Division of Instruction

New Teacher Induction / Instructional Mentor Program

New Teacher Induction Class

Purpose of Program | Selection of Mentors 

Mentor Qualifications | Mentor Duties | Induction Team
New Teacher Duties | Forms | State Standards

NEW TEACHER INDUCTION CLASS

Dear New Teacher holding an Initial License:

Welcome to APS!  The Professional Learning Department is very excited that you chose our district to begin, or continue, your professional career.  As a holder of an Initial License, you are required to complete an induction course before you can apply for your professional license.

In APS, the Induction Program consists of 4 components:

            1). Attendance at the New Teacher Conference

2). Completion of the New Teacher Induction Course (NTIC) consisting of 8 two-hour sessions.

3). Documented 15 contact hours of work with your assigned mentor.

4). Successful demonstration of the Colorado Performance-Based Teaching Standards.

Details of the four components can be found at:

http://instruction.aurorak12.org/professional-learning/new-teachers-mentors/

The New Teacher Induction Course (NTIC)

The New Teacher Induction Course (NTIC) is a 16 contact hour course comprised of 8 two-hour classes.  Each class is offered more than once.  Please compare the dates and times of offerings with your school/site calendar to avoid conflicts.

There are 4 required sessions:

• October – ELA is scheduled several times during the month of October.  The classes specify elementary or secondary.  Be sure to register for the appropriate section
• December – Equity and Engagement Part 1 is scheduled for mixed groups of elementary and secondary staff.
• February – Book Study: Choice Words. You will receive a copy of Choice Words at the December New Teacher Induction Course classes.
• April – Equity and Engagement Part 2 is also scheduled for mixed groups of elementary and secondary staff.
• The table shows the schedule for these required classes and the Avatar class number for registering.

(Please Note: There will be no make-up sessions for these classes.  If you do not attend a required course you will need to attend the missed class in 2012-2013 to complete Induction.  Also note, if you do not complete Induction in APS before moving to another district, you will need to complete that district’s induction program from the beginning.)

There are 4 choice sessions:

• Beginning in late August, there will be courses listed on Avatar that begin with the title:  NTIC, for example, NTIC Grade 1 Unit Planning: Units 2 and 3, Making Shapes and Designing Quilts and Solving Story Problems.
• Select 4 courses that are pertinent to your job assignment.  Register on Avatar for the courses you would like to attend.
• Check Avatar frequently.  New courses will be added throughout the year.
• Complete the courses by April 15, 2012.

Step 1: Developing a Professional Learning Account in Avatar

Avatar is the district’s professional learning management system.  It allows you to view a catalog of course/class offerings; register for classes online; view your transcript and credits issued for all of your professional learning activities.  Begin by opening your personal Avatar account.  The training videos at the website will help you.  Go to:

http://instruction.aurorak12.org/professional-learning/aps-credit/

Step 2: Register for the New Teacher Induction Course (NTIC) classes that interest you and meet your schedule requirements.

Step 3:  Enter the classes you plan to take into your Outlook calendar.

If you have any questions, please contact Patty Shaw or Michelle Weiser at the Professional Learning and Conference Center (PLCC). 

Mentoring New Teachers 2011-2012

Thank you for agreeing to mentor a new teacher during the 2011-2012 school year.  Your role as a mentor is invaluable helping him or her gain the knowledge and skills around effective instruction that leads to student growth. And your work will model the district’s theory of action that the knowledge and skills of a teacher are most impactful on student achievement.

To support you in your role as a mentor, there are two required courses each year.  If you are brand new to the role of a mentor, please register for Mentoring Successful New Teachers I and Mentoring Successful New Teachers II.  These classes are available on Avatar for registration.  Once you attend Mentoring Successful New Teachers I, you will receive an electronic Agreement for Services (AFS).   If you attend both mentoring sessions, turn in your mentee log and Colorado Performance-Based standards checklist, and turn in a signed timecard, you will receive payment after April 15.

If you attended Mentoring Successful New Teachers during 2010-2011, please register for Mentoring Collegial Conversations I and Mentoring Collegial Conversations II.  These classes are available on Avatar for registration. If you attend both mentoring sessions, turn in your mentee log and Colorado Performance-Based standards checklist, and turn in a signed timecard, you will receive payment after April 15.

Again, thank you for your role in supporting teachers new to the professiona and Aurora Public Schools.

Purpose of the Mentoring Program

New teachers who have an Initial License must successfully complete an induction program before being recommended for professional licensure. New teachers are assigned a mentor until all requirements of the induction program are met. Teachers-in-residence are assigned mentors for a period of two years.

• New teachers who have a license, other than professional, must successfully complete an induction program before being recommended for professional licensure
• Successful completion of the induction program is based on meeting CDE Performance-Based Standards
• To ensure successful completion of the induction program, new teachers are assigned a mentor until all requirements of the induction program are met
• Teachers-in-Residence (TiRs) are assigned mentors for a period of two years
• New teachers will preferably be assigned mentors from their buildings and grade levels
• New teachers and mentors will receive additional support from district coaches
• Mentors are assigned a group of up to three new teachers

Selection of Instructional Mentors

• Principals select qualified teachers to serve as mentors
• New elementary teachers in music, art, physical education, new counselors and media specialists will be mentored by DRTs when possible
• At the middle school/high school level the department chairs or other content area specialists serve as mentors
• Exceptional Student Services (ESS) may work with principals to provide mentors for special programs staff, such as life skills, affective needs and support services

Qualifications of Instructional Mentors

• Principal recommendation
• Professional license
• Evidence of continuous personal and professional development
• Demonstrated collaborative work with colleagues
• Expertise as demonstrated in meeting/exceeding CDE Performance-Based Standards

Instructional Mentor Program Expectations

• All mentors will be paid $300 or receive .5 semester APS credit per new teacher
• Each mentor may be assigned up to three new teachers
• 15 hours of mentoring is required
• The 15 hours will be documented with a log
• Mentors and new teachers will develop their own meeting schedules
• Participate as a member of the Induction Team

Induction Team

• The role/purpose of the Induction Team:
  • understand goals of new teachers
  • share building and District philosophy and expectations
  • active participants in teacher induction requirements
  • determine successful meeting of Performance-Based Standards
  • recommend the new teacher for professional licensure
• Induction Team consists of the new teacher, instructional mentor, and the building principal/administrator
• Induction Team will meet twice a year, once per semester, before April 30th

New Teacher Induction Expectations

• New teachers must attend the New Teacher Conference in July
• New teachers must attend the New Teacher Induction Course throughout the school year
• New teachers will attend one Induction Team meeting per semester
• New teachers will actively participate in school-based professional development opportunities

New Teacher / Mentor Forms

Word Document (Opens in a new window)	Description
Mentor Log	To be used as a Mentor-Mentee Log.

State Standards Checklists

Teacher •  Audiologist •  Nurse  •  Occupational Therapist   •  Physical Therapist •  Psychologist •  School Counselor •  Social Worker •  School Speech Language Pathologist