Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Information that should be included in a formal orientation session Ways to conduct the formal orientation session Preparing novice teachers prior to the orientation session
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Why is a needed?
formal
orientation
session
Formal orientation sessions that typically occur prior to the start of the school year are commonplace in most districts across the country. Formal orientation provides a vehicle for: Orienting and easing novice teachers into the school culture Introducing novice teachers to key policies, procedures, expectations, and instructional issues Facilitating relationship building that promotes the development of skills and knowledge needed for successful teaching Formal orientation sets the tone for the types of experiences that will follow. Teachers form early and sometimes lasting impressions of the district and school based on the content of formal orientation and how meetings are conducted. The content of orientation should address the personal, professional, and instructional issues that will face novice teachers. A strong focus on all three areas will convey to teachers that each is vital to their development. Also, providing ample time to orient teachers at the district level and at the school level sends the message that their successful integration into the district and school is important. This chapter provides direction on the types of content that could be included in formal orientation at both levels and gives suggested schedules.
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Formal Orientation of Novice Teachers District Formal Orientation Topics Professional District policies, procedures, and rules Ethical standards and expectations Community culture and traditions School districts relationship to the community Teacher evaluation program (PEPE or other evaluation
system) Employee benefits overview Student code of conduct District expectations Professional development requirements Paperwork management Time management
Instructional Curriculum materials overview Endorsed instructional methods District educational philosophy District mission statement Schedule of professional development opportunities Grading procedures Special education programs and services Chapter II
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Formal Orientation of Novice Teachers State Courses of Study Classroom management Lesson planning Family involvement and education Special instructional programs
Access and use of school equipment such as computers and copying machine How to sign in and out What to do in case of absence How to order and get supplies Where to find instructional resources Where to park Lunchroom procedures School dress code How to handle disciplinary actions Fire and tornado drills Availability and location of school resources (personnel resources such as librarian and counselor, and material resources such as computers and copying paper) School expectations
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Formal Orientation of Novice Teachers School traditions Responsibilities and names of key school personnel
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Formal Orientation of Novice Teachers Instructional Lesson plan requirements Planning time Student assessment and evaluation requirements Special instructional programs Grading procedures Homework practices and/or policy
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Panel discussions and presentations by district personnel or second-year teachers Consultations with school and district personnel Slide or computer presentations Tours of schools and the community
Grouping teachers homogeneously by grade level or subject matter for portions of sessions When selecting the individuals who will be speakers, facilitators, or panel members, be certain those persons are friendly, knowledgeable, good speakers, and excellent role models for novice teachers. Having the friendliest and most enthusiastic individuals participate in sessions (including the bus driver who provides a tour of the community, support personnel who work at the sign-in desk, and the food service persons who prepare the meals) will provide a welcoming tone.
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Formal Orientation of Novice Teachers Questions to consider when planning formal orientation sessions are listed in Appendix C. Consider each of these questions as you prepare. In Appendix D, there is a planning grid that provides a format for considering what topics should be presented, who will present the information, how the information will be presented, and the time needed.
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Introductions of new teachers including names, background information, teaching assignment District philosophy and mission Ethical standards and expectations Mentoring program Personnel policies Overview of employee benefits Break State Courses of Study Overview of Teacher Evaluation Process
(Note: More time should be set aside either before or after the beginning of the school year for a formal orientation on the teacher evaluation system.)
Get-acquainted and networking activity Addresses by school board members Lunch Afternoon: Break Family education and involvement Panel presentation from second-year teachers Questions and answers Networking among novice teachers and key district personnel Day Two: School Orientation Overview of curriculum and student assessment and testing by grade level or subject matter
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Morning:
Welcome and introduction by building administrator(s) School policies and procedures using pertinent materials (faculty and student handbooks, individual and master schedules, administrative and staff personnel directory) Break
Lesson planning, homework expectations, and grading Distribution of teacher editions of textbooks Tour of the school Helpful hints and supports for surviving and succeeding the first year of teaching led by a panel consisting of building administrator(s), department chairs or lead teachers, key support personnel, and second-year teachers Lunch Afternoon: Tour of the community Break Individual meetings with mentors Classroom work NOTE: Some schools may add only one or two new teachers each year; therefore, this particular schedule may need to be modified. The building administrator may choose to introduce policies and procedures, share expectations and school traditions, and then have a mentor provide a tour of the school and community. Even though there may be a small number of new teachers in a school, it is important that they also receive a school orientation. Chapter I - page 12 provides more information on the building administrators responsibilities to orienting new teachers at the school site.
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Is there anything that can be done to prepare teachers prior to orientation sessions?
Staff that have been in a school for a number of years take for granted information and procedures that are essential to the effective functioning and daily operation of the school. Novice teachers need to know this information, and one way it can be shared is to prepare an Essentials Packet that is distributed to them prior to formal orientation. This packet contains written information providing basic, yet essential information that can be referred to frequently as questions arise. Sending the packet to novice teachers before formal orientation will allay some of the typical information overload that can occur in intensive one- or two-day sessions. In addition, if novice teachers read the material prior to formal orientation, they can come prepared to ask questions. The list below should provide a starting point for consideration of items that could be included in a district- or schoolspecific Essentials Packet. School philosophy and mission statement
Daily schedule, including when teachers should arrive, the length of class blocks or periods, etc. District benefits School calendar Floor plan of the school Parking assignment Procedures for copying and purchasing materials Dress code
Overview of any special instructional or family involvement programs List of extracurricular activities District and/or school policies and procedures
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Formal Orientation of Novice Teachers Teacher handbook Student handbook Map of the community Directions to the school
A few months into the school year, ask novice teachers what pieces of the Essentials Packet were helpful, what new information should be added, and what should be revised. Taking time to follow up with teachers will give insight into how to update the packet for future distribution. It will also indicate to novices that their ideas are important to the functioning of the school and district.
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Formal Orientation of Novice Teachers Scherer, M. (Ed.). (1999). A better beginning: supporting and mentoring new teachers. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Villani, S. (2002). Mentoring programs for new teachers: models of induction and support. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, Inc. Zetler, A. & Spuhler, L. (1997). The single best thing: Mentoring beginning teachers. A manual for program designers and participants. Helena, MO: Montana State Board of Education, Helena. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED413311)
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