Hello IPS New Teachers (and Mentors!)--

Happy November-- This is one of my favorite times of the year because it allows us to intentionally come together as families, friends, and a community and reflect on our areas for which we are grateful. I am grateful for each one of you because you are serving the students of the Indianapolis community each day-- it is not always easy whether you are a first year teacher or a mentor who has two decades on their belt but it is fulfilling and the rewards are great. THANK YOU for all that you do-- both this month of THANKSGIVING as well as every month of the year. We could not serve the students and families of IPS without you.

IPS is partnering with ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) to provide more robust technology resources to our teachers. We are in the initial stages of this partnership and every IPS New Teacher AND their mentor are being gifted an ISTE membership. In the coming weeks, you will receive an email that will walk through steps to finish the membership process. I encourage you to explore your ISTE membership and resources within your mentorship as the resources have been vetted by the district and are top tier.

Please scroll down for helpful resources, links, and more! As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Best,

Katie Knutson

Senior Coordinator of Talent Development

New Teachers--

• Please be on the lookout for the Educator Update newsletter that will be sent out the week of October 2nd - This is sent from the Teaching and Learning team and may end up in your Focused or Other inbox in Outlook. It is a monthly newsletter that has information about IPS curriculum, professional learning, racial equity, post-secondary readiness, enrichment, etc. that is specifically geared towards school-based staff.

• If you are currently enrolled in IPS Health benefits, be sure to earn your $600 Wellness credits by the end of the deadline this year. Visit www.ipswellness.org for more information!

• November 1st - November 15th is IPS Open Enrollment for Benefits -- If you are interested in using IPS Benefits, please check your email or visit the Employee Benefits Website for more info. Reminder, you cannot sign up for IPS Benefits after November 15th unless you have a qualifying life event so be sure to mark your calendars!

Mentors--

• Training Deck and Resources:
• If you have not already done so, please take a few moments to review the New Teacher Mentor Training deck. This orientation is for you; your new teacher does not need to review. Please reach out should you have any questions or concerns.
• Once you have reviewed the training decks, please review our New Teacher Mentor Guidebook. , if you have not already done so. I would encourage you to bookmark it so you can refer back to it if you have a quick question but feel free to reach out to me as well!
• Be sure to submit it to the New Teacher Mentor Task Form Submission. We kindly ask that they are submitted within the following month of the task (i.e. August's task form is turned in by the end of September and September's task list is turned in by the end of October).
• <Updated> New Teacher Mentor Stipends will be distributed via IPS Payroll in December. You must have November's tasklist submitted no later than Friday, December 1st.