Initial Educator & Mentor Training

Initial Educator training

The CESA 7 Initial Educator program is a series of coordinated and aligned supports designed to provide new teachers with a pathway into the profession (GTL 2018). This induction program is distinct from pre-service and in-service professional development programs in its support for mentors and beginning teachers to engage in work that explores equitable student learning and classroom practice to meet student needs. It further supports the analysis of student learning, a complete observation cycle (pre-conference, observation and post-conference), building responsive, standards-based lessons. 

Training is designed to Support for teachers new to schools and districts and new to the field is an important element of a district's talent attraction, development and retention strategy. Through standards-focused, ongoing professional development teachers will consider elements of quality instructional practices to inform decisions that facilitate student learning outcomes.

Districts are required to keep records locally demonstrating that their teacher orientation program is ongoing (professional development beyond an initial orientation event). The CESA 7 Initial Educators program ensures that districts meet this requirement to support beginning teacher in their development of effective practices through:

• Content focus: focused on the content that teachers teach 

• Active learning: addresses how teachers learn

• Collaboration: learning within professional communities 

• Modeling: observation of other teachers and effective practice 

• Coaching: practice-related feedback 

• Reflection: opportunities to think about and make changes to practice 

MEntor Training

The completion of this one day, facilitated training curriculum qualifies teacher mentors to provide induction support to new-to profession and new-to-district teachers as required in Wis. Administrative Code sec. PI 34. 

Training provides mentors with the knowledge, skills and dispositions required for them to be successful in their role. Additionally, the training is aligned to DPI Mentoring Essentials training outcomes: 

• Understanding the role of a mentor, and the elements of a successful mentoring relationship.

• Understanding why quality mentoring and induction supports beginning teacher support teacher development and retention 

• Identify, plan for and practice skills needed to assess beginning teacher needs, provide feedback, and plan for timely support

• Identify key mentor supports related to the Educator Effectiveness System

Funding Sources 

Funding sources for this work can come from 

• Learning Services Contracted Customizable Days

• Local Funds

• Some professional development opportunities are offered to CESA 7 districts at no cost through a partnership with WI DPI