Lewis Central highlights mentor program, para conference and new-teacher onboarding

District administrators told the board they held multiple professional-development events this summer, including mentor training for beginning teachers, a second annual paraeducator conference and new-teacher orientation sessions. Dr. Herman (presenting) described a full-day mentor training focused on the Danielson framework and classroom-management supports; participants reported increased confidence in working with new teachers. District materials showed that mentors appreciated resources and scenario-based practice, and survey results indicated that a large majority of mentor participants felt at least somewhat confident to support mentees. The paraeducator conference was the program’s second year; the district planned for 85 attendees this year after about 55 the prior year. Topics were selected from para feedback and included a UFLI literacy session. The conference added a parent panel this year and brought in speaker Willow Sweeney for a full-day presentation; administrators said several neighboring districts sent attendees. New-teacher orientation included two mornings of district-level sessions and building-level afternoons. Organizers said about 95% of new teachers reported feeling confident about the information presented on evaluation, Danielson-aligned evidence, multi-tiered systems of support and classroom-management frameworks. Administrators told the board they view mentoring, para support and early onboarding as investments in retention and instructional consistency; board members asked about scaling the events and using participant feedback to adjust future sessions.