Introduction

How to Use this Guide

Orientation of New Teachers

Examples of Exemplary Induction Practices

Developmental Phases of Beginning Teachers

BEST Participation Requirements

RESC BEST Field Staff

Project Leaders and Teachers-in-Residence

BEST Connections Website

Initial Support Teacher Training Mentors and Cooperating Teachers

Professional Development  for Administrators

Sample Questions for Conferences with Teachers

Summary of PortfolioTasks and Expectations

Administrators's BEST Calendar

Mentor/Beginning Teacher Action Plan

BEST Professional Development Descriptions

Back to Resources on ctbest.org

All BEST Program participants and all educators who work with them benefit from the BEST Connections website at www.ctbest.org. Registration on the website provides: g Connection to information Educators regularly receive E-mail messages related to their teaching content (or that of the beginning teacher they support). E-mails include: r Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) r Teaching ideas r Discussion of portfolio topics r Portfolio reminders r Valuable Web resources r Timely announcements of professional interest Note: Beginning teachers who do not subscribe to E-mail connections are missing out on a valuable resource that can assist them instructionally as well as in portfolio preparation. g Connection to resources and Connecticut State Department of Education publications r Portfolio Handbooks r Feedback Rubrics r Guide to Interpreting Score Results r Beginning Teacher’s Guide to the BEST Program r BEST Program Policy Documents r Common Core of Teaching – Connecticut’s Professional Standards Document r Conversation Points r Mentor Guide g Connection to online learning units Educators can click on “Learning Units” to access four to five learning units in each of the ten portfolio subject areas. g Connection to BEST Professional Development Throughout the school year, CSDE sponsors meetings, workshops, trainings and seminars for experienced and beginning teachers. Use the Web site to register for r New Teacher Induction Workshops for Principals r BEST Administrator Institutes r District Facilitator Meetings r Initial Support Teacher Training (to become a mentor) r BEST Portfolio Support Training r Mentor Seminar Series (for trained mentors) r Portfolio Assessment Scorer Training, Proficiency and Scoring r Beginning Teacher Seminar Series     • Fall: two seminars for second-year teachers     • Spring: one seminar for first-year teachers r Coaching for Instructional Excellence (for trained mentors) g Making your BEST Connection Using BEST Connections at www.ctbest.org to register for E-mail or courses 1. Visit our website ( www.ctbest.org ). 2. Select an option from the list on the left. 3. “Sign In.”      • You will be asked for the first four letters of your last name and the last four digits of your SSN.      • If you are a new user, you will be asked to create a profile for yourself.      • If you are a returning user, you may edit your profile at any time.      • Your subscription to e-mail messages is part of your profile. 4. Review Catalog of Courses. 5. Register for desired course.