Instructor:  Jeanette Wolters-Lennon
This workshop is approved for advancement to MA75 for Lindenhurst teachers.
New teachers often struggle with a predictable dichotomy. On one hand, they have completed their initial course work, and have been hired to teach. On the other hand, they are new to the profession, and don’t have the experience they might need to handle multiple, complex issues that arise with their students. They wish to appear competent since they are “real” teachers and they are expected to know what to do. They want their colleagues and supervisors to respect their position and knowledge, and don’t want to appear unsure. Enter the proficient mentor, who is able to develop a trusting relationship with the new teacher and help them navigate the many pitfalls of first-year teaching.

This training will be presented in two parts.  The first 3 hours is an online, asynchronous basic training recommended for anyone who wishes to mentor colleagues.  The second part consists of a one hour synchronous meeting, described in detail below, which will help mentors internalize the skills and strategies of effective mentoring.

Teachers who complete all four hours of training will receive a certificate for
4 CTLE hours.

Introduction to Mentoring (3 hours)  Online and asynchronous, beginning on March 1 and ending on March 22, 2021

Introductory level background in mentoring including the need for confidentiality, trust and rapport
Introduction of important verbal skills, including
Choosing between open- and closed-ended questions
Using confirmatory paraphrasing to determine a new teacher’s “agenda”
Appropriately use positive phrasing and/or approval statements to overcome resistance
Introduction of classroom visitation cycle (pre-visitation conference, visit, post-visitation conference with new goal setting)

Mentoring Forum (1 hour)  Online and Synchronous
Date:  Wednesday, March 24, 2021                                      Time: TBA pending participant consensus

  A recap of mentoring skills from “Intro to Mentoring”.        
  Discussion, Q and A.

There is no fee for this training.  
Lindenhurst teachers will become part of the district mentor pool if all 4 hours are completed.