Once NTIP teachers (i.e. our new colleagues) are identified, they will complete their own NTIP Orientation and seek out mentorship. That's where you come in! In most cases, NTIP teachers ask a grade partner, a colleague in their school, or an educator they already know. We also have a Mentor Roster filled with experienced teachers who are comfortable with new teachers reaching out to them.

We encourage all NTIP teachers and mentors to create a web of support. This means they can have the traditional 1-to-1 mentoring model (with other colleagues they can connect with when needed), or another configuration of 2 new teachers and 1 mentor, 3 new teachers and 2 mentors, etc.

Any configuration of new teachers and mentors is called an NTIP Team.

This model will encourage new teachers to also support one another rather than simply rely on one mentor. We're hoping it builds a stronger sense of efficacy within new teachers and solidifies stronger bonds of trust among colleagues.

Consider yourself the coach of a Team – you learn and move forward together.

Simply put: provide guidance and support to your NTIP Team. This will look different depending on the context of your position, their position, your relationship, comfort levels, and a million other things. Ultimately, it’s about modelling effective teaching and navigating the profession.

You have no paperwork to complete, but here are some of the fundamental ways you can support your Team:

1. Communicate regularly. This can be done on a group email, setting up a Google Classroom or D2L, group chat, etc. Have a space just for your Team (physical or virtual) where you can share, discuss, vent, etc.

2. Provide suggestions and essential info. For example, new teachers in your Team have a Strategy Form to fill out - they will brainstorm the areas of their practice where they feel they need improvement. It also requires them to discover strategies to help them better their practice. This is where you come in! You can provide them resources, ideas, etc., but more importantly, you coach them through asking powerful questions and engaging in rich conversation - help them help themselves!

3. Constructively reflect alongside your Team. We're always engaged in the learning process, but you have the benefit of more experience in the classroom. That can be very helpful, but by modelling deep self-reflection, you "teach a new teacher to fish" instead of doing the work for them.

What's most important is that you provide a space and time for open communication.

Fostering a trusting relationship is the key to mentoring.

The norms around how and when you meet and talk is up to you both - find a routine that works for you. If you're not in the same building as all your Team members, never underestimate the power of the occasional email to check in on someone.

Release time will be offered, but the logistics will look different this year depending on the different teaching positions of your NTIP Team. When available, more information will be posted on the NTIP Teams & Release Time page of this website (if you cannot see that page, it's because it's under construction and will be up asap).

Monthly emails will be sent to all mentors. It will contain further learning about effective mentoring gleamed from various resources.

You can review our 3 module, self-guided series called Mentoring 101 Online.

You can also email the NTIP Consultant to borrow books on mentoring, such as When Mentoring Meets Coaching and Mentoring Matters.

We also have a Google Drive folder of a growing number of smaller resources to help you in various topics such as:

• How to assist NTIP teachers in completing their Strategy Form

• What "stances" or roles to take based on your beginning teachers' experiences

• Assistance in question phrasing and goal setting

If you have suggestions for additional mentoring resources, please send them to the NTIP Consultant! We're always looking for more ideas and resources.

Every new teacher must complete this form throughout their time in NTIP. Their mentor(s) and principal will make recommendations and provide support along the way to complete their goals.

Each year, every teacher must complete an Annual Learning Plan (ALP). While in NTIP, the Strategy Form serves as their ALP.

You are not required to add to or sign anyone's Strategy Form. You're role is to provide suggestions and support.

At the end of an NTIP teacher's LTO assignment or TPA process, the form is signed by their Principal. This means that the form must be a point of conversation between an NTIP teacher and their Principal before the end of the teaching assignment/year. A little, friendly reminder from a mentor could also help them on that path :)

For more information about the Strategy Form, including assistance with filling out the form, click here.