The first years of teaching are exciting, exhilarating, and amazing. At the same time, they can be stressful, scary, and pressure-filled. Support and guidance, especially during a teacher’s first few years, are pivotal to the teacher’s success and retention.
The Illinois State Board of Education partners with the Illinois Education Association (IEA), the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) to provide virtual coaching and mentoring to first-, second-, and third-year public school teachers, clinicians, and early childhood educators.
Each new educator receives a $500 participation stipend with access to a comprehensive library of resources aligned to the Danielson Framework. Veteran teachers can also participate as virtual instructional coaches and in-building mentors and earn a monthly stipend.
The Illinois Virtual Instructional Coach and Building Mentor Program offers the following comprehensive supports:
- A virtual instructional coach, certified in the same area of instruction, who is trained to provide support for beginning teachers in instructional practices (including virtual instruction), social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed practices;
- A trained and certified building mentor whose sole responsibility is to make the new teacher feel welcomed, supported, and connected in their new school;
- Access to a robust virtual coaching platform with an online library of resources and a way to connect to other first year teachers; and
- Support and feedback via one-on-one and small group virtual coaching sessions.
Districts in collaboration with their local unions are invited to join the IEA Virtual Instructional Coach and Building Mentoring program for new teachers and clinicians.
To support beginning teachers, the Virtual Instructional Coach & In Building Mentor Program offers every participating district’s new teachers and clinicians in their 1st, 2nd , and 3rd year wraparound professional support.
Coaching is powerful for career development and can help advance one’s professional goals and aspirations. Coaches serve as guides to their mentees and their job is to listen, offer advice, encourage, and support. Learn more about becoming a Virtual Instructional Coach
Email: IEA_CoachingAndMentoring@ieanea.org
CPS and other IFT affiliated district staff should contact IFT at IFTcoachingandmentoring@ift-aft.org
ISBE Coach-Mentor – Information and documents that allow access for administrators and other school personnel.
