Iowa Department of Education

Goals

The 2001 legislation requires that district mentoring and induction plans provide a two-year sequence of induction program content and activities to support the Iowa teaching standards and beginning teacher professional and personal needs; mentor training that includes, at a minimum, skills of classroom demonstration and coaching and district expectations for beginning teacher competence of Iowa teaching standards; placement of mentors and beginning teachers; the process for dissolving mentor and beginning teacher partnerships; district organizational support for release time for mentors and beginning teachers to plan, provide demonstration of classroom practices, observe teaching, and provide feedback; structure for mentor selection and assignment of mentors to beginning teachers; a district facilitator; and program evaluation.

Iowa is an example of one of the states currently funding district mentoring and induction programs for teachers. The 2001 Student Achievement and Teacher Quality Act requires each participating school district and area education agency (AEA) to develop an initial beginning teacher mentoring and induction program to promote excellence in teaching, enhance student achievement, build a supportive environment within school districts and AEAs, increase the retention of promising beginning teachers, and promote the personal and professional well-being of classroom teachers.

For further information, contact:

Mary Beth Schroeder Fracek, Department of Education
marybeth.schroederfracek@iowa.gov
515-281-3160

MITS Team

The statewide Mentoring and Induction Team gives guidance to the Iowa Department of Education issues related to the mentoring and induction of new teachers. The Team plans and coordinates the Iowa Mentoring and Induction Institute held every spring. Representation on the team includes the Iowa Department of Education, the University of Northern Iowa, the Iowa State Education Association, Heartland Area Education Agency, and West Des Moines School District. Meetings of the team are held on an as-needed basis.

Mary Beth Schroeder Fracek (Chair), Department of  Education
Mary Brooks, West Des Moines Community School District
Beverly Riess, University of Northern Iowa
Sue Swartz, Department of Education
Dave Ulrick, Iowa State Education Association (retired)
Dave Wilkinson, Iowa State Education Association

Mentoring/Induction Network

The Iowa Mentoring and Induction Network is primarily comprised of AEA staff who administer the program in their areas and is led by the department administrator of the Iowa Mentoring and Induction program, DE. The network meets semi-annually in West Des Moines. The full day Network meetings provide information and technical assistance to AEAs and others in attendance on such topics as licensure issues for new teachers, system support, Iowa mentoring and induction models, and mentoring resources. Contact for more information: Mary Beth Schroeder Fracek (515) 281-3160 or marybeth.schroederfracek@iowa.gov

UPCOMING EVENT
A Mentoring and Induction Network Meeting from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on November 29 at the Plymouth Congregational Church on 42nd and Grand Avenue in Des Moines. This meeting will provide time to share updates, discuss new initiatives, and address concerns. A copy of the agenda is attached.

 Agenda for November 29 Mentoring & Induction Network Meeting