The West Virginia Department of Education has assumed the role of provider for professional learning sessions to support teacher mentors through sessions focused on the knowledge, skills, and understandings for those who mentor new teachers.

Did you know?

Teachers who receive effective support in their first few years of teaching are most likely to remain in the profession and become the committed, caring, quality educators of tomorrow.

Session Description (Teacher Mentor Training – Days 1 – 2)

Experienced educators wishing to serve as mentor teachers during the 2023-24 school year are encouraged to participate in this professional learning session. This session is geared toward experienced teachers who will work as mentors for new teachers. Both those who have never attended mentor AND/OR those who attended mentor training prior to fall 2006 are invited to attend.

Mentors will receive training based on the New Teacher Center’s Foundations in Mentoring. This model focuses on the knowledge, skills, and understandings for those who mentor new teachers. The mentor training is guided by the belief that learning to teach is a career-long developmental process that involves a continuous cycle of planning, teaching, and reflecting. Some of the key concepts included are the following:

• Creating a Vision of Quality Teaching
• Defining Mentoring Roles
• Identifying New Teachers’ Needs
• Building an Effective Mentoring Relationship
• Selecting Support Strategies
• Establishing an Environment for Professional Growth
• Highlighting the Role of Professional Standards in mentoring

Virtual Session

Dates Available (Choose one, two-day session below):

• October 8-9, 2024 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• February 4-5, 2025  | 4:00 PM – 7:00

Session Location: Virtual live meetings through Microsoft Teams. You will receive instructions sent to your K12 email address approximately one week prior to the session.

Materials:

• Handouts: Materials will be distributed in a digital format prior to the session.
• Book: It is highly recommended (but not required) that individuals or counties purchase the book Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for teaching, 2^nd Edition as a companion to the training.

Cost: Free

For more information regarding these supports, please contact Dr. Bridget Phillips, Coordinator, WVDE Educator Development & Support Services, at bridget.phillips@k12.wv.us.

The West Virginia Department of Education’s (WVDE) National Board Certification (NBC) Support Program is an in-depth professional learning opportunity that allows participants to review and better understand the complete NBC standards and process. It exposes teachers to the process as well as the rigor, challenge and commitment the process entails. The Department’s NBC PL, which begins in the summer and continues throughout the school year, offers:

• Structured and sustained support
• One-on-One support provided by expert NBC mentor or cohort support group

To access a printable version of the National Board Certification Process, please download the National Board Certification flyer.

The NBC Process

The National Board Certification program includes four certification components that can be completed over a three-year period. All candidates participating in this support program will be working on and receiving support for components 2 and 3.

• Component 1: Content Knowledge Assessment – computer-based assessment
• Component 2: Differentiation in Instruction – samples of student work and an accompanying written commentary
• Component 3: Teaching Practice and Learning – classroom-based portfolio entry that requires video recording(s) of interactions between you and your students. A written commentary in which you describe, analyze and reflect on your teaching and interactions will also be submitted.
• Component 4: Effective and Reflective Practitioners – evidence of your impact across your professional responsibilities as an educator including your students, peers, and community

National Board Incentives

• Fee-Support: West Virginia will reimburse first-time candidates half of the application fees upon payment to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and the remainder of the application fees upon completion and submission of components. Teachers that achieve certification can also apply for an additional $600 for extra expenses.
• Stipends: West Virginia provides an annual state salary bonus of $3,500 for classroom teachers who hold a valid certificate from the NBPTS and are employed in a West Virginia public school, and an additional $2,000 for teachers working in a persistently low performing school.
  • In order for a teacher to qualify for the additional $2,000 supplement for teaching in a persistently low performing school, the follow criteria must be met:
    • National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) must hold an active certification from NBPTS.
    • NBCTs must complete the WVDE Mentor Training.
    • NBCTs must serve in the capacity of a mentor to support other teachers in the school.
    • The designation of persistently low performing schools is determined by the WVDE Finance Office. A list is provided to each county.
  • Many county school districts provide additional support and/or salary supplements.
• Candidate Support: The West Virginia Department of Education provides teachers with a yearlong cycle of support at no cost to candidates beginning with in-person professional learning for teachers to become familiar with the NBPTS process, standards, and expectations of the program. Continued support will be provided throughout the first year in the form of county cohorts or one-to-one mentoring from an active NBCT. Graduate credit for participation in the support cohorts or mentor support is optional for a nominal fee. All teachers must attend the in-person professional learning to be eligible for support (see below for more details).

To access a printable version of the National Board Incentives, please download the National Board Finacial Incentives sheet (pdf).

National Board Certification Awareness and Support