Common use of Assignment of Mentors Clause in Contracts

Assignment of Mentors. 1. In compliance with state law, mentor teachers shall be assigned by building principals or designated administrators to each mentee within thirty (30) days at the outset of his/her assignment for his/her first three (3) years in the profession. The position of mentor is voluntary. Principals shall solicit volunteers for mentoring positions from the ranks of tenured teachers in the affected building. Interested teachers shall submit a written request to be considered for such position. 2. Whenever possible, the following will serve as criteria for selecting mentors: a. A tenured teacher in the bargaining unit. b. Assigned to the same building, instructional level, or subject area as the first year teacher. 3. Selection or non-selection to serve as mentor is non-grievable. Reasons for not being selected shall be made known upon request to the individual and/or ASSOCIATION President. 4. Mentors who are not otherwise employed as members of this bargaining unit are excluded from the recognition clause, Article I, Paragraph A of the Master Agreement. 5. It shall be the professional responsibility of mentors to: a. Provide orientation to the teaching profession. b. Supplement in a friendly, informal way the formal orientation in the building, teaching level, or subject matter area on an ongoing basis. c. Offer a sympathetic ear and moral support as the new teacher becomes acclimated to the position and profession. 6. The professional mentor/mentee relationship is intended to be confidential. Mentors shall not be required to be involved in the evaluation of the mentee and will not be required to have a role have no role in the formal evaluation process. The mentee shall not be required to be involved in the evaluation of the mentor. Neither the mentor nor the mentee shall participate in a grievance hearing against the other except for cases of misconduct. The mentor’s assignment shall be reviewed within sixty (60) days of the start of the assignment. The administrator, mentor or mentee may request a review of or end to the relationship at any time. 7. Where possible, common preparation time may be assigned to the mentor and mentee. With the approval of the administrator, release time may be arranged for the mentor and mentee to work together. 8. Mentors shall receive a stipend AS FOLLOWS: $1,000 FOR YEAR 1 $375 FOR YEAR 2 $200 FOR YEAR 3 Existing administrative procedures for trade-off time and stipends for conference attendance may also be explored by the mentor and administrator.