Teacher Induction Mentors

FOR TEACHER INDUCTION CONSORTIUM AND DESIGNATED SUBJECTS CLEAR CREDENTIAL CANDIDATES

Each Ventura County Induction Consortium candidate is assigned an experienced mentor teacher, by the candidate's employing school district within 30 days of candidate's admission. In general, a mentor should hold the same credential authorization as the program candidate.

The role of a mentor is one of mentor and guide—not evaluator. The success of the relationship between the candidate and mentor is built upon trust, confidentiality, and a commitment to the goals of the Induction Program. This relationship is the key to a successful beginning and the fostering of professional relationships that will last throughout the candidate’s career.

Educator Support and Effectiveness provides ongoing New Mentor, Returning Mentor, and Veteran Mentor training sessions to guide mentors in working with newly credentialed teachers.

Qualifications, Selection, and Training of Mentors (Induction Standard 4)

Qualifications for mentors must include but are not limited to:

• Knowledge of the context and the content area of the candidate's teaching assignment
• Demonstrated commitment to professional learning and collaboration
• Possession of a Clear Teaching Credential
• Ability, willingness, and flexibility to meet candidate needs for support
• Minimum of three (3) years of effective teaching experience

Guidance and clear expectations for the mentoring experience provided by the program must include but are not limited to:

• Providing "just in time" support for candidates, in accordance with the ILP, along with longer-term guidance to promote enduring professional skills
• Facilitation of candidate growth and development through modeling, guided reflection on practice, and feedback on classroom instruction
• Connecting candidates with available resources to support their professional growth and accomplishment of the ILP
• Periodically reviewing the ILP with candidates and making adjustments as needed

The program must provide ongoing training and support for mentors that includes but is not limited to:

• Coaching and mentoring
• Goal setting
• Use of appropriate mentoring instruments
• Best practices in adult learning
• Support for individual mentoring challenges, reflection on mentoring practice, and opportunities to engage with mentoring peers in professional learning networks
• Program processes designed to support candidate growth and effectiveness

ESE Mentor Responsibilities

There are three models of support for candidates within the Ventura County Induction Consortium:

• A teacher who is released from full-time classroom teaching duties
• An experienced teacher at the school site or with the district
• A contract employee (e.g., a retired teacher)

The mentor will

• Support the candidate through learning-focused conversations;
• Make regular contact with the candidate (an average of 1 hour per week for Ventura County Induction Consortium candidates and 2 hours per month for DSC candidates);
• Coordinate a system of support;
• Provide "just in time" support;
• Support long-term analysis of the candidate's teaching practice;
• Conduct observations and data analysis, as required;
• Attend all Mentor Trainings as required;
• Submit a completed and signed Mentor Log once each semester by the required due date;
• Complete an annual Program Survey;
• Maintain candidate program confidentiality. (Classroom observations, ILPs, and conversations between the mentor and candidate are confidential and shared only with the approval of the candidate; program information and documentation cannot be used for evaluation of personnel.)

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