Pennsylvania Department of Education

 

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
333 MARKET STREET
HARRISBURG, PA 17126-0333

Teacher Induction Report
Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Entity: Lackawanna Trail SD
Address: PO Box 85
Factoryville, PA 18419-0085
Phone:
Contact Name: Robert Jurbala

 

Teacher Induction Planning Participants

Name	Affiliation	Membership Category	Appointed By
Alice Stuffle	Community Member	Business Representative	School Board
Jeff Gregory	Secondary Asst. Principal	Administrator	Administration
Donna Salva	Reading Specialist	Elementary School Teacher	Teachers
Ellen Frank	Secondary Guidance Counselor	Ed Specialist - School Counselor	Educational Specialists
Frank Tylutki	Community Representative	Board Member	School Board
Gerauld Frost	Community Member	Community Representative	School Board
James Kotz	Teacher	Elementary School Teacher	Teachers
Jane Richards	Community Representative	Board Member	School Board
Janice Joyce	Curriculum Director	Administrator	Administration
JoAnn Radicchi	Special Education Director	Special Education Representative	Administration
John Richter	Teacher	Secondary School Teacher	Teachers
Kathleen Kelly	Teacher	Elementary School Teacher	Teachers
Margaret Kerzetski	Teacher	Middle School Teacher	Teachers
Matthew Rakauskas	Secondary Principal	Administrator	Administration
Robert M. Jurbala	Superintendent	Administrator	Administration
Robert Scott	Higher Education Representative	Community Representative	School Board
Stanley Harder	Teacher	Secondary School Teacher	Teachers
Timothy Ronchi	Secondary Guidance Counselor	Ed Specialist - School Counselor	Educational Specialists
Tony Dalasio	Teacher	Middle School Teacher	Teachers

Goals and Competencies

Goals and Competencies

The goal of the Teacher Induction Program of the Lackawanna Trail School District is to engage our first-year and new teachers in a collaborative program that will support their professional growth.  By aligning Mentor Teachers with Inductees, new teachers are provided with expert guidance in the prime area of instruction as well as appropriate exposure to other aspects of the teaching profession.  The Teacher Induction Program will provide a program of planned experiences, activities, and appropriate support personnel to achieve this integration.  This will produce confident and knowledgeable new teachers who will ultimately bolster student achievement.

Program Goals: 

1. Provide support for the teacher new to the Lackawanna Trail School District and to ease the transition from theoretical, abstract college/university preparation to the practical, concrete classroom situation.
2. Provide a formal structure through which the inductee may become familiar with the District policies, procedures, resources and support services personnel.
3. Provide peer/mentor support and guidance for professionals new to the school district
4. Provide training for the inductee and mentor in instructional skills and District expectations as they relate to curriculum, instruction and classroom management/organization.
5. Provide information and direction for the inductee concerning Pennsylvania Academic Standards.
6. Provide professional development activities.
7. Provide information related to the Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators.
8. Provide information related to technology integration into the classroom setting.

Program Competencies:

1. Follow all federal, state and district professional requirements associated with educational professionals
2. Resolve issues following appropriate procedures.
3. Perform job-related duties at a satisfactory level.
4. Follow all district and building-level policies, regulations, and procedures. 

Assessment Processes

Assessment Processes

Mentors and inductees are required as per Teacher Induction Plan to log meeting dates, agendas, experiences, and reflections as related to the Induction Program.  This documentation is submitted to the superintendent and building level administration or designee.  Inductees are formally evaluated by the building principal four times per year as per District policy.  The teacher induction program is evaluated on an annual basis by the Teacher Induction Council.  Suggestions for revision and adaptation to the process are used to enhance and improve the teacher induction program at the Lackawanna Trail School District.  In summary,

1. Each new teacher will complete a written evaluation of the New Teacher Induction Program which will be submitted to the Program Coordinator at the end of the school year.
2. Interviews will be conducted with inductees and mentors who most recently completed the induction program.
3. Program Coordinator will review and discuss the New Teacher Induction Program with Building Principals and Superintendent each year.  Revisions to the program will be made, when appropriate, at the conclusion of the year in order to effectively meet the needs of inductees. 

