New+Teachers

=TTSN NEW TEACHER (MENTEE) PROGRAM INFORMATION (2009 - 2010)=

//NOTE: Following application, new teachers will be notified if they are or are not accepted to participate. The number of participants is limited. Priority is given to those districts without an established mentor program and those districts located in more remote areas. //
 * TTSN Mentee (Initial Year) Teacher Eligibility: **
 * TTSN Mentee Teachers must be new to the profession of teaching in their first contract year as a teacher of record in a South Dakota school;
 * A limited number of teachers in their 2nd year of teaching, who actively participated in TTSN 2008, will be invited to apply to participate this school year. TTSN leadership will select those who will be included;
 * TTSN MenteeTeachers must have access to high-speed internet on a consistent basis;


 * Characteristics Of The Effective Mentee: **
 * Mentees must recognize the ongoing need to continually refine teaching practice.
 * Mentees must be willing to take responsibility to develop and maintain the online mentoring relationship, understanding that they have not only the responsibility but also the right to ask their mentor for action, information, or emotional support.
 * Mentees must be willing to pay attention to professional experiences, critically examining the implications of those experiences, and reflect on their reflections with input from their mentor/colleagues.
 * Mentees must be willing to revise practice based on what has been learned from their own reflections and their mentor’s and online team feedback.
 * Mentees must be willing to provide suggestions that may improve our mentoring program in meeting the needs of other beginning teachers.
 * Characteristics of the Online TTSN Mentee: **
 * Willingness to engage in web-based collaborative conversations that take place outside of the school building, across geographical boundaries (and time zones), and foster 21st Century teaching and learning.
 * Willingness to lead in the creation of an online community of learners, responding to changing needs of both participants and the program.

Communicate with assigned mentor on a weekly basis. This communication MUST include BOTH one-to-one communication with assigned mentor AND active involvment in the assigned team discussions. It is expected that at least one hour online each week will be necessary for active program participation. //<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">NOTE: Specific requirements and responsibilities will be defined upon program entry. The online community does require high-speed internet access. // <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">TTSN mentee teachers will receive a stipend (consulting fee) for active participation in the online mentoring program. Full year mentees will receive a stipend of $500 - Oct. - May. Partial year mentees will receive a stipend of $250 - Jan/Feb. - May <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Graduate credit will be available at minimum cost to active participants.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">TTSN Mentee Responsibilities: **<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Program Payment: **