Mentor Academy Series I: Trainings for Those Who Work with Beginning Teachers | Center for Teacher Leadership, School of Education, Virginia Commonwealth University
Program Description
Conducted by trainers from the nationally renowned New Teacher Center @ University of California-Santa Cruz, the Mentor Academy Series I focuses on building the knowledge, skills, and understandings critical for new teacher mentors and coaches in a range of program contexts. Although the Academy does not presume prior mentoring or coaching experience, the course content offers learning opportunities that are appropriate for a wide range of experience levels. Participants may register for any or all of the four 2-day trainings within the Mentor Academy Series. Training topics include:
- Foundations in Instructional Mentoring
- Coaching and Observation Strategies
- Mentoring for Powerful Teaching: Using Student Work to Guide Instruction
- Planning and Designing Professional Development for New Teachers
Virginia Standard(s) Addressed
Instructional Leadership (ISLLC standard 1) and Professionalism (ISLLC standards 5 & 6)
Program Goals and Objectives
By the end of this program participants will demonstrate the ability to: (1) create a vision of quality teaching; (2) build an effective mentoring relationship; (3) assess beginning teacher needs and performance; (4) select appropriate coaching and support strategies for beginning teachers; (5) collect observation data related to professional standards; (6) assist beginning teachers in using student work to guide and differentiate instruction; and (7) design meaningful professional development experiences for beginning teachers.
Program Format
Mentor Academy Series I is a totally interactive training that actively engages each participant in learning and practicing the skills, strategies, and tools needed to work effectively with beginning teachers. Instructional strategies include small group, hands-on activities, partner sharing, reflective writing, graphic organizers, analysis and discussion of teaching/mentoring videos, role playing, and coaching.
Target Audience
Teacher leaders, mentor teachers/coordinators, subject matter coaches, principals and administrators of programs that provide support for beginning teachers.
Self-Selection and/or Identification Through School Division
While schools or school divisions will send mentors to this training, individuals may elect to attend to enhance their knowledge and skills. Individuals may also register for the Mentor Academy Series I trainings.
Duration of Program
Four 2-day sessions (8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) scheduled throughout the year. 2006-2007 dates include:
- September 12-13, 2006, Foundations in Instructional Mentoring
- November 14-15, 2006, Coaching and Observation Strategies
- January 23-24, 2007, Planning and Designing Professional Development for New Teachers
- March 27-28, 2007, Mentoring for Powerful Teaching: Using Student Work to Guide Instruction
Outcomes Measured
Measured outcomes of the Santa Cruz mentoring program on teachers in the four metro-Richmond school divisions (Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and Richmond City Public Schools) include the (1) impact of the training on the knowledge and skills of new teacher mentors or coaches: (2) retention rate of beginning teachers supported by trained mentors; and (3) achievement of students in the classes of beginning teachers supported by trained mentors. Participants beyond the four metro-Richmond school divisions will only be included in the first outcome measure.
Program Evaluation
Participant evaluation forms will evaluate the effectiveness of the trainings. Program evaluation for the four metro-Richmond school divisions will be conducted by the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) under the leadership of Dr. James McMillan to determine the effectiveness of the Santa Cruz mentoring program on teacher retention and student achievement. Participants beyond the four metro-Richmond school divisions may access the methodology and results of the carefully designed federal study of the program, but will not be included in the program evaluation.
Contact Information
Dr. Terry Dozier, Director
Center for Teacher Leadership
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education
P.O. Box 842020
Richmond, VA 23284-2020
804-827-0102
804-828-1323 (FAX)
tdozier@vcu.edu