TEACHER ORIENTATION PROGRAM
Guidelines
2011-12
PHILOSOPHY
As teachers begin their careers in Lake County Public Schools, either as a first time professional
or as an experienced educator from another district or state, it is important they receive support.
Each school, and the district as a whole, has a culture unique to the community it serves. It is
important that our new personnel receive training and experiences that will ensure their success.
The Teacher Orientation Program (T.O.P.) is designed as a framework for this support. The
guiding principles of the program are the Educator Accomplished Practices and the Professional
Education Competencies (PEC) for professional certification. The Teacher Orientation Program
is based on the premise that the professional development of new teachers is best achieved
through a planned, supportive program.
GOAL
The goal of the Lake County Teacher Orientation Program is to provide for the development,
demonstration, and documentation of the Professional Education Competencies (PEC) while
providing a technical and psychological support system for new teachers.
OBJECTIVES
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To provide personal support to new teachers;
To increase retention of promising new teachers;
To foster self-assessment and reflection;
To acquaint new teachers with services and resources within the school and district;
To improve understanding of effective teaching behaviors, accomplished practices,
and educational competencies thereby improving instructional practice and student
achievement.
LEGISLATION
State legislation (1012.52 and 1012.56) effective July 1, 1997, required: each district to develop
and maintain a system by which members of the district’s instructional staff may demonstrate the
professional education competence (PEC) required by this section for issuance of a professional
certificate. Each district’s system must be based on classroom application and instructional
performance and must include a performance evaluation plan for documenting the demonstration
of required professional education competence.
Lake County created a redesigned induction program called the Teacher Orientation Program
(TOP) designed to provide orientation and induction into the teaching profession in Lake County.
The program provides the framework for new teachers to demonstrate competency in the
professional teaching competencies (PEC) and the Educator Accomplished Practices. Educators
applying for initial certification must successfully complete this program as part of the certification
process. Support teams work with the new hires to verify competence for the Superintendent of
Schools who must verify competency for the Department of Education.
TOP Guidelines 2011-12
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ADMISSION TO THE TEACHER ORIENTATION PROGRAM
The program begins once the new teacher is hired and the Human Resource Services
Department (HRS) sends the New Teacher Information form to the TOP Coordinator at the
Learning Resource Center.
All new hires are required to attend New Beginnings or the New Teacher Orientation & Survival
training closest to the date of hire. All new hires are also required to take Professional Ethics, a
four-hour online course.
In addition, teachers who are employed on a three-year non-renewable Florida Temporary
Teaching Certificate may be required to demonstrate the Professional Educator Competencies
(PEC) required by law, unless otherwise stated on their Official Statement of Status of Eligibility.
Exemptions to this teacher induction are long-term substitutes and teachers on temporary
contracts of less than ninety (90) days.
GOVERNANCE
The Superintendent will have overall and final authority for the Teacher Orientation Program. The
Superintendent, or a designee, will have the responsibility of verifying successful program
completion. The school-level support team verifies teacher competency for the Superintendent
by signing and dating the Competency Verification form (MIS 64 039).
The Teacher Orientation Program will be overseen by the Professional Development Department
in coordination with the HRS Department. The program coordinator is housed in the Professional
Development Department at the Learning Resource Center, 510 S. Palm Ave., Howey-in-theHills, FL 34737. For further information call 352/742-6900 or email mullend@lake.k12.fl.us.
TOP Guidelines 2011-12
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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties and responsibilities of the SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR will include:
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Create a support team made up of a school based administrator, a peer mentor
(non-paid) and an Instructional Coach for each new hire.
Facilitate the development of an Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP)
to foster professional growth and advise the new teacher of their responsibility
involving the ESOL requirement, workshops, observations, tests required and
other activities.
Require the TOP teacher to attend training provided by the district including
orientation and in-service trainings targeting effective teaching behaviors,
accomplished practices and/or educational competencies.
Require a new teacher (with a temporary certificate) to maintain a PEC portfolio
providing documentation of educational education competencies.
Facilitate the verification of competence and recognition of completion of the
program.
Meet with new teacher (on temporary certificate) and instructional coach to review
PEC portfolio documentation and sign off on competency verification card (MIS 64
039 RVS 4-27-10) by May 1st of the school year.
The duties and responsibilities of the PEER MENTOR:
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Utilize effective, positive interpersonal communication skills to foster a supportive
and positive relationship with the new teacher.
Participate in orientation meetings and activities with the new teacher that
introduces them to the school and faculty.
Work with the Instructional Coach to assist the new teacher in demonstration of
professional education competencies.
Share knowledge, expertise, and constructive guidance with the new teacher.
Participate in the formulation of the new teacher’s Individual Professional
Development Plan.
