Teacher Induction
The Teacher Assistance Program (TAP) provides peer mentor services in compliance with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 28A.415.250 and 260.
Mentor Teachers
While it can be helpful to a beginning teacher to have a mentor in the same building and in a similar (grade-level or subject area) assignment, the most critical attributes of mentors include:
• Exemplary teachers
• Articulate about effective instruction
• Good with adult learners
• Knowledgeable about and supportive of education reform in Washington state
Beginning Teachers
A beginning teacher shall mean a certificated teacher, vocational teacher, or educational staff associate (ESA) with fewer than 90 consecutive school days of teaching experience in either a public or private school in any grade, K-12, and who is employed by the district for 90 consecutive school days or more to serve primarily as a classroom teacher, vocational teacher, or ESA.
ESD 105 Training Opportunity
Educational Service District 105 provides training to the mentor/teacher teams at the beginning of each school year. District registration information is generally distributed in August. The training consists of the following instruction:
Mentors receive 6 hours of mentor training, which involves:
• A needs assessment to provide a starting point for skill development as a mentor
• Familiarity with mentor responsibilities and OSPI requirements
• Successful mentoring strategies
• Observation and feedback
• Collegial coaching
The mentor and the beginning teacher team receive approximately 10-12 hours of training, which involves:
• A needs assessment that both team members will complete to provide a starting point for their focus on professional development
• Update on Washington Education Reform
• Skill building: working on different classroom delivery systems for instruction, as well as classroom management techniques and assessment tools
• Team planning time
• Opportunity to network with teams from other schools to exchange ideas, common challenges
Funding allocated to districts is based upon the number of beginning teachers. Funds may be accessed through the iGrants application process on the OSPI homepage.
Contact Information
Please contact Robin Granger or Ian Grabenhorst at 509-575-2885 for more information on the ESD 105 training program.
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction provides further details on this program. For more information please see OSPI's Teacher Assistance Program page.
