Induction & Mentoring

The Teacher Induction program is designed to support new teachers in their first years with us.
The Induction program will include several different ways we provide support, including site-based mentors and monthly opportunities to meet with and learn from others.
For information, staff can find detailed information and induction on the Induction Google Site (Requires SMCPS Google Login).

SMCPS Teacher Induction Program

Seminars and Ongoing Professional Development

Induction is a year-long process, addressing the needs of new teachers in different phases of their first year. Ongoing professional development is based on both individual and instructional needs as the year progresses.
The Induction program will include several different ways in which you will receive support, including site-based mentors and monthly opportunities to meet with and learn from others. The program will begin with New Educator Orientation, Wednesday, August 6, through Friday, August 8, 2025.  Orientation will take place at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center and your school-site location.
In addition, we will offer optional professional development with our Conditional Teacher Boot Camp and Special Education Teacher Boot Camp on August 11-12, 2025.

Orientation Sessions

The district-wide support starts with New Educator Orientation on August 6-8, 2025. This three-day event is a required professional development program that includes the opportunity to meet the superintendent, content supervisors, and other central office staff who are available to answer questions and share information. During this time, you will also be provided time at your school site to meet your administration, your mentor, and have time to prepare your classroom and curriculum.

• Wednesday-Friday, August 6-8, 2025, 8:00 AM through 3:30 PM
• Day 1: August 6, 2025, at your School Site
• Day 2 & 3: August 7-8, 2025, at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center
• Dress: Business casual
• Bring your SMCPS-Issued laptop and iPad (This will be issued to you during summer intake sessions hosted by Human Resources)

Monthly Induction Seminar Sessions

As part of ongoing professional learning, SMCPS hosts monthly in-person sessions on the first Wednesday of each month from September through May. Most sessions are hosted at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center unless otherwise indicated, and participants will receive invitations through their SMCPS Google Calendar.

All in-person seminars will have staggered start times.

• Elementary will be from 5:00-7:00 PM (dinner provided at 4:30 PM)
• Secondary will be from 4:30-6:30 PM (dinner provided at 4:00 PM)

DIFFERENTIATION

Specific professional learning experiences are designed to address the needs of teachers based on experience and expertise:

• New Teachers in their first full year
• New Teachers with some experience (<5 years)
• Veteran Teachers from other districts
• Conditionally Certified Teachers

Further, differentiated professional development is designed to address specific content and program needs.

SCHEDULE OF INDUCTION SEMINARS

• Wednesday, September 3, 2025
• Wednesday, October 1, 2025
• Wednesday, November 5, 2025
• Wednesday, December 3, 2025
• Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Chopticon HS (Includes: DES, HES, OES, WMES, MBMS)
• Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Great Mills HS (Includes: CPCES, GWCES, GHES, GKES, PHES, RES, TCES, SRMS)
• Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Leonardtown HS (Includes: BBES, EES, LES, PPES, EMS, LMS)
• Wednesday, February 4, 2026
• Wednesday, March 4, 2026
• Wednesday, May 6, 2026

New Teacher Orientation

Learn more on the New Teacher Orientation landing page.
Sessions will be held at the Dr. J. A. Forrest Career and Technology Center.

New Teacher Orientation

For additional information, please contact Dr. Heather Husk at hlhusk@smcps.org.