Hal Portner makes a point of doing his research and designing each session to address not only the needs and expertise of participants, but also the subtle culture and not-so-subtle policies of their school and district.

 

Keynote/Dinner Speaker

Topic: Teacher Induction and Mentoring: what it is, why it’s worth supporting, and how to make it work in your district.

Topic: Building a Community of Teacher-Leaders where teachers enable their students, their school, their colleagues, and themselves to succeed.

 

Mentor Training

• Strategies to develop and sustain the all-important mentor/protégé relationship.
• Practical methods to assess and provide for the instructional needs of novice teachers.
• Methods of classroom observation including pre- and post-conference protocols for the purpose of 1) collecting data to inform coaching and guide focus, and 2) developing the protégé’s self reliance through guided reflection.
• The fine art of giving and receiving feedback.
• Examination of behaviors and activities to support the beginning teacher within the school culture in particular and the profession in general.

 

Consulting With Local Representative Teams to Design and/or Enhance Their Teacher Induction and Mentoring Programs

Depending on existing stage of program development, activities might include:

• Drafting a procedural manual for specific processes, procedures and timelines for their teacher induction and mentoring programs.
• Clarifying roles and responsibilities of new teachers and mentors, and of their supporting colleagues.
• Developing programs of ongoing support and training for mentors and their protégés.
• Providing for articulation between induction/mentoring and ongoing professional development.