MINT MENTORING AND INDUCTION FOR NEW TEACHERS Miami

MINT MENTORING AND INDUCTION FOR NEW TEACHERS Miami Dade County Public Schools Office of Professional Development and Evaluation

Vision To ensure that all new M-DCPS teachers are provided with the necessary support to develop into accomplished educators and remain in the profession.

MINT Overview • Board-approved comprehensive three year induction program • Builds capacity within schools to support and retain new teachers through jobembedded professional development (MINT Mentors and NEST sessions) • Creates a circle of support for new teachers that involves schools, region, and district

Program Components • New Teacher Orientation • Mentoring and Mentor Support • NEST sessions : New Educator Support Teams Professional Learning Communities • MINT Core Learning Courses • MINT In-class Observations and Learning Walks • Online PLCs via Adobe Connect (webinars) • IPEGS DPGT

MINT New Teacher Tracks and Support

Mentoring • Site-based mentor assigned by principal to teachers new to the profession ($500 stipend for each teacher mentored) • Buddy teacher assigned by principal to new teachers with fewer than three years of teaching experience

MINT Learning Walks and In-class Teacher Observations • New teachers receive two substitute days to observe mentors and/or conduct learning walks with their MINT Mentor • Mentors receive two substitute days to observe mentee(s) • OPDE will provide funding for substitute coverage for MINT mentors and mentees to conduct MINT in-class observations and Learning Walks

MINT Core Learning Courses Education and Non-Ed Majors MINT Core Learning Courses* • All “new to the profession” teachers are required to take five MINT core learning classes in the first two years of MINT. Three of the five should be taken in their first year. Courses include the following topics: • MINT Classroom Management • MINT Differentiated Instruction • MINT Technology Integration • MINT Assessment • MINT Strategies to Engage Students • MINT Approved Courses (Content area courses, Beacon Online Courses (6 mpp) *Three of the five core courses must be taken throughout the first year

AP 3 Alternative Professional Preparation Program • District-developed and state approved program which allows teachers from non-education backgrounds to meet state certification requirements to be eligible for a professional certificate • Available to all full-time teachers at no cost • Taken in lieu of college courses • Offered after hours and on Saturdays

N. E. S. T New Educator Support Teams Professional Learning Communities for New Teachers Provide opportunities for new and early career teachers to network and engage in conversation to reflect on best practices and improve instruction. • Spearheaded by MINT Certified Mentors • Training to facilitate NEST sessions to resume in February 2016 • Held monthly at schools with large numbers of new and early career teachers • Follow-up to MINT core learning courses with a focus on classroom management, Differentiated Instruction, Goal setting, Rigor and relevance and Instructional Planning • Participation is voluntary

MINT Principal Responsibilities • Select and assign qualified mentors to each eligible new teacher • Facilitate mentor/mentee in-class observations and Learning Walks • Meet regularly with new teachers • Monitor the support provided to new teachers

Recommended Mentor Schedule Recommended MINT Mentor Schedule MONTH NUMBER OF HOURS PER MONTH August 6 -8 September 6 -8 October 6 -8 November 4 -6 December 4 -6 January 4 -6 February 2 -4 March 1 -3 April 1 -3 May 1 -3

Mentor Responsibilities • Provide curriculum resources such as lesson plans, instructional materials, literature, web resources, etc. • Assist the new teachers in analyzing data and student work in order to improve instruction • Observe mentee during two subject blocks or two teaching periods to conduct informal, nonevaluative observation of new teacher and provide feedback • Attend MINT professional development • Participate in mentor support sessions via Adobe Connect

Mentor Compensation • $500 for each new teacher mentored (maximum of two new teachers) • Disbursed at the conclusion of the school year • New teacher support must be documented on the MINT Mentor E-Log

Mentor Selection Criteria • Teachers who have: credibility with colleagues; strong interpersonal skills; deep understanding of content knowledge; evidence of outstanding instructional practice; experience working with adult learners; and commitment to ongoing learning.

Questions For additional information, contact: Cindy Caldwell, Instructional Supervisor New and Early Career Teacher program 305 -995 -7421 cincaldwell@dadeschools. net