SECTION 210:20-17-3. Mentor teachers; qualifications, selection and appointment, duties and responsibilities

(a)   It is the intent of the regulations that mentor teachers be selected who possess the requisite knowledge and skills for assisting the beginning teacher.

(b)   Beginning school year 1980-81, every beginning teacher (zero years experience as a classroom teacher) employed shall serve under the guidance and assistance of a mentor teacher for a minimum of one (1) school year. However, no beginning teacher shall serve under the guidance and assistance of a mentor teacher for less than 120 days.

(c)   Upon employment of a beginning teacher, the superintendent or chief administrative officer shall notify the principal of the areas of certification and the teaching assignment of the beginning teacher.

(d)   Within no more than ten (10) teaching days after the beginning teacher enters the classroom, the mentor teacher shall be selected.

(e)   It is the responsibility of the school district to ensure that a mechanism be provided whereby the mentor teacher will provide guidance and assistance to the beginning teacher a minimum of seventy-two (72) hours per year in classroom observation and consultation.

(f)   Emergency situations with regard to the selection and appointment of mentor teachers shall require State Board of Education action.

[Source: Added at 13 Ok Reg 1331, eff 5-13-96; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3334, eff 5-5-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 2248, eff 6-11-98; Added at 23 Ok Reg 72, eff 8-24-05 (emergency); Added at 23 Ok Reg 1272, eff 5-25-06]