New Teacher Mentor - Southwest Virginia Teacher Apprenticeship Consortium - Internal Hurt Park Elementary Teacher Applicants Only (2 positions available)

NOTE: THESE POSITIONS ARE OPEN TO CURRENT RCPS GENERAL EDUCATION ELEMENTARY TEACHER EMPLOYEES ONLY, PER THE STIPULATIONS OF THE GRANT PROGRAM. A TOTAL OF TWO POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE, AND BOTH ARE AT HURT PARK ELEMENTARY.

Overview

The Southwest Virginia Teacher Apprenticeship Consortium (SWVTAC) program is built on inclusive practices and the potential for dual licensure, so mentors for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 should be general education elementary classroom teachers and special education teachers who teach diverse students (e.g. students with disabilities, English language learners, etc.). Grades 2 and above are recommended to optimize content complexity and heterogeneity of student development.

Mentored apprenticeship work should be relatively continuous: the full academic year and a summer session. Summer mentors may or may not be the same as academic year mentors.

Qualifications: Mentors must meet these minimum criteria, as explained in the VDOE Guidelines for Mentor Programs. A mentor will:

• Be an exemplary teacher and role model with high standard of professionalism.
• Have at least three years of successful teaching experience, to include outstanding evaluations and principal’s recommendation.
• Use effective coaching, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrate commitment to equity as reflected in high expectations for all students and instructional skills that are culturally responsive.
• Have a strong record of engagement with professional learning and self-directed growth.
• Understand beginning teacher development and adult learning pedagogy.
  
  

Radford University and school divisions will collaborate to provide support and resources for coaching and mentorship.

One day of professional learning will be scheduled prior to the start of the apprenticeship period, with additional sessions during the first two months. School divisions will provide substitutes and release time.

Job Duties / Responsibilities: Apprentices are preparing for careers in the division in which they are employed. Mentors bring invaluable expertise on adopted curriculum, organizational systems, and their students and families. Mentors will:

• Gradually include apprentices in planning and delivering core instruction, leveraging models of co-teaching as appropriate.
• Provide regular affirming and constructive feedback as apprentices develop professionally.
• Make opportunities for apprentices to complete on-the-job assignments for related methods coursework.
• Model and reinforce apprentice's development of evidence-based practices for effective inclusive core instruction.
• Monitor apprentice's progress toward mastery of competencies based on VDOE guidelines and Radford University program expectations.
• Co-evaluate completion of apprenticeship in collaboration with university coach.
  
  

Job-Embedded Activities

• Daily feedback to apprentices (very brief, focused checklists): 1 hour/wk= 4 hours/mo
• Co-planning and reviewing apprentice’s lessons and materials: 1 hour/wk= 4 hours/mo
• Formal observations: 1-2 hours/mo
• Professional learning and co-planning for mentor network: 3 days release time
  
  

Supplemental Activities

• Bi-monthly virtual meeting with mentor network and university faculty: 1 hour/wk=2 hours/mo
• Weekly conference w/apprentice on progress with key skills: 30 min/wk=2 hours/mo
• Documentation of progress and mastery: 1 hour/mo
  
  

Stipend Pay

Mentors are eligible for stipends up to $3,500.00 per year, depending on length of service. The first year of this program is January through December 2024. The second year of this program is January 2025 through December 2025. Stipends are paid up to $1,750.00 per semester.