DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O.
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 6
August 22, 2008
REGULATORY
|
TO: |
Division
Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Billy K.
Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent
of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Grants for Mentors
for Teachers in Career Switcher Programs |
Section 22.1-303 of the Code of Virginia requires that school
boards shall provide each probationary teacher, except probationary teachers
who have prior successful teaching experience, as determined by the local
school board in a school division, a mentor teacher, as described by Board
guidelines developed pursuant to Section 22.1-305.1,
during the first year of the probationary period, to assist such probationary
teacher in achieving excellence in instruction.... The Licensure Regulations for School Personnel
require that individuals preparing to become teachers and who are completing
Level II of a Career Switcher Program must complete one year of successful,
full-time teaching experience in a Virginia public or accredited nonpublic
school under a one-year Provisional License. A trained mentor must be assigned
to assist the candidate during the first year of employment. The Board of
Education guidelines for mentor teacher programs may be accessed at the
following website: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/newvdoe/legislat.PDF.
Responsibilities of the mentor for career switchers include, but are not
limited to, the following:
1.
Collaborate
with the beginning teacher in the development and implementation of an
individualized professional development plan;
2.
Observe,
assess, coach, and provide opportunities for constructive feedback, including
strategies for self-reflection;
3.
Share
resources and materials;
4.
Share
best instructional, assessment, and organizational practices; classroom and
behavior management strategies; and techniques for promoting effective
communication; and
5.
Provide
general support and direction regarding school policies and procedures.
Funding has
been appropriated by the General Assembly for the 2008-09 year to provide
grants to school divisions that employ mentor teachers for new teachers
entering the profession through Career Switcher Programs. In the past, some career switchers were
provided a mentor by the program provider; however, this year grants will be
provided to school divisions to support mentors, subject to available state
funding. Please advise your financial
officers of this information.
School
divisions, therefore, will need to assign a trained mentor to teachers in
Career Switcher Programs at the beginning of the school year. During Level II
of the program when the career switcher is teaching and completing seminars, I
encourage you to continue your partnerships with the Career Switcher Programs
to support these new teachers.
The Career
Switcher Program providers will be requested to provide a list of those individuals
who are enrolled in Level II of the program.
School divisions also will be requested to report all first-year
teachers hired who hold an Eligibility license or Provisional Career Switcher
license. After this information is
verified, grant awards will be issued to school divisions. Teachers whose mentors are supported with
these Career Switcher funds should not be included when requesting mentor funds
through other state mentor funds.
If you have
any questions, please contact Mr. Gregory Pels, career switcher program
coordinator at (804) 682-0172, or e‑mail: gregory.pels@doe.virginia.gov,
or Dr. James Lanham, director of teacher licensure, at (804) 371-2471, or e‑mail:
james.lanham@doe.virginia.gov.
BKCJr/psp