session86

Sue DePalma, Induction Coordinator, Albion Central School District, Albion, New York July 2, 2007 Model Schools Conference 2007 – Washington D.C.

New Teacher Induction Program – Professionals Helping Professionals – Session 86

Professionals Helping Professionals is a comprehensive three-year program designed to provide support for new teachers by easing the transition from preparation to practice and improving instructional skills to maximize student achievement. Program components include a seven-day preservice summer institute, assignment of a master “buddy teacher,” quarterly release days for planning, bi-annual needs assessment, classroom/peer visitations and reflection, monthly professional development workshops, team-teaching opportunities, social activities, program evaluations, as well as individual professional growth plans. Albion’s full-time program coordinator/district mentor is responsible for the professional growth and success of all teachers in the program.

sdepalma@albionk12.org

The National Crisis
 * Teacher attrition and migration is creating widespread teacher shortages that leave thousands of classrooms empty each year.
 * Beginning teachers are leaving the profession in greater numbers than ever before.
 * 25% of new teachers leave teaching after one year (Norton 1999).
 * Another 10% leave at the end of year two
 * By the conclusion of year five, over 40% have left the profession (Ingersoll 2003).

The Causes
 * Insufficient transitional support from preparation to practice
 * Lack of administrative guidance/support
 * Inadequate professional development
 * Inability to deal with challenging students
 * Feelings of isolation/lack of collegial interaction
 * Low wages & poor working conditions
 * Disillusionment with the profession in general

Research indicates novice teachers want and need a comprehensive, sustained support program that includes:
 * Pre-service training
 * An extensive framework of highly supportive professionals
 * Infusion into the school/community culture

Professional development that includes: creating a climate for learning, instructional techniques and best practices and classroom & behavior management strategies

Quality mentoring
 * Self evaluation and time to reflect
 * Opportunities for information sharing
 * Standards based evaluation of professional practice
 * Celebration

‘Professionals Helping Professionals’ is designed to provide support for Albion’s new teachers by easing the transition from preparation to practice and improving instructional skills to maximize student achievement.

In the beginning. ..
 * Analysis of district trends
 * Development of baseline data from exit interviews to determine program objectives – needs assessment
 * Visitations, models and research
 * Collaboration with stakeholders
 * Program development

Program goals
 * To provide pre-service training for district philosophies, programs, procedures, and expectations
 * To match new teachers with master- level “buddy teachers” for personal and professional development
 * To improve teaching skills and instructional performance to increase student achievement
 * To assist new teachers in assimilating into the culture of our school, district and community
 * To promote professional well-being and leadership development
 * To integrate the induction program with district staff development initiatives

Program Components
 * Seven day pre-service summer institute (see handout)
 * Comprehensive three year professional development plan (see handout)
 * Mentoring
 * Individual Performance Growth Plans
 * Annual program evaluation

Monthly Professional Development Meetings
 * Connecting with students
 * Establishing an environment of respect and rapport
 * Classroom/behavior management
 * Engaging students in learning to achieve maximum student performance
 * Developing relationships with parents, colleagues and the community
 * Assessing student needs & choosing instructional strategies
 * Rigor and Relevance Framework
 * Celebrating!!

Components of Mentoring
 * Under the guidance of a trained master buddy teacher:
 * Quarterly release time for professional development
 * Peer observations in performance classrooms
 * Team teaching opportunities
 * Weekly reflection time (logs)
 * Lesson design, delivery and assessment planning
 * To create a mentoring network of on-going support

Program Outcomes
 * 95% teacher retention rate after three years
 * 100% of new teachers completing the program reach or surpass performance expectations
 * Student achievement across the district has markedly increased due to improved teacher quality
 * Novice teachers are stepping into leadership roles sooner and with greater confidence
 * Strengthened collegial relationships within our educational community

Charlotte Danielson's book, Enhancing Professional Development