MPUSD New Teacher & Mentor Update
February 2019
Rejuvenation Phase
As new teachers have a better understanding of the systems at their schools, an acceptance of the realities of teaching, and a sense of accomplishment, they are beginning to dive deeply into refining curriculum and instruction in the month of February. As you grow as a new teacher, or as you support a new teacher, how are you making time to refine curriculum and instruction: coaching cycles with observation and debrief, watching videos of teaching and learning, dissecting standards and ensuring assessments are assessing the standards, exploring differentiation strategies, or other ways?
Induction Candidates
In the month of February, you may begin to really explore how to meet the needs of all of your students in your classroom. If you find yourself questioning how to best support ALL learners, a cycle of inquiry on differentiation may be in order. Click here for CTI's differentiation resources.
Induction Reflection Coaches
Thank you for continuing to support your new teacher. Many of you have expressed a desire to do the Coach Connections meetings in person rather than online through Zoom. If you are interested, please indicate your interest here on this form, and you will receive more information on possible dates and times.
Here is a quick “checklist” of coaching responsibilities:
- Average of 1-hour weekly Candidate meetings (confirmation of ILP submission for each inquiry cycle)
- Use the Reflective Coach Guide/Coach Website
- Attend Coach Connections
- NEW Coaches Complete Modules 1-4 under MY PD in CTI eConnect , Returning Coaches Modules 5-6- These are all Self-Paced and coaches should finish before March 1st
- Submit Monthly Coach Logs (1 per candidate per month)
- Understand and use the Coach Dashboard
- Prepare for candidate observations/and provide timely feedback
- Submit Coach Conversations video (for peer feedback)
Intern Candidates
As you are navigating the challenges of your first year of teaching while simultaneously completing coursework to obtain your preliminary credential, remember that your Support Provider is there for you to lean on. If you are feeling like you need extra support, please contact Christie Kieffer at ckieffer@mpusd.net.
We will be running another round of CSET, RICA, and EdTPA support. Please indicate your interest here.
All SPED intern candidates should also be meeting for one hour a month with Katie or Heather as well as working with their Support Provider on conducting their first annual and triennial IEP meetings.
Intern Support Providers
Continue to support your intern candidate with weekly one hour meetings. As a reminder, the work of the Intern Support Provider is to provide assistance and coaching for intern teachers.
School Site Administrators
As you are continuing to work with new teachers on their goals in their first and second years of teaching, remember that all induction candidates have the ability to choose their own focus for their cycle of inquiry. You can play a pivotal role in helping new teachers identify a topic for a cycle of inquiry that you feel would be a key lever in moving their instructional practice forward. You can find the different cycles of inquiry here.
If you have intern teachers at your site, please remember that their primary focus outside of their assigned classroom duties is their coursework. Please be mindful of having intern teachers take on extra duties. Additionally, please find time to check in with your intern teachers on their coursework and ask them what their needs are for being successful both as a teacher and a student.