One of the most challenging areas in a large urban school district is providing the necessary support and feedback for new special education teachers now included under the Teacher Induction Standards. Since the Teacher Induction programs are locally designed and implemented and aligned to the California Standards for the Teaching Profession, various models are used throughout the State. Challenging is ensuring that trained like credentialed Mentors are matched with each Education Specialist teacher.
Determining the model that meets the needs of the incoming teachers which also provides sufficient support and feedback in the most cost effective and responsible manner was essential in determining the LAUSD Teacher Induction for Education Specialist teachers. The support of the participants by their Lead Mentor in the District’s Teacher Induction program with emphasis on the education specialist teachers is based on four important elements: peer support and networking; like- credentialed Lead Mentors; site Administrative support and input; and a teacher driven reflective process which provides just in time’ support, feedback and coaching based on classroom observations. To accomplish this endeavor, the use of technology has been instrumental in the Teacher Induction Program, as there are presently over 350 Education Specialists assigned a liked credentialed mentor for the specialty areas MSD, MMD, ECSE, DHH, and VI.
