Training Tools to Help Mentors

PowerPoint Presentation

Training Tools to Help MentorsTraining Mentors and Organizing Project M.O.R.E.Celina East ElementaryTracey DammeyerLaura BrandtIntroductions of ourselves and our school1Celina East ElementaryProject M.O.R.E. began in Celina in the spring of 2011.

RTI Framework was being used.

We had a very small start with just a few students.

RTI needed a new program for interventions at our Tier III level for at-risk studentsSmall start with any new approach or program we knew we needed to start small to ensure a successful start2Celina East ElementaryWe have had great success with Project M.O.R.E. at Celina.

Our experiences with organizing and using the program is reflected in this presentation.

The recommendations in this presentation are what have worked for us so far.Testimonials of parents and teachers from the first year - after the first bullet point 3Smoothing Out the WrinklesKeeping the Mentors OrganizedKeeping Yourself OrganizedProject M.O.R.E. running smoothly and successfullyThe key to Project MORE is organization4Training your MentorsHave a training session or several sessionsGets the mentors together to socialize.Gives you a chance to explain the program and procedures.Allows you to make changes to the previous years procedures and add new components to the program.Alleviates the nerves of some of the new mentors.Eliminates the need for a 3-minute training before they jump right in with a student.

Training the mentors is so important. Im stressing new mentors out when they havent had a chance to see what they will be doing, where they will be going, etc. I dont always have the chance to show them/tell them everything. I dont feel like Im setting them up for success and a good attitude about the program. These are some of the benefits of training everyone every year: (go over slide) 5Training your Mentors Getting TogetherDepending on your situation, you may wish to have several trainings.

If you can meet at your school, you can show where everything is firsthand.

Its great to get together as a group to kick-off the Project MORE season. Ive gained several mentors because my current mentors have gotten together and asked mutual friends if they would be interested in volunteering. 6Training Your Mentors - Explaining the ProgramGive an overview of the program, not just the procedures.

Mentors need to know why they are doing the procedures, not just how to do them.

Dont just tell them, show them!

Explain how Project MORE is used specifically in your school and explain why7Training Your Mentors - Explaining the Program (continued)

.44 Grade Level Gain1.29 Grade Level GainI show my data to mentors so that they can see that this program DOES make a difference. Share successes8Training Your Mentors - Explaining the Program (continued)Show mentors the video on the Project MORE website.

Create your own video of testimonials from teachers, students, or current mentors.

Example VideoMake sure they know this program is bigger than just their student they are a part of something great.9Training Your Mentors - Explaining the ProceduresBefore getting to the specifics, start with the broad.

Imagine a mentors experience at your school from arriving at the school to leaving.

Try to NOT think like a teacher or a parent. If you are doing the training away from your site, show pictures.

A mentor needs to know where to park before needing to know how to do a cold read. Try to think about your first experience at a new job where do I park, where do I go first, who can help me if I get confused, where is the bathroom, etc. Parents and teachers know what to do if its snowy and there is a 3hour delay, would the other mentors know?10Training Your Mentors - Explaining the Procedures (continued)

Student MaterialsNews check this board often!Needs Attention crateTreats check this area often!Project M.O.R.E. CenterThis is what the Project MORE area looks like and these are the featuresI also show them an aerial view of the building and where to park, exit/enter11Training Your Mentors - Explaining the Procedures(continued)

Place to hang coat and leave thingsCustom activities after PM has started, some students will have these forms.12Training Your Mentors - Explaining the Procedures(continued)Move to the specifics.Dont just tell them, show them!

Demonstrate or use videos to explain the fluency portion of the lesson.

http://www.celinaschools.org/ProjectMORE.aspxShow a portion of the sticker read video.Reference the website if they would like to use it.Show a portion of the sticker read video.Reference the website if they would like to use it.13Training Your Mentors - Explaining the Procedures (continued)Have sample folders and materials available and demonstrate what to do.

Make sure they know why they are doing specific portions of the lesson and what data you will be collecting from their sessions.

