Federal Way Public Schools
Beginning Teacher Assistance Program
Federal Way is committed to offering support for all of our first-year teachers as they begin their
teaching careers. The Beginning Teacher Assistance Program is designed specifically with the
novice teacher in mind.
BTAP
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Provides individual support from a mentor partner
Includes mentor observation cycles to assist teacher’s reflection in refining practice and
therefore student learning:
 planning conversation
 observation of focus area(s) designated by teacher
 post-observation conversation
Videotaped lesson(s) for joint teacher and mentor viewing and reflection
Is NON-evaluative and confidential
What does support include?
Focus on the 8 Washington State Teaching Evaluation Criterion:
1. Centering instruction on high expectations for student achievement.
2. Demonstrating effective teaching practices.
3. Recognizing individual student learning needs and developing strategies to address
those needs.
4. Providing clear and intentional focus on subject matter content and curriculum.
5. Fostering and managing a safe, positive learning environment.
6. Using multiple student data elements to modify instruction and improve student
learning.
7. Communicating and collaborating with parents and the school community
8. Exhibiting collaborative and collegial practices focused on improving instructional
practice and student learning.
Support with preparing for the first days of school
BTAP classes, schedule is in BTAP Binder and on FWPS Continuous Learning Center (CLC)
site.
Substitute released time to observe exemplary teachers in similar teaching assignments
Support with BTAP Student Growth Plan for recognizing student learning needs and
developing strategies to address those needs to advance learning.
Support with collecting evidence to demonstrate student growth with above plan to share during
BTAP May class.
In addition, the district offers classes such as ENVoY (Educational Non-verbal Yardstick,) Discipline with Love and Logic, and
Essential 10 Workshops suited for the first-year teacher.