 

Mentor Selection

Mentor Selection

SELECTION AND ROLE OF MENTOR TEACHER
Qualifications of the Mentor Teacher

The mentor teacher will have the following qualifications:

• *1. Tenure and at least five years experience in the school district.
• 2. Demonstrates competence in instruction, planning, and classroom management.
• 3. Positive attitude toward the teaching profession.
• 4. Knowledge of subject area and/or grade level appropriate to the inductee.
• 5. Knowledge of the climate, rules, and norms of the school.
• 6. Willingness to attend all after-school meetings and meeting(s) prior to the first day of      the new school year.
    [*May be waived by the Induction Council and/or Superintendent]

Selection Procedure of Mentor Teacher

Selection of mentor teachers shall be made in the follow manner:                                                  

1. The Superintendent will inform the Lackawanna Trail Education Association (LTEA) that there    is a need for the appointment of a mentor teacher. In turn, the LTEA will disseminate this information to interested and qualified mentor teacher candidates.
2. The Lackawanna Trail Education Association will provide a list of teachers from the elementary school and from each secondary subject area to the Superintendent.
3. The Superintendent will select the mentor teacher from the submitted list. Guidance from the building principals and other district administrators will be solicited.
4. Appointment of the mentor teacher will be made by the Board of Education.
5. The Building Induction Team Chairperson (Principal) will coordinate activities related to the inductee’s program plan.

Role of the Mentor Teacher

The role/responsibility of the mentor teacher (one mentor teacher for each inductee) is to:

1. Initiate and guide the inductee through the checklist portion of the induction program and to sign off on it completion.
2. Utilize before, during and after school time to meet.
3. Provide interpersonal support to the inductee by offering help, advice and assistance on all matters relating to the educational process.
4. Assist the inductee in implementing district curriculum.
5. Clarify district and school policies and operations for the inductee.
6. Improve the inductee’s instructional and organizational skills through participating in in-service programs with the inductee, cross observations with the inductee and providing feedback, conferring with, and coaching the inductee.
7. Advise the inductee in preparing teacher-parent conferences.
8. Recommend that department chairpersons and other resource people work with the inductee.
9. Meet with the inductee a minimum of once per week.
10. Review and discuss with the inductee The Code of Professional Practice and Conduct of Educators.
11. Certify to the Induction Council and the Superintendent that the inductee has completed the requirements of the program.

The Mentor Teacher’s role relationship with the inductee includes the following:

1. The mentor is not involved in the rating or evaluation process,
2. The mentor does not report results of observations or conferences to the principal unless the inductee requests such transmission,
3. The mentor’s immediate supervisor is the building principal,
4. The mentor and the inductee should maintain a supportive relationship. The administration will work to provide such a relationship. If the mentor or inductee believes that the relationship is not satisfactory, they will request a conference among the principal, the mentor, and the inductee to resolve any problem(s).
   
   Administrative Review:
   Reassignment of a mentor teacher may occur due to the following reasons:  illness, unexpected leave, or administrative review of mentor-new professional progress.

TEACHER INDUCTION PLAN
JOB DESCRIPTION

Title:
Mentor Teacher

Responsible to:
Building Principal

Job Goal:
The primary responsibility of the Mentor Teacher is to work with the building principal to develop and implement building level professional development programs (stressing the essential elements of instruction) for all professional employees. This person is to serve as a mentor when new professional employees are assigned to the building. As a mentor, the person is to improve the inductee’s knowledge and use of the essential elements of instruction, to make the inductee aware of building level and district policies and procedures, and to facilitate the inductee’s integration into the Lackawanna Trail School District.

Minimum Qualifications:
A. Permanent Certification
B. Tenure
C. A minimum of five years experience teaching in the district (may be waived by the Superintendent)
D. Knowledge of district level and building level policies and procedures
E. Demonstrates competence in instruction, planning and classroom management

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:
A. Mentor

1. Serve as a member of the Building Induction Team.
2. Work with the principal and inductee to develop the necessary building level inservice programs for the inductee(s).
3. Meet regularly with the inductee to review his/her progress, to answer his/her questions about district and building policies and procedures, and to provide him/her with interpersonal support.
4. Arrange for department chairpersons and other teachers to work with the inductee to improve his/her overall teaching skills.
5. Assist the inductee in implementing district curriculum.
6. Improve the inductee’s instructional and organizational skills through participating in in-service programs with the inductee, cross observations with the inductee, and providing feedback, conferring with, and coaching the inductee.

