Being a first-year teacher can be overwhelming! You are entering a new atmosphere, and this may even be your first job in the workforce. Hopefully, you are excited about the potential to make a difference in children’s lives, but like any part of life, there are bound to be bumps in the road. Luckily, at Tyler ISD, we offer a Beginning Teacher Mentoring Program – Tyler ISD Connected – so that you don’t have to face future classroom challenges alone. This mentoring program creates an environment where questions are encouraged, and support and advice are guaranteed.
Tyler ISD Connected consists of nearly 175 mentors around the district that support 350 to 400 teachers each school year. Our program is for three types of teachers: those with less than three years of teaching experience; those that may have teaching experience but have not taught in a public school; or those with teaching experience who have not taught in the United States.
Tyler ISD Connected also offers targeted professional learning opportunities and face-to-face networking events with all our beginning teachers. Meetings scheduled throughout the school year focus on issues commonly faced in the classroom.
LEVELS OF SUPPORT
The Teaching and Learning department facilitates Tyler ISD Connected and provides professional learning opportunities with multiple levels of support. Tyler ISD Connected includes targeted professional learning events throughout the three-year program.
#1 Content Mentor
Your assigned Content Mentor will help with day-to-day concerns such as planning, teaching, and the classroom environment. Having your mentor nearby can help you learn how to manage your many duties. Your mentor is part of the program for the first two years to provide support, encouragement, and positive feedback.
#2 Campus Lead Mentor
Your assigned Campus Lead Mentor will help you become acquainted with campus staff, culture, and expectations, plus support your social and emotional needs. They also hold monthly meetings to network, collaborate, and learn instructional strategies.
#3 District Mentor
As a beginning teacher, you will also be assigned a District Mentor who will work closely with you to assess and support your classroom management needs. In the program’s first year, your mentor will meet with you regularly. Second-year support is given on an as-needed basis, and third-year support is provided when requested.
A NEW TEACHER PERSPECTIVE
Our new teachers’ success matters to us. That’s why we want each of you to thrive in the classroom. It’s not just wishful thinking, it’s a priority of the program. What better way to know what it is like than to hear from our Tyler ISD 2022 Rookie of the Year Gracie Anderson. She is a special education teacher at one of our middle schools. We asked her to share a few words about her Tyler ISD Connected experience:
“The beginning teacher mentor program has benefitted me in my first years. My wonderful mentor, Ms. Slimp, has been a source of encouragement and support. She checks in with me regularly, and I know that I can come to her with any needs or questions that I may have. I love my co-workers, and they have been tremendously helpful, but it's reassuring to know I have someone outside of campus staff as a resource. The best thing I got from the mentor program was a connection with a mentor that has many years of expertise. She is a source that helps me keep the right things in perspective.
I would advise first-year teachers not to be too proud to ask for help. You have a wealth of resources around you with many experiences, from your administration to master teachers, mentor teachers, and fellow content teachers. They want to help and support you. We can provide the best experience for our students when we're willing to have a collaborative team effort mindset.”
IN SUMMARY
At Tyler ISD, we want the best for our teachers. Many studies have shown that mentoring programs help prevent burnout for young and veteran teachers. Our program ensures that you feel prepared for your first few years of teaching and have all the knowledge and skills necessary for Successful Student Outcomes success. You will immediately feel like a part of the Tyler ISD community, and we cannot wait to see the superstar you can become in our district! For more information about our teaching opportunities, visit careers.tylerisd.org.
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