DISTRICT BEGINNING TEACHER MENTOR 

Purpose: Rowan-Salisbury Schools Beginning Teacher Support Program includes the employment of certified teachers to serve as District Beginning Teacher Mentors. Mentors provide consistent, on-going support to new teachers while establishing a direct link between new teachers and Rowan-Salisbury Schools Directional System, Strategic Plan Priorities, and State Mandated Priorities. The mentors assist with orientation for beginning, residency, and renewal teachers. District Beginning Teacher Mentors serve as advocates for beginning teachers and provide emotional, instructional, and organizational support. School-based administrators work with District Mentors to develop schedules that assure sufficient time to meet with and support beginning teachers. Mentor expectations are aligned with the North Carolina Mentor Standards. 

Qualifications: 

• Has a minimum of five successful years of teaching experience  
• Holds a valid NC teaching license  
• Rated as accomplished or higher on the most recent summative evaluation  
• Uses a continuous improvement model in the classroom to produce exemplary student results  
• Has a positive recommendation from school and district leadership to serve as a part of the Mentoring Program  
• Collaborates with District Leadership, Administrators, Instructional Coaches, and Teachers in order to provide services to beginning teachers including in classroom support and professional development

Key Skills and Responsibilities:

Knowledge  

• Understands and puts into practice the North Carolina Beginning Teacher Support Program guidelines and the North Carolina Mentor Standards  
• Understands and is able to address the needs and concerns of beginning teachers  
• Understands the role, responsibilities and expectations of a mentor  
• Connects renewal and residency teachers with appropriate supports to work towards obtaining their NC Teaching License
• Is able to analyze data for the purpose of developing continuous improvement strategies  
• Has curriculum knowledge and is able to implement the curriculum through best instructional practices 

Attitude and Character  

• Shares and reinforces the vision, mission, values, beliefs, strategic directions, and goals of Rowan-Salisbury Schools
• Is a positive ambassador in support of continuous improvement in the district
• Is a role model for other teachers  
• Models positive leadership practices and is involved in continuous improvement  
• Demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning  
• Is a reflective practitioner and learns from others 

Professional Competence and Experience  

• Has a sound knowledge of teaching and learning pedagogy  
• Has consistently implemented a classroom learning system yielding positive student results  
• Demonstrates excellent classroom management skills  
• Understands district and state priorities, policies, and procedures  
• Has served successfully, in the past, as a mentor and/or clinical teacher
• Collaborates well with other teachers and administrators 

Communication Skills  

• Articulates effective instructional strategies  
• Provides feedback in positive and productive ways  
• Uses time efficiently  
• Conveys enthusiasm and portrays a passion for teaching  
• Maintains confidentiality and is discreet 
• Develops and implements large and small group professional learning for beginning teachers and mentor colleagues focused on improving instructional practices 

Interpersonal Skills  

• Is approachable  
• Establishes and maintains rapport with others  
• Works well with individuals from diverse backgrounds  
• Nurtures and supports others  
• Has credibility  
• Exemplifies a professional demeanor  
• Demonstrates sensitivity  
• Demonstrates tolerance and flexibility and has a positive and caring attitude 

Terms of Employment:

10 months