Applications for the 2007-2008 NYS Mentor Teacher Internship Program (MTIP), a competitive grant program, are now available. The MTIP program is a state grant that provides partial funding to local school districts and BOCES to develop and implement a mentoring/induction program. Due to NYSUT's lobbying efforts, $10 million is available to fund mentor programs next year. Last year, seventy-one districts were recipients of six million dollars in grant money.

The goal of the Mentor Teacher Internship Program is to provide guidance to first and second year teachers in a supportive environment. Research documents the benefits of high quality mentoring programs for both new and experienced/mentor teachers. New teachers receive the emotional support they need in the critical early years, develop sound instructional practices, learn effective classroom management techniques, and accelerate the focus on student achievement. Experienced teachers who serve as mentors benefit from sharing their skills and expertise, and have the opportunity to reflect on their own thinking about teaching and learning. More importantly, with a planned induction into teaching, we increase the likelihood that beginning teachers will remain in the profession and in those schools that need highly qualified teachers the most.

The proposal must be jointly developed by the school administration and local teachers' union and collectively bargained. Key elements of MTIP that must be addressed in the proposal are:

The nature of the mentor/intern relationship;

• 10% release time from the instructional day for both mentors and interns;

• Selection process and training of mentors and interns;

• Clearly defined role of building principals; and

• How the program will be managed and evaluated.

Given the need to close the achievement gap, the State Education Department will give special consideration to proposals submitted by districts with one or more schools under registration review (SURR schools), and/or schools in need of improvement or corrective action.

Applications for continuing awards (districts that received awards last year) as well as NEW applications must be postmarked by July 1, 2007.

Contact Carolyn Williams for information regarding MTIP and developing district-based mentoring programs at 518-213-6000, ext. 6686 (1-800-342-9810) or by e-mail at cwilliam@nysutmail.org.

Applications

MTIP – New: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/pdf/rfpmentornew.pdf

MTIP – Continuing: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/pdf/rfpmentorcontinue.pdf

NYSUT Research and Educational Services Information Bulletins regarding Mentoring and MTIP are available on the NYSUT website.

• New York State Mentor Teacher Internship Program

• District-based Mentoring Programs

• The Role of the Mentor in District-based Mentoring Programs

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