school - consisting of:

 

v     Mentor Coordinator

v     Building Principal

v     Three teacher representatives (chosen by YCT)

 

The Mentor Selection Committees will select Mentors and assign new teachers to Mentors according to established criteria for teachers hired prior to the last week of school.  For teachers hired during the last week of school or during the summer, the building principal in consultation with the Mentor Coordinator will choose a mentor for the new teacher.

 

The Mentor program, the Mentor Coordinator and the individual Mentors will be evaluated annually.  The Mentor program will be evaluated by all participants and a written evaluation will be submitted by the Mentor Coordinator to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Personnel and the YCT President.  The Assistant Superintendent and the YCT President will evaluate the Mentor Coordinator.  The Mentors will be evaluated using a rubric to guide mentors and new teachers through a reflective process with the Mentoring Coordinator.

 

Development of the Mentor Training Program will be a collaborative effort among the YCT, the District’s Administration and outside resources (such as BOCES and the Northern Westchester Putnam (NWP) Teacher Center) which may be used as needed.

 

Substitute teachers may be used to release Mentors to observe new teachers in their classrooms according to established guidelines.  Application for substitutes will be made to the Mentor Coordinator who will arrange prior building administrative approval.

 

Mentors will not be expected to provide any written records of their work with their new teachers to the district administration unless it is fulfilling an Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) obligation.  New teachers may release any materials related to their Mentor experience for their own personal use such as course and certification requirements.  The Mentoring program is non-evaluative with regard to the new teacher.  Mentors shall not divulge information to be used for evaluating or disciplining the new teacher, unless withholding such information poses a danger to the life, health and/or safety of an individual including, but not limited to, the students and staff of the school, or unless such information indicates that the new teacher has been convicted of a crime or has committed an act which raises a reasonable question regarding the new teacher’s moral character.

 

New teachers assigned to the Alternative High School may participate in an alternate mentoring design due to the unique nature of that faculty and program.  This design will be developed through collaborative efforts between the administration and the YCT on an as-needed basis.  The Board of Education will be informed of the design prior to its implementation and the compensation of mentors will remain the same regardless of design.

 

Annual records of the Mentoring Program, including the names and teacher certificate numbers of new teachers and their mentors; types of mentoring activities, and the number of hours of mentoring for each beginning teacher must be kept for at least seven years.

 

III.             Selection Procedures for Mentor Program Personnel

 

       A.        Selection of District-wide Mentoring Coordinator

·        The District will post the position in February of each year

·        The Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Personnel will select the next year’s Coordinator in consultation with the President of the YCT

 

 

 B.        Characteristics of District-wide Mentoring Coordinator

 

·         Tenured teacher with appropriate certification

·         Minimum of 5 years teaching experience in the Yorktown District

·         Currently in an active teaching position

·         (In the future: participation in the program as a mentor)

·         A willingness to participate in the program as a Coordinator and the time available to oversee all aspects of the district-wide mentoring program

·         Demonstrates mastery of pedagogical skills and curricula knowledge

·         Demonstrates professional ethics as well as superior teaching ability

·         Demonstrates strong interpersonal and communication skills

 

 

      Teacher Coordinators and NWP Teacher Center representatives will not be

      eligible to serve as the Mentoring Coordinator.

 

C.   Selection of Mentors

 

Mentor Selection Committees (One per building)

For teachers hired prior to the last week of school, mentors will be interviewed and selected by a Committee consisting of the following:

 

v     Mentor Coordinator

v     Building Principal

v     Three teacher representatives (chosen by YCT)

 

For teachers hired during the last week of school or during the summer, the building principal in consultation with the Mentor Coordinator will choose a mentor for the new teacher.

 

In April of each year, the District will post a list of anticipated mentor positions available by building and grade/discipline.  A formal application (see appendix) and an interview are required.

 

 

D.   Characteristics of Mentors

 

       Mentors must be tenured teachers presently working in the YCSD. Teacher  

       coordinators shall not be eligible to serve as Mentors. 

 

In order to qualify as a Mentor in Yorktown, a teacher must possess the following attributes:

 

·         A willingness to participate in the program as a Mentor and the time available for a quality mentoring relationship

·         Demonstrates mastery of pedagogical skills and curricula knowledge

·         Demonstrates professional ethics as well as superior teaching ability

·         Demonstrates strong interpersonal and communication skills

 

Mentors need to teach in the same school as the new teachers except when there is only one such position in a particular school, such as a library- media specialist or school psychologist.  The primary mentor relationship could be provided by a counterpart in another building.  Building support should also be provided outside of the formal mentoring program.

