The Cadre is comprised of qualified Career Level educators who provide support to Teachers New to Teaching (TNT) and Teachers New to Mesa (TNM with no more than two years of contract teaching experience). A Career Ladder Specialist coordinates and manages program implementation and establishes mentor and new teacher (mentee) teams with the administrator’s approval. Areas of expertise, grade level, assignment, building location, needs of the new teacher, and expertise of the experienced teacher are team assignment considerations. Interaction and communication between the mentor and the new teacher are confidential and teacher evaluation is never a part of the process.

Mentor Responsibilities and Time Commitment

• New mentors are required to attend the following in-service training sessions
• Experienced mentors may attend training and receive compensation if they have not done so in the previous two years.
• Mentors

§ orient new teachers to Mesa Public Schools' policies and procedures
§ individualize the program to meet the new teachers' needs
§ assist new teachers in increasing skills in management, instructional, and assessment strategies
§ support new teachers in understanding MPS responsibilities, MPS curriculum standards and Arizona’s professional teaching standards

• Meet with the new teacher for a maximum of eight hours off-contract in early fall.
• Meet weekly or bi-weekly with the new teacher and maintain documentation and Collaboration Logs
• Observer the mentee or observe another teacher with the mentee for a professional observation day.

Mentor Qualification

• Placed Career Level educator with at least five years teaching experience
• Recommendation of site administrator

Compensation

An addendum and a training stipend for the mentor and individual compensation for the mentor/mentee team are provided upon meeting responsibilities. (See the Mentor Application for more information)