By now you have made your New Year's resolutions. I hope on your list is to stay connected with the Mentor Program (by way of the district mentor chairs listed below) to keep you posted on upcoming KMEA and District Events in your area. We all know the importance of relationships on the journey of the first few years of teaching. There is a neat video in the Mentoring section of the KMEA website that is FULL of great information.



Ron Chronister, past president of KMEA, has spent countless hours creating a database that will be helpful in identifying new teachers and mentor teachers. We are most appreciative of his ongoing support of the mentor program!

There are two clinics we would love to see you at this year at the KMEA ISW! The first is on Friday, February 26, 2016 at 11:00AM. The clinic is titled "Getting Organized Your First Year of Teaching." This will be the inaugural for this clinic! The second—and a classic—is "Tips from the Trenches" Mentor Session on Saturday, February 27 at 9:00 AM. This has been a popular session for new teachers who can ask questions of a panel of six veteran teachers.

• If you have not... Pre-Register for the KMEA ISW
• Register for the New Teacher Luncheon-FREE for new teachers! DON'T MISS IT!
• If needed... Acquire your time off, and put in for a substitute teacher
• If needed... Make hotel arrangements

IN LATE JANUARY/EARLY FEBRUARY...

• Begin reading the KMEA ISW events.
  • You will want to attend as many learning sessions as possible.
  • You will want to attend as many performances as possible.
  • Plan to attend the vendor displays and meet them.
  • Try to attend any reading sessions presented.
• Use the ISW planner plan your KMEA ISW
• Something new this year at KMEA ISW- GREEN ribbons will be given to new teachers and GOLD RIBBONS for district mentor chairs to allow easily identification of each other at the conference!

The following is a list of District Mentor Chairs (please look on their respective district websites for contact information):

• Northwest (NW) District Mentor Chair: Bill Schick
• North Central (NC) District Mentor Chair: Nancy Monical
• Northeast (NE) District Mentor Chair: Kim Harrison
• Southwest (SW) District Mentor Chair: Jodi Reese
• South Central (SC) District Mentor Chair: Deborah Harris
• Southeast (SE) District Mentor Chair: Mary Jo Harper

We look forward to seeing you soon at the KMEA ISW February 25-27, 2016!