ToC Mentorship Program
March 2024
“High Operational Practices & SEL Practice” Workshop
March 13, 2024
Shout Out To...
Rachel A.
Shaylynn R.
Thank you to Rachel and Shaylynn for sharing their stories with the Senate Education Finance Committee! Their testimonies illustrated why the District 196 Teachers of Color Mentorship Program should continue to be funded by the Teacher Mentorship and Retention of Effective Teachers Grant and why more funding should be provided for aspiring teachers of color. To watch their testimonies, click here (22:11-26:49).
Use the board to support your monthly check-ins. Mentors, after each check-in, complete the Teachers of Color (T.O.C.) Connection Ticket. One ticket per space covered on the tic-tac-toe board.
Rejuvenation Phase
During this phase, mentees will need more Instructional Support. In Chapter 6 of "Supporting Beginning Teachers," Boogren outlines how to provide such support (p. 74):
- Establish a common language of instruction
- Employ a process for increasing expertise
- Provide opportunities to observe and discuss effective teaching
How might the above outline be used with Catalyst Foundational Skills?
Establish a common language of instruction
How are you communicating with students? Hint: body, voice, words, eyes, breathing.
How are you monitoring and adjusting to their responses? Hint: What do you do when they respond differently than what you had signaled and said?
How is ensuring everyone included? Hint: Watch and Wait or Check for Understanding.
Employ a process for increasing expertise
Which Catalyst skills have been easy for you to implement?
Which Catalyst skills do you want to implement? How have they been working for you?
Provide opportunities to observe and discuss effective teaching
If you have participated in Catalyst Support Day, what feedback resonated with you?
Have you had conversations with and/or observations of colleagues who have tried the foundational skills? What learnings did you take away?
Source of graph: ""Supporting Beginning Teachers" by Tina Boogren, p. 25
Teachers of Color Mentorship Program members and guests who were trained in Catalyst Foundational Skills were offered the opportunity to participate in Catalyst Support Days February 22, February 28, and March 13. Soon, those participants will receive a survey to share their experiences with others! To learn how the foundational skills provide more equitable learning environments, click here.
From Awareness to Action: Insights from BIPOC Perspectives Workshops
From Awareness to Action: Insights from BIPOC Perspectives Workshops
District 196 BIPOC staff are invited to attend the second annual workshop event created by District 196 educators of color for educators of color! Our featured presenters are:
- K. Giddings - Social Worker, FRMS
“SEL & Equitable Outcomes for All” - Katie Coulson & Shaylynn Riddick - Grade 4 Teachers, TL
“AMAZEWorks in the Upper Elementary Classroom” - Julie Redd-Jones - Special Education Resource Teacher, RMS
“Barriers, Bridges, and Celebrations: Lessons from a 20+ Year Veteran Teacher of Color in Special Education”
To learn more, click HERE.
Click HERE to RSVP by 4/12/24 at 4pm.
Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024, 04:30 PM
Falcon Ridge Middle School, Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN, USA
District 196 Strategic Roadmap
The work of the Teachers of Color Mentorship Program aligns with the District 196 Strategic Roadmap. Resources that are provided align to one or more of the four strategic priorities of Wellbeing, Achievement, Equity, and Resources.
Wellbeing: Can Kids Do Well If They Can?
As children navigate life, their experiences shape and influence their responses to their learning environment and community. This article invites the reader to shift thinking naming behavior as connection-seeking instead of attention-seeking, recognizing students have lagging skills. Dr. Ross Greene identifies challenging behaviors and offers suggestions on how to close a potential behavioral skill gap using responsive, strengths-based language. Read more here.
Equity: How To Get Started With Culturally Responsive Teaching
Unsure how to begin with culturally responsive teaching? Check out this brief article offering entry points on how to get started engaging in self-reflection. Read more here.
"Grow Your Own (GYO) is a teacher preparing program strategy focused on developing and retaining teachers from the local community. GYO is often used to address teacher shortages and increase the diversity of the teacher workforce."
~ New America ~
District 196 GYO-Adult Pathways Program is seeking 15 future teacher candidates & 3 mentors/coaches for the second cohort.
Learn more at www.district196.org/GYO or contact Yen Huynh-Vue in the Equity and Inclusion Department at 651-423-7941 or yen.huynhvue@district196.org.
Missed a Newsletter?
They are located on the Equity and Inclusion Department Website.