Program Levels

The Three Levels of the DCSD Professional Mentoring Program

LEVEL 1: ORIENTATION

This level of the Professional Mentoring Program provides a welcome and collaborative support system in the form of an extended orientation for teachers, nurses, and counselors who are new to the school district. This level of the program is provided to all educators new to our district. For teachers, counselors, and nurses with fewer than three years of experience (New Professionals), the orientation process is done with an assigned Instructional Mentor. The Instructional Mentor also works with the New Professional in completing Level Three of the Professional Mentoring Program. For teachers, counselors, and nurses with three or more years of teaching experience, the orientation process found in Level One is completed with an experienced colleague from the same building. This experienced person is called the Orientation Facilitator.

LEVEL 2: SEMINAR SESSIONS

This level of the Professional Mentoring Program provides district-required adult learning sessions for all teachers, counselors, and nurses in their first and second year in the Dubuque Community School District. These training and learning opportunities focus on special topics such as equity and diversity, behavioral management, etc. The time for these sessions is provided through the district’s negotiated master agreement.

LEVEL 3: INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS WITH FEEDBACK

This level of the Professional Mentoring Program provides for an in-depth collegial examination of teaching and learning between an Instructional Mentor and a new teacher, counselor, or nurse with fewer than three years of experience.