Tapping the Potential - Alliance for Excellent Education

TA P P I N G T H E P O T E N T I A L : R E TA I N I N G A N D D E V E L O P I N G H I G H - Q U A L I T Y N E W T E A C H E R SMentors also praised induction as a way to improve their own teaching skills. Onementor explained that, “Being a mentor has kept me in touch with what’s new in thefield and has kept me fresh and motivated. I have been able to help the teachers that Iwork with, but they have also benefited me.” Sentiments like these are echoed throughoutteacher evaluations of the Tangipahoa FIRST program.SummarySome potential problems with induction exist in Louisiana. Parishes using onlyLaTAAP may have gaps in their activities, such as limited or no preservice training, littleor no ongoing professional development, or limited contact between novice andmentors, who may be too busy with their own responsibilities. Poor local leadershipcan mean that some teachers receive less support than others. And, while LaFIRSTgrants help start the funding and training of district staff—as they have inTangipahoa—the program does not provide funding commensurate with the costs ofinduction, and its principals do not receive training to lead the program.Overall, however, induction in Louisiana is quite strong. LaTAAP serves every newteacher, is linked to high-quality teaching standards, and supports teachers with welltrainedmentors. Tangipahoa FIRST provides new teachers with full-time mentors andcomprehensive preservice and ongoing training tailored to their needs, and modelseffective classroom teaching that they can then apply in theirFor more informationKaren EllisTangipahoa FIRST Program AdministratorC. M. Fagan Service Center4739 North Oak StreetHammond, LA 70401Phone: (985) 345-1584Mary Ann HarmonLouisiana Department of EducationPO Box 94064Baton Rouge, LA 70804Phone: (877) 453-272147