TTSN+Mentor+Partner+Program

=**TTSN E-Mentor Program Outline **=
 * 2011-2012 School Year **



**Eligibility:**


 * **__Mentee Teachers__** must be new to the profession in their first or second year of teaching in a South Dakota school. Preference will be given to first year teachers who teach in DOE identified ‘high needs’ schools.
 * **__Mentor Teachers and Coaches__** are selected by program leadership from a pool of accomplished SD teachers who have either completed a series of e-mentoring courses or are currently enrolled in the e-mentor course series.

//**NOTE: Partnerships will be assigned to match mentor-mentee by grade level and content as closely as possible. The mentor pool is limited, so not all partners will be an ‘exact’ grade/content match.**//

Is Mentoring Right for You?**
Lois Zachary, in her book __The Mentee’s Guide__, offers these questions to prospective mentees: //NOTE: A ‘Yes’ answer to these questions is not required – mentoring partnerships take time to develop – however, your responses are indicators of your readiness and willingness to receive what will be offered.//
 * Do I have a sincere interest in learning?
 * Am I willing to commit time to developing and maintaining a mentoring relationship?
 * Am I willing to work on my own growth and development?
 * Am I willing to be open and honest with myself and another person?
 * Am I willing to listen to critical feedback?
 * Can I participate without adversely affecting my other responsibilities?
 * Am I committed to being an active mentoring partner?

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**If you are interested in participating as an initial year teacher (mentee) in the mentor program, please complete the TTSN Mentor Program Interest Survey:** ====== TTSN Mentor Program Interest Survey (Mentees)


 * SD TTSN (SD Teacher to Teacher Support Network) Objectives:**
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Utilize online platforms to provide instructional support (supplemental to local efforts) to teachers throughout the state, and in particular to initial year teachers serving in high needs schools;
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Recruit and prepare accomplished educators to provide ongoing support to initial year teachers in an online community of practice.


 * SD TTSN e-Mentor Program Components:**
 * SD Teacher to Teacher Support Network (TTSN) [];
 * Assigned and compensated e-mentoring partnerships;
 * Assigned and compensated e-mentoring coaches;
 * Paid graduate credit opportunities.

1. Mentor Teacher Graduate Course Series //Course participation is open to any certified SD educator who has at least two/three years of teaching or administrative experience. Enrollment in the 2011-2012 series is by invitation only.// - USF Course 1: e-Mentoring & Reflective Practice. (1 credit, fall). - USF Course 2: e-Mentoring Procedures & Practice. (2 credits, fall). - USF Course 3: e-Mentoring in Action. (3 credits, winter/spring).
 * On-line Mentor Program Graduate Courses:**

2. Initial Year Teacher Graduate Course //Course participation is open to invited teachers who are participating in the 2012 e-mentor initiative. (Enrollment is not required of TTSN mentee teachers.)// - <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">USF Course: TTSN-NT: Making e-Mentoring Work. (3 credits, winter/spring).


 * SD TTSN e-Mentor Program Coordinators:**
 * Lanette Johnston (SD DOE- OATQ) lanette.johnston@state.sd.us
 * Marléne Rothermel (TIE) mrothermel@tie.net
 * Sherry Crofut (TIE) scrofut@tie.net


 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Teacher to Teacher Support Network (TTSN) e-Mentor Program **
 * <span style="font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Participants Roles and Over-all Responsibilities **


 * Initial Year Teachers**
 * //Ongoing communication with mentor partner on a weekly basis (focus on learning goals that are established with e-mentor);//
 * //Participation in the SD TTSN network grade level groups;//
 * //Completion of monthly communication log/survey;//
 * //Completion of contract/invoice paperwork and credit requirements (if enrolled in course) in a timely manner;//
 * //Completion of program evaluation.//


 * Mentor Teachers**
 * Ongoing communication with mentor partner on a weekly basis (focus on learning goals that are established with mentee);
 * Participation in the SD TTSN network grade level groups;
 * Participation in TTSN network e-mentor group;
 * Completion of monthly communication log/survey;
 * Communication with mentor coaches and program leadership in a timely manner;
 * Completion of contract/invoice paperwork and credit requirements in a timely manner;
 * Completion of program evaluation.


 * Mentor Partner Coaches**
 * Ongoing communication with assigned mentor partners on a weekly basis;
 * Participation in the SD TTSN network grade level groups;
 * Participation in TTSN network e-mentor group;
 * Completion of monthly communication log/survey;
 * Communication with program leadership in a timely manner;
 * Completion of contract/invoice paperwork and credit requirements in a timely manner;
 * Completion of program evaluation.


 * Program Leadership**
 * Design and over-all supervision of TTSN network and associated Wikispace;
 * Selection and contracting of program participants;
 * Over-all supervision of mentoring partners and coaches;
 * Development and supervision of graduate courses;
 * Communication with program participants in a timely manner;
 * Communication with funding partners.

=Roles of TTSN e-Mentor Partners=

//We believe that all educational professionals have a responsibility to ensure that every teacher will learn and succeed, so that every child can learn and succeed, and that our mentoring network will be most successful when each participant keeps in mind…//

TTSN e-Mentor Partners ARE… ü Colleagues ü Guides ü Role models

TTSN e-Mentor Partners ARE NOT… X Evaluators for school administrators/supervisors/teachers X Responsible for partner teacher’s teaching performance/decisions

TTSN e-Mentor Partners Provide… ü Support ü Encouragement ü A listening ear ü Constructive feedback ü Tactful honesty

TTSN e-Mentor Partners Must Exhibit… ü A love of children, learning and teaching ü Professionalism ü A positive attitude ü Good communication skills ü The ability to plan and organize ü Belief in the skills of both the new and experienced teacher

TTSN e-Mentor Partners Are Responsible For… ü Maintaining confidentiality ü Sharing knowledge, skills, and information ü Nurturing an active, positive learning partnership

TTSN e-Mentor Partners Must Be… ü Understanding ü Empowering ü Trustworthy ü Empathetic ü Innovative ü Knowledgeable ü Open-minded ü Professional ü Student-focused ü Success oriented