The Arkansas Department of Education announces a transition from the Pathwise Mentoring Model for novice teachers to a new Arkansas Induction Mentoring Model (AIMM). During transition, through the 2012-2013 school year, Pathwise Induction/Mentoring will continue with the current structure, format and delivery. All Pathwise trained mentors have active mentor status extended through September 30, 2013. Therefore, NO mentor recalibrations will be held during summer 2012. However, there will be Pathwise three-day trainings around the state to accommodate school districts’ mentor shortages for the 2012-2013 school year. School districts with mentor shortages are to contact the local Educational Service Cooperative for information on upcoming Pathwise trainings.
Training for AIMM will begin during the summer of 2013. AIMM is based on Charlotte Danielson's Framework for Teaching and will use the same rubric as the new Arkansas Teacher Evaluation System. While there are a few extra components to AIMM, such as incorporating technology in the classroom and keeping accurate records, mentors will find the AIMM framework very similar to the Pathwise system. AIMM will also reflect a more collaborative approach to mentoring with mentors and novice teachers exploring specific modules of instruction to facilitate the mentoring process thus ensuring quality mentoring for all novice teachers. AIMM will be implemented in all Arkansas public school districts in the fall of 2013.
Questions about AIMM may be addressed to Ms. Maureen Harness at 501.683.4382 or maureen.harness@arkansas.gov.