September 27 - 28, 2002
February 6 Follow-up Training
                                
   Dr. Cheryl Kershaw                                               Dr. Mary Ann Blank

Mentors were selected from 11 separate local schools to participate in the Urban IMPACT Project's fall 2002 training session.

Participants from 21st Century, Brainerd, Calvin Donaldson Elementary, East Lake Academy, East Lake Elementary, East Side Elementary, Franklin Middle,  Hillcrest Elementary, Howard Elementary, Orchard Knob Elementary, and Woodmore Elementary, were engaged in a two-day workshop: "Raising the Bar for teacher performance and student achievement in high needs schools: Mentoring, peer coaching, and instructional leadership.   The workshops were led by Dr. Mary Ann Blank, and Dr. Cheryl Kershaw from The University of Tennessee, Dr. Bonnie Warren of The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and Tennessee Academy for School Leaders .
 

Through the workshop, participants were trained to mentor new teachers and coach them through the difficult first years of their demanding positions.  Lessons were delivered on handling national, state, and district standards; for evaluating and preparing new teachers for urban community and cultural issues, needs, and expectations; for aiding new teachers in overcoming the environmental difficulties of urban schools; for helping new teachers in recognizing and understanding differences in communication, relationships, and expectations in urban school culture; for coaching protégé teachers in the practical facets of urban education, from classroom management and collecting classroom supplies to reading the effectiveness of lessons by identifying student reaction behaviors; and for assisting new teachers with personal issues of self-evaluation.

The trained mentors will combine their previous experience and the methods discussed and role-played to serve as leaders, role-models, coaches, liaisons, and supporters for their protégé teachers.

Mary C. Anderson, Supervisor of Licensed Personnel and Joyce E. Hardaway, Ed. D., Director, Recruitment and Minority Affairs from the Hamilton County Department of Education also participated in the mentor training sessions.

Mentors who attended the two day workshop September 27-28, 2002 were invited to return and complete their training to become
effective mentors in our urban schools of Hamilton County.  The workshop was lead by Dr. Cheryl Kershaw and Dr. Mary Ann Blank.
The trained mentors will combine their previous experience and the methods discussed and role-played to serve as leaders, role-models,
coaches, liaisons, and supporters for their protégé teachers.