Why it works
Beyond the formal job, new teachers must learn their school's culture, the norms, the unwritten rules, who handles what, and how decisions actually get made, to function effectively and feel they belong. Induction research shows that understanding the system and knowing how to access support, from the office staff to the counselor to colleagues, reduces stress and isolation and helps new teachers succeed.
The research: Research on teacher induction and school culture.
The run-of-show
Choose your slot. The agenda, timings, and length update to match.
The core activity: map your support and the system
New teachers leave with a map of who to go to and a plan to learn the unwritten rules.
- Map who handles what and who you can go to for support: office, counselor, team, experienced colleagues.
- Identify unwritten norms you are still unsure about, and who could explain them.
- Plan how you will ask questions without hesitation.
- Build a relationship with one key support person.
Facilitator notes
- Explain the culture and the system.
- Introduce new teachers to key people, and normalize asking.
- Make support easy to access.
Adapt it
- <b>Elementary and secondary:</b> the same.
- <b>All settings:</b> map the system, build relationships, ask.
Participant handout
One page for every teacher. Print it, or save it as a PDF.
Navigating School Culture: learn the system
<b>Find your way:</b> who handles what, the unwritten norms, and the relationships that get you support.
- Who handles what and who I go to for support:
- Unwritten norms I am unsure about and who could explain them:
- How I ask questions without hesitation:
- A key support relationship to build:
- The first thing I will ask about:
Make it stick
Learn and connect:
- Learn the system.
- Build support relationships.
- Bring something the school culture taught you to your mentor.