Educator Induction

FCPS RISE (Responsive, Impactful Support for Educators) Induction Experience is a comprehensive educator induction program. This program helps develop a workforce of effective educators that reach, challenge, and prepare students in our school system. This professional growth model supports new educators through interactions with trained Instructional Mentors, specifically designed coursework, and opportunities to work in Professional Learning Communities.

NEW HIRE SYMPOSIUM 2025

New Hire Symposium is an annual on-boarding conference for new hires. New Hire Symposium 2025 will be held on August 4, 5, 6 and 7 at Tuscarora High School. Topics at this conference include building familiarity with curriculum standards at the appropriate grade level and content area, developing a strong start to the school year, and meeting the needs of diverse student populations. These professional learning sessions are designed to prepare all new FCPS educators for a successful year. In addition to these professional learning opportunities, new hires will also meet with their School-Based Instructional Mentor (or designee) to learn about their school community, work closely with RISE Instructional Mentors to explore the curriculum and develop lesson plans, and pedagogical strategies and begin to prepare their classrooms. Throughout New Hire Symposium, participants build relationships with other new hires, Instructional Mentors and curriculum specialists, which sets them on a path for instructional success in FCPS!

RISE INSTRUCTIONAL MENTORS

RISE INSTRUCTIONAL MENTORS (YEAR 1)

New hires have the opportunity to work with a RISE Instructional Mentor for two full days during New Hire Symposium. Throughout the year, the RISE Instructional Mentor serves as a point of contact and continued support regarding content and curricular questions. New hires who enroll in RISE and Thrive have additional monthly face-to-face meetings with their RISE Instructional Mentor as part of the course.

RISE INSTRUCTIONAL MENTORS (YEAR 3)

Third year educators benefit from RISE Instructional Mentor support through five Networking sessions. RISE Instructional Mentors facilitate Professional Learning Community sessions where participants engage in planning, collaboration, and problem-solving lensed through Charlotte Danielson's Framework for Teaching and build their professional network with grade-level / content-like colleagues across FCPS.

SCHOOL-BASED INSTRUCTIONAL MENTORS

Mentoring is a critical component of the RISE Induction Experience. A School-Based Instructional Mentor is an experienced educator who provides ongoing, job-embedded support to teachers within a school setting. Their primary role is to enhance instructional practices, promote professional growth, and improve student learning outcomes. They collaborate with teachers through coaching cycles, modeling lessons, facilitating reflective dialogue, and offering constructive feedback. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, instructional mentors help build teacher capacity, support the implementation of school-wide initiatives, and contribute to a positive, data-informed teaching and learning environment. They receive training in cognitive coaching and collaborative conversations, understanding the Framework for Teaching and how to connect it to their work with new hires, and how to use evidence-informed resources like Teaching WalkThrus. Mentors use this training to move new hire educator effectiveness and practice forward.

SPECIAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTIONAL MENTORS

Special Education Instructional Mentors provide support and encouragement to new hires through recurring in-person and synchronous check-ins (weekly/monthly). Many of the Special Education Instructional Mentors support new hires in more than one school, grouped by either geographical area or program. Special Education Instructional Mentors focus on supporting new hires with compliance paperwork and providing specially designed instruction, both of which are unique to the special educator role. Special Education Instructional Mentor support supplements, not replaces, the support special education new hires already receive from their School-Based Instructional Mentor.

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