5521 - Beginning Teacher Assistance Program

Continued professional study and in-service training are prerequisites for professional growth and development. The teacher mentor program is established for the purpose of selecting a highly-skilled teacher to provide continued and sustained support to a teacher, both in and outside the classroom. For purposes of this program “beginning teacher” shall mean a teacher with fewer than ninety (90) consecutive school days of certificated teaching experience in either a public or private school in any grade, preschool through twelve, and who is employed by the district for ninety (90) consecutive school days or more. “Experienced teacher” means any teacher who exceeds the experience specifications cited above.

The superintendent is directed to establish procedures consistent with rules and regulations promulgated by the superintendent of public instruction. The board of directors shall approve of any teacher assistance program prior to submission to SPI. The district reserves the right to modify the program including: the selection process for the participants -- beginning, experienced and mentor teachers; the supervisory responsibilities of the mentor teacher; in-service training of beginning, experienced and mentor teachers, when it is to the advantage of the district to expand the program beyond that supported by the state grant.

Cross References: 

Board Policy 5203 - Staff Assistance Program

Legal References:

WAC   392-196           Teacher Assistance Program

Adoption Date:  September 20, 2006

Administrator Responsibilities: