January 13, 2022
New Teacher Induction
Providing new teachers with the resources they need to succeed
Shine Bright
Did you have students shine like stars during a Christmas service or concert? That first Christmas, God set a special star in the sky to lead the wise men to Jesus. This is the epiphany, the “revelation” or the “showing," and it is important because it proves that God intended his plan of salvation for all people. When they arrived, the wise men knew by faith that this was the Messiah, and they worshiped him with the best gifts they had.
 
It is a powerful lesson for us. God calls each of us to be epiphany stars for him. While creating faith in Jesus is the Holy Spirit’s job, God uses people to introduce or lead others to Christ, just as the star did. We get to shine in the way we act and speak. Paul put it this way, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold out the word of life.” What a privilege it is to serve as special stars even through tough times. God promises to be with us and shine brightly through us. Jesus, strengthen us by his word during these times. We could do nothing more meaningful than point others to Jesus through our lives and ministries. 
Triad Conversations
Each semester, new teachers, mentors, and administrators (triads) look forward to collaborating. The Teacher Growth Reflection Tool offers a framework for these meetings on or before March 18, 2021. This timeline provides for triads to reflect on teacher growth and support identified growth goals as they move into the end of the school year. Copies of the Teacher Growth Reflection Tool and protocols are available at the NTI Webpage-Mentor Tools. 
One-Year Assignments
At the beginning of February the MLC Field Experience Office will send
  • One-year assignments: Temporarily Assigned Candidate Update form
  • Their administrators: Temporary Teacher Evaluation form
 
Final forms are an intricate part of the assignment meetings and include the status of the teacher’s call. They are to be returned to the MLC Field Experience Office at the beginning of March. 
New Teachers Observe
Providing new teachers the ability to observe another classroom is an NTI program component to further the teachers’ growth and development. Triad collaboration is useful for coordinating this observation and connecting it with identified goals. Reimbursement for associated costs is available at the NTI Webpage-Reimbursement Form. 
Mentor Recruitment
Another support is the collegial relationship between mentor and new teacher. The feedback data from this collegial sharing provides valuable insights into the teaching profession and also into student learning. With new teachers entering the teaching ministry, mentors who are training to support their new colleagues are in constant need. NTI desires to build the capacity of trained mentors in order to provide 1:1 support over a 2-year period. 

Please encourage your coworkers to consider becoming a part of this unique area of ministry to support the growth of new colleagues and students. Please share the NTI website, mlc-wels.edu/nti/, with anyone interested in becoming a mentor. Interested teachers may apply at mlc-wels.edu/nti/become-a-mentor/application/.
Dates & Signup
New Teacher Webinar Registration
 
Analyzing Student Work
Online: LIVE Webinar, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, at 7:00 pm CT
 
Examining Ways for Students to Understand Abstract Ideas
Online: LIVE Webinar, Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, at 7:00 pm CT
 
Using Data to Design Small Group Instruction
Online: LIVE Webinar, Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, at 7:00 pm CT
 
Adjusting Teaching for Different Types of Learning
Online: LIVE Webinar, Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, at 7:00 pm CT
Mentor Course Registration

EDU5908 Understanding, Supporting, and Facilitating a Professional Development Plan
(Prerequisite EDU5907)
2 Credits
Online
Jan. 31 – Mar. 14, 2022
 
EDU5906 Designing Effective Instruction
(Prerequisite EDU5901)
1 Credit       
Online
Feb. 21 – Apr. 11, 2022
WELS New Teacher Induction
Accelerating New Teacher Growth in Ministry
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Contact us today:

Phone: 507.354.8221