The aim of teacher induction is to deepen professional knowledge of beginning teachers, acquire/develop pedagogical skills and facilitate adaptation to the school environment. Successful completion of the induction period is the preriquisite for passing certification exams and acquire teacher sertificate.

The pedagogical activities of inductees are managed and coordinated by mentors- qualified and experienced practicing teachers, who have gone through a series of special trainings vis-a-vis mentoring.

In summer 2010 the first Teachers Examination Exams were held in Georgia in  Georgian, Math, and Foreign languages (English, German, French and Russian).  From 2010 only certified and acting teachers could become mentors. In 2010-2011 school year, certified teachers of Georgian, Math, and Foreign languages with high scores in teacher certification exams and at least 3 year teaching experience were selected as mentors.

 

The program was implemented at state and private schools  in  seven cities of Georgia-Tbilisi, Gori, Telavi, Akhaltsikhe, Kutasi, Batumi and Zugdidi. 

The induction standard was developed in the framework of the induction program, as one of the  evaluation tools for the inductee evaluation.

In 2011-2012 school year, the number of program participant cities was increased up to 10 – Rustavi, Poti and Ozurgeti was included in the program.

 

In fall 2011-2012, after teacher certification exams were held almost all subjects, the center initiated certified teacher competition on mentoring.

Participants  faced two main demands: a) t mentor candidates should have been certified and acting teachers at state or private school in the above cities  and b) should present  lesson plans.

The competition caused a great interest among teachers –the center received up to 550 applications. Through a 2 week interview process, 130 mentors of different subjets were selsected, including 32 mentors who participated in the last year  program.

In october 12-28, registration process for inductee candidates was launced in resource centers  of above cities. Overall, about 1200 inductee candidates were registered in 10 ERC s throughout Georgia.In late October, mentors went through special trainings on effective mentoring.

The center also conducted trainings for school committee members on the procedures on selecting of inductee candidates.

The selecting process of inductees was held in November through December, 2011. At this point there are 450 inductees and 130 mentors in the program.