Loyola welcomed seven new teachers and one new administrator in August with a plan to help them be successful! Some of them were first year teachers and some were experienced teachers but in a new school environment. Loyola is committed to teacher excellence and as a way to express that belief, Principal Adam Bemmels asked me to spearhead a Mentor/Mentee Teacher Program. I enthusiastically said yes!
The LCS Mentor/Mentee Teacher program has several components that are being used this school year. Experienced teachers and staff were recruited to be personal mentors to new teachers. These mentors play several roles
including guide, role model, sponsor, coach, resource and colleague. They meet on an informal basis throughout the school year. Each month the mentors and mentees are given a suggested checklist of items to review and discuss so the new teacher is prepared and confident in their craft.
Every month the mentors, mentees, administration and I meet for a 45 minute chat. It is a "chat", as we want everyone around the table to share their experiences on th
e topic. During the month of September we discussed the book Thriving as a First Year Teacher, reviewed the phases of first year teaching as well as talked about any suggestions they might have concerning the beginning of the school year.
Another component of our mentor program are walk-throughs and formal observations. I have the privilege of conducting the walk-throughs which are a 15-20 minute unannounced visit to their classroom every month. I am looking at the student level of engagement, instructional practices and strategies being used as well as classroom environment and culture. A lot can be discovered during these walk-throughs! I give the teachers feedback within 24 hours and often have a face-to-face conversation with them based on the feedback. Mr. Bemmels and Mr. Elton will be completing three formal observations in each new teacher's classroom by April of 2018. These observations will be using the Marzano elements of instruction which again focus on student engagement and instruction.
"Faculty Focus" is a term used with our mentor program which will give the new teacher an opportunity to visit another colleague's classroom for 15-20 minutes. As a result of the visit, the new teacher will complete a form to share in conversation with their mentor. They will reflect on effective strategies they observed, things they question, and ideas they might consider doing/changing in their classroom. We hope this component of the mentor program gives the mentee an opportunity to watch a colleague who has mastered their craft and is dedicated to promoting excellence.
We hope that the Loyola Mentor Program will find its success in the success of our new teachers. We believe that through this program we can help the mentee develop and enhance competence of effective teaching, self - confidence, and professionalism.
Peace and gratitude,
Shelley Schultz
