“We want to develop teachers who continuously pursue excellence and reflect on their practice, who are committed and passionate Lutheran teachers for their students.” –Prof. Jon Schaefer

The statement above expresses the goals of the WELS Teaching Standards and WELS New Teacher Induction program. Administrators are an important part of that work and we want to make sure that you feel well prepared to fulfill your role. All administrators who have first-year teachers being mentored through New Teacher Induction must complete the activities in the following pages.

Each page answers specific questions that administrators have asked. Click on each question to enter the appropriate page.

• Question 1: What is needed to complete this training?
• Question 2: What do I need to know about WELS New Teacher Induction (NTI) and what are my responsibilities?
• Question 3: Why is mentoring important?
• Question 4: How do I recommend the best mentor for new teachers?
• Question 5: What can and should I do to support new teachers in my building?

Please complete the activities according to your schedule, then answer the questions below and send them to Professor Schaefer in an email, schaefjm@mlc-wels.edu.

Building administrators are an essential part of teacher induction and we want to make sure that you feel well prepared to fulfill your role.

All administrators who have new teachers being mentored through the WELS New Teacher Induction (NTI) program must complete the activities included on these pages no later than Friday, July 29, 2016 if you haven't completed the training previously. It should take only 1-2 hours to complete. As a former principal and director I know how busy you are! You may stop and start as often as needed.

Please note if the administrator training is not completed, substitute teacher reimbursements cannot be paid to your district/school.

Please bookmark this site on your computer so you can refer to it later when questions arise.

Questions to answer:

• How closely do administrators work with the mentor for the new teacher in their building? What are the essential mentor criteria?
• Any concerns about how administrators will meet the responsibilities of WELS New Teacher Induction?
• What are the building characteristics that are supportive of new teachers?
• What are administrative plans for supporting the new teachers in the building?
• What is the most helpful part of this training? (And we'll take suggestions on how to make it better, too!)

Please feel free to contact me at any time with any other questions, concerns or ideas you have about this program or how you can help new teachers and mentors in your building.

Professor Jon Schaefer - WELS NTI Coordinator - (507) 766-9674