September 30, 2021
New Teacher Induction
Mentor Update
Providing new teachers with the resources they need to succeed
My Desktop
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Deuteronomy 6:6 

Our desktops are the area where we work and where we keep things handy. The technology world has assumed this term to mean pretty much the same thing about our computers. The desktop, whether an actual piece of furniture or the main area of the computer screen, is a place where items immediately required are placed, or items that are consistently accessed reside. 

What’s on my desktop, literally and figuratively? Moses answers with an item of utmost importance: God’s Word is an item that I want readily and consistently available. It belongs on my desktop. 

My desktop needs managing. It’s very easy for me to let my desktop get cluttered with distractions. These distractions push the Word aside and keep me from accessing it the way I should. So, with summer over and the routine established, it’s time for me to reorganize my desktop. God’s Word deserves a prominent place on my desktop. 

Dear Lord, there are so many distractions that demand attention. Help me to keep your commandments on my heart, always prominent and accessible. Let Christ be my model, as the Word was never far from him. Amen. 

Written by Prof. Dan Fenske, who teaches in the science department at MLC and is a resource for teachers.
Say Hello
Margaret Salesky MLC ’07 lives in Norman, Oklahoma. She currently works at the University of Oklahoma for the K20 Center as an English language arts curriculum specialist. She coaches and mentors teachers around the state of Oklahoma, develops curricula, and leads professional development. In addition, she has completed graduate work in Teaching Reading and Applied Linguistics and serves as an adjunct instructor at Oklahoma City Community College. Margaret is a lead mentor in the SC district and is taking a lead role for the 2021-22 NTI mentor forums.
Jon Schaefer MLC ’02 grew up in Minneapolis. He directs WELS New Teacher Induction and recently earned his PhD in educational psychology from Capella University. He’s been invited to share his thesis, “In Sync: A Qualitative Study of Asynchronous Online Teacher Mentor Training,” with the New Teacher Center headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, this fall. Jon is the go-to person (along with your district lead mentors) for NTI support. He can be reached at schaefjm@mlc-wels.edu.
Video Observation Platforms
NTI is conducting a study to measure the growth in teaching practices using annotated video observation feedback. This year, 73 mentors and new teachers are using this type of mentoring. The initial pilot showed that this approach provided focused embedded feedback and efficient observation scheduling.
Interaction Logs
As mentors, we attend to an important detail. Just like teachers, we record important data, such as attendance, church attendance, or even our own professional development. Once a month mentors receive and record their interactions using a district-specific interaction log.
One-Year Timeline
Many one-year assignments are made as a result of unique situations at the school, at the center, or with the new teacher’s situation. These assignments include additional follow-up and support so that the integrity of the instruction, curriculum, and school culture are maintained over a shorter duration of time.

  • In October, the beginning teacher’s triad (administrator, mentor, and teacher) meets to discuss or set ministry and teacher goals.
  • On February 1, the MLC Field Experience Office will send out forms:
  • One-year teachers: Temporarily Assigned Candidate Update Form
  • Administrators: Temporary Teacher Evaluation Form
  • In February, the triad meets to assess the teacher’s growth toward the identified goals, reports back to the Field Experience Office, and sets the end-of-year plans.
Dates & Signup
BT Webinars Registration

Planning Parent-Teacher Conferences
Online: LIVE Webinar
Date: Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, at 7:00 pm CT

Supporting Students’ Memory for What Was Learned, Not on TV
Online: LIVE Webinar
Date: Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, at 7:00 pm CT


Mentor Trainings & Forums Registrations

TRAINING: EDU5905 Using Data to Inform Instruction – 2 Credits
Online: (Prerequisite EDU5901)
Dates: Nov. 1 – Dec. 13, 2021

TRAINING: EDU5906 Designing Effective Instruction – 1 Credit
Online: (Prerequisite EDU5901)
Dates: Feb. 21 – Apr. 11, 2022

TRAINING: EDU5908 Understanding, Supporting, and Facilitating a Professional Development Plan – 2 Credits
Online: (Prerequisite EDU5901, EDU5903, EDU5907)
Dates: Jan. 31 – Mar. 14, 2022

FORUM: Conferencing for What’s Learned
Online: LIVE Webinar
Date: Thursday, Oct 21, 2021, at 6:30 pm CT

FORUM: Supporting Mental Health into the Second Semester
Online: LIVE Webinar
Date: Thursday, Nov 11, 2021, at 6:30 pm CT
WELS New Teacher Induction
Accelerating New Teacher Growth in Ministry
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Phone: 507.354.8221