Teacher Education and Mentoring (TEAM) Program

Teachers in the TEAM Program hold a CT initial or interim initial educator certificate in a subject area applicable to TEAM and are teaching in a subject area compliant with their certification endorsement.

The timespan of the TEAM program is typically intended to be two years, with an additional year possible for extenuating circumstances. Upon completion of the TEAM program, teachers may apply to proceed to the second step in the CT teacher certification progression, a provisional teaching certificate.

The Teacher Education and Mentoring (TEAM) Program, which began September 2010 and is defined by Connecticut Statute, mandates that districts provide new teachers with support in the early years of their professional career. In West Hartford, TEAM is a district-managed professional development experience which includes guided support and coaching from a trained TEAM mentor and exploration of five areas of the Common Core of Teaching (Classroom Environment, Planning for Instruction, Instructional Practices, Assessment of Learning and Professional Responsibility) through completion of instructional modules in a locally developed format. TEAM modules are completed in a district-designed format that is aligned with local expectations, scored locally, and submitted through the district’s TEAM Google Classroom.

WHPS TEAM orientation meetings provide new teachers and mentors with a thorough introduction to the district’s TEAM program. Additional opportunities for face-to-face and remote collaboration and support are available to new teachers and their TEAM mentors throughout the academic year. Resources are shared through the district’s TEAM Google classroom.

TEAM Coordinating Committee

On October 2, 2009 the CT General Assembly passed Public Act No. 09-6 which included a provision establishing the Teacher Education and Mentoring (TEAM) Program, with full implementation commencing on July 1, 2010.

The TEAM Program, as stated and prescribed in authorizing legislation, is a program that includes guided teacher support and coaching, and the completion of instructional modules by beginning teachers.

The TEAM Coordinating Committee, as defined legislatively and required by state statute, plans, implements, and monitors the district TEAM Program. Legislation requires a district to form a coordinating committee with the following essential representatives: a representative from the bargaining unit for certified employees, a representative from the district central office, a district administrator, a mentor, and the appointed TEAM district facilitator. Other representatives can be included to reflect and represent the district at large.

The TEAM Coordinating Committee (TCC) members in West Hartford are:

Core Membership:

Anne McKernan, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Curriculum
Matthew West, TEAM District Facilitator
Scott Dunn, Administrative Representative

Current teacher members are:

Katy Blake (Hall), Teacher Representative, high school
Sean O’Connor (Conard), Teacher Representative, high school
Anthony Wasley (Hall), Teacher Representative, high school
Katie Feldman (Bugbee), Curriculum Specialist
Becky Saraceno (Smith), Teacher Representative for Music, Fine Arts and Physical Education
Shoshana Luzusky (King Philip), Teacher Representative, WHEA
Chris Bombara (Sedgwick), Teacher Representative, middle school
Becky Pauluk (Duffy), Teacher Representative, elementary

Completing a TEAM Module

Recommended Dates for Module Completion

The West Hartford Schools’ TEAM Coordinating Committee recommends the following timeline for initiating and completing TEAM Modules:

TEAM Teachers responsible for 2 Modules

Complete TEAM by completing two modules (select two from Modules 1, 2, 3, 4) in one year, by May 15/ September 1 of the first school year.

TEAM teachers responsible for 5 Modules

Module 5 - TEAM teacher to attend a meeting about Professional Responsibility.
TEAM teachers need to complete 2 module reflection papers in the first year or by September 1 of Year 2.
TEAM teachers complete remaining modules/reflection papers in second year to complete TEAM.

Hint for TEAM teachers responsible for 5 Modules

Module 2 is the only module that can be completed during summer months as it is the only module that does not require submission of data regarding impact on student learning. With Module 2, a TEAM teacher explores new learning focused on the process of planning instruction. In Module 2, the TEAM teacher thinks about, projects or hypothesizes what the effect of their improved planning will be on students. Completing Module 2 over the summer requires careful advance preparation with the mentor. Specific guidance is available in the district’s TEAM Google classroom.

First Year TEAM teacher, 5 Modules -- Option 1

Module 5

Attend meeting

Complete Survey at ctteam.org

Module 1, 2, 3, or 4

Select one module

Select second module

Complete by February 15

Complete by May 15

First year TEAM teacher 5 Modules Option 2

Module 1, 3, or 4	Select one module	Complete by May 15
Module 2	Complete Performance Profile and PGAP before end of school year	Complete by September 1 of new school year

Second Year TEAM teacher 5 Modules

Module 1,2, 3,or 4

Select third module

Select fourth module

Complete by January 15

Complete by May 15

Matthew West

District Facilitator for TEAM
WHPSdistrictfacilitator@whps.org
860-561-6668