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4c374aa6b7767 While the first day of school is exciting for new students and new teachers, it can also be intimidating. Find out how SHESC's mentoring program can help.
While the first day of school is exciting for new students and new teachers, it can also be intimidating. Find out how SHESC's mentoring program can help.

Remember the First Day of School?

Make It a Great Memory

July 15, 2011

You were excited and scared all at the same time.  What if you are the first-time new teacher?   Those same feelings of excitement and apprehension are definitely a part of your life. 

The first year for a new teacher can be daunting.  Enter:  the Smoky Hill Beginning Teacher-Mentor Teacher Program.  This year on August 9th in Salina and August 10th in Hays, area school districts may participate in the Beginning Teacher-Mentor Teacher program by contacting Smoky Hill Education Service Center at 785 825-9185 or by e-mailing Rachel Loersch at rloersch@smokyhill.org. 

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4c374aa6b7767 In the SHESC program, all beginning teachers are assigned mentors to help them during the first year of teaching.
In the SHESC program, all beginning teachers are assigned mentors to help them during the first year of teaching.
 All beginning teachers come together in this first session with a district assigned mentor teacher.  The mentor is as close a match to grade level and subject area as possible and is a well qualified teacher.  During this half-day session, mentors are given instruction on the process of mentoring and the phases the new teacher will encounter.  Mentor teachers are encouraged to model and assist the beginning teacher.  Beginning teachers are made aware of all the responsibilities of setting up a classroom and making lesson plans for the very first time.  The opportunity to spend this time together gives both the mentor and the beginning teacher a chance to connect and share.  Establishment of this relationship is very important to the success of the new teacher.

Subsequent sessions include parent-teacher conferencing techniques where scenarios are used to help the new teachers develop best practices for this all important part of teaching.  The behavior management session provides opportunities to discuss classroom behavior problems and how to handle them while keeping your cool.  Another session addresses special needs students in the classroom and looks at ways to assist these students.  Finally, the all important question, “Now how do I get my professional license?” is answered.

There is nothing that compares to the confidence that comes from having a fellow teacher support you with answers to questions, suggestions for solving problems, celebrate the “ah ha” moments, and a vent for frustrations that occur every day in the life of a teacher.  Smoky Hill’s program provides the stimulus to pair teachers and provides the opportunity to discuss often as they keep logs, emulate mentor teachers through observations, and review best practices as they attend and reflect on sessions together.  They are on their way to becoming the best professionals in education.

 
 

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