Experienced teachers serve as mentors for new teachers

New Teacher Induction Program

Rainbow District School Board Director of Education Norm Blaseg welcomes participants in the New Teacher Induction Program, including Sandy MacEwan of Assiginack Public School and Courtney Beaudry of Webbwood Public School. A total of 27 permanent new teachers and 33 occasional teachers are participating in the Rainbow District School Board’s New Teacher Induction Program in 2010-2011.

A total of 27 permanent new teachers and 33 occasional teachers are participating in the Rainbow District School Board’s New Teacher Induction Program in 2010-2011, including, from left, Anita Butterfly of Lasalle Secondary School, Ashleigh Conley-Cayer of Northeastern Elementary School and Shawn Carscadden of Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School. They had an opportunity to meet with Director of Education Norm Blaseg during a professional learning session on Monday, August 30th.

A total of 27 permanent new teachers and 33 occasional teachers are participating in the Rainbow District School Board’s New Teacher Induction Program in 2010-2011. The teachers will gather at the Howard Johnson on Brady Street on Monday, August 30th, 2010 to begin the first in a series of professional learning opportunities.

Created to help new teachers make a successful transition into the profession, the program pairs new teachers with experienced teachers as mentors throughout the year.

“The single most important factor in student success is the quality of teaching,” said Director of Education Norm Blaseg. “We are committed to helping new teachers develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes required for effective teaching and learning in Rainbow Schools.”

According to Director Blaseg, experienced teachers have a significant role to play in nurturing the next generation of teachers. “As mentors, our experienced teachers are invaluable resources. They appreciate the opportunity to share their wisdom with those who are following in their footsteps.”

In addition to mentoring, the Teacher Induction Program includes a series of workshops on topics such as effective planning, classroom management, and organization. New teachers receive a binder with resource information. They also meet with their mentors throughout the year, for job shadowing, coaching and planning.

The new school year begins the day after Labour Day. The first day of school will be on Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 for all area school boards, including Rainbow District School Board, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, le Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario and le Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario. There will be no early dismissal on the first day of school.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,

Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,

Rainbow District School Board, 674-3171, ext. 7217.