State of Alabama
Department of Education
Title II Teacher Quality Enhancement Project
Teacher Induction and Mentoring Manual
Bulletin 2003
No. 71
It is the official policy of the Alabama Department of Education that no person shall be denied employment,
be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in
any program or activity on the basis of disability, sex, race, religion, national origin, color, or age.
Ref: Sec. 1983, Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C.; Title VI and VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964; Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, Sec. 504; Age Discrimination in Employment Act; Equal Pay Act of 1963; Title IX of
the Education Amendment of 1972: Title IX Coordinator, P.O. Box 302101, Montgomery, Alabama
36130-2101 or call (334) 242-8444.
Teacher Induction and Mentoring Program
Program Administration
Teacher Quality Enhancement Project
State Department of Education
Vikki Miller, Ed.D.
Project Director
Judy Bohannon
Project Facilitator
Research and Program Development
Civitan International Research Center
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Janice N. Cotton, Ph.D.
Program Director
M. Amanda Deason
Program Coordinator
Delyne D. Hicks
Program Coordinator
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TASK FORCE ON TEACHER QUALITY
Chair: Dr. Ruth Ash, Dean of Education, Samford University
Ms. Carol Brown,
Alabama Coalition for Tomorrow
Carol Brown and Associates
Dr. Jayne A. Meyer, Director
Teacher Education and Certification
State Department of Education
Dr. Cynthia C. Elsberry, Superintendent
Talladega County Schools
Dr. Catherine Moore, Coordinator
Federal Programs Section
State Department of Education
Dr. Elizabeth French, Director
Office of Interagency Programs
Alabama Commission on Higher Education
Dr. Joseph B. Morton
Deputy State Superintendent
State Department of Education
Ms. Cathy Gassenheimer, Managing Director
A+ Education Foundation
Mr. Gene Murphree, Fiscal Analyst
Legislative Fiscal Office
Ms. Wilma Guthrie
Teacher
Ms. Caroline Novak, President
A+ Education Foundation
Dr. Ethel H. Hall, Vice President
State Board of Education
Ms. Sandra Ray, Member, 7th District
State Board of Education
Dr. Paul R. Hubbert, Executive Secretary
Alabama Education Association
Dr. Phil Redrick, Dean of Education
Alabama A&M University
Mr. Feagin Johnson
Assistant State Superintendent
State Department of Education
Senator Hank Sanders
Alabama Senate
Representative John Knight
Alabama House of Representatives
Dr. Wayman Shiver, Jr, Interim Superintendent
Birmingham City Schools
Ms. Robin Litaker, Teacher
Trace Crossings Elementary School
Mr. William Smith, Chairman
Royal Cup Inc.
Ms. Kathy McVay
President
Alabama Education Association
Dr. Barbara Walters, Coordinator
PEPE Section
State Department of Education
State Department of Education
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Introduction
Among the goals set by the Task Force on Teacher Quality was the
recruitment of caring, qualified teachers; improvement in retention rates;
and reduction in the turnover rate of Alabama’s public school teachers.
To accomplish these goals, the Task Force focused on the development of
an induction/mentoring program as a means of keeping talented teachers
in the profession and improving the quality of teaching. With funding
under a Title II Teacher Quality Enhancement grant, the Alabama
Department of Education launched the development of a comprehensive
induction program that included a two-year mentoring component. In
collaboration with Dr. Janice Cotton of the Civitan International Research
Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the assistance of
ten districts that agreed to participate in the two-year pilot, a framework
for creating, supporting, and sustaining an induction program for
beginning teachers was developed.
Information in the Alabama Teacher Induction and Mentoring Manual
represents best practices from individual states, districts, professional
organizations, institutions of higher education, and research. It also
incorporates what was learned in the Alabama pilot. District personnel
are encouraged to use the manual in the manner that will best support
the creation and coordination of an induction program that is most
appropriate for their schools. Some districts may select only a portion to
implement, and some may modify the material and merge it into their
current program.
It is with a great deal of appreciation that we acknowledge the time,
energy, and insightful feedback of the teachers and administrators who
took part in the pilot phase. Participating districts included Alexander
City, Bessemer City, Birmingham City, Brewton City, Dallas County,
Dothan City, Fort Payne City, Montgomery County, Phenix City, and
Talladega County. We are also indebted to many of our colleagues across
the state, especially Mara Jambor, Jefferson County Schools, and Patricia
Nix, Retired School Administrator and Teacher, for their critical review of
this document.
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Code of Ethics
Purpose of the Code of Ethics
The primary goal of the Alabama Teacher Induction Program (ATIP)
is to assist beginning teachers in making a successful transition
into the school environment. Mentoring is the cornerstone of the
program and therefore the conduct of the mentor and the integrity
of the mentor/protégé relationship are of the utmost importance in
the success of the ATIP. The purpose of the Mentor Code of Ethics
is to clarify responsibilities and standards of accountability. While
acknowledging every mentor/protégé relationship will be different,
the Code should clarify the boundaries of appropriate behaviors
and clarify the proper role and function of the mentor.
Respect
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The mentor will respect the protégé’s integrity and individuality.
The mentor will provide services in a nondiscriminatory
manner.
The mentor will show sensitive regard for the protégé’s moral,
social, and religious standards and avoid imposing his/her
beliefs.
In the relationship, the protégé retains full freedom of choice
and decision in his/her own classroom.
The mentor’s main concern is the protégé’s integrity and
welfare.
Confidentiality
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The mentor will respect the rules of confidentiality with respect
to the mentor/protégé relationship.
The mentor shall disclose confidential information about the
protégé only when compelling professional purpose is served or
when required by law to prevent a clear and immediate danger
to someone. Compelling professional purpose can be defined
as anything that severely threatens a child’s emotional well
being and/or academic performance.
The mentor should respect the protégé’s privacy and
confidentiality in disclosing information about the protégé to
colleagues and superiors.
The mentor should take precautions to ensure that records,
reports, and correspondence relating to the protégé are secure
from public inspection and not shared inappropriately.
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Power/Gain
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The mentor shall not use the relationship with his/her protégé
to private advantage.
Competence
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The mentor shall participate in continuing education to keep
informed of current best practice in mentoring and teaching.
Relationship
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The mentor will establish and maintain appropriate professional
relationship boundaries.
The mentor will avoid a dual relationship (e.g., business or
intimate) with the protégé that could impair professional
judgement, compromise the integrity of the induction program,
and/or use the relationship for personal gain.
The mentor should always be mindful of the importance of
serving as a role model and act as an advocate for teaching.
Termination of Relationship
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The mentor should not abandon or neglect the protégé. If the
mentor is unable or unwilling to serve as mentor, every
reasonable effort should be made to select another mentor and
facilitate a smooth transition to the new mentor.
Representative of the School and District
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The mentor is a representative of the school and district and
should always attempt to fulfill the mission of the school and
reflect the values and standards for which it stands. The
mentor should be committed to excellence in teaching.
Conflict of Interest
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The mentor should avoid having an evaluative relationship with the
protégé. Serving in an evaluative capacity could compromise the
primary relationship.
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