SERVE Induction Program

BCPS TEACHER INDUCTION VISION

Burke County considers the impact of a teacher’s influence on students’ performances throughout the duration of their academic careers the most significant of all educational experiences. “Research suggests that one effective teacher can accelerate student learning over more than one grade level, while an ineffective teacher can cause students to fall irreparably behind (Rand Corporation)” (GaDOE, 2016). Consequently, it is necessary that Burke County invest in a comprehensive and enduring teacher induction program that supports the retention and growth of induction phase teachers.

Induction involves ongoing, systematic training and support for induction phase teachers that begins prior to the first day of school and is continuous throughout the first three years of teaching.

Purpose and Goals

The purpose of SERVE is to provide a supportive professional community for teachers who are new to education, the district or a particular school or grade level. As a result of this program, Burke County will enhance the collegial environment in our schools and facilitate on-going professional growth for new and veteran teachers that leads to more effective teaching and enhanced learning.

Burke County Public Schools are dedicated to the success of all members of our school community—students and teachers. In order to support our new teachers and contribute to the enhancement of our student’s learning, Burke County has developed this comprehensive induction program that engages new and veteran teachers in collegial, professional growth centered on mentoring.

Our ultimate goal is to Support new Educators and Retain Veterans through Excellence, SERVE. The BCPS induction program seeks to:

Increase student learning
Assist beginning teachers with instructional skills
Enhance teacher quality
Provide individual needs assessment and personal coaching
Build teacher confidence
Retain quality teachers in the district
Assist new teachers with the transition to teaching and BCPS
Support teacher morale, communication, and collegiality
Build a sense of professionalism and a positive attitude

BCPS SERVE Teacher Induction Program Goals

Retention

By the end of school year 2025-2026, the percentage of retained teachers will increase from 87% to 90% as measured by the SI dashboard.

TAPS Performance

By the end of school year 2025-2026, the gap between the TAPS mean for the district and the TAPS mean for the state of Georgia will be decreased by 10% as measured by the SI dashboard.

SERVE Rating by New Teacher

By the end of school year 2025-2026, 90% teachers in the SERVE program will agree the induction experience at a level of 4 or higher in a scale from 1-5 [baseline 63.6%].

BCPS SERVE TEACHER INDUCTION DISTRICT TEAM FY26

Name	Role	Major SERVE Duties
LaToscha Evans	Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning	Supervise SERVE program implementation
Cynthia Brogan	Secondary Curriculum & Professional Learning Director	Facilitate SERVE program implementation
Michelle Dye	Elementary Curriculum & Professional Leanring Director	Provide alternative PL sessions for staff who were absent
Jodi Waters	CSRA RESA Professional Learning Provider	Mentor training
Desherica Partlow	Student Services Coordinator (MTSS/PBIS/504)	Classroom management training and support
LaChonna Avery	Assistant Principal for Academics	Professional learning School based implementation
Jami Walden	Assistant Principal for Academics	Professional learning School based implementation
Renee Hickman	Instructional Coach	Professional learning ISL implementation Teacher individual coaching implementation
Adrianne Griffith	Instructional Coach	Professional learning ISL implementation Teacher individual coaching implementation
Marie Murray	Teacher	Classroom management training Mentoring implementation
Yolanda Travis	Teacher	Mentoring implementation

BCPS S.E.R.V.E. MENTORING AND INDUCTION CONTACTS

	MENTOR CONTACT	INDUCTION SUPPORT LIAISON
DISTRICT	Mrs. C. Brogan	Mrs. C. Brogan
BCHS	Ms. L. Avery	Mrs. A. Griffith and Mrs. R. Hickman
BCLC	Mrs. R. Parker	Mrs. R. Parker
BCMS	Mrs. A. Saulsberry	Mrs. A. Saulsberry
BES	Mrs. S. Preston	Mrs. S. Preston
SGA	Mrs. A. Lively	Mrs. A. Lively
WPS	Mrs. J. Walden	Mrs. J. Walden

SERVE Handbook