Act as the primary resource/liaison for the new teacher and offer specific
information on school and county policies, philosophy, procedures, paperwork, and
curriculum.
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The responsibilities of the INSTRUCTIONAL COACH:
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Meet with the new teacher at least every two weeks.
Provide a minimum of two formative observations with feedback for teachers new
to the classroom.
Provide regular informal classroom visits for all new hires.
Provide instructional resources as needed.
Model appropriate lessons and teaching techniques.
Assist new teacher with PEC portfolio development and mastery, TOP guidelines,
and PEC card completion.
Keep appropriate documentation of teacher assistance and progress.
Send appropriate paperwork to the program coordinator for processing with the
district by May 1st or request an extension if necessary.
The responsibilities of the TEACHER / INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF new to Lake County
Schools shall include:
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Hold a current, valid, temporary certificate or a 5-year professional certificate.
Complete all paperwork required by HRS department.
Participate in New Beginnings or New Teacher Orientation Survival Trainings held
by the district on the date closest to the hire date.
Collaborate with school based peer mentor on a regular basis.
Meet with assigned Instructional Coach on a regular basis as needed.
Participate in online Professional Ethics training (online) provided by the district.
Participate in a minimum of (2) formative observations or visits with an
Instructional Coach.
Complete an Individual Professional Development Plan and attend
meetings/trainings as required.
In addition, teachers on a three-year non-renewable Florida Temporary Teaching
Certificate may be required to complete one or more of the following as outlined in the
Official Statement of Status of Eligibility:
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Develop PEC portfolio documentation as required
Complete and sign the Professional Educators Competency (PEC) demonstration card by
May 1st.
Passing Score on the General Knowledge (GK) Test during the first year of employment
Passing Score on appropriate Subject Area Examination (SAE)
Passing score on the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE)
Other activities such as college coursework as noted in the Official Statement of Status of
Eligibility.
NOTE:
Some TOP teachers may qualify for the Alternative Certification Program after
completing demonstration of Professional Education Competence (PEC). The ACP is
a competency-based alternative to the traditional 20 hours of college of education
courses.
TOP Guidelines 2011-12
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TRAINING PROVIDED
ORIENTATION (New Beginnings OR New Teacher Orientation & Survival Training)
New Beginnings (SRN#240900111001) will be held for five days prior to pre-planning and
provide information on curriculum, planning, instructional strategies, classroom management,
assessment, certification and T.O.P. guidelines. Teachers will receive materials and resource
books. The dates of New Beginnings are August 8-11, 2011 at Tavares Middle School and on
Friday, August 12 new teachers will report to their school site and school administrator for sitebased training. The times are from 8:30 – 2:30. Stipend pay is pending budget approval.
If new hires cannot attend New Beginnings, they are required to attend a one-day New Teacher
Orientation & Survival Training held at the Learning Resource Center on the date closest to the
date of hire. Stipends will be paid by the Professional Development Department.
Teacher Orientation & Survival Training will be held from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Learning
Resource Center (510 South Palm Ave., Howey-in-the-Hills, FL) on the following dates: (Only
one Orientation session is required. Choose the date closest to the hire date.)
September 10, 2011
(SRN # 240900211002)
October 8, 2011
(SRN # 240900211003)
November 19, 2011
(SRN # 240900211004)
January 21, 2012
(SRN # 240900211005)
February 11, 2012
(SRN # 240900211006)
March 10, 2012
(SRN # 240900211007)
April 14, 2012
(SRN # 240900211008)
The purpose of the orientation session is to welcome new teachers to the Lake County School
system and to provide an introduction to:
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Resources provided by the district,
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Guidelines for Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) such as competencies, practices, and
PEC portfolio development,
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Survival Training in planning, classroom management, instructional strategies, and
assessment.
TOP Guidelines 2011-12
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Follow-Up Teacher Professional Ethics Training
Teachers will receive four hours of online Professional Ethics Training in order to complete TOP
Orientation. Register on eSchoolSolutions (ERO) for course # 8416001 for a convenient session.
This Ethics training for teachers is specific to Lake County Schools (LCS) and cannot be
substituted with ethics classes taken at the college level; nor can the LCS ethics course for
teacher assistants or substitutes be accepted in lieu of this training.
Professional Ethics
September 1-10
October 1- 10
November 1-10
December 1- 10
January 1 - 10
February 1- 10
March 1 – 10
April 1 -10
May 1- 10
SRN
SRN
SRN
SRN
SRN
SRN
SRN
SRN
SRN
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
841600111001
841600111002
841600111003
841600111004
841600111005
841600111006
841600111007
841600111008
841600111009
DIRECTIONS FOR REGISTERING:
Once you are registered on ERO for one of the online classes, your instructor will
contact you via email and let you know how to register for the online class
delivered via Blackboard Learn. The class will be open 24/7 during the stated
dates. It will take approximately four (4) hours to complete the class. After the
10 of each month, you will be able to print out a certificate of completion from
ERO for your records. You should give a copy of your certificate to your
administrator and keep a copy for your PEC portfolio documentation if needed.
