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Mentoring PDI
| Oklahoma Mentoring Program Development and Implementation |
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| Purpose/Mission: |
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| The Oklahoma Mentoring Network (OMN) is currently expanding on Oklahoma's residence program for beginning teachers by developing and piloting a high quality, two-year mentoring program that is consistent, replicable, and sustainable throughout the state of Oklahoma. Elements of the mentoring program include enhancing the capacity of mentors to coach the beginning teacher, creating high-functioning learning communities, developing beginning teachers into high-quality professionals who improve student learning, and delivering professional development that sustains and supports all members of the Residency Committee for a minimum of two years. Innovations of this model include a partnership of universities, a state agency, and a teacher organization as well as an enhancement of the existing strengths of our Residency Program. The 2007-2008 school year was the first year of this two-year program. |
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| Tools for Coaching: |
| The OMN trains mentors in coaching skills so they can shine a spotlight on data, the classroom environment, and teacher-student interactions as a means of supporting early-career teachers in self-directed learning. The model has a similar underlying philosophy as the National Board Certification process: the mentor encourages the beginning teacher to reflect on what happens in the classroom to improve student learning. The ultimate goal is for the beginning teacher to become a fully-functioning member of the entire learning community, contributing to school initiatives and impacting student learning beyond the teacher's immediate classroom. |
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General Information about OMN: |
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The OMN is a project of the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation, Oklahoma Education Association, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, a residency committee previously has been in place, but the professional development wasn't available to assist mentors and leadership teams in honing the skills needed to assist new teachers. Thus, Oklahoma's Mentor Network provides critical support that can help new teachers be successful in the classroom.
Oklahoma's mentoring program is focused on improving student achievement through innovative methods, such as the development of an assessment that links a beginning teacher's overall development to student behaviors and learning. Investments in new teachers have a great impact on the quality of students' learning. Mentoring programs that enhance the capacity of new teachers increase student achievement. Components of the Oklahoma mentoring program include:
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- Beginning Teacher Performance Standards
- A two-year mentoring program
- Training for mentors, principals, beginning teachers, higher education, and school-based leadership teams
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| School districts involved since 2007: Geary, Maysville, Newcastle, North Rock Creek, Purcell, Putnam City, Shawnee, South Rock Creek, Wayne, Westville, and Whitebead. School districts involved since 2008: Ardmore, Byng, Lawton, Mid-Del, and Sulphur. |
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| Year Two |
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| While the first year of the OMN focuses on beginning teacher and mentor relationships, the second year expands the impact to the school's entire learning community. The second-year process includes: Training of Trainers; Leadership Team Development and Professional Development for Leadership Teams. |
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Contact Dr. Teena Nations for more information.
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