The Resident Educator Program

The Portage County Resident Educator program is designed to assist REs (resident educators) and mentors to navigate the state’s resident educator program.  The program will help REs  develop meaningful SMART goals to guide their work in the resident educator program.  The program will also help mentors and provide information in doing more powerful observations of the RCs. In general, the program is designed to serve as a part of the professional development plan of each participating district/school and to provide a model for teacher development by focusing on teaching and learning strategies recommended as “best practices.” 

The program is aligned with the Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession in order to maintain a consistent focus for new teachers as they move from pre-service, to Resident Educator, and to future roles as Lead Professional Educators. The program provides ongoing opportunities for beginning teachers to grow professionally in a supportive relationship with mentor teachers.  These opportunities enable the Resident Educators to reflect and build on their strengths and weaknesses in order to provide improved instruction for the children in their classrooms.

To be eligible to participate in the 2009-2010 Resident Educator Transition Program, beginning teachers must:

• Hold a valid Provisional, Career Technical Route B Provisional or Interim License
• Teach at least two classes or .25 FTE in their area of licensure
• Be employed by an ODE-chartered educational entity
• Work 120 days as determined by the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio
• Be assigned an ODE-certified, trained mentor by their employer.

Advancement to a five-year professional license will require evidence of:

• Successful completion of a year-long program of mentoring and support
• Growth of skills and knowledge (Ohio’s Standards for the Teaching Profession) as measured through formative assessments
• Signatures of the beginning teacher, mentor and superintendent on the professional license application form.

Selection of qualified mentors assures that Resident Educators receive high-quality support and assessment in the context of the learning environment. The Ohio Department of Education has recommended the qualifications outlined below to serve as a mentor. Along with these qualifications, the district may have additional requirements such as a mentor application process or targeted training. Ohio Resident Educator Program mentors should meet all of the following qualifications:

Five-year Professional License OR two-year Provisional License that has been renewed two or more times [Note: The inclusion of provisional license holders is a change from previously released information].

• Five years of teaching experience
• Recent classroom experience within the last five years
• Complete the school or district application process
• Be selected by the school or district to attend state-sponsored mentor training
• Successfully complete state-sponsored mentor training.

The role of the mentor in the Ohio Resident Educator Program differs from Year 1 to Years 2-4. Since the Resident Educator’s first year of teaching is critical, structured mentor support and guidance will be provided in Year 1, differentiated support may be provided in Years 2-4.

For more information on our Resident Educator Program, contact Dr. Beth Hargreaves via e-mail,or 330-297-1436