BEGIN I

The BEGIN I Program is designed for teachers hired with 0-1 years of previous teaching experience.  Each teacher is assigned a grade level master teacher Cadre Leader as well as a building-level mentor.  The format of the program includes four days of inservice prior to the teachers’ contract start date.  During the school year, the BEGIN teachers will attend night meetings and one Saturday workshop. The focus of the BEGIN I program is the successful management of students, time, materials, and space. The BEGIN I program stresses the importance of BEGIN teachers spending time with each other which, according to the literature on beginning teachers, is a critical variable in the successful induction of new teachers.  Each scheduled BEGIN meeting includes a minimum of one hour of Cadre time during which teachers of the same grade level spend time problem-solving, sharing ideas, and asking questions with their Cadre Leader.

BEGIN I Teacher Outcomes:

The BEGIN I teacher will be able to:

1. Develop, teach, model, and monitor classroom rules and procedures
2. Describe the District’s curriculum documents and requirements
3. Explain the District’s assessments, both standardized and district-level
4. Implement strategies for dealing with specific student behavior issues
5. Plan, conduct, and reflect on parent conferences
6. Know and successfully participate in the Teacher Evaluation Process
7. Organize the physical classroom in a manner that enhances student learning
8. Utilize teaching materials that engage students in hands-on learning
9. Discuss problem-solving strategies necessary for daily classroom operations
10. Request assistance when needed
11. Communicate with challenging parents in a productive manner
12. Explain the necessity of balance between their personal and professional lives
13. Know and utilize the various District Office departmental services when necessary