B. The Support Teacher (Mentor) role relationship with the inductee includes the following:

1. The mentor is not involved in the rating or evaluation process,
2. The mentor does not report results of observations or conferences to the principal unless the inductee requests such transmission,
3. The mentor’s immediate supervisor is the building principal,
4. The mentor and the inductee should maintain a supportive relationship. The administration will work to provide such a relationship. If the mentor or inductee believes that the relationship is not satisfactory, they will request a conference among the principal, the mentor, and the inductee to resolve any problem(s).

Activities and Topics

Activities and Topics

Topics for the Induction Program consist of those that are general and relevant to all professional positions and those that are more specific to assignment.  The following activities and timeline have been established by the Lackawanna Trail School District in support of the New Teacher Induction Plan:

1.  In-service *prior to and during the first two weeks of school (late August/early September) include:

• Guidelines and expectations of the induction
• An introduction to Lackawanna Trail School District and its
• Student reporting; i.e., MMS attendance and student
• An explanation of business office forms, benefits, and procedures
• *A review of the Faculty Handbook, grade book, plan book, attendance procedures, grading procedures, discipline policies, building duties, responsibilities, and teacher evaluation 
• *A review of the Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Lackawanna Trail School District Educators
• *A review / dissemination of curriculum materials to be used and/or introduced to the inductee
• *A meeting with the Mentor Teacher in the inductee's classroom

2.  In addition to building level meetings held after school, In-service/Act 80 Day programs will be utilized for new teachers participating in the Induction Program.  Should additional time be needed to provide information to new teachers during student days, substitutes will be provided. 

Appropriate personnel will provide an explanation on the following resources - pupil personnel services - guidance counselor, nurse, school psychologist, child study team, SAP, special education/IEP student services, and Title I support services

3. New Teacher In-service topics shall include but not be limited to the following:

• Communication Skills, especially related to working cooperatively with parents (e.g., written and verbal communication skill development) 
• Curriculum/ Academic Standards/Assessment
• Instructional Strategies Methods
• Technology Integration
• CPR/AED Training
• Student and Facility Safety Measures
• Instructional Strategies for Meeting the Needs of IEP Students within the Mainstream Classroom

4.  Mentor teachers shall meet individually with their inductees weekly or as needed to fulfill the program expectations

5.  The Lackawanna Trail School District will organize one meeting per quarter for mentors and inductees to discuss topics as needed.  Topics may include, but not be limited to the following:  child abuse/mandatory reporting, utilization of technology, teacher observation/evaluation, student records and confidentiality, special education and differentiated instruction, alignment of curriculum/planned courses and academic standards, PSSAs, NCLB, PVAAS, AYP, and other student-related student assessment information, effective communication with parents, and certification.

6.  The Lackawanna Trail School District recognizes the importance of maintaining high standards for preparation, certification, practice and ethical conduct in the teaching profession.  The Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Lackawanna Trail School District  Educators has been adopted from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Chapter 235 - Code of Conduct for Educators. 

A review/study of the Code is required for all inductees in the Lackawanna Trail School District.  Mentor teachers will emphasize the importance of the Code for improving the quality of education and the moral commitment to uphold the values of the code incumbent on each inductee.

The complete Code will be provided to each inductee and all members of the professional staff. 


Participation in Teacher Induction Consortium:

The Lackawanna Trail School District participates with the Northeast Educational Intermediate Unit to provide teacher induction in-service workshops.  NEIU 19 personnel conduct supervised sessions to review inductee’s progress and to facilitate mastery of effective teaching, technology integration, assessment, and classroom management.

Through participation in the induction consortium at NEIU 19, teachers will have opportunities to participate in professional development focused on:

• Classroom Management 
• Student Assessment
• Integrating Technology with Teaching and Learning
• Effective Instruction
• Differentiated Instruction
• Curriculum Development 
•  Teaching Diverse Learners
• Establishing Positive Behavioral and Instructional Relationships
• Code of Ethics of the Education Profession

 

Evaluation and Monitoring

Participation and Completion