Email Diane Mullen if you have problem with registration. mullend@lake.k12.fl.us
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PEC Portfolio
Documentation
What is Professional Educator Competency (PEC) portfolio documentation?
A professional portfolio is a collection of work produced by a teacher to highlight and
demonstrate his/her skills and knowledge. It serves as a means of reflection and gives the
teacher an opportunity to critique his/her own work and effectiveness. As an authentic
assessment, portfolios document actual teacher performance, showing the quality and
process of thinking and planning.
A portfolio can take various forms: a notebook, videos, or a collection of teacher products.
Each portfolio reflects the teacher’s strengths, personality, areas of effectiveness and areas
needing improvement. For new teachers, the PEC portfolio may include copies of:
professional certificate, Official Statement of Status of Eligibility, test scores, lesson plans,
teacher-made test, parent communications, grading procedures, copies of formative
observations or any other means of demonstrating the Professional Education
Competencies (PEC).
All documentation should be kept in one place and presented to the support team at each
meeting. Competencies may be demonstrated in more than one way. Some competencies
may be observed during screening, formative, or assessment observations. Use the date of
the observation on the PEC card (MIS 64 039). Some competencies may be demonstrated
by providing copies of artifacts, such as parent communications or teacher-made tests.
Instructional Coaches will assist teachers with ways to demonstrate competencies at the
school site.
Once the documentation of competencies is completed and reviewed by the administrator at
the school site, the PEC portfolio remains the property of the new teacher. It may be used
as a reflection on the first year of teaching and the contents may be used to help the new
teacher develop professional development plans and ideas. The PEC portfolio is the new
teacher’s proof of demonstration of the Professional Education Competencies (PEC)
required by the State of Florida for a professional certificate. Teachers should use MIS
form 64 039 RVS 4-27-10 as a guide to competency demonstration. This form is
available on the Professional Development website or from your Instructional Coach. PEC
portfolios should be kept for at least one year for audit purposes.
For questions, call 742-6912 or email mullend@lake.k12.fl.us
Professional Development Department
Learning Resource Center
510 South Palm Avenue
Howey-in-the-Hills, FL 34737
(352) 742-6900
TOP Guidelines 2011-12
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PROGRAM FORMS
1.
NEW TEACHER INFORMATION SHEET (MIS 64 022 05-01-07 RVS))
The New Teacher Information sheet will be completed by the new hire in the Human Resource
Services (HRS) Department. The HRS Department will designate which group the new hire will
be required to participate in based on experience and educational training. Copies will be sent to
the program coordinator at the Learning Resource Center. The coordinator will then send a copy
to the school administrator and the Instructional Coach.
2.
OBSERVATIONS OF THE TEACHER
The administrator will be responsible for facilitating observations of the teacher to provide support
and feedback. The number of formative observations will be dependent upon the needs of each
participant. A minimum of two formative observations is required of teachers with Temporary
Certificates.
FORMATIVE OBSERVATIONS (MIS 64 016 RVS 9-23-08)
Formative observations should be assigned based on individual needs. A
minimum of two observations is required for all teachers new to the classroom.
These observations must be conducted by an Instructional Coach who is certified
in Clinical Educator Training.
3.
COMPETENCY VERIFICATION (MIS 64 039 RVS 4-27-10)
The administration will require documentation to demonstrate educational competencies. The
PEC portfolio should be maintained by the TOP teacher on a Temporary Teaching Certificate,
presented to the support team for sign-off, and then kept by the teacher as a record of
documentation of educational competence and practice. PEC portfolio documentation may be
kept in any appropriate form. The purpose is to provide documentation for the support team and
to encourage self-assessment and reflection.
After the support team has determined that the participant has completed all of the recommended
activities on the IPDP and reviewed the PEC portfolio documentation, each member must sign off
on the Verification of Competency Demonstration Form. The form verifies for the Superintendent
of Schools that the new teacher has demonstrated the Professional Educational Competencies
(PEC) required by the State of Florida. The completed form is then sent to the Professional
Development Office at the Learning Resource Center for processing of forms. This processing
takes approximately two weeks.
4.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
A certificate of completion will be returned to the Administrator for presentation to the new
teacher. The appropriate state forms will be completed and sent to the Florida Department of
Education by the HRS Department.
NOTE: Forms are available on the LCS Website under Departments>Professional
Development>Programs & Initiatives > TOP or from the Professional Development
Office located at the Learning Resource Center, 510 S. Palm Ave, Howey-in-the-Hills,
FL 34737.
TOP Guidelines 2011-12
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