NYS Teachers Center Course Catalog

Mentoring

Oceanside has a unique program; TAPS = Tenure Attainment Program

We support teachers for the entire length of their tenure review process and beyond. The TAPS program includes New Teacher Orientation, TAPS 1: A one-to-one mentor experience, TAPS 2-3: On-going small group support in TEAMS, and TAPS 4: Preparation for the presentation of an electronic TENURE PORTFOLIO.

Interested MENTOR CANDIDATES must complete a series of professional development experiences. Contact the OPLC for further information and/or see below:

TAPS 1-4 Probationary Teachers

Mentor Academy for TA's and Permanent Subs

Oceanside School District

Oceanside, New York

New Teacher Tenure Attainment Plan & Mentoring Continuum

Philosophy Statement:

At the core of the Oceanside School District's philosophy are essential beliefs that drive our school culture and commitment to excellence. One of these beliefs is that professional learning is the cornerstone of the growth and development of our faculty and staff. Another belief is that we must continue to strive for continuous improvement. Finally, we believe that it is essential to provide our newest teachers with a quality mentoring experience to support their ability to assist students to achieve success in their classrooms. Therefore, all resident teachers (full-year regular subs and probationary teachers) will participate in the 'Teaching Channel Mentoring Program.'

Towards this end, our district has developed a mentoring program that will guide our resident teachers through their four year probationary period. In this program resident teachers and their assigned mentors will use the Teaching Channel as a resource and a virtual forum for the support of their professional growth, in addition to attending four in-person meetings that will provide helpful support and the opportunity to develop a personal connection between mentor and resident teacher. In this program, the primary role of the mentor is to provide support, which is always confidential and which will never be used to evaluate the resident teacher.

Our ultimate vision for this program is to promote the use of the Teaching Channel as a resource for teachers beyond their resident years. We will accomplish this goal by encouraging the formation of Teach Teams by tenured teachers in which they will reflect on their own practice as well as learn from their colleagues. Your participation in this program is a critical part of supporting your professional growth during your resident years, but will also support the development of a program that we believe will be a tremendous support to professional learning and development for years to come.