Mentor Program Overview
District 67 has an extensive mentor program for teachers new to Lake Forest School District 67.  The goal of the mentor program is to provide support for new teachers as they begin their career in District 67.  For some, this will be their first job.  The demands on brand new teachers are great, but the rewards are outstanding!  Research shows that with support within the first five years, both emotional and academic, teachers find their work more rewarding and their students benefit from better instruction.

In District 67, all teachers on an initial teaching certificate who have not had a mentor program in a previous district, are required to complete two years of a state approved mentor program as a requisite to move to their standard certificate.  Each teacher is assigned a mentor, generally someone at the same grade level, in the same building, and in the same department to assist the protégé in acclimating to the culture of the school, learn strategies for effective instruction, provide feedback in a collaborative manner, and assist the protégé in transitioning to his/her new role as teacher.  Over the course of the two years, the protégé and mentor meet weekly, observe each other, and hopefully develop a lasting relationship of mutual support.  During that time, additional training opportunities in various areas ranging from classroom management to technology integration are provided for the protégé. 

Teachers on a standard certificate are generally provided an advisor to support them as they join the District 67 family.  Every district is unique in culture and procedures and the advisor is there to assist the new teacher as they become acclimated to District 67.  Generally, the expecations for observations and meetings are less than those of the mentor/protégé, but the goal is still the same, to make the new teacher feel welcome and provide support for success.

To the right are all the links that mentors, advisors and new teachers will need as they begin their career in District 67.  In addition, all mentors, advisors and new teachers will be using My Learning Plan online professional development tracking for filling out reflection journals, observation summaries, and meeting summaries. 

We welcome all new teachers to the district and are grateful to all of our mentors and advisors for the incredible role they play in supporting the growth of teachers new to the profession and new to District 67!