Initial Educators

Your Professional Development Plan

Join Angela Colas, a licensed K8 teacher, as she explains the process of moving from Initial Educator to Professional or Master Educator:

Watch Video



Resources highlighted in the video:

Initial Educator’s Toolkit

Characteristics of a High Performing Urban Classroom

Pursuing an Advanced Degree (or Additional Certifications) while working on your PDP

PDP Team Toolkit: http://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/pdp.html

MPS teachers can find more information by logging into the Portal and exploring the New Teacher pages.



Your Team

Educators are required, under PI34, to complete a PDP to renew their license. This requirement created the need for a system to review plans, approve goals, and verify their completion. This mechanism is the Professional Development Plan Review Team. For initial educators, a team is composed of an Institute of Higher Education (IHE) representative, an administrator who is not a direct supervisor, and a peer. Districts are responsible for supporting initial educators by providing administrators who are trained in the review process. 



Your Mentor

School districts employing Initial Educators are expected to provide them with a qualified mentor during this induction period. Each district can decide how this mentoring support is offered. However, it should include an ongoing orientation to the school’s mission and goals and be collaboratively developed and delivered by the school board, administrators, teachers, support staff and parents (PI 34.17(2)(c)).

More information about how your school district can support you is available from DPI and in this District Support Guide.