OSPI  Office of Supertintendent of Public Instruction   OSPI Mentor Academy I August 2 - 5, 2010 Whitworth University 300 West Hawthorne Road Spokane WA Just as the quality of instruction that students receive has a tremendous impact on their performance, the quality of mentoring that new teachers receive can significantly influence their development.  The Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST) program, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, will again offer its highly regarded, four-day Academy for mentors, coaches, principals, and district program administrators. Because of the high demand for this training and its subsidy with state BEST funding, participants must be prepared to complete all four days in their entirety, including one early evening session. Topics will include: Learning-Focused Conversations:  Developed by Laura Lipton and Bruce Wellman, this adaptation of Cognitive Coaching is specifically geared toward mentoring novice teachers who do not yet have a large repertoire of skills on which to draw. Mentoring for Cultural Competence:  This session will focus on effective strategies for assisting new teachers in working with racially and culturally diverse populations. Competencies addressed are aligned with standards for Professional Certification. Classroom-Based Assessment:  In addition to reviewing their own classroom assessment practices and identifying other possible tools, participants will explore how to assist new teachers in using a variety of assessments -- informal checks for understanding to formal classroom assessments. They will also explore protocols for analyzing student work with new teachers to improve differentiation of instruction. Mentor Tools:  Participants will learn strategies for conducting formal and informal observations, for collecting data, and for providing feedback to teachers. They will also explore ways to help beginning teachers develop and implement Professional Growth Plans aligned with the effective teaching standards and criteria required for Professional Certification. Washington Code of Professional Conduct and Confidentiality:  In this session, participants will review the Code of Professional Conduct and mentor confidentiality and the important implications for instructional mentors and coaches. Classroom Management for Mentors:  This session will focus on helping mentors articulate their own effective management practices, learn what to look for in a new teacher’s classroom, and collaborate with new teachers on the development of successful management strategies.   Registration Fee:  $150 (non-refundable).  Participants must commit to completing all four days of training, including one early evening session. All training, materials, texts, breakfast and lunch are provided. Dormitory lodging is available by request and should be indicated on the registration form. Thirty (30) clock hours through Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession, or 3 graduate credits through Seattle Pacific University are available and payable on site. Schedule: Registration and breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, August 2nd Mentor Academy sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 4:30 p.m., Monday, August 2, through Thursday, August 5 One required evening session will be held on Tuesday, August 3, until 6:30 p.m.  Please plan accordingly. Questions:  contact Linda Foster, Program Administrator, Early Career Educator Devlopment, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, (360) 725-6323, linda.foster@k12.wa.us To cancel your registration, please contact the WASBO office ~ 1-800-524-4706 or 1-360-528-2025 or ruth@wasbo.org