CUSD Induction Program Overview
The Cupertino Union School District two year Induction Program strives to prepare Candidates to meet the learning needs of their diverse student population. Through their work with Mentors, Candidates reflect upon their teaching and their students’ learning in order to identify and implement best teaching practices that result in appropriately challenging students to meet their full potential. They hone their pedagogical skills and provide their students with universal access to learning opportunities in an atmosphere that values diversity and respect for all cultures and individual differences.
This work is completed in collaboration with either a Site or District Mentor. Site Mentors are full time teachers, ideally at the Candidate’s school site. They may support up to three Candidates. District Mentors are fully released CUSD Instructional Coaches or TOSAs.
Mentors and Candidates meet regularly to document Candidate progress and professional growth. Reflective coaching conversations may focus on class data, including pre-assessments, in order to strategically plan lessons that are observed by a non-evaluative Mentor. Student work generated from these lessons is analyzed and next steps are identified so that all students can learn and succeed. The intent is that this Plan-Teach-Reflect cycle will become a habit of mind that Candidates continue to utilize as they become more experienced teachers through the years. Candidates also take part in an in-depth cycle of lesson analysis and reflection upon teaching practice during the spring.
Candidates and Mentors self-assess on a continuum, set goals, review their goals mid-year, and reflect on their progress at the end of the year. Candidates’ goals pertain to teaching; Mentors’ goals pertain to mentoring.
District Mentors periodically review Candidates’ work throughout the school year and compare it to a rubric in order to determine whether Candidates’ skills are at the stage of emerging, applying, integrating, or innovating. First-year Candidates are expected to achieve the “applying” stage or higher in all four sections of the rubric and then demonstrate further growth during their second year of Induction. Once all requirements have been met, second-year Candidates are recommended for a Clear Credential.