New teacher orientation pilot:

As many of you may know, Rhode Island adult educators have been working on an orientation process for practitioners who are new (either just beginning, or within the early years of their work as educators). On June 11, 13 and 15 (from 9-3 pm) we will be implementing a first trial of an orientation process, designed (this time) mostly for classroom teachers; in time we hope to broaden this orientation to include all practitioners - teachers, administrators, program staff. We invite applications to participate in this first pilot - and welcome practitioners who can commit to complete the following:

- prepare a written observation of an adult education class; and/or a written reflection of one's own class (to be completed prior to the first meeting on June 11th)
- Attend all three meetings - June 11, 13, 15, from 9 to 3 - complete tasks within and between the meetings (these will not be very time-consuming, and will generally require no more than an hour's work)
- Reconvene in the early fall electronically and/or in a culminating meeting in order to provide final recommendations/feedback. The purpose of this meeting (or email discussion - to be determined) is to allow participants time to reflect on a set of guided questions that will be distributed at the end of the three-day pilot session).
We welcome a mix of new and somewhat more experienced practitioners for this pilot, and ask that you answer the following questions, (by email, fax or snail mail) by May 25th:

What do you believe an orientation should include?

What are you hoping to learn from your participation?

Have you ever participated in a similar orientation process before - either within your current program, or in another field?