Have sample folders in a couple different stages of the lesson. If you add anything to your lessons (froggy games, custom activites), have that stuff available to see also.14Training Your Mentors - Explaining the Procedures (continued)

Needs Attention crateProject M.O.R.E. CenterMake sure you explain what to do when they are done with a session. When your student completes a lesson, it goes in this crate so I know to give the student a new story.15Training Your Mentors - Explaining the Procedures (continued)And after you get done explaining, showing, and demonstrating every little thing

This is how I felt after Project MORE started this year I had done 2 separate trainings for new mentors and I was confident it was going to be so smooth! (Forgetful Jones video)16Training Your Mentors - Explaining the Procedures (continued)Display reminders and notes everywhere.

Start a newsletter or distribution list to send updates, reminders, needs, and to share success stories.

Keep everything you do with Project M.O.R.E. as consistent as possible throughout the year.

The more ways you are able to communicate something, the better chance it will be learned.17Training Your Mentors - Explaining the Procedures (continued)And just when you think youve couldnt have been more clear with your directions

Forgetful Jones telephone to the nose18Training Your Mentors - Explaining the Procedures (continued)Avoid breakdowns!Keep changes to a minimum.The best time to implement a change in procedures is with the start of a new school year.If possible, make changes based on individual student needs, and only make the changes for those students.

The biggest breakdowns that have happened in our experiences is when we made changes to overall procedures.Unless the benefits outweigh the risks of changing, dont do it. If the change will only help you out, it may not be worth it. 19Smoothing Out the WrinklesKeeping the Mentors OrganizedKeeping Yourself OrganizedProject M.O.R.E. running smoothly and successfullyTraining helps keep the mentors organized - Now youve got to keep them going by staying organized yourself!20Organization TipsYou need to be organized and consistent if you expect the mentors to be as well.

There are 3 main areas weve implemented systems for organization.Student materialsData collection/trackingAbsent students/mentors

21Student MaterialsWe keep two copies of every story (from reading-tutors) in files.

Stories are kept in file jackets so that the small materials dont fall out. 22Student Materials (Continued)

Game cards are in envelopes and paper-clipped to mentor instructions.

Multiple copies of the consumable pages are kept, and two books are in the files at all times.When I assign a story to a student, I make a copy of the book and keep it in the book making center to be folded at a late time. That way, I can get the students folder ready immediately, without stopping to make copies.23Student Materials (Continued)Student FoldersEvery student has two folders.We are always at least planned for one story cycle ahead of the date.This allows for extra time if a coordinator needs to be absent.

One folder is active and the other is waiting24Student Materials (Continued)Train your best mentors to help you maintain files.

Have a needs copied file and make sure people know where it is.

Make sure everyone knows how to assemble a book and where you keep them.

People who have time to kill while waiting for students are often happy to have a job. 25Student Materials (Continued)

This is what I show my mentors finished books go in the white crate. Only a select few mentors go ahead and file them for me.26Data Collection/TrackingListsDay-to-day planning for storiesSpreadsheetsStudent levels over time, start dates, number of sessions, etc.Student FilesRecord stories completedRecord scores on storiesKeep notes from mentors

We keep track of DRA and DIBELS scores throughout the year27Absent Students/MentorsCreate a contact list for mentors.

Have students scheduled for more than one at a time (ex. all of room 206 students go at 11:15).

Get a list of numbers for texting.Sendhub.comMake sure more than one person has this list in case of an absent studentIf a student is absent, you might be able to rearrange mentors if a mentor is absent too.Our college kids do not check their e-mail, but they text28

Absent Students/Mentors (Continued)Get a system for subs.

Start a Google Calendar.We use the sticky note system right now29Smoothing Out the WrinklesKeeping the Mentors OrganizedKeeping Yourself OrganizedProject M.O.R.E. running smoothly and successfullyThis is what we recommend from our experiences with Project MOREOne more video clip30Training Tools to Help MentorsTraining Mentors and Organizing Project M.O.R.E.

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