The MPS New Staff Induction Program is the result of collaborative efforts between Human Resources and the Office of Staff Development to be proactive in
recruiting and retaining the highest quality teachers and counselors. The program is designed in 3 Induction phases to support new staff in their first three years of employment as they prepare for and enjoy a long, successful career in the Millard Public Schools.

Year 1: Mentor or Buddy, District and Building Orientations, Practical Tips for Beginning Teachers Workshops, and Educational Services Curriculum Support

Year 2: Peer Coaching

Year 3: Productive Approaches for Teaching and Learning

New certificated staff will benefit from individualized support and a professional guide and resource with a mentor or buddy, become familiar with building and district activity through a variety of Orientation experiences, have the opportunity to attend Beginning Teacher workshops, and receive assistance with curriculum development and delivery of instruction through support provided by the Educational Services department.

This is a unique opportunity for certificated staff in their 2nd year of employment to work with another
certificated staff member in their building as a coaching team. The focus will be on Millard’s Indicators of Effective Teaching and/or Indicators of Effective Counseling and will include peer collaboration, observation, self-assessment, and reflection. The Peer Coaching experience is designed to include one 1-hour skills session, coaching team conversations, and classroom observations each quarter. 2nd year staff who have more than 2 years of teaching or counseling experience and choose a coaching partner with more than 2 years of teaching or counseling experience may complete the Independent Team Study with their coaching partner in lieu of the regular 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarter Peer Coaching experience.

Productive Approaches for Teaching and Learning comes in two forms: a district-developed, 3 credit hour graduate course or an 8-hour training experience in the Elements of Differentiated Instruction. The graduate course is designed to integrate current research and Millard’s Indicators of Effective Teaching and/or Indicators of Effective Counseling. Participants focus on the Elements of Differentiated Instruction and the Dimensions of Learning to explore effective strategies related to their professional environment. The 8-hour training experience focuses on the Elements of Differentiated Instruction in the elementary and secondary environments. Successful completion of Productive Approaches for Teaching and Learning fulfills the district’s Differentiation of Instruction training expectation and offers professional development, networking opportunities, and support for the Teacher Evaluation and Professional Growth Cycle. The district will pay graduate tuition and fees for 3rd year employees who choose the graduate course.

All certificated staff hired since Fall 2002 are expected to participate in the 3-year MPS New Staff Induction Program.

Serve as mentor or buddy for a new staff member.

Participate in Peer Coaching as a coaching partner to a 2nd year staff member.

Seek opportunities to become an instructor for Productive Approaches for Teaching and Learning.

Contact Sharon Comisar-Langdon, Administrative Intern for Induction Programs (402-894-6165, scomisar@mpsomaha.org) or Char Riewer, CADRE Associate (402-894-6328, criewer@mpsomaha.org) for more information. Questions can also be directed to Human Resources (402-895-8200) or the Office of Staff Development (492-895-8418).