For the first time in school history, the district secured placement into a New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) program that strengthens mentoring and building-level experience for teaching assistants and classroom aides. Since 2023, NYSUT has offered this program in statewide public schools to improve classroom interaction and direction for teaching assistants and classroom aides.
The mentoring training process allows the district to offer professional development to those roles that are similar to teacher training and outreach. The opportunity will allow the district to establish a mentoring system to strengthen the skillsets of teaching assistants and classroom aides to increase their abilities to be successful in today’s classroom.
“To have this type of mentoring program is a significant win for Fonda-Fultonville,” shared FFCSD Teaching Assistant and Mentoring Coordinator Sandra Cimmino. “The process not only provides important training and feedback to support staff but also strengthens our team through mentorship and provides the type of training, resources, and conversations for our staff to be stronger for our students and their families.”
The process to deliver this mentorship program has taken over a year and a half to complete and introduce to teaching assistants and classroom aides. The process creates an important opportunity for new hires in these new roles and strengthens their ability to assist in the classroom while building professional development for our teaching community.
Currently, there are four teaching assistants who serve as mentors to new hires, addressing various items from classroom management and social-emotional care to reviewing topics important to their classroom roles. Additionally, the new program will strengthen school culture and benefit our students on a day-to-day basis.
“We are incredibly proud to be a part of a select group of districts offering this type of mentoring program for our teaching assistants and classroom aides,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard DeMallie. “The ability to have all individuals in our classrooms receive feedback and provide best practices is an amazing opportunity for the Fonda-Fultonville school community.”