Induction Mentor
Role & Responsibilities

The Teacher-Mentor Partnership

The foundation of the AUSHD Induction Program is the Teacher-Mentor partnership. Mentors are selected based upon their exemplary instructional practices and leadership qualities. Mentors are trained to provide teachers supportive instructional coaching based upon an inquiry model. Teachers are empowered to be reflective and responsive practitioners to ensure the learning of all their students.

The Coordinator of Induction will match Mentors with Candidates before the program orientation. Ideally, Candidates are paired with a subject alike Mentor. However, the key priority is to match a Candidate with a qualified and trained Instructional Coach. The Induction Coordinator personally meets with Candidates by the end of September to ensure a good partnership is in place. AUSHD has a formal grievance process for Candidates that is outlined on the Policies & Procedures page of the website and pg. 17 of this handbook.  Additionally, Candidates are surveyed at the end of each semester in order to make sure their Mentor is providing them with the best possible professional support.

Participating teachers (PTs) and Mentors decide upon a mutually agreed time and place to meet weekly for an hour. Preferably the weekly meetings take place in the teacher’s classroom. If necessary, Mentors also provide and connect teachers with subject-like department colleagues. All AUHSD educators attend weekly Friday morning collaborative meetings (7:30 am to 8:15 am) to design curriculum and assessments for specific courses. If a Mentor is supporting a teacher, who needs specific subject and/or course support, these weekly Friday meetings are integrated into the overall PT’s Induction support plan.

The work between Mentors and PTs is confidential and is not shared with District or site administration for evaluation purposes.

Mentor Qualifications

To qualify as an Induction Mentor teachers must fulfill the criteria below.

• Credentialing: Hold a valid California Clear Teaching Credential.

• Experience: Have at least three years of teaching experience at the middle or secondary school level.

• Competency: Demonstrate the five essential educator competencies as defined by the AUHSD (detailed on the Induction website homepage).

• Endorsement: Obtain a formal recommendation from a site administrator.

• Application: Submit a completed Mentor Application/Interest Form.

Mentors are required to sign the Induction Mentor Agreement Form that outlines their professional responsibilities. 

Mentor Training

Mentors receive training in effective mentoring and coaching skills that reflect best practices of adult learning theory and collaborative communication. Mentor training takes place throughout the school year at the District Office. Mentorship training is differentiated, offering a more intensive training to new Mentors.

Mentors learn to foster the professional development of their PT through the processes of inquiry and reflection. Mentors provide targeted support to PTs, focusing on the development of essential instructional skills: crafting differentiated lesson plans and assessments to serve diverse learners, and establishing a classroom culture that prioritizes equity.