Teacher Induction Program
Every teacher benefits from having a mentor, especially those who are new to the profession. Early-career teachers, and teachers moving into a different role such as a counselor or librarian, face a myriad of new experiences. Through a structured teacher induction program new teachers, or inductees, are paired with seasoned mentors who share their knowledge of best instructional practices while guiding, challenging and celebrating their inductees.
Oklahoma's teacher induction program aims to support early-career educators by pairing them with mentors in order to increase the use of effective teaching practices, elevate student learning and help teachers thrive in the classroom.
Top 5 Reasons to Focus Time and Talent on Teacher Induction
- Increased effectiveness of early-career teachers
- Improved student achievement
- Increased retention of early-career teachers
- Expanded teacher leadership opportunities
- Reduced district recruiting costs
As of November 2018, 70 O.S. 6-195, Teacher Induction Program, supersedes the previous statue for Teacher Residency Program. Components of the Teacher Induction Program include new terminology and updated requirements.
Guidelines for the Teacher Induction Program may be found here.
First Class Cohort 3 - 2020-2021 New!
The Oklahoma State Department of Education invites first-year teachers to join First Class Cohort 3 during the 2020-2021 school year. The program is intended for teachers who have not yet completed a full academic year of teaching. First Class cohort groups will include elementary and secondary teachers who will meet virtually in synchronous and asynchronous sessions spanning the academic year. Teachers will develop and enhance their classroom or virtual management plans and strategies for engaging students.
In addition, school-based mentors who will be working with these first-year teachers as part of a teacher induction program will participate in virtual, synchronous professional learning sessions. Mentors who complete all program activities will receive a $400 compensation at the conclusion of the program.
First-year teachers in the program may be eligible to receive free vouchers for OGET, OSAT, and OPTE exams to satisfy requirements for teacher certification.
Districts that are providing in-person instruction in schools are eligible to receive compensation to cover the expenses of substitute teachers during the program's virtual sessions.
A program schedule, application and further information are available at the links below.
Spotlight on District Induction Programs
Miami Public Schools
Miami Public Schools pride themselves in providing quality support for new teachers with their New Teacher Induction Program. This two year program pairs new teachers with mentors and allows instructional coaches to pinpoint professional development based on individual need. The program requires new inductees to participate in activities that encompass the following: community involvement, district involvement, new teacher cadre quarterly meetings, peer observations, administrative panel discussion and self- reflective teaching activities to prepare them for the evaluation process. Additional professional development in social-emotional learning, formative assessment, differentiation and parental outreach round out this exciting program.
New Teacher Induction Schedule
Norman Public Schools
New Teacher Liaisons serve at each site and meet monthly with all teachers new to the district.
Mentor Teachers provide guidance and support for entry-year teachers.
Teacher Support Specialists serve as instructional coaches with entry-year, early-career, alternatively- and emergency-certified teachers.
Tulsa Public Schools
Tulsa Public Schools provides support to its newest teachers through the Novice Teacher Experience program. New Teacher Induction includes training and development in the areas of classroom management, social-emotional learning, and curriculum and instruction.Support for new teachers extends into the school year through ongoing Saturday professional learning opportunities and 1:1 instructional mentoring support.
Instructional Mentor Resources
Instructional Mentor Vision/Mission
Inductee Resources
Ten Tenets of Behavior Videos
Ten Tenets of Behavior Videos
Learn strategies on how to work effectively with students who demonstrate behaviors that impede their successful growth.
Core Practices in Action: Management in the Active Classroom
- Series of 30 videos that support teachers to foster self-managed classrooms that are respectful, active, collaborative, and growth-oriented.
K20 LEARN
The University of Oklahoma
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Lessons - Access and download lessons that are searchable by grade level, content area, keywords, state/national standards and time frame.
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Strategy Library - Find instructional strategies to enhance classroom engagement that are searchable by group size, grade level and purpose.
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Digital Game Based Learning - Engage students in gaming scenarios rooted in content area standards.
Mentor Resources
Program Administration Models
Mentoring and Induction Toolkit
The Center on Great Teachers and Leaders at American Institutes for Research provides materials that summarize research and best practices on how to develop and implement an impactful mentoring and induction program. Samples of the Mentoring and Induction Toolkit resources may be accessed here.
Articles of Note
- Better Mentoring, Better Teachers: Three Factors That Help Ensure Successful Programs - Education Week
- The Good Mentor - ASCD
- Beginning Teacher Induction: What the Data Tell Us - Education Week
- Teacher Induction - NASBE
- Tool: Selecting and assigning mentors - Assist: Beginning Teachers
