Lake Geneva Schools’ Development & Mentor Program Equips New Teachers With Tools For Professional Success September, 2016 – At Lake Geneva Schools, we pride ourselves on the abundant opportunities available to our students and the dedication of our top-quality, amazing teachers and staff. Developing and retaining exceptional staff is a prominent part of our district-wide multi-year strategic plan, and we are committed to advancing growth and leadership opportunities for our staff through ongoing, targeted professional development. Providing staff with the resources and support they need to be successful in their careers enables us to continue offering the best possible education to our students. Our new teacher professional development and mentor program is one of the many opportunities we offer to our staff. All of our newly hired Lake Geneva Schools teachers for the 2016-17 school year, as well as our second-year teachers, are currently participating. This program is designed to help new teachers make a smooth transition into our school system and be successful in their classrooms. Just a few days into the new school year, all of our new teachers took part in the second of four development sessions. During their time together, teachers learned about assessment methods and technology that can assist them in their classrooms. They also had opportunities to share best practices and collaborate in a fun activity that involved getting team members through an unmarked maze. It was a great night of learning and team-building. The remaining two sessions will be held around the midyear mark and in the spring. Our second-year teachers also recently met to share and review goals for year two, learn about technology resources and discuss upcoming professional development opportunities offered through Lake Geneva Schools. “Whether our new staff are veteran educators or are just starting their teaching careers, everyone participates in and benefits from our new teacher professional development series,” said Dr. Jan Eckola, director of curriculum for Lake Geneva Schools. “Research shows, and feedback from our

First and second year teachers recently gathered at the district administration office to take part in the new teacher professional development program, which is designed to help new teachers make a smooth transition into the Lake Geneva Schools system and be successful in their classrooms. teachers reinforces, that having a positive support system in the first two years of teaching leads to higher levels of professional success and student success. Ensuring that our staff and students are successful is our top priority,” she added. An important part of the support system Dr. Eckola referred to is the Lake Geneva Schools new teacher mentor program. At the start of each school year, new teachers are paired with a mentor in their school building who teaches the same grade or is in the same department. The mentorship program continues through each new teacher’s second year of employment at Lake Geneva Schools.