Example of an Exemplary Induction Program

In the coming weeks school districts will begin induction programs for new staff. There are a number of induction programs across the country that have been recognized for exemplary programming. One such program is the Quakertown (Pa.) New Teacher Academy, which was been highlighted by the National Staff Development Council (NSDC) in a 2002 Journal of Staff Development article. The academy includes unique features, such as a two week training period prior to school starting that involves workshops and even a bus tour of the district and community. Workshops during this period cover such topics as:

• understanding the district standards,
• positive classroom management,
  
• teaching with technology, and
  
• a principals panel.

The image below outlines the complete schedule of the two week training period.

(Image 1: New Teacher Academy, Year One, Beerer, 2002)

To learn more about the components of the New Teacher Academy visit the article by the NSDC: http://www.nsdc.org/library/publications/jsd/beerer234.cfm

Resources for New Teachers

New teachers across the state have begun making a home in communities and schools as they prepare to begin their careers as educators in the Fall. In addition, a large number of veteran teachers are relocating and establishing new homes, while become familiar with a new school. This offers a great opportunity for districts and cooperatives to assist teachers with the necessary resources to get settled and be ready for school to start in August. The Kansas Education Employment Board (KEEB) offers a number of resources that may be helpful for new educators to your community including links to such basic information as vehicle registration and driver's license registration. You can locate these links on the Kansas Resources page. In addition, many schools provide incoming teachers and staff with a list of realtors in the area, as well as information on utilities, banks, etc. Beyond your community resources, national and state assistance programs for teachers can be helpful to new staff. Bank of America offers mortgage assistance to teachers, which can prove helpful to beginning teachers in your district who are preparing to buy their first home. You can find more information on this program by clicking the link below.

Bank of America Mortgage Assistance Programs for Teachers

Teacher Flex: For school teachers, school administrators, librarians or health care professionals who lack established credit histories. Teacher Zero Down: For school teachers, school administrators, librarians or health care professionals who have a good established credit history but lack the funds to make a down payment. Click Here to Learn More About These Programs

As August fast approaches it is important to take some time and consider how new teachers are introduced to the community and the school district. While this information may be simple to provide, it can have a lasting first impression on the new teacher.

NEA Recruitment and Retention Strategies Guide

In 2003, the National Education Association, published the guide, Meet the Challenges of Recruitment and Retention. Although, now approaching 6 years old, this guide still offers a wealth of timely information for school personnel involved in the hiring and retention process. A number of examples of programs from schools across the country are provided and the guide concludes with a list of resources that may be helpful as you examine your recruitment and retention practices. Below is a brief description from NEA of the information on recruitment and retention in the guide:

• Recruitment Strategies -- discusses the importance of developing a comprehensive recruitment plan, and suggests ways to develop a strong marketing and outreach campaign and to improve the hiring process. This chapter also focuses on programs that provide nontraditional routes into the profession and provides examples of financial incentives being used across the country to recruit new teachers.
  
• Retention Strategies -- discusses the need to prepare teachers adequately and to nurture new teachers, and provides examples of programs that are addressing these needs. This chapter also focuses on ways in which schools can improve the working environment for teachers and looks at how financial incentives can be used as a retention tool.

To download the article, click on the following link: http://www.nea.org/teachershortage/images/rrg-full.pdf (PDF, 1.6 M, 79 pages)

Promoting Collegial Collaboration

Providing new and veteran teachers time to develop collegial collaboration is an essential part to any induction program or retention effort. Collaboration time can occur in a number of ways, such as grade level planning time, common prep periods, or periodic release time. New and veteran teachers can both benefit from these experiences, allowing veteran teachers to share successful classroom practices and new teachers an opportunity to share new instructional approaches they recently learned about in their teacher preparation programs.

One collaboration program that research has proven effective is the Critical Friends Group (CFG) developed by the Annenberg Institute for School Reform and the Harmony Education Center. CFG occurs when "Skilled facilitators/coaches help teachers and administrators create and/or sustain learning communities where they can develop shared norms and values, engage in reflective dialogue, give each other feedback on their work, and hold each other accountable" (National School Reform Faculty website). At the CFG website you can access a host of resources including the research behind the model, protocols for CFG dialogue, reflective dialogue training guides, and frequently asked questions. The CFG protocols provide step-by-step directions for a facilitator to follow as the learning community reflects on student work, classroom incidences, literature, and classroom visits. The protocols are free for anyone to access and use, along with support materials. The image below is an example of the protocols for the learning community to utilize related to learning from student work. The protocols assist the group in examining student work and having a reflective dialogue on student learning. If you are interested in using any of the resources from the Harmony Education Center visit the following links:

• Harmony Education Center: http://www.nsrfharmony.org/
• CFG Program Description: http://www.nsrfharmony.org/program.html
  
• Protocols: http://www.nsrfharmony.org/protocol/index.html
• Take a Look at How Other States Implement the Program: http://www.nsrfharmony.org/centers.html
  

2008-2009 Schedule of Career Fairs/Teacher Interview Days

It's not too early to begin thinking about your recruiting efforts for the next school year. We have compiled a list of career fair and interview events at Kansas universities in 2008 - 2009 that is now available on the Kansas Education Employment Board (KEEB). To view the schedule visit http://www.kansasteachingjobs.com/page_add.cfm?PID=6 and print the events or sign up for the Google Calendar Feed of events. In addition, just click on the location name to visit the universities career services website for information on registration. If you know of an event that should be added to the list please email the date, title, and location to support@kansasteachingjobs.com.

Predicting New Teacher Questions

As new hires are introduced to your school district or cooperative this summer they will have a numerous questions for their supervisor or mentor. The questions will range from where to locate supplies to how do I use the phones. Below is a list of questions that new teachers should have the answers to as they complete their first week or induction programs. This would be a good resource to include in your induction packets and verify that supervisors and mentors have the answers to these questions ahead of time.

Policies and Procedures for the Classroom

• What are the hours I have access to my classroom?
• What school rules and policies should I present to students?
• Is there a homework hotline or website I need to keep current?
• What resources are made available for students and parents on the internet?

Policies and Procedures for the School

• What is the procedure for students arrive at school?
• How do students leave at the end of the school day?
• Is there any kind of special event or assembly during the 1st week?
• What paperwork is required of me for the first day of school, attendance, and lunch?
• How are parents notified of suspension or detention and what are the policies for make-up work?
• What is the procedure for sending my students to the library and restroom?
• What is the bell or class schedule?

Obtaining Materials

• What is the procedure for requesting furniture items for my classroom (e.g. tables, chairs)?
• What is the procedure for requesting technology for my classroom?
• What is the procedure for obtaining consumable supplies (e.g. paper, printer ink, pencils, etc.)
• What is the procedure for obtaining textbooks and checking them out to students?
• What is the procedure for making copies of materials?
• What is the procedure for accessing student files?

Gaining Assistance

• Are classroom aides available and what is the procedure for obtaining their assistance?
• Who can help me with the technology in my classroom?
• How do I get assistance from the office for emergencies, illness or discipline problems?
• When should I consult with the principal?
• How do I refer students to the counselor and school nurse?
• What kinds of resources are available if I have a student who I believe has a learning or behavior problem?

These questions have been modified from The Scottsdale School District New Teacher Induction Program at http://www.susd.org/district/ProfessionalDevelopment/newteacher/mentorquestions.cfm

May Update

The month of May experienced a decline in visitors and applications submitted on the Kansas Education Employment Board (KEEB). Fewer jobs are currently open and many applicants have found positions for the 2008-2009 school year. The above data reflect the changes in just a month.