Due to school closures and the directive to shelter in place for California residents, we have implemented revisions to the SDCOE Teacher Induction program to allow for candidates to successfully complete the program requirements and for mentors to continue to meaningfully supporting candidates. It would be impossible to not acknowledge the profound and unprecedented impact COVID-19 continues to have on our students, teachers, and schools.
The Individual Learning Plan (ILP) Inquiry component has been revised for candidates to reflect upon the data gathered before the school closures, and the colloquium will be replaced with a Teacher Induction Final Reflection that will ask teachers to reflect and respond to a number of prompts relating to the school closures. The prompts will allow for the transition during the school closures and for teachers to continue to develop in relation to the California Standards for the Teaching Profession as they respond to:
- What are the expectations for you as a teacher during the school closure and how are you meeting them?
- How can your mentor support you during the school closure?
- What do you anticipate some of the challenges will be when your school reopens?
- How could you use technology during this experience of school closures in planning, curriculum development, communication, and virtual instruction?
Mentors have been advised to continue to meet their hour of weekly communication commitment by virtually connecting with their candidate regarding expectations for teachers during the school closure and support them during this state of transition.
This is potentially a challenging time for many in education as we all adapt and transition to the developing situation related to COVID-19. SDCOE wishes to thank administrators for the important role they play in the success of new teachers, including their success in the SDCOE Teacher Induction program. Please consider how you might continue to encourage and support teachers as they complete the Induction year within the context of everything that is going on.
