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Friday Forums
Full release mentors are very often leaving their classrooms for the first time since they began their teaching career. These mentors are passionate educators who are master teachers, however they need a system of support in their new role. High quality mentoring does not “just happen.” Effective mentoring requires continual training and support.
Our forums are three hour staff meetings held each Friday morning and are becoming a cherished ritual and a vitally important part of our program’s success. These meetings prepare the mentors to work with their beginning teachers as well as provide valuable networking with other mentors across the districts. Many mentors feel somewhat isolated as they travel from school to school supporting their beginning teachers. We have created a learning community which helps break down these feelings of isolation. Some of the activities in our forums include role playing, viewing videotapes of beginning teachers, examining the formative assessment tools, and engaging in self-reflection.
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