Teacher Mentor Program

In the Liberty Public School district, beginning teachers (protégés) are assigned to a mentor teacher for two years. During the first year, the protégés may meet several times a month with their mentor to work on teaching strategies, curriculum, assessment, classroom management practices, and other areas of interest or need. In addition to the mentor, coaches also work with the new teachers to help them refine their skills; at the elementary level the literacy coaches take on this task, while at the secondary level one of the building assistant principals takes this role. These coaches regularly spend time observing in the new teacher’s classroom in order to provide non-evaluative feedback for improvement and success in teaching. During the second year of the program, protégés continue to meet with their mentor, though generally less frequently, and the coaches may play a role in the process as needed.