 

The Mentoring Selection Committees from each building will review the list of applicants from that building maintaining confidentiality throughout the process.  The Mentoring Selection Committee will make the final selection based on the needs of the building.  Building lists will be forwarded to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Personnel for appointment.  Every effort should be made to pair Mentors and new teachers according to the same grade level/ curriculum area.

 

In general, Mentors will be assigned on a one-to-one basis.  Variance from this ratio will require approval by both YCT and the District.

 

The District and the YCT will make every effort to insure that there are a sufficient number of approved Mentors to meet the number of new teachers in each school year.  In the event that there are insufficient tenured applicants, second year probationary teachers who held tenure in other districts and recently retired YCSD teachers may be considered for eligibility. 

 

 

IV.             Responsibilities of Mentor Program Personnel

 

A.    Responsibilities of the District-wide Program Coordinator

 

·        Oversees the program district-wide

·        Serves on each Mentor Selection Committee

·        Schedules two joint meetings for Mentors and new teachers to assess the  

      Mentor program, (end of first and second quarters)

·         Mediates disagreements between Mentors and new teachers

·         Supervises the development of a monthly timeline unique to each Mentor and new teacher.

·         Creates, reviews and/or revises Mentor year-long program topics and timelines and reviews with the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Personnel before such plans are implemented or published

·         Develops a schedule for large group Mentor/new teacher sessions throughout the year

·         Schedules opportunities for the Mentor and new teachers to observe each other in the classroom or other workplace

·         Tracks the release-time opportunities for equity, purpose and compliance

·         Meets with each Mentor and new teacher one-on-one at least once per semester

·         Reviews Mentor evaluation forms

·         Reviews time logs at the end of the first quarter and fourth quarter

·         Schedules end-of-year gathering to socialize and reflect on the mentoring experience

·         Prepares a written evaluation of the program on an annual basis to be shared with the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Personnel and the YCT President

 

B.           Responsibilities of the Mentor

 

·         Provides the new teachers with support related to curriculum, instruction, classroom and time management, building and district policies and procedures, state mandates, parental contacts, adjustment to a new work environment, assessments, data analysis, written communication and any and all other topics that may be of importance in the performance of the New teacher’s duties as a teacher and school community member

·         Maintains confidentiality with regard to all professional issues

·         Meets formally at least once a week with his/her new teacher throughout the year and informally as needed

·         Attends one (1) training day in August plus six (6) hours of training to be scheduled during the course of the year

·         Attends a minimum of 45 mentoring sessions with the new teacher

·         Attends four (4) large group Mentor/new teacher sessions to be scheduled during the course of the year

·         Joins the new teacher in post-observation conferences with the building administrator if invited by the new teacher and welcomed by the administrator

·         Documents time spent on mentoring activities using the YCSD New Teacher Mentoring Log

·         Assists the new teacher in creating professional goals

·         Creates and maintains a double entry journal with his/her new teacher (optional)

·         Participates in Mentor/new teacher classroom observations a minimum of twice in the Mentor’s classroom and twice in the new teacher’s classroom as arranged by the Program coordinator

·         Participates in the evaluation of the mentoring program

 

 

 

C.                New Teacher’s Requirements

 

 

·         Must attend one (1) mentor/new teacher training day in August plus four  

           (4) large-group Mentor/new teacher sessions to be scheduled during the  

            course of the year

·         Remain in the Mentor Program for a full academic year (September – June)

·         Meet formally at least once a week with their Mentor throughout the year and informally as needed

·         Maintain confidentiality with regard to all professional issues

·         Participate in Mentor/new teacher classroom observations a minimum of twice in the Mentor’s classroom and twice in the new teacher’s classroom as arranged by the Program coordinator

·         Observe other staff according to need as determined by the Mentor, Mentor Program Coordinator and building administrator

·         Create and maintain a double entry journal with his/her Mentor (optional)

·         Participate in the evaluation of the mentoring program

 

V.                Training

 

Development of the Mentor training process will be a collaborative effort between the YCT and the District’s administration with support from outside sources such as BOCES and the NWP Teacher Center.

