Mentor Program
It is the goal of the Averill Park Central School District to hire and retain promising beginning teachers. Supporting and encouraging our newest faculty members is seen as the responsibility of the entire professional staff. However, our formal mentor program, the dedication of our mentors and the support of our administrators ensures that our pre-tenured teachers will have a positive and successful induction into the teaching profession.
What does the APSD Mentor Program look like?
- Training for all mentors is required
- Quarterly mentor support and group meetings are provided
- There is compensation for all stakeholders
- Mentor Coordinator position is collectively bargained
- Numerous professional development opportunities for mentees are provided
- Summer 3-day New Teacher Orientation is required (stipend provided)
- Districtwide monthly building support group meetings for all pre-tenured teachers
- Program is designed to meet the unique needs of Averill Park
- Mentor Plan strives to achieve excellence as reflected in the State Education Department Draft Mentor Program Rubric
Averill Park Mentor Program Highlights…
- NYS M-TIP Grant Recipient, annually 2003-2006
- Establishment of extensive mentor library
- Tenure granted to 110 teachers and teaching assistants over the past three years (May, 2004 - May, 2006)
- Over 60 pre-tenured teachers mentored through the 2005-2006 district program
Program Overview
The Averill Park Mentor Program was established as a pilot program in 1995 at West Sand Lake Elementary School. Successful experiences utilizing a support group format through our professional development program led to the expansion of the program K-12 in 1996. Averill Park School District has experienced tremendous growth over the past five years. Since 1999, we have hired between 37 and 51 new faculty members each year. Additionally, teacher retirements have decreased the number of veteran teachers available to mentor our newest staff members. In order to meet the needs of mentees, while being cognizant of the responsibilities of veteran teachers, the Averill Park Mentor Program has evolved into a program that best meets our changing and unique needs.
Teachers who would like to be involved as mentors in our mentor program must have tenure and it is desirable that each has a minimum of 5 years experience. Mentors meet by building in a support group format with all pre-tenure teachers. Groups meet monthly for two hours or bi-weekly for one hour either before or after school. All participants are given inservice compensation as delineated in the APTA contract. Larger groups in the middle and elementary schools break into smaller groups based on teaching experience, expressed needs and/or interests. At the high school level, when possible, groups are determined by content area.
As the number of trained mentors has increased, we have been able to change our model each year to provide paired mentoring for an increasing number of mentees.
It is understood that mentoring does not take place monthly, in two-hour blocks, but is an integral part of the teaching day. in addition to the support group meetings, mentees and mentors also meet informally before and after school, during prep times, at lunch and by phone. The district recognizes these additional time commitments and reflects this in the compensation received by mentors.
Mentors have the option of being involved at various levels. Mentors who take on additional responsibilities such as tracking attendance, acting as liaison to the building principal or planning, typing and distributing monthly agendas and minutes receive additional credit. Trained mentors may also elect to become "inactive" if their personal schedule or the needs of the program do not allow for involvement in any particular year.
Mentors must attend summer initial training, planning sessions and Danielson Training as part of their mentor requirement. Mentors must insure at least 15 hours of seat time available per year for each mentee. Mentors also attend quarterly meetings held for mentors by the Program Coordinator. Mentees in their first year of teaching (new to teaching or new to Averill Park) are required to attend at least 15 hours of inservice support groups. Additionally, the coordinator provides NYSUT ETP courses based on expressed needs of the mentees, training classes for the required performance video, workshops with our NYSUT field rep as well as in-house workshops as requested by the mentees or mentors.
Pretenured teachers in their second or third year of teaching are also eligible to participate in the program until tenure is achieved. Approximately 80% of pretenured teache5rs elect to stay in the program for the full three years. Monthly meetings allow for teachers to break into smaller groups so that the needs of each group are met.
In 2001 the district negotiated the position of Mentor Program Coordinator with the APTA. The Coordinator, while a full time teacher, is given a stipend to coordinate the program, plan and deliver summer and quarterly training sessions, as well as assist in the development of New Teacher Orientation. In 2003-2004 Averill Park was the recipient of the NYS Mentor-Teacher Internship Program Grant. The district coordinator under the direction of the assistant superintendent coordinated this grant. The grant allowed for 10% release time of four mentors and four first year mentees and provided an additional funding resource for the district program.
Each year the mentors and mentees evaluate the program. The mentors and assistant superintendent evaluate the coordinator. The purpose of the evaluations is to continually improve the effectiveness of the program by making changes and improvements as needed. Exit interviews are also mailed to pretenured teachers who leave the district. Confidential responses are used to continually assist us in improving our program.
Since the 2003-2004 school year, Averill Park has provided training to and now has over 70 mentors. Each year, between 60 and 100 pretenured teachers have participated in the program. Over 100 teachers and teaching assistants have received tenure. The MTIP Grant has allowed 20% release time for the program coordinator. The district also provides professional and monetary support for all aspects of the program.
As we plan for the 2006-2007 school year, we have a trained pool of over 70 mentors, anticipate participation of over 55 pretenured teachers and are in the process of transitioning the program to a new coordinator. With a new Mentor Program plan, BOE approved in May 2006, we look forward to a dynamic, professional program for our newest colleagues.
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