Principal’s Corner by Johanna Thomas

Supporting new teachers is a critical piece in the educational process.  In the Albert Lea school district, all new teachers to the district participate in the teacher mentor program. New teachers to the district, whether new to teaching or with teaching experience, are mentored by a teacher within their grade level or specialty area. The mentor teachers are dedicated to assisting their mentee with a successful year of teaching in their first year and beyond. The program begins with three days of orientation before school begins.

These days are filled with several activities to orient the new employee to the district and Albert Lea community. Much of the focused work with the mentor and mentee is structured around classroom set up and preparing for the first weeks of school with students. After the first several weeks of school, the elementary instructional coaches and new elementary teachers spend two evenings in well-designed time working on instructional practices, classroom management as well as preparing for upcoming events, such as leading successful parent/student conferences.

During this time of year, new teachers spend a day observing a classroom in another elementary building to continue to gain exposure in effective instructional practices. Throughout the year, the mentor and mentee continue to meet for instructional planning as well as observing each other in their classroom practices. The support provided in this first year of teaching, as well as the relationship that is built with the mentor and mentee, is based around ensuring a positive experience for the new teacher and the students they teach. One of the most common questions new teachers ask about our district is what supports are in place for them as a new teacher. The mentor program has been in place for many years in Albert Lea schools and the program changes and adjusts through the feedback provided by the mentors and mentees each year. Developing and supporting new teachers is a critical and important endeavor in the process of educating students.

Johanna Thomas is the principal of Halverson Elementary School.