 

Training needs to be on-going in the first year and address issues such as:

 

·         Giving constructive suggestions and support in a non-threatening and non-judgmental manner

·         Working with the adult learner

·         The Coaching Process

·         Dealing with confidentiality

·         Roles of the Mentoring Program personnel

·         Observation and evaluation

·         Working collaboratively

·         Internet resources

·         Dealing with conflict

·         Conferencing with parents

 

 

 

 

VI.             Suggested Monthly Timeline for Mentors

 

The Program Coordinator will supervise the development of a monthly timeline unique to each Mentor and new teacher.  The following serves as an example and is not meant to be a complete list:

 

August

During the New Teacher Orientation in late August, Mentors and new teachers will meet each other and take part in their first training session and orientation.

 

September

Prior to opening day: Review classroom set-up, curriculum materials, school-wide and district-wide procedural materials, discipline policy, student assessment profiles, Back-to-School Night.

 

Mid-to- late September:  Review AIS services

 

October

Discuss student files, parent communication, progress reports, grading systems and procedures.  Check on documentation required for personnel file.

 

November

Discuss scheduling and conducting parent-teacher conferences, writing report card comments, shared professional reading

 

December

Discuss/review administrator’s observation of new teacher, strategies for classroom management during the various holiday seasons, sensitivity for diversity

 

January

Mentors and new teachers conduct a mid-year self-assessment (Constructive critique)

 

February

Review contract and certification requirements; check on documentation for personnel file

 

March – June

Discuss standardized and state testing procedures, year-end responsibilities and activities, grading, report cards, first-year reflection

 

June

Evaluation of Mentoring Program, end-of-year gathering and reflection

 

 

VII.          Compensation

 

 

Program Coordinator: will receive the same stipend as K – 12 Coordinators, Middle School Teacher Coordinators and High School Treasurer. (2005 -2006 $3,096.13)

 

Mentors: will receive a stipend of $1,400 for mentoring one new teacher.  Should we need to assign more than one new teacher to a given mentor, the stipend would be $1,900 for two and $2,400 for three new teachers.  The program design encourages a one – to – one relationship and a maximum of three new teachers.

 

 

 

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                        Yorktown Central School District

New Teacher Mentoring Program

 

 

Mentor Selection Criteria

 

 

 

1.        The application is complete and appropriate  

             (tenured, etc)

2.        Demonstrates diplomacy with parents and

             colleagues

3.        Demonstrates professional ethics as well as superior  

              teaching ability

4.                Demonstrates strong organizational and        

             management skills

5.        Demonstrates mastery of grade level/ subject area   

             curriculum and instructional practices

6.                Is reflective and perceived as a good listener with 

              strong interpersonal skills

7.        Is current with best practices in the field of  

             education

8.        Is currently teaching in the Yorktown CSD

9.        Is active in school and district committees/ activities

10.           Teaches a similar grade or curriculum area

Yorktown Central School District

New Teacher Mentoring Log

 

 

Mentor: ___________________________________  Certificate #:__________________

 

New Teacher: ______________________________  Certificate #: __________________

 

School: _________________________________________________________________

 

 

DATE	MENTOR INITIALS	TEACHER INITIALS	TOPIC DISCUSSED	TOTAL TIME	RUNNING TOTAL

A copy of this form needs to be submitted to the personnel department for inclusion in the new teacher’s file at the end of the year.

 

DATE	MENTOR INITIALS	TEACHER INITIALS	TOPIC DISCUSSED	TOTAL TIME	RUNNING TOTAL

 

46 Triangle Center                                                         Yorktown Heights, New York 10598 

(914) 243-8017                                                                                    FAX (914) 245-5566

 

MENTOR  APPLICATION

 

 

 

POSITION APPLYING FOR (subject/grade/school)                                                              __

 

DISTRICT/SCHOOL COMMITTEES YOU HAVE PARTICIPATED IN DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS:                                                                                       ______________        ____________                        ____                                                                               __                                                                                                           ____________________   __________________________________________________________________________   __________________________________________________________________            __

 

PLEASE INDICATE WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO SERVE AS A MENTOR:               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                                        __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                   ________ Additional  space on back of this sheet

                                                                                                                                                   __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                                        __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                   ________

                                                                                                                                                   __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                                        __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                   ________

                                                                                                                                                   __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                                        __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                   ________

                                                                                                                                                   __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                                        __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                   ________

                                                                                                                                                   __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                                        __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                   ________

                                                                                                                                                   __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                                        __                                                                                                                                               __                                                                                                                                   ________

 

Yorktown Central School District

New Teacher Mentoring Program

Mentor Selection Tally Sheet

 

 

Positions Open: __________________________________________________   School: ____________________

 

 

                                                                                                    Criteria

Mentor Candidate	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	Total

 

DATE:  ______________________________