The thought of walking into a classroom full of elementary students keeps me shaking in my boots. Not only am I responsible for teaching them the knowledge they need for their grade level, but also having to think on my toes whether the students get bored or get rowdy. Personally, I never wondered what the school system offered in regards to an orientation. A conversation with my sister who works for the Yonkers Public School System in New York revealed that the public schools in the district do offer an orientation (Denise Duran, personal communication, July 3, 2014). Denise also stated that the week before school all the teachers go back to work. During this week is where they do their “orientation” and introductions. Furthermore, I always wondered if the schools offered ongoing training, mentoring or any other workshops to help new incoming teachers.
Induction programs and mentoring programs are two items that go hand in hand, one cannot be done without the other. Although they are two separate programs, many confuse them as the same. An induction program helps beginner teachers with the transition of teaching in a classroom. Workshops, like mentioned before, are usually held a week prior to the commencement of the school year. Orientation is also held prior to the school year starting for new teachers, but that is usually for one day (Denise Duran, personal communication, July 3, 2014). Induction programs helps with first year teachers gaining the information they need (Kauchak & Eggen, 2005, p. 500). Mentoring is another program that school systems offer. A mentoring program is for new teachers gaining guidance and support from experienced teachers. They offer not only emotional support, but also offer help with planning and conducting lessons. Mentors also help new teachers in assessing a student’s learning abilities (Kauchak & Eggen, 2005, p. 500). Various programs have been put into place in various states, while some of these programs...