Mentoring Program
Medford Public Schools
Helping New Teachers Succeed
The Medford Public Schools Mentoring Program is a comprehensive program developed and structured to support new teachers during the first year of their employment in our schools. This program has been in existence for over ten years. Coordinated by veteran teachers Kathleen Davenport and Carolyn Joy with support from Assistant Superintendent Beverly Nelson, the program trains highly qualified and experienced teachers to serve as mentors to new teachers. The Mentor Teacher Program promotes positive and productive school experiences for students and teachers by providing support and assistance to all new teachers along the professional continuum: induction, in-service and beyond. Research shows that effective mentoring programs assist districts and schools in retaining qualified educators.
Mentors offer continuing professional support to the new teachers by:
- Orienting new teachers to school, district and community
- Linking new teachers to resources
- Assisting new teachers in analyzing their teaching practices
- Facilitating and assisting the new teacher design and carry out a professional development plan
- Providing the new teachers with the benefit of a confidential mentor
The mentoring program focuses on assisting new teachers with the following:
- Planning, teaching, facilitating and assessing the progress of students
- Reflecting on their own teaching practices
- Developing sound and appropriate professional development plans
- Using successful instructional strategies and techniques for classroom management and differentiated instruction and assessment
- Effectively Interacting and communicating with parents information about their child’s progress and needs
- Becoming integrated into the culture of the school and the school district
For further information concerning the Medford Public Schools Mentor Program please contact either Kathleen Davenport and/or or Carolyn Joy.