Springfield School District #186 - Springfield (FY 07)

Grantee: Springfield School District #186
Location: Springfield, IL
Name: Building a Community of Support for New Teachers
Partners: Springfield School District, Consortium for Educational Change (CEC)

History and Overview:

• The program will draw on research from the New Teacher Center and the work of Charlotte Danielson.

• 25% of Springfield's teachers are novice. A survey of teachers in years 3-7 demonstrated mentoring as a high priority for teachers.

• The design is based on the concept of a community of learners , which places an emphasis on removing hierarchy and allowing all participants (students, parents, teachers, and administrators) to contribute and learn from one another.

• There is a focus on acquisition of Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and alignment of all program activities with those standards.

• Day-to-day management will be handled by a New Teacher Leadership Team that meets every other week and includes a Mentor Coordinator, a Mentor Specialist, and a representative from the teachers' union.

Program Design:

• Three lead mentors will be released part time to advise 50 new teachers and their building mentors.

• One-to-one building mentors will be hired for each new teacher, with most of their interaction taking place outside of the school day.

• Lead Mentors are required to be tenured and have at least 5 years successful teaching experience in Springfield. Preference given to those with specific training. Building mentors are required to hold a Standard Certificate and have the recommendation from their principal.

• 12 full days of professional development is required for the District Mentor/Professional Development Coordinator and the three Lead Mentors at quarterly 3-day sessions held in conjunction with mentors from 2 other districts. The professional development will educate mentors regarding the assessment tools, coaching and observation strategies, analysis of student work, and effective staff development.

• Four full days of professional development is required for the Building Mentors: one in-district training and three CEC training sessions.

• Lead Mentors meet with Mentor Specialists every other week for 1/2 day for ongoing support.

• Lead Mentors observe and provide feedback to teachers 2 times per year. Building mentors observe and provide feedback to teachers at least 1 time per year.

• School administrators will learn strategies for how to support the model during their regularly scheduled professional development.

• CEC's website will allow mentors to network, via the web, with mentors from across the state.

• Teachers receive 1.5 – 2.5 hours of individual support from lead mentors each month and 2-3 hours of individual support from building mentors each month.

• Teachers will meet weekly during the first semester and once a month second semester in small study groups around the issues of classroom management, instruction and motivation using the Fred Jones' Tools for Teaching program. In addition, new teachers will receive training four times a year in curriculum and instruction.

• Lead Mentors will meet with building mentors at least once a month to provide support.

• Teachers will be networked via an interactive website, e-mail, on-line chat, and listservs.

• The program stresses confidentiality between teachers and their mentors.

Program Goals:

• Three Lead Mentors and 50 building mentors will increase their ability to provide intensive mentoring to first-year teachers

• 50 teachers will increase their ability to provide quality instruction

• 80% of first year teachers participating in the program will be retained

• Establish systems of assessment and communication by August 7, 2007 to provide support

Program Evaluation:

• A central data bank will be established to house all information related to the program.

• Teacher-Mentor collaborative logs will be completed on a regular basis.

• Data will include:

- Attendance records

- Pre and Post surveys

- Focus groups

- Peer observation

- Assessment logs

Key Contact:

Adrianne Ostermeier
217-525-3330
also@springfield.k12.il.us