STEP: Supporting Teacher Excellence Program

The Hillsboro School District offers a program for all new teachers called Supporting Teacher Excellence Program (STEP). This program helps new teachers take the first steps in their teaching career.

STEP is a three-year program that recognizes the importance of providing new teachers with the tools, the procedures, and the support they need as they take their first steps in the world of teaching. Beginning teachers who have access to mentoring by expert colleagues are much less likely to leave teaching in the early years (Darling-Hammond, 2000). Research has shown that a skilled and knowledgeable teacher makes an enormous difference in how well students learn.

The District is committed to preparing new teachers for success from the moment they first step into the classroom to the moment you look back on your fulfilling career.

STEP 1 (the first year)

STEP 1 kicks off in August with a three day induction, which allows new teachers to get to know each other, their students kids, and the District.

• Three-day induction
• Job-alike mentor
• Monthly meetings: Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. with the location to be announced. Programs will focus on topics including Classroom Atmosphere," "Strategic Planning and Lesson Design," "The Engaging Classroom," "Observations and Evaluations," "Stress Management," and "Effective Questioning."
• Saturday Academy classes beginning in January
• Substitute time to allow for visits to other classes
• A District TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment) mentor
• Web resources
• Needs Assessment for STEP 2 and 3

STEP 2 (the second year)

• Cohort meetings, based on needs assessment
  • September
  • November
  • February
  • April
• Saturday Academy classes beginning in January
• Web resources
• Needs Assessment for STEP 3

STEP 3 (the third year)

• Cohort meetings, based on needs assessment
  • October
  • February
  • May
• Saturday Academy classes beginning in January
• Web resources

"Teachers affect eternity; they can never tell where their influence stops." Henry Brooks Adams, historian and novelist.

"It is the teacher, what the teacher knows and can do, that is the most significant factor in student achievement." Harry Wong, teacher and speaker.

Teachers, I believe, are the most responsible and important members of society because of their professional efforts affect the face of the earth." Helen Caldicott, author.