K.E.E.P Year One is a dedicated program for our educators (certified staff) who are new to School District Five. The program is run by a three person team of experience educators who have spent ten or more years in our district and work in conjunction with our Year Two and Mentoring Programs. Educators will be required to attend four meetings throughout the year with their Year One cohort, including one planned afternoon of observations. Meetings will provide support and encouragement as well as information for evaluations, important district-wide initiatives, and professional development opportunities.
K.E.E.P Year One Support Team will also be available for in-person, school-based visits in October and February.
Unless noted, all meetings will be at Glacier High School in the Main Conference Room. Educators are responsible for arranging for their own substitute. Please contact Nancy, Stephanie, or Megan if you need help with this!
All year one educators will be assigned a mentor within their home school to provide one on one on-site support.
Spring 2024 Observations
We are excited for you to launch into some observations of colleagues’ classrooms with your mentor. The goals are to provide perspective, colleague connection, and reflection for you to take into your own classroom and teaching practices.
Here is some information for you to know as you plan your observations:
You have been given a 0.5 day to observe another classroom(s) along with your mentor between now and Spring Break.
Please meet with your mentor to determine when/where you would like to go and observe.
We can observe in pairs. (1 mentor and 1 new teacher)
Use the forms attached to determine the "look-fors" during your observation and let that help drive your decision as to where/who you'd like to observe. (more about these forms below)
Your mentor will reach out to the teacher(s) you'd like to observe and coordinate the observation schedule.
You can plan your half day to make it work for you - depending on if you leave your building (which we hope you do!) and how many teachers you plan to observe. Make sure to leave time for reflection. We encourage you to observe multiple classrooms.
Your mentor is tasked to coordinate your personalized observation plan, but please reach out to Nicole Capser, Stephanie Hill, or Megan Koppes for any clarification or needs.
Your principals are excited for you and this opportunity! If you are unsure who to observe, I am sure they would be more than happy to recommend someone.
For those of you who are not a "classroom teacher" make this opportunity fit you and your profession.
Observation Forms/Reflection: Linked below are two forms to assist you to make your observations meaningful.
Observational Notes: contains your "look-fors" while observing. Use this document to drive decisions as to who you'd like to observe and what you want to look for while observing. There is also space to make notes during the actual observations.
Post Observation Reflection and Google Form: is what you will use with your mentor to reflect on the observation. You only need to fill out one reflection even if you observed multiple classrooms. It will then help drive conversation at the next New Teacher meeting after Spring Break.
Follow-Up: After Spring Break our 1st Year KEEP directors will bring all Year 1 teachers together to reflect on your experience with observations. Watch for more information to come as we plan to meet and/or discuss the week of April 2.