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MU ALUMNI NOVICE TEACHER MENTORING ACADEMY LAUNCHES SECOND YEAR

Monmouth University’s School of Education Alumni Novice Teacher Mentoring Academy for newly hired Monmouth University School of Education graduates met on Thursday, September 27, 2012. This was the first of four mentoring sessions scheduled for the 2012-2013 school year. Two-hour professional development sessions focus on timely issues directly related to the needs of the novice teacher. A web-based component is included as well and novice teachers are given an opportunity to connect with mentors having expertise in a variety of areas. Participants receive professional development hours for attendance.

The School of Education Novice Teacher Alumni Mentoring Academy is designed to provide a comprehensive three-year induction program for novice teachers. It creates a forum for dialogue and the exchange of ideas and experiences. The Academy provides guided professional growth opportunities for using data-driven assessment and 21st century teaching skills to promote K-12 student achievement. Additionally, it creates a network of support for MU graduates and establishes a continuous collaborative relationship with the University and its resources.

The September 2012 session focused on issues of concern identified by the novice teachers including meeting the needs of special needs students and working with parents and school support staff to enhance student success. First year teachers engaged in vision building activities designed to cultivate their passion and clarify their motivation for teaching. Facilitators for this session were Elinore Delaney, clinical faculty supervisor for student teaching, and Patricia Heaney, director of field placements. Second year academy members collaborated with facilitator Linda Foster, mentoring coordinator, to develop a framework for professional portfolios incorporating a personal vision statement, critical reflection on a teaching episode, a case study, and analysis of a unit plan. 

Future mentoring academy sessions are scheduled for Thursday, November 15, 2012, Thursday, January 31, 2013 and Thursday, May 2, 1013 and will focus on the needs and interests of the participants based upon feedback from the novice teachers. We encourage all Monmouth University Alumni who are interested in becoming members of the Academy (whether or not they have attended previous sessions) to contact soeevents@monmouth.edu or (732) 571-7518 for a registration form. There is no fee for membership in this academy.