3.+Induction+Process

=**The Induction Process** = toc The Induction process is different from district-to-district, but there are particular qualities that they all have in common:
 * Focus on establishing classroom management strategies;
 * Develop a cultural awareness of the school district's particular community;
 * Reinforce the belief that teaching is a lifelong process, and that learning extends beyond the credential program

Typically, Induction is made up of 3 specific components:
 * Mentoring
 * Professional Development
 * Self-Reflection (Teachers reflect on their specific teaching practices with a support provider. Very similar to action research.)

Components

 * //*Following are components that may be included in an// Induction Package: **

Orientation Workshops
These usually occur prior to the beginning of the school year and are intended to be inspirational. Topics like "First Day of School" are typically discussed as well as "New Teacher Jitters".

Here is a video of an induction program's New Teacher Orientation: media type="youtube" key="QgTr_QvYYVg" width="425" height="350"

Bus Tour
T he purpose of the bus tour is to accustom new teachers to their school community and build cultural awareness. Some even play a trivia game of sorts regarding city and school history to liven up the experience. This can occur during the orientation workshop period.

<span style="color: #4141d8; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Demonstration Classroom
<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">May occur during the orientation workshops where master teachers model first day of school but also includes other demo lessons that master teachers provide during the program.

<span style="color: #4141d8; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Mentoring
“I want to be a cothinker with them so that I can help them to see new perspectives, new ways to solve the problems they have.” – Pete Frazer (30 year veteran teacher and Mentor) (Feiman-Nemser, 2001)

Induction focuses on empowering new teachers with the ability to find and receive training and support on the various components of teaching before they are in need of intervention. This differs from mentoring alone. While mentoring is typically a process a teacher goes through after demonstrating a need in a particular area, Induction aims to start the teacher off with training and support in all aspects of education before the need for intervention occurs.

Below is a video of new teachers talking about mentors and mentors talking with their mentees. media type="youtube" key="rOWSM2rokdw" width="425" height="350"

<span style="color: #4141d8; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Monthly Support Meetings
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">These meetings are intended for support amongst new teachers and to build comradery in the professional community.

<span style="color: #4141d8; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Distribution of Teaching Materials
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 110%;">New teachers need resources and induction programs aim to provide new teachers with books, printables, and other items to fill this need. One mentor blog even described a mentor's mission to supply her mentee with some furniture!

<span style="color: #4141d8; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Curriculum Facilitators
In addition to mentors, both new and veteran teachers have daily access to on-site curriculum facilitators. These master teachers provide ongoing support, teach demonstration lessons, conduct informal teacher observations, and offer constructive suggestions for improvement. (Wong, 2002)

<span style="color: #4141d8; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Observations
Mentors observe mentees, offer advice, and assist the mentee in reflecting upon his/her practices.

<span style="color: #4141d8; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Reduced Workload
Some induction programs offer a reduced workload for the new teacher and may include an aide or extra prep periods.

<span style="color: #4141d8; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Ongoing Instruction and Support
The California BTSA program lasts approximately 2 years but other programs offer longer induction programs to support their beginning teachers.

<span style="color: #4141d8; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Self Reflection
Reflection upon your practices is a key component not only of induction but of teaching in general.