1. Every Moment Counts: Preparing New Teachers for Success
Dr. Irene Williams , Executive Director of Elementary Education Dr. Ernestine Scott, Director of Federal Programs

2. RPS Snapshot RPS has 46 Schools:
24 of 28 Elementary Schools are Title I
All 8 Middle Schools are Title I
2 of the 8 High Schools are Title I
1 Military Academy serving grades 6-12
1 Center-Based Exceptional Education School

3. RPS Demographics Student Membership 24,000 (as of 10/10)
Ethnic Breakdown
African American 83%
Native American <1%
Asian <1%
Hawaiian <1%
Hispanic %
White %
Other <1%
Elementary class size (K-3) 16:1 – 18:1
(4-5) 22:1
Middle/High class size 22:1
Exceptional Ed population 19%
Free/Reduced Lunch Rate 75%

4. Richmond Public Schools
New Teacher Training
RPS welcomed 212 new teachers
84 had prior experience
116 had “0” experience
100 were Secondary
112 were Elementary
RPS has a total of 2,125 teachers
Professional Development and Orientation Opportunities are provided to assist new teachers:
New Teacher Institute
Richmond Teacher Residency (RTR) Program
Mentor Teacher Program
Partnerships with Business Community

5. New Teacher Training and Mentoring opportunities are provided to:
New Teacher Training – con’t
New Teacher Training and Mentoring opportunities are provided to:
Promote teacher support and collaboration
Increase student achievement
Increase teacher retention in the district
Provide teachers with additional support to provide high quality effective instruction in the classroom
Empower teachers to access resources from district Instructional Specialists

6. In-depth training on the RPS Instructional Model
New Teacher Institute
The New Teacher Institute is a four- day training for teachers who are new to Richmond Public Schools. The Institute provides an orientation to the school district and training to ensure the success of our new teachers. The Institute includes:
In-depth training on the RPS Instructional Model
Review of RPS Standards and Resources
In-depth training on Secondary and Elementary
content
Training on Classroom Management and
Bullying
Training from various departments (Human
Resources, Safety & Security, Nutrition Services)

7. Coaching and Mentoring Program – RTR
The Richmond Teacher Residency (RTR) Program was designed to increase student achievement by recruiting, preparing and supporting outstanding teachers. The program provides:
A Year-long residency with a classroom teacher before they become independent teachers of record
Additional benefits in exchange for three-year commitment to teach in a high-need secondary school
No-cost/low cost housing for two-years
Reduced tuition fees
Fees to pursue National Board Certification
Partnership with VA Commonwealth University (VCU) faculty for training

8. Coaching and Mentoring Opportunities -RTR Richmond Teacher Residency Program
Intensive School-based teacher preparation
Year-long residency with trained Master classroom teacher
RTR Graduates receive Professional Development for three years
Trained Mentor- Coach for each resident teacher
High - Quality training to ensure teacher success

9. Cycle of Support In Achieving Long Term Improvement
Teacher
In-Class Coaching
Feedback, Conferences and Planning with Teachers
Study Groups and Grade Level Teams
In-Class Modeling

10. Coaching and Mentoring for New Teachers:
Mentor - Teacher Program
Goals of the Mentor-Teacher Program for New Teachers:
Improve new teacher retention
Improve skills and teaching performance of new teachers
Support new teacher morale, communication and collegiality
Assist new teachers in making transition into full time teaching and to higher levels of student achievement

11. Coaching and Mentoring for New Teachers:
Mentor -Teacher Program
Mentor – Teacher Program
Provides training for mentor teachers assigned to teachers with “zero” experience
A blend of the traditional Mentoring Model and the New Teacher Center (Santa Cruz Mentoring) Model.
Mentor- Teachers are assigned for the school year
Experienced teachers are assigned a buddy for assistance

12. Classroom Supporter Data Coach Resource Provider Learning Facilitator
Coaching and Mentoring Program
Classroom Supporter
Increase the quality and effectiveness of classroom instruction
Data Coach
Ensures student achievement data drive instructional decisions at the classroom and school level
Resource Provider
Expands teacher’s use of a variety of resources to improve instruction
Instructional Specialist
Aligns instruction with the curriculum to meet the needs of the student
Learning Facilitator
Designs collaborative, job-embedded professional development

13. Mentoring and Coaching for New Teachers
Mentoring focuses on the growth and development for one’s success (guiding, facilitating, affirming)
Mentoring increases competencies or skill sets
Coaching focuses on improving performance and or behavior for success
Coaching improves specific skills or competencies e

14. The District uses Coaching and Mentoring to:
RPS’s Coaching and Mentoring Program
The District uses Coaching and Mentoring to:
Increase effective teaching strategies
Develop high quality instruction in schools that need additional support
Improve use of data to drive instructional decisions
Increase the number of NBCT and master teachers in the district.
Provide additional competencies to increase expertise of staff in moving the district forward

15. Appetizers Entrees Administering Assessments Providing Resources
Coaching Provides: A Menu of Services
Appetizers
Administering Assessments
Providing Resources
Data Analysis
Collegial Visits
Joint Lesson Planning
Organizing
Entrees
Model Lessons
Team teach
Small group instruction
Observation and classroom management
Differentiating instruction

16. Desserts Brainstorming Collaboration Networking Problem Solving
Coaching Provides: A Menu of Services
Desserts
Brainstorming
Collaboration
Networking
Problem Solving
Technology Support

17. Keeps focus on needs and success of the teacher
New Teacher Coaching
Keeps focus on needs and success of the teacher
Performance driven and often structured
Collaborative and structured to develop specific skills or competencies
Integrates content areas to provide additional opportunities for teaching and learning

18. Builds trusting and positive relationships
New Teacher Mentoring
Builds trusting and positive relationships
Empowers, motivates and inspires
Demonstrates effective communication skills
Collaborates, models, listens and supports
Encourages personal and professional growth

19. A middle school teacher was named Virginia Teacher of the year in 2011
The Impact for RPS
100% of schools achieved state accreditation in 2010 and 84% made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
Academic progress continues and in many areas exceeds the state average
A middle school teacher was named Virginia Teacher of the year in 2011
An increase in the number of teachers receiving their National Board certification

20. CONTACT INFORMATION:
Dr. Irene L. Williams
Dr. Ernestine H. Scott