Teacher Induction Program
Teacher Induction Program
Mission Statement: The mission of Asia Pacific International School is “to educate its students to become globally enlightened citizens.” To achieve this result, the teacher induction program is committed to helping new teachers make a successful transition to APIS by providing support and experience gained from a professional relationship with returning APIS teachers. By building an environment of trust, confidentiality, nonjudgmental interactions and mutual respect, we provide the tools needed for our new APIS teachers to experience success in the classroom and in the school community.
General Overview: The goal of the Teacher Induction Program is to assist the new teacher in a successful transition to APIS by relying on the knowledge and experience of returning APIS teachers or Ambassadors. The new teacher will be paired with an Ambassador as soon as is feasible upon hire. Together the teachers will follow a plan to support the new teacher in his/her transition to APIS through weekly meetings and support as needed during the 1st quarter of the school year. The Ambassador will serve as a resource to assist the new teacher with any questions or concerns related to working at APIS and living in Seoul.
Program Standards: 1. Teacher are committed to students and learning. 2. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students. 3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning. 4. Teacher think systematically about their practice and learn from experience. 5. Teachers are members of Learning Communities. (Adapted from the US National Board for Professional Teacher Standards.)
Program Goals: 1. To retain quality teachers. 2. To facilitate a seamless transition into the profession and/or APIS. 3. To guide professional growth. 4. To create a welcoming, nurturing environment for teachers new to APIS. 5. To improve new teachers’ skills and performance. 6. To support teacher morale and communication. 7. To create a safe and secure relationship with another staff member without fear of reprisal. 8. To create a community for new and existing staff.
New Teacher Orientation: New teachers will be given a New Teacher Orientation at the beginning of the school year to become familiar with program goals and expectations. In order to make a successful transition to APIS all new teachers should arrive to campus having read and understood the “Teacher Induction Program” manual.
Accountability: The Teacher Induction Program is most effective when teachers work together to maintain a level of mutual respect based on support and accountability. All teachers must meet once every one to two weeks throughout the first quarter to discuss areas of need and success. All weekly meetings will be recorded and a copy will be provided to committee lead teachers. Here are some important reminders concerning meetings: • Meet weekly or more as needed (i.e. high stress/work times of year) • Regularly schedule meetings -they are more effective and show good intentions • Have a focus, goal, and objective for each meeting • Model professionalism • Use your communication, listening, and questioning skills • Begin your meetings with a check in of emotions and health • Use previous meeting notes to review where you have been and where you are going • Listen to and help problem solve complaints for a short period of time but do not encourage “venting” at each meeting • Try to avoid personal bias • Share professional readings and professional development information • Always end meeting with closure, a review of progress, and your next meeting time • Provide hope, perspective, and encouragement • Document your meeting and share monthly meeting notes with committee lead teacher
The Teacher as Learner and Leader: The Teacher Induction Program works in conjunction with the school-wide “Teacher as Learner and Leader” program to ensure both student learning and teacher growth. This program not only allows teachers to be reflective of their teaching, but is also intentional structured to maximize professional conversations of educational best practice, transparency, and accountability. Please refer to the “Teacher as Learner and Leader” program for further information about observations, goal-setting, and data collection, which will be coordinated through area principals.
Important Topics to Discuss with your Ambassador Practical _____Classroom Management: general and specific issues _____School Discipline Code: Faculty and Student Handbooks _____Faculty Absence: sick and personal leave form; lesson plans _____Faculty duties: lunch/recess duty, after school activities, 9th period _____Non instructional time supervision: recess, lunch, hallway, bathroom, outside, buses _____Teacher Inservice Days _____Professional Development _____Dress code: teachers and students _____Faculty meetings: elementary and secondary _____Meals/Cafeteria: student and faculty _____First Days of School schedule and activities (school wide and within classroom) _____Daily Schedule: A/B days, secondary schedule, elementary schedule, chapel schedule _____Homeroom teacher roles in Secondary and Elementary Technical _____Software Applications: PowerSchool, Rubicon Atlas, SMART Board, GoogleDocs _____Faculty Portal: faculty absence, requisitions, maintenance request (school and home), facility use request (MacLab, library, dance studio, Christian Life Center‌) _____Copy machine/phone/fax/scan/laminator/logging onto APIS_WIFI use instruction _____Student attendance: complete PowerSchool at beginning of class _____Field Trips: request form, transportation, lunch Emotional Well Being _____How are you adjusting to Korea? _____How are you adjusting to APIS? _____How is your living situation? _____Are you eating and sleeping? _____How is the rest of your family doing? _____Have you been finding what you need - transportation, groceries, basic home needs, medical? _____What other support are you needing right now?
Incoming Faculty Needs Assessment Complete with Ambassador Teacher:______________________
Department Head:_____________________
Indicate your need for assistance in each of the following areas by circling either YES or NO
1. Finding and understanding curricular guidelines and materials.
YES
NO
2. Obtaining instructional resources and materials.
YES
NO
3. Planning for instruction.
YES
NO
4. Classroom organization and management.
YES
NO
5. Management of student behavior.
YES
NO
6. Effective instructional techniques.
YES
NO
7. Monitoring and evaluating student performance.
YES
NO
8. Motivating students.
YES
NO
9. Dealing with individual student needs, interests, abilities, and problems.
YES
NO
10. Understanding expectations of principal and other staff.
YES
NO
11. Effective communication with parents.
YES
NO
12. Interpreting school policies, rules, and contract.
YES
NO
13. Planning and managing my time and work.
YES
NO
14. Communicating with other staff (administrators, teachers,
YES
NO
15. Professional growth opportunities.
YES
NO
16. Understanding school system’s teacher evaluation process.
YES
NO
17. Understanding of how to implement mind growth classroom.
YES
NO
18. ______________________________________________________ YES
NO
administrative assistants, custodians, etc‌).
Ambassador Contact Log (every one to two weeks for the 1st Quarter, as needed) Teacher:______________________ Date
Ambassador:_____________________ Discussion Topics
- Important Topics to Discuss with Your Ambassador checklist - Incoming Faculty Needs Assessment