Mentoring Matters

Last month, I was invited to facilitate a presentation on Cognitive Coaching at the California Mathematics Council Conference. While there, I had an opportunity to attend a panel discussion where four experts (two of whom included our own Mary Vongsavanh and Chris Shore--go Murrieta!) addressed a ballroom full of educators as well as online attendees from throughout the state to explore concerns about the current condition of mathematics education. The number one topic seemed to be dealing with the pandemic-related behavior issues that seemed to be plaguing everyone. One panel member, Dr. Kyndall Brown, who is the Executive Director of the California Mathematics Project and the UCLA Mathematics Projects Site Director, cited the fact that most districts spent the entire summer talking about the importance of spending the first several weeks of the school year focusing on SEL instruction before getting into academics...but then did little or none of that in reality. He advocated for "taking our foot off the gas" and returning to an SEL focus for both students and teachers if we really want to address the challenging behaviors and mental health issues that were prevalent.

Inspired by this and committed to implementing actionable solutions on behalf of our newly hired teachers and mentors, we, too, made a decision to take our "foot of the gas" as we heard more and more about the struggles our induction candidates were experiencing--as well as our mentors--in dealing with some of the realities of teaching this year. We felt that we could alleviate some of the adversity they were experiencing while maintaining the integrity of our programming by eliminating one of the mini-inquiring embedded within the Individual Learning Plan. We recommended that mentors and candidates instead focus on "Just-in-Time" support collaboration and, wherever possible, incorporate self-care strategies into their focus.

We could see a difference almost immediately. There was not only a relief in pressure but an improvement in the quality of the work that was being completed. For both children and adult learners, emotional regulation has a positive impact on performance.

We have the following paid trainings coming up over the next few weeks:

Benchmarks Curriculum Best Practices (Elementary), Monday, January 24, 4:00-6:00pm, Presented by Michelle McCarthy

Introduction to Mindfulness (All Levels), Thursday, January 27, 4:00-6:00pm, Presented by Sean McCarthy

Nearpod Training (For Staff at Sites with Nearpod LIcenses), Thursday, January 27, 4:00-6:00pm, Presented by Chrissy Thomas-Kelley

Google 101.5 (All Levels), Thursday, February 3, 4:00-6:00pm, Presented by Chrissy Thomas-Kelley

You can learn more about the trainings and registration for the above sessions, as well as access our asynchronous paid online workshops by clicking HERE. We also have online training resources on a wide array of topics that can be accessed on demand 24/7 from the "Professional Development Buffet" in the Canvas PD Course HERE.

**Don't hesitate to recommend these or any of the above resources to teachers or other staff members who could benefit!**

We continue to grow and expand our program this year! Here are the current numbers:

Assigned Mentors: 63

Year 1 Induction Candidates: 36

Year 2 Induction Candidates: 19

ECO Induction Candidates: 1

Intern Candidates (Including STSP & PIP): 15

TPSL Candidates (Long-Term Subs): 4

CTE Clear Credential Candidate: 1

Modified Induction Candidates: 1

Other Candidates: 3

Please don't hesitate to contact us for assistance with staff!

Erica Franklin

efranklin@murrieta.k12.ca.us

ext. 1028