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NSDC's Standards to the rescue

Focus on context, process, and content provides a strong foothold for mentor program

By Sharyn Appolloni
December 2009
Each year, 200 novice teachers arrive at the schools in our large district in Reno, Nev. Our challenge was to create a comprehensive system of support for these teachers. We found our solution when we hired 10 full-time mentors to provide additional support for these new educators — our dreams came true. For eight years, the district had provided a site-mentor for each of the novice teachers and required attendance in a two-year program of study as part of the New Teacher Academy. The Induction and Mentoring Program then added full-release mentors to the circle of support. Turning to NSDC’s Standards for Staff Development for guidance in planning the new mentors’ professional learning made all the difference in how our success unfolded. My challenge as

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National Staff Development Council. (2001). NSDC’s standards for staff development. Oxford, OH: Author.

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