Successful Beginnings - A New Teacher Orientation and Mentoring Program

“Successful Beginnings” is a plan to assist principals and/or mentor teachers with new teachers with the many details that can go forgotten over the course of the year. You can implement “Successful Beginnings” however you deem appropriate for your setting since we all come from different situations and have different needs.

We have implemented these items in various ways for many years and continue to revise them based on the individual needs of the first year teachers. Several components are non-negotiable such as having a veteran mentor teacher, attending weekly meetings with other first year teachers, observations of veteran teachers in their classrooms, individual weekly meetings with the principal to discuss whatever the teacher desires and the reduction of challenging children in their classroom.

With a year-long plan and a strong support system, first year teachers will have an impressive time with their students and parents while having an incredible learning curve that will establish a firm foundation for their teaching career. Good luck with your first year teachers and remember everyone starts out with someone believing in them.