A Shidoo System

1
A Shidoo System
A proposal for a teacher mentoring program at
Hongwanji Mission School

• Kimo Ogino

2

• Losing a well-educated and talented teacher in
  the first year of teaching is a big loss. Losing
  a talented teacher because of inadequate support
  and guidance during the first year is a tragic
  loss that can be avoided.
• Department of Ed
  Richmond, VA

3
Context

• School Context
• Focus of Research Topic
• Rationale
• Expected Impact on Student Learning
• Criteria to Determine Effectiveness
• Timeline
• Information Sources
• Resources Needed

4
School ContextHongwanji Mission School (HMS)

• General Information
• Founded in 1949 in metropolitan Honolulu
• The only Buddhist PK - 8 school in the United
  States
• In the last five years, the enrollment has been
  approximately 290
• Class sizes are small
• The school employs approximately 30 full time
  teachers

5
Central Goals at HMS

• Provide a challenging and diverse academic
  curriculum with an emphasis on moral and
  spiritual values
• Live every day with the Golden Chain of Love in
  mind
• Fostering the growth of all individuals

6
Mission Statement

• To achieve educational excellence with
  challenging programs and activities rooted in
  Buddhist values and community service. The
  school welcomes all students irrespective of
  race, language, culture, and religion

7
Some of the Concerns at HMS

• Decreasing Enrollment
• Continued Development and Alignment of the
  Curriculum
• Breakdowns in Communication
• Teacher Retention
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Teacher Morale

8
Focus of Research ProjectCreating the framework
for a teacher mentoring program for new teachers
at HMS

• Main Problem In each of the last two years, we
  have replaced 7 out of the 30 teachers (23)
• Last school year, 4 out of the 7 (57) new
  teachers left after only one year. Two are
  contemplating leaving the profession

9

• Some of the Questions to Address
• How will the Shidoo System help to retain
  teachers at HMS?
• How will the Shidoo System improve beginning
  teachers skills and performance?
• How will the Shidoo System help to improve
  teacher morale, communications, and collegiality?
• How will the Shidoo system impact student
  learning?

10
Rationale

• A well conceived mentoring program contributes to
  a culture of learning
• Mentoring programs have the potential to decrease
  the high attrition rates of beginning teachers
• Without a mentoring program, new staff will focus
  on survival. With a mentoring program, new staff
  can focus on the students

11
Rationale

• A good mentoring program will positively impact a
  new teachers effectiveness in the classroom
• A well conceived mentoring program helps to
  develop the participants professionally
• Personal I been down that path,
• so I have a sense of compassion
• for the new teachers

12
Expected Impact on Student Learning

• Improved learning environment
• The creation of a collaborative and positive
  climate within the school
• Less time spent on management problems
• Improved instruction

13
Criteria to Determine Effectiveness

• Some Indicators
• Teacher Morale, fewer management issues,
  teacher retention, improved school climate and
  possibly increased enrollment

14
Ways to Determine Effectiveness
Formative Evaluation- Evidence of the growth and
development of the participants at specific
times during the year. Sources used to gather
data are reflective journals, surveys,
observations, interviews, and mentor
documentation

15
Ways to Determine Effectiveness

• Summative Evaluation
• Some of the questions to address are
• Did the project meet the goals?
• What components were most effective?
• Did the participants benefit from the project?
• Were the results worth the cost?

16
Timeline

• August-November Research
• December-February Create the Framework for the
  Shidoo System
• March-May Start implementation
• Mentor nominations/volunteers
• Interview potential mentors
• Mentor inservicing
• June- Organize data
• July-August Submit report on project

17
Sources of Information

• ERIC
• Journals
• Articles
• Books
• HAIS,CAIS,NAIS
• Interviews
• Local Independent Schools
• Internet Websites

18
Resources Needed

• Faculty Support
• Compensation for participants (Does not have to
  be monetary)

19
Sayonara