Professional Development

La FIRST Online is an innovative 8(g) program designed to equip Louisiana school districts with resources to better meet the needs of new teachers. The program will provide extensive support to teachers during their first five years in the classroom. In 2008-2009, La FIRST Online will feature:

• La FIRST TIP, a District/District/University Partnership; and
• E-Mentoring, a new vision for mentoring and induction.

  Successful La FIRST Online practices include summer induction, continuing professional development, ongoing support-both online and face-to-face, enhanced mentoring, and access to model demonstration lessons.

The La FIRST TIP project addresses teacher recruitment and retention challenges in hard-to-staff districts by linking high need school districts to exemplary La FIRST school districts and supporting universities.

• an initial 4-5 days of induction training before school begins,
• online professional development,
• enhanced mentoring, and opportunities for new teachers
• to visit demonstration or model classrooms;
• to submit portfolio entries for National Board Certification; and
• to receive graduate credit for their participation in induction activities.

E-Mentoring will expand and enrich opportunities for beginning teachers and their mentors to collaborate by providing accessibility, consistency, and targeted support for new teachers.

• Department of Education contracted and supervised mentors,
• ratio of 1 mentor to 15 new teachers,
• new teacher participation in an online environment,
• focus on the Louisiana Components of Effective Teaching,
and
• face-to-face meetings between mentors and new teachers.