New Teachers

Program Overview

Definition

The R.I.S.E. Institute is a teacher support program that serves novice teachers entering the district with zero to two years of teaching experience. Each R.I.S.E. novice teacher will be assigned a mentor and will undergo one to three years of district designed professional development.

Vision

The RCSD Elementary and Secondary Curriculum Strategic Plans offer clear direction for school personnel in the area of teacher recruitment, retention, and support. The vision for the 2024-2025 RCSD  Induction, Support, and  Encouragement  (R.I.S.E.) mentor teacher program is to:

• Build a Climate of Collaboration Among Teachers
• Build Capacity for Beginning Teachers in the Educational Profession
• Develop a Deeper Understanding of Data Management and Data-Driven Instruction
• Develop Highly Qualified Teachers
• Develop Highly Effective Teacher Leaders
• Enhance Teacher Commitment and Support
• Enhance Teacher Satisfaction and Retention
• Improve Instructional Effectiveness

Purpose

Teacher induction is a formal process of assisting new teachers in their growth toward becoming accomplished, professional teachers. This process involves creating a program that strives to support teachers by:

• Establishing a support system for new teachers which incorporates the talents of currently practicing, accomplished teachers
• Providing ongoing professional development 
• Helping teachers plan for and provide instruction focused on helping all students grow

Such programs are not only critical in growing quality teachers as quickly as possible, but they are also critical in addressing pressing issues surrounding teacher retention. 

The purpose of the mentor will be to provide information, support, and encouragement for the success of all educators through building capacity and developing the beginning teacher to improve student learning. Because new teachers are essentially learning to teach on the job while ensuring a positive impact on student learning, mentors are critical supports in guiding new teachers to enhance planning, instruction, and content knowledge. Mentors help orient new teachers to the school community, to teaching in general, and also serve as collegial and emotional support for this challenging phase of a teacher’s career. Additionally, it is the mentor’s responsibility to establish a trusting relationship with the new teachers. Research indicates that mentoring is most effective when the new teacher trusts the mentor. The mentor can build this trust by creating a risk-free learning environment for the beginning teacher by providing support that is non-judgmental and confidential. Confidentiality invites honesty, risk-taking, and self-reflection by the new teacher.

Benefits

Teacher induction and mentoring programs have numerous benefits for new teachers, veteran teachers, and students by increasing:

• Instructional effectiveness 
• Student achievement 
• Job satisfaction for beginning and veteran teachers’ retention

Mission

The primary mission of the R.I.S.E. Institute is to provide exemplary professional development, job-embedded support and encouragement to novice teachers in order to build teachers’ pedagogical knowledge and capacity to provide high quality instruction. 

Program Evaluation 

All stakeholders will be asked to conduct ongoing evaluations regarding the induction and mentoring program. This feedback from beginning teachers, mentors, and administrators will be used to ensure the goals of the program are being effectively and efficiently met and will be used to make any necessary changes. 

Additionally, R.I.S.E new teachers will conduct reflective self-assessments at the end of each semester to assist in professional growth and development as well as provide insight into the effectiveness of the R.I.S.E Institute.