New Teacher Mentor (Van Jr. Sr. High School)

BOONE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Teacher Mentor for Ronald Hatfield (High School Science)

Position Overview

The Teacher Mentor will provide support, guidance, coaching, and practical assistance to newly hired and/or beginning Boone County Schools teachers as they transition into their teaching assignment. The mentor will serve as a professional resource to assist the assigned teacher in developing effective instructional practices, understanding school and district expectations, managing classroom responsibilities, and successfully transitioning into the profession and Boone County Schools.

The Teacher Mentor program will be implemented consistent with applicable West Virginia Code, West Virginia Department of Education guidance, and Boone County Schools procedures regarding teacher mentoring and support.

Qualifications

The Teacher Mentor must:

• Be a current Boone County Schools teacher.
• Have a minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching experience, consistent with the experience level encouraged by West Virginia Department of Education mentoring guidance.
• Hold a valid West Virginia teaching certificate appropriate for the position and/or assignment.
• Demonstrate superior performance and competence as an educator.
• Have a record of successful performance evaluations and effective classroom performance.
• Demonstrate strong knowledge of curriculum, instruction, assessment, classroom management, student engagement, and effective teaching and learning practices.
• Demonstrate the ability to analyze and use student achievement data to guide instructional decision-making.
• Demonstrate effective teacher leadership, communication, collaboration, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Possess strong interpersonal and listening skills and the ability to engage teachers in professional and reflective conversations.
• Demonstrate the ability to build and maintain positive professional relationships with students, staff, families, administrators, and the school community.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide constructive feedback while maintaining a supportive and professional mentoring relationship.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding students, personnel, evaluations, and other sensitive school matters.
• Be recommended and/or approved by the building principal or appropriate district administrator.

Selection and Priority

Teacher Mentors will be selected based upon their demonstrated superior performance and competence, professional experience, instructional effectiveness, leadership abilities, and ability to provide meaningful support to another teacher.

When a mentor is being selected to provide mentoring services to an individual teacher assigned to one school, qualified applicants who are employed at that school will be given priority in accordance with applicable provisions of W. Va. Code §18A-3C-3.

If an appropriate mentor is not available within the school, Boone County Schools may select another qualified mentor in accordance with applicable law, policy, and district procedures.

Responsibilities

The Teacher Mentor will:

• Meet regularly with the assigned teacher throughout the semester to provide guidance, answer questions, identify areas of need, and discuss instructional and professional responsibilities.
• Provide meaningful, ongoing mentoring and professional support throughout the semester.
• Assist the teacher in understanding Boone County Schools policies, procedures, programs, expectations, and professional responsibilities.
• Serve as a resource for questions related to:
  • Curriculum and instructional planning.
  • Lesson design and delivery.
  • Classroom management and student behavior.
  • Student engagement.
  • Assessment and student achievement data.
  • Differentiated instruction and student support.
  • Parent and family communication.
  • Recordkeeping and documentation.
  • School procedures and daily operations.
  • Professional responsibilities and expectations.
  • Employee evaluation procedures.
  • Other instructional or professional matters.
• Share successful instructional strategies, resources, materials, organizational practices, and best practices.
• Assist the teacher in developing effective classroom routines, procedures, behavior-management strategies, and organizational systems.
• Provide opportunities for professional collaboration and, when appropriate, classroom observations, modeling, and job-shadowing experiences.
• Assist the teacher in analyzing student achievement and assessment data and using that information to make appropriate instructional decisions.
• Provide guidance regarding lesson planning, instructional pacing, curriculum standards, assessment practices, and student intervention.
• Help the teacher understand the expectations associated with the West Virginia educator evaluation process and Boone County Schools procedures.
• Encourage the teacher to engage in reflective professional practice and assist the teacher in identifying strengths and areas for continued professional growth.
• Provide encouragement, constructive feedback, and professional support throughout the mentoring assignment.
• Maintain regular communication with the assigned teacher and remain reasonably available to assist with questions or concerns.
• Promote effective communication and professional relationships with administrators, colleagues, students, and families.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding information obtained through the mentoring relationship, except when disclosure is required by law, policy, or the employee's professional responsibilities.
• Perform other mentoring responsibilities related to the successful development and transition of the assigned teacher as directed by the building principal, Superintendent, or designee.

Mentor Relationship

The mentoring relationship is intended to provide professional development, support, guidance, and assistance to the assigned teacher. The mentor should create an environment in which the teacher can ask questions, discuss challenges, reflect upon instructional practices, and receive constructive professional feedback.

The mentor is expected to model effective professional practices and assist the assigned teacher in developing the knowledge, skills, organization, and confidence necessary for successful teaching.

Compensation

$300 per semester

Compensation will be paid for each semester in which the employee is officially assigned as a Teacher Mentor and satisfactorily completes the required mentoring responsibilities.

Length of Assignment

The Teacher Mentor assignment will be made on a semester basis and will be supplemental to the employee's regular contractual duties.

A mentor may be assigned for additional semesters when continued mentoring is determined appropriate by Boone County Schools.

Evaluation of Assignment

Successful completion of the Teacher Mentor assignment will be based upon fulfillment of the mentoring responsibilities, including:

• Regular communication with the assigned teacher.
• Meaningful professional mentoring and support.
• Professional collaboration and guidance.
• Assistance with instructional and classroom-management responsibilities.
• Constructive feedback and reflective professional conversations.
• Compliance with applicable Boone County Schools procedures and West Virginia requirements governing teacher mentoring.

Authority

This position is intended to operate in accordance with applicable provisions of W. Va. Code §18A-3C-3, West Virginia Department of Education guidance concerning educator development and support programs, and applicable Boone County Schools policies and procedures.