utopia

What do we think a "utopian" Induction System would look like (please feel free to add your thoughts!)?

Notes from 03/21/07 Meeting:
 * Impt for teachers who are hired know they were “chosen” b/c they bring something unique to our district (not just to fill a spot)—personal connection when they are hired for a position
 * IEP for teachers—differentiated based on needs/strands based on experience, position, etc.
 * Flexibility of sessions—required sessions and choice sessions (with time and offering)
 * All of the technical knowledge moved to campus b/c campuses do things differently—easier to differentiate for individuals and campuses
 * Time with everyone would be “family reunion” but the technical knowledge would be left to campuses to deliver according to needs of both the teachers and the campuses
 * Address distinct needs between experienced and novice teachers; and people who are hired at different times of the year
 * It’s not always what we do in the NTI week—teachers can’t catch up to where we are AND learn at the same time. It would be awesome if Induction had a universal piece, but once teachers get on campus, it would be more individualized (new teachers would have one-on-one time with principal, AP, CIS, grade level, mentor, etc)
 * “Seamless”—district level would have moral knowledge (inductees would embrace our beliefs), campuses would take it from there and continue with the specific/technical knowledge
 * mentors would be multiple (might be the PLC or grade level, etc)
 * time—providing time on campus to build technical knowledge—embedded so not pulled during the day or after school
 * address specific needs of people in our community
 * NTI is on-going (phases)—less pressure at the beginning; as teachers gain experience, they pick up more and more of the required stuff (do it as you go, not tied to time)
 * Choice of how to learn; when to learn; what to learn
 * One piece of the knowledge is elective
 * Learning is valued by both the district and campuses; teachers see the culture of the district by the actions on campus
 * Teachers would see engagement modeled
 * Networking for new teachers
 * build the district framework during NTI - beliefs, vision, mission and how we as a district will help them help their students. The campus will help teachers create their own unique structures that fit the district framework. (from Karen) Amy doesn't this sound like your day one?

Amy's thoughts (yes I know that I have some wierd ones, I won't be offended if you think my ideas are horrible!):

Day one - teachers should leave with answers to the following: What does KISD believe? What is the expectation of me? Who will support me?

Day two - SCOC/referrals - done at the campus? TEKS and online curriculum moved to day three

Day three - TEKS and online curriculum - as far as NTI this should be general information - enough to get them started and prepared for the first couple of weeks (A classroom management component could be added here. It would have to be tailored to meet the needs of teachers who are attending make up sessions - since they have already been in their classrooms.), then let the campus PLC's dig deeper into their curriculum and designing lessons
 * this would clear a lot of time for day three which means we could - do it in a half day and then PDAS that afternoon and then the participants could choose 9 hours of electives not just 6.

For electives I would really like to do some content specific sessions - like use of graphing technology, math TEKS revisions etc. I think this would allow us to remain general in the large group and not make those like ROTC, PE etc feel out of place on a curriculum day. But in the elective session I could get deep into content.


 * OK I am done rambling.