South Carolina Foundations in Mentoring:
A Training for Those Who Work with Beginning Teachers

Introduction

For years in the education profession, the simple act of a veteran educator stopping by the room of a new teacher to ask, “How are you?,” was believed to be the primary responsibility of a mentor. Researchers have identified the flaws in this belief and CERRA has worked collaboratively with the New Teacher Center to develop a research-based mentor training program to help districts combat teacher attrition. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the program is measured by an increasing rate of retention of beginning teachers returning beyond the one-to-five year mark. Currently, the mentor training program is affecting experienced teachers by acknowledging their ability to provide meaningful support for new teachers in their schools and by equiping them with the skills and resources to be effective mentors and peer leaders.

CERRA plans to continue to conduct training workshops in a regional model to reduce the travel involved for participants. CERRA will host regional trainings (see UPCOMING TRAININGS for registration information) throughout the 2011-2012 school year. Don't miss your chance to take advantage of this invaluable professional development training. If you have any questions contact Jason Fulmer at 800-476-2387 or fulmerj@cerra.org.

Regional Mentor Training

Dates: Tuesday, March 12 - Thursday, March 14th, 2013

Times: 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Location: Pee Dee Education Center

Address: 520 Francis Marion Rd. / Florence, SC 29506

Deadline to register is Friday, February 15th, 2013. Space is limited.

Intended audience

This training is particularly appropriate for support providers, supervisors of interns and pre-interns, subject matter coaches, master teachers, mentor teachers, teacher leaders, principals and administrators of programs which provide support for beginning teachers. It includes the principles and orientation concepts of the ADEPT program used in South Carolina.

Content

This three-day foundational training focuses on the knowledge, skills, and understandings critical to those who work with beginning teachers. It is guided by the belief that learning to teach is a career-long developmental process that involves continuous cycle of planning, teaching, and reflecting. At the heart of this work is the mentor’s ability to respond to each new teacher's individual developmental and contextual needs and to promote the ongoing examination of classroom practice.

Training Topics

• State and National Teacher Attrition
• SC Induction and Mentoring Guidelines (click to download 2006 Guide)
• Mentor Selection and Assignments
• Initial and Advanced Trainings
• Professional Development
• Incentives
• Variety of Teachers Supported
• Creating a Vision for Teaching
• Defining Mentoring Roles
• Identifying New Teachers Needs
• Understanding the Attitudinal Phases of New Teacher Development
• Building an Effective Mentoring Relationship
• Selecting Support Strategies
• Establishing an Environment for Professional Growth
• Developing the Language and Behavior of Support
• Highlighting the Role of Professional Standards in Mentoring
• Assessing the Beginning Teacher's Level of Practice
   

Additional Information

Informal evaluation of the program has provided substantial anecdotal evidence that the training is effective and that the program is reaching its goal. Teachers across South Carolina who have participated in mentor training often say the experience is one of the most powerful three days of their career. CERRA believes that enabling these accomplished teachers to witness best-practices in action through the various aspects of the training better equips them to work with beginning teachers in their respective schools and districts.

CERRA trains experienced teachers and administrators to become effective mentors to beginning teachers, believing that, with effective mentoring and support, beginning teachers can thrive in their development as experienced teachers. In addition, the development of effective mentors fortifies true teacher leadership and fosters agents of change in South Carolina schools.

Foundations in Mentoring is an initial three-day training that provides the framework from which advanced trainings are built. Nearly 7,000 teachers and administrators have participated in this training since 2005.

What They're Saying...

"This training has made more conscious of my own performance and how important it is to support and mentor new teachers. I cannot stress enough how valuable this training was for me professionally. I had no idea how important or influential a mentor can potentially be."

"This training, not only showed me the importance of mentoring and the positive impact it will have in our state, but it also gave me the tools needed to effectively mentor new teachers throughout all of the stages of teacher development. This was the best professional development I have ever attended."

"This is the best training I have attended in years! There was not a wasted second and I appreciate that! I have been given great tools that will